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Q1Geography·Indian Climate and MonsoonPYQ 2026
With reference to the climate of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. The climate can be defined as a humid, tropical coastal climate.
2. It receives rainfall from both South-west monsoon and North-east monsoon.
3. Maximum precipitation is between December and May.
Select the answer using the code given below:
- A1 only
- B1 and 2Correct
- C2 and 3
- D3 only
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
The humid tropical coastal description is correct, but the islands also receive rain from both monsoon systems. Their maritime setting and latitude explain warm, moist conditions without making the second statement false.
- Option C
Both monsoons contribute, but statement 3 gives the wrong principal wet-season interval. The dry-season portion of the year cannot be treated as the period of maximum precipitation simply because rainfall is possible in many months.
- Option D
The official state climate plan identifies maximum precipitation between May and December, not December and May. The islands’ year-round humidity does not mean rainfall has no seasonal concentration.
Q2Geography·Indian Climate and MonsoonPYQ 2005
Which one of the following is the correct sequence of the given Indian cities in the decreasing order of their normal annual rainfall?
- AKochi, Kolkata, Delhi, Patna
- BKolkata, Kochi, Patna, Delhi
- CKochi, Kolkata, Patna, DelhiCorrect
- DKolkata, Kochi, Delhi, Patna
Explanation
Correct. Kochi on the windward side of the Western Ghats receives roughly 3,000 mm, Kolkata about 1,600 mm, Patna about 1,100 mm, and Delhi about 790 mm annually.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Kochi does receive the most rainfall, but Delhi receives less than Patna, making the last two positions incorrect.
- Option B
Kochi receives more annual rainfall than Kolkata, so Kolkata cannot be first in a decreasing order.
- Option D
Kochi receives more rainfall than Kolkata, and Delhi receives less than Patna, making this sequence incorrect.
Q3Geography·Indian Climate and MonsoonPYQ 2004
Consider the following:
Assertion (A): Bangalore receives much higher average annual rainfall than that of Mangalore.
Reason (R): Bangalore has the benefit of receiving rainfall both from south-west and north-east monsoons.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- ABoth A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
- BBoth A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A
- CA is true but R is false
- DA is false but R is trueCorrect
Explanation
Correct. Mangalore on the western coast receives about 3,500 mm of rainfall due to orographic lifting by the Western Ghats, far exceeding Bangalore's roughly 970 mm. The reason is true: Bangalore does receive rainfall from both the south-west and north-east monsoons, but this does not make its total higher than Mangalore's.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
The assertion is false. Mangalore, on the windward coast, receives far more rainfall (about 3,500 mm) than Bangalore (about 970 mm).
- Option B
The assertion itself is false, so this combination cannot apply.
- Option C
The assertion is false, not true. Mangalore receives much more rainfall than Bangalore.
Q4Geography·Indian Climate and Monsoon
Consider the following statements about western disturbances:
1. They originate over the Mediterranean Sea and travel eastward.
2. They bring winter rainfall to north-western India.
3. They are associated with the tropical easterly jet stream.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 and 2 onlyCorrect
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. Western disturbances are extra-tropical cyclonic systems that originate over the Mediterranean Sea region and are carried eastward by the sub-tropical westerly jet stream, bringing winter rainfall to Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. They are associated with the westerly jet, not the tropical easterly jet.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
Statement 3 is incorrect. Western disturbances are embedded in the sub-tropical westerly jet stream, not the tropical easterly jet.
- Option C
Statement 3 is incorrect. Western disturbances travel along the westerly jet, not the easterly jet.
- Option D
Statement 3 is wrong. The tropical easterly jet develops during summer and is related to monsoon dynamics, not to winter western disturbances.
Q5Geography·Indian Climate and Monsoon
The phenomenon of 'Mango Showers' in India refers to:
- AWinter rain brought by western disturbances in the Deccan
- BPre-monsoon showers in Kerala and Karnataka that help in the early ripening of mangoesCorrect
- CPost-monsoon rains that coincide with the mango harvesting season
- DHeavy tropical cyclonic rainfall in Andhra Pradesh during November
Explanation
Correct. Mango showers are pre-monsoon showers that occur during March-May in Kerala and Karnataka. These thunder showers help in the early ripening of mangoes, giving them their name. They are driven by local convective activity and are distinct from the main monsoon rains.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Mango showers are pre-monsoon phenomena in the southern peninsula, not associated with western disturbances.
- Option C
Mango showers occur before the monsoon, not after it.
- Option D
This describes cyclonic rainfall during the retreating monsoon, not mango showers.
Q6Geography·Indian Climate and Monsoon
The 'Cloudburst' phenomenon that sometimes causes flash floods in the Himalayan region during monsoon is characterised by:
- AContinuous light rainfall lasting several weeks
- BExtremely heavy rainfall in a very short time over a small areaCorrect
- CModerate rainfall spread over a large geographic area
- DSnowfall followed by rapid melting due to warm winds
Explanation
Correct. A cloudburst is an extreme rainfall event where more than 100 mm of rain falls in one hour over a small area (typically less than 20-30 sq km). In the Himalayan region, cloudbursts are caused by warm, moisture-laden monsoon air being forced to rise rapidly over steep terrain, forming intense cumulonimbus clouds that release concentrated rainfall, often causing devastating flash floods and landslides.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Cloudbursts are sudden and intense, not continuous and light.
- Option C
Cloudbursts are concentrated over small areas with extreme intensity.
- Option D
This describes a different type of flood mechanism, not a cloudburst.
Q7Geography·Indian Climate and Monsoon
The 'onset vortex' associated with the Indian monsoon is:
- AA cyclonic circulation that forms in the Arabian Sea around the time of monsoon onset and accelerates the monsoon advanceCorrect
- BAn anticyclonic system over the Tibetan Plateau that blocks the monsoon
- CA tornado-like system that forms in the Thar Desert during summer
- DA stationary low-pressure area over Sri Lanka that diverts the monsoon
Explanation
Correct. The onset vortex is a cyclonic low-pressure system that sometimes forms in the Arabian Sea around the time of the monsoon's arrival over Kerala. It plays a role in initiating the sudden burst of the monsoon by enhancing cross-equatorial flow and moisture convergence, accelerating the monsoon's rapid advance over the west coast.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
The anticyclone over Tibet actually facilitates the monsoon by driving the tropical easterly jet, not by blocking it.
- Option C
No tornado-like onset vortex forms in the Thar Desert. Desert conditions may produce dust devils but these are unrelated.
- Option D
While Sri Lanka does influence monsoon branch splitting, the onset vortex is an Arabian Sea phenomenon.
Q8Geography·Indian Climate and Monsoon
Which of the following conditions is/are associated with La Nina and its impact on the Indian monsoon?
1. Cooler-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the eastern equatorial Pacific
2. Strengthening of the Walker circulation
3. Generally above-normal monsoon rainfall in India
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- A1 and 2 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
Explanation
Correct. La Nina features cooler-than-normal SSTs in the eastern equatorial Pacific, which strengthens the Walker circulation (rising air over the western Pacific/Indian Ocean, sinking over the eastern Pacific). This enhanced circulation increases moisture convergence over the Indian subcontinent, generally resulting in above-normal monsoon rainfall.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 3 is also correct. La Nina generally enhances Indian monsoon rainfall.
- Option B
Statement 1 is also correct. Cooler eastern Pacific SSTs define La Nina.
- Option C
All three statements are correct and interconnected.
Q9Geography·Indian Climate and Monsoon
The 'October Heat' experienced in India is caused by which of the following conditions?
1. High temperature due to clear skies after the withdrawal of the monsoon
2. High humidity caused by residual moisture in the atmosphere
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2Correct
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. During the retreating monsoon in October, the land remains warm, skies become clear again allowing direct heating, and residual moisture from the monsoon keeps humidity high. The combination of high temperature and high humidity creates the oppressive conditions known as October Heat.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
High humidity also contributes significantly to the oppressive heat felt during October.
- Option B
High daytime temperatures from clear skies are also a factor.
- Option D
Both conditions are well-documented causes of October Heat in India.
Q10Geography·Indian Climate and Monsoon
The Tibetan Plateau plays a role in the Indian monsoon mechanism by:
- ACooling the upper troposphere and creating a high-pressure zone that blocks monsoon winds
- BHeating the upper troposphere and creating a high-pressure zone that helps drive the tropical easterly jetCorrect
- CDeflecting the trade winds towards the Indian Peninsula
- DAbsorbing all incoming solar radiation and preventing convection
Explanation
Correct. During summer, the elevated Tibetan Plateau acts as an elevated heat source, warming the upper troposphere. This heating creates a high-pressure anticyclonic system (the Tibetan High) in the upper atmosphere. This upper-level high helps establish the tropical easterly jet stream south of the plateau, which in turn reinforces the south-west monsoon flow at the surface.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
The Tibetan Plateau heats the upper atmosphere during summer, not cools it.
- Option C
The plateau's main mechanism involves upper-troposphere heating, not trade wind deflection.
- Option D
The plateau reflects and absorbs radiation but its key monsoon effect is upper-atmosphere heating, not preventing convection.
Q11Geography·Indian Climate and Monsoon
Which of the following is the primary reason for the low rainfall in Ladakh despite its proximity to the Himalayas?
- ALadakh lies in the rain shadow of the Greater HimalayasCorrect
- BThe Bay of Bengal branch of the monsoon does not reach that far west
- CCold temperatures prevent the formation of rain clouds
- DHigh altitude reduces atmospheric pressure preventing condensation
Explanation
Correct. Ladakh lies on the leeward side (north) of the Greater Himalayan range. The monsoon winds shed most of their moisture on the southern slopes of the Himalayas and very little moisture crosses to the trans-Himalayan region. This rain shadow effect makes Ladakh a cold desert with very low annual precipitation (about 100 mm).
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
While geography limits the Bay of Bengal branch, the primary mechanism is the rain shadow effect of the Greater Himalayas themselves.
- Option C
Cold temperatures alone do not explain low rainfall. Many cold regions receive substantial precipitation as snow.
- Option D
While altitude affects atmospheric pressure, the primary reason is the rain shadow created by the Himalayan barrier.
Q12Geography·Indian Climate and Monsoon
El Nino conditions generally have which of the following effects on the Indian monsoon?
- AThey strengthen the monsoon and cause excess rainfall
- BThey weaken the monsoon and may lead to drought conditionsCorrect
- CThey have no measurable effect on the monsoon
- DThey delay the monsoon onset but increase total seasonal rainfall
Explanation
Correct. El Nino involves anomalous warming of the eastern Pacific Ocean, which weakens the Walker circulation and reduces the pressure gradient between the Indian Ocean and the Indian landmass. This tends to weaken the south-west monsoon, often resulting in below-normal rainfall and sometimes drought.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
El Nino typically weakens the monsoon. La Nina conditions are associated with strengthening.
- Option C
Extensive research by IMD and global agencies has established a significant statistical link between El Nino and weaker Indian monsoons.
- Option D
El Nino tends to reduce total seasonal rainfall, not increase it.