IAS Prelims Exam MCQs
Q. North India gets rainfall due to
a) Northern cold winds
b) South-West monsoons
c) North-East monsoons
d) Western Disturbances
Answer : b
- Southwest Monsoon: The period June to September is referred to as the ‘Southwest Monsoon’ period. Southwest Monsoon period is the principal rainy season for the Indian subcontinent.
• The southwest monsoon flows from sea to land so it carries more moisture, and therefore causes more rain, than the northeast monsoon.
• The southwest monsoon sets in over the Kerala coast by 1st June and moves swiftly to reach Mumbai and Kolkata between 10th and 13th June. By mid- July, southwest monsoon engulfs the entire subcontinent.
• The western cyclonic disturbances which enter the Indian subcontinent from the west and the northwest during the winter months, originate over the Mediterranean Sea and are brought into India by the westerly jet stream.
• An increase in the prevailing night temperature generally indicates an advance in the arrival of these cyclones disturbances. - The months of October and November are known for retreating monsoons/North-east monsoon. By the end of September, the southwest monsoon becomes weak as the low pressure trough of the Ganga plain starts moving southward in response to the southward march of the sun.
• The monsoon retreats from the western Rajasthan by the first week of September. It withdraws from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Western Ganga plain and the Central Highlands by the end of the month.
• By the beginning of October, the low pressure covers northern parts of the Bay of Bengal and by early November, it moves over Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. By the middle of December, the centre of low pressure is completely removed from the Peninsula.
• The retreating southwest monsoon season is marked by clear skies and rise in temperature. The land is still moist.
• Owing to the conditions of high temperature and humidity, the weather becomes rather oppressive. This is commonly known as the ‘October heat.
• In the second half of October, the mercury begins to fall rapidly, particularly in northern India. The weather in the retreating monsoon is dry in north India but it is associated with rain in the eastern part of the Peninsula. Here, October and November are the rainiest months of the year.
Q. Find the odd one out :
a) Greeshma
b) Sisira
c) Magha
d) Sharad
Answer : c
• Most countries observe 4 seasons in a year. However India observes 6 seasons in a year.
• The classification of seasons into six parts is quite ancient and even observed during Vedic period. Hindu Calendar and Panchangam are based on six seasons in a year.
1. Vasant Ritu (Indian Spring)
2. Grishma Ritu (Indian Summer)
3. Varsha Ritu (Indian Monsoon)
4. Sharad Ritu (Indian Autumn)
5. Hemant Ritu (Indian Prewinter)
6. Shishir Ritu (Indian Winter)
Q. Punjab and Haryana receive rainfall from
a) Westerly disturbances
b) Cyclones in Bay of Bengal
c) Both of the above
d) None of the above
Answer : a
• The western cyclonic disturbances are weather phenomena of the winter months brought in by the westerly flow from the Mediterranean region. They usually influence the weather of the north and north-western regions of India.
• Tropical cyclones occur during the monsoon as well as in October – November, and are part of the easterly flow. These distrurbances affect the coastal regions of the country.
Q. The climate of India is of which of the following types?
a) Monsoonal
b) Mediterranean
c) Tropical
d) Savanna
Answer : a
• The climate of India is described as the ‘monsoon’ type. In Asia, this type of climate is found mainly in the south and the southeast.
• Despite an overall unity in the general pattern, there are perceptible regional variations in climatic conditions within the country. Let us take two important elements – temperature and precipitation, and examine how they vary from place to place and season to season.
• In summer, the mercury occasionally touches 50°C in some parts of the Rajasthan desert, whereas it may be around 20°C in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. On a winter night, temperature at Drass in Jammu and Kashmir may be as low as minus 45°C. Thiruvananthapuram, on the other hand, may have a temperature of 22°C.
Q. Consider the following statements:
1. The duration of the monsoon decreases from southern India to northern India.
2. The amount of annual rainfall in the northern plains of India decreases from east to west.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : c
• The duration of the monsoon decreases from southern India to northern India. The amount of annual rainfall in the northern plains of India decreases from east to west.
• The amount of rainfall decreases from east to west owing to the progressive decrease in the humidity of the winds.
• The southern part of India, being near to the sea, gets rainfall early and for a longer duration than in the northern part.
Q. The seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of
a) Equatorial climate
b) Mediterranean climate
c) Monsoon climate
d) All of the above climates
Answer : c
Distribution of Tropical Monsoon Climate
• Occur within 5° to 30° N and S of the equator.
• On-shore [sea to land] tropical monsoons occur in the summer and off-shore [land to sea] dry monsoons in the winter.
• They are best developed in the Indian sub-continent, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, parts of Vietnam and south China and northern Australia.
• The seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of Monsoon climate.
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