Physical Division of India – NDA Geography PYQs

NDA 2024-II

Q. 1. Which of the following pairs of Himalayan Passes and the Ranges in which they are located is/are correctly matched?

1. Zoji La: Great Himalayas

2. Banihal Pass: Pir Panjal Range

3. Photo La: Ladakh Range

4. Khardung La: Karakoram

Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 2 only

(b) 4

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation: Pair 1 (Zoji La – Great Himalayas): Correct. Zoji La lies in the Great Himalayan range, linking Kashmir Valley to Ladakh. Pair 2 (Banihal Pass – Pir Panjal Range): Correct. Banihal Pass is in the Pir Panjal, a sub-Himalayan range south of the main Himalayas. The Banihal tunnel (Jawahar Tunnel) runs through this range. Pair 3 (Photo La – Ladakh Range): Correct. Photo La is located in the Ladakh Range. Pair 4 (Khardung La – Karakoram): Incorrect. Khardung La lies in the Ladakh Range, not the Karakoram. It is often misidentified as being in the Karakoram because it provides access to the Karakoram region, but the pass itself is in the Ladakh Range. Concept Tested: Correct matching of Himalayan passes to their respective ranges

★ JOVIK Exam Insight Khardung La is one of the most common NDA traps in this chapter. Many students associate it with the Karakoram because it lies on the route to Siachen Glacier in the Karakoram. But Khardung La itself is in the Ladakh Range. NDA 2024-II tested this distinction directly.

NDA 2023-II

Q. 2. Which one of the following is the narrow belt parallel to the Shiwalik foothills where streams and rivers coming from the mountains deposit heavy materials of rocks and boulders?

(a) Tarai

(b) Bhangar

(c) Bhabar

(d) Khadar

Answer: (c) Bhabar

Explanation: The Bhabar is a narrow, porous belt lying parallel to the Shiwalik foothills. Rivers and streams emerging from the Himalayas deposit heavy boulders, pebbles, and coarse gravel here. Many streams disappear underground in this zone. Just south of the Bhabar lies the Tarai: a marshy, low-lying belt where the underground streams of the Bhabar re-emerge at the surface. Bhangar is old alluvial soil (higher ground); Khadar is new alluvial soil (floodplain deposits). Concept Tested: Sub-divisions of the Northern Plains: Bhabar, Tarai, Bhangar, Khadar

★ JOVIK Exam Insight The four zones of the Northern Plains appear repeatedly in NDA. Remember the sequence from hills to plains: Shiwalik foothills → Bhabar (coarse deposits, streams disappear) → Tarai (swampy, streams re-emerge) → Bhangar (old alluvium, higher ground) → Khadar (new alluvium, fertile floodplain). NDA tested Bhabar specifically in 2023-II.

Q. 3. Consider the following statements about physical features of India:

1. The southern point of the Peninsular Plateau is formed by the Nilgiri Hills where the Eastern and the Western Ghats meet.

2. The Cardamom Hills may be regarded as a continuation of the Eastern Ghats.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a) 1 only

Explanation: Statement 1: Correct. The Nilgiri Hills form the junction of the Eastern and Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu / Karnataka. They represent the southernmost point of the Peninsular Plateau proper. Statement 2: Incorrect. The Cardamom Hills (Idukki, Kerala) are a continuation of the Western Ghats, not the Eastern Ghats. They lie along the southwest-facing escarpment of the Western Ghat system. Concept Tested: Junction of Eastern and Western Ghats at Nilgiris; Cardamom Hills as part of Western Ghats

NDA 2016-I

Q. 4. In Thar region, the shifting sand dunes are locally known as:

(a) Dhrian

(b) Daurs

(c) Dhoros

(d) Dhaya

Answer: (c) Dhoros

Explanation: The source records Dhoros as the answer. In the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, local terminology for landforms varies by region. Dhrian is the Punjabi/Hindi term commonly cited for sand dunes in the Thar. Dhoros appears in some regional geographic literature as a local term for shifting sand dunes. Students should verify this answer against the official NDA 2016-I answer key, as Dhrian is more frequently cited in standard Geography textbooks. Concept Tested: Local terminology for shifting sand dunes in the Thar Desert

Q. 5. Deserts, fertile plains and moderately forested mountains are the characteristic features of which one of the following regions of India?

(a) South-Western border along Arabian Sea

(b) Coromandel Coast

(c) North-Eastern Frontier

(d) North-Western India

Answer: (d) North-Western India

Explanation: North-Western India encompasses the Thar Desert (Rajasthan), the fertile plains of Punjab and Haryana, and the Shiwalik/lower Himalayan hills of the northwest. This combination: desert + fertile plains + forested hills: is uniquely characteristic of North-Western India. No other region listed combines all three features. Concept Tested: Physiographic diversity of North-Western India

Q. 6. Consider the following statements:

1. Rajmahal highlands consist of lava flow deposits.

2. Bundelkhand gneiss belong to the oldest Archaean rocks of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation: Statement 1: Correct. The Rajmahal Hills in Jharkhand are composed of Gondwana-era lava flow deposits (Rajmahal Traps), similar in origin to the Deccan Traps. Statement 2: Correct. Bundelkhand gneiss is one of the oldest rock formations in India, belonging to the Archaean era (Precambrian). These rocks are estimated to be over 2.5 billion years old. Concept Tested: Geological composition of Rajmahal highlands and Bundelkhand upland

Q. 7. Jelep La pass is located in:

[Note: The answer options for this question are not available in the source document. The source records the answer as (b) Sikkim Himalayas.]

Answer: (b) Sikkim Himalayas

Explanation: Jelep La is a high-altitude mountain pass located in Sikkim on the India–China (Tibet) border. It lies at an altitude of approximately 4,270 metres. Jelep La was historically a major trade route between Sikkim and Tibet. It is classified within the Sikkim Himalayas, which form the eastern section of the main Himalayan range. Concept Tested: Location of Jelep La pass in the Sikkim Himalayas

Q. 8. Structurally, the Meghalaya region is part of:

(a) Shivalik Range

(b) Deccan Plateau

(c) Greater Himalaya

(d) Aravalli Range

Answer: (b) Deccan Plateau

Explanation: Geologically, the Meghalaya Plateau (also called the Shillong Plateau) is a detached portion of the Peninsular Plateau / Deccan Plateau. It was separated from the main peninsular block by faulting and subsidence that created the Assam plains (Brahmaputra valley). The Meghalaya Plateau is composed of Archaean metamorphic and granitic rocks, identical in character to the Peninsular Shield. Concept Tested: Structural affinity of the Meghalaya Plateau with the Peninsular (Deccan) Plateau

NDA 2015-I

Q. 9. Which of the following statements with regard to the western coastal plain of India are correct?

1. It is a narrow belt.

2. It is an example of submerged coastal plain.

3. It provides natural conditions for development of ports.

4. It has well developed deltas.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 1, 2 and 4 only

(d) 3 and 4 only

Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation: Statement 1 (Narrow belt): Correct. The western coastal plain is narrow, ranging from about 10 to 25 km wide in most places. Statement 2 (Submerged coastal plain): Correct. The western coast is a ria coast (drowned coastline) formed by the submergence of the land. This is why it has numerous estuaries, lagoons, and backwaters. Statement 3 (Natural ports): Correct. The submerged nature creates deep natural harbours and sheltered waters, making it suitable for ports. Statement 4 (Well-developed deltas): Incorrect. The western coast has estuaries and lagoons, not well-developed deltas. Deltas form on the eastern coast (Bay of Bengal rivers like Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery). Concept Tested: Characteristics of the western coastal plain: narrowness, submergence, ports, and absence of deltas

★ JOVIK Exam Insight A common NDA trap: students confuse the eastern and western coasts. Eastern coast = emergent coast = well-developed deltas. Western coast = submerged coast (ria coast) = estuaries, lagoons, backwaters, natural ports. No major delta forms on the western coast because rivers are short and fast-flowing.

NDA 2014-I

Q. 10. Which one among the following is the coral group of islands of India?

(a) Andaman

(b) Nicobar

(c) Minicoy

(d) Lakshadweep

Answer: (d) Lakshadweep

Explanation: Lakshadweep is a group of coral islands (atolls and reef islands) in the Arabian Sea. The islands are formed entirely from coral reefs and are among the smallest Union Territories of India. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, by contrast, are formed by the tips of a submerged mountain range and are not coral islands. Minicoy is the southernmost island of the Lakshadweep group: it is part of Lakshadweep, not a separate category. Concept Tested: Nature and origin of Lakshadweep islands: coral atolls vs. continental islands

Q. 11. Considering the locations of mountains in India, which one among the following is in right sequence from south to north?

(a) Doddabetta, Kailash, Dhaulagiri, Vindhyachal

(b) Doddabetta, Vindhyachal, Dhaulagiri, Kailash

(c) Dhaulagiri, Kailash, Doddabetta, Vindhyachal

(d) Dhaulagiri, Vindhyachal, Doddabetta, Kailash

Answer: (b) Doddabetta, Vindhyachal, Dhaulagiri, Kailash

Explanation: From south to north: Doddabetta (~11°N): in the Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu: southernmost. Vindhyachal/Vindhya Range (~24°N): in Madhya Pradesh / Uttar Pradesh. Dhaulagiri (~29°N): in the Himalayas of Nepal, visible from northern India. Kailash (~31°N): in Tibet (Trans-Himalayan region), northernmost. Correct south-to-north sequence: Doddabetta → Vindhyachal → Dhaulagiri → Kailash. Concept Tested: Latitudinal (south-to-north) arrangement of Indian mountains and peaks

NDA 2013-II

Q. 12. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:

List I (Landform of Peninsular India)	List II (Predominant Rock)
A. Marwar upland	1. Quartzites, Shales, Schists
B. Bundelkhand upland	2. Sandstone, Shale, Limestone
C. Meghalaya upland	3. Granite and Gneiss
D. Maharashtra plateau	4. Basalt

Codes:

(a) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4

(b) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4

(c) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2

(d) A-4, B-1, C-3, D-2

Answer: (a) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4

Explanation: Marwar upland (Rajasthan): formed by sedimentary rocks including sandstone, shale, and limestone (2). Bundelkhand upland (MP/UP border): underlain by Archaean granite and gneiss (3). Meghalaya upland (Shillong Plateau): composed of Archaean quartzites, shales, and schists (1). Maharashtra plateau: covered by Deccan Trap basalt from ancient volcanic activity (4). Concept Tested: Rock type classification of Peninsular Indian landforms

NDA 2012-II

Q. 13. Where is Aghil Pass located?

(a) Nepal Himalayas

(b) Sikkim Himalayas

(c) Eastern Himalayas

(d) Trans Himalayas

Answer: (d) Trans Himalayas

Explanation: Aghil Pass is located in the Aghil Range, which is part of the Trans-Himalayan (or Karakoram-adjacent) system north of the main Himalayan arc. It lies in the Xinjiang–Ladakh borderland region. The Trans-Himalayas include ranges like the Karakoram, Ladakh Range, and Zanskar Range, which lie north and northwest of the main Himalayan ranges. Concept Tested: Location of Aghil Pass in the Trans-Himalayan system

Q. 14. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

List I (Peak)	List II (State)
A. K2	1. Uttarakhand
B. Nanda Devi	2. Jammu & Kashmir
C. Tara Pahar	3. Sikkim
D. Kanchenjunga	4. Himachal Pradesh

Codes:

(a) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3

(b) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3

(c) A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2

(d) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2

Answer: (b) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3

Explanation: K2 (8,611 m) is in the Karakoram range in Jammu & Kashmir / Ladakh (2). Nanda Devi (7,816 m) is in Uttarakhand (1). Tara Pahar is in Himachal Pradesh (4). Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) is on the Sikkim–Nepal border, administered under Sikkim (3). Concept Tested: State-wise matching of K2, Nanda Devi, Tara Pahar, and Kanchenjunga

NDA 2012-I

Q. 15. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

List I (Mountain Pass)	List II (State)
A. Zoji La	1. Himachal Pradesh
B. Lipulekh	2. Sikkim
C. Shipki La	3. Uttarakhand
D. Nathu La	4. Jammu & Kashmir

Codes:

(a) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4

(b) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4

(c) A-4, B-1, C-3, D-2

(d) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2

Answer: (d) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2

Explanation: Zoji La: connects Srinagar to Ladakh: Jammu & Kashmir (4). Lipulekh: on the India–China–Nepal tri-junction: Uttarakhand (3). Shipki La: on the India–China border on the Sutlej River: Himachal Pradesh (1). Nathu La: connects Gangtok (Sikkim) to Tibet: Sikkim (2). Concept Tested: State-wise location of major Himalayan passes: Zoji La, Lipulekh, Shipki La, Nathu La

NDA 2011-I

Q. 16. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

List I (Peak)	List II (State)
A. Nanga Parbat	1. Jammu & Kashmir
B. Nanda Devi	2. Sikkim
C. Kanchenjunga	3. Uttarakhand

Codes:

(a) A-1, B-2, C-3

(b) A-1, B-3, C-2

(c) A-2, B-3, C-1

(d) A-3, B-1, C-2

Answer: (b) A-1, B-3, C-2

Explanation: Nanga Parbat (8,126 m) is in the Jammu & Kashmir (now Ladakh/J&K) region (1). Nanda Devi (7,816 m) is in Uttarakhand (3). Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) is on the Sikkim–Nepal border; it is administered under Sikkim on the Indian side (2). Concept Tested: State-wise location of major Himalayan peaks: Nanga Parbat, Nanda Devi, Kanchenjunga

★ JOVIK Exam Insight Peak-to-state matching is one of the most repeated question formats in NDA Geography. In this chapter, peaks appear in NDA 2006-II, 2009-I, 2011-I, 2012-II, 2014-I, and 2023-II. Know the key peaks and their states: Nanda Devi → Uttarakhand, K2/Nanga Parbat → J&K/Ladakh, Kanchenjunga → Sikkim, Guru Shikhar → Rajasthan, Dodabetta → Tamil Nadu, Kalsubai → Maharashtra.

NDA 2010-II

Q. 17. Which one of the following does not characterise the Himalayas?

(a) Various parallel ranges of the Himalayas form a convex arc

(b) There exist syntaxial bends at both the terminals of the Himalayas

(c) Indus, Sutlej, and Brahmaputra rivers are examples of antecedent drainage

(d) The Himalayas are wider in the east than in the west

Answer: (d) The Himalayas are wider in the east than in the west

Explanation: The Himalayas are wider in the west and narrower in the east: not the other way around. In the west (Kashmir region), the Himalayas can be up to 400 km wide. In the east (Arunachal Pradesh region), the width reduces to about 150 km. The other three statements are correct: (a) The Himalayan arcs form a convex pattern (convex towards the south). (b) Syntaxial bends occur at both western (Nanga Parbat) and eastern (Namcha Barwa) terminals. (c) The Indus, Sutlej, and Brahmaputra pre-date the Himalayas and are classic antecedent rivers. Concept Tested: Characteristics of the Himalayas: width, arc shape, syntaxial bends, antecedent drainage

NDA 2009-I

Q. 18. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

List-I (Peak)                        List-II (State)

List-I (Peak)	List-II (State)
A. Dodabetta	1. Maharashtra
B. Guru Shikhar	2. Madhya Pradesh
C. Kalsubai	3. Tamil Nadu
D. Dhupgarh	4. Rajasthan

Codes:

(a) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2

(b) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3

(c) A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4

(d) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3

Answer: (a) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2

Explanation: Dodabetta (2,637 m): highest peak in the Nilgiris: is in Tamil Nadu (3). Guru Shikhar (1,722 m): highest peak of the Aravalli Range: is in Rajasthan (4). Kalsubai (1,646 m): highest peak in Maharashtra: is in Maharashtra (1). Dhupgarh (1,352 m): highest peak of the Satpura Range: is in Madhya Pradesh (2). Concept Tested: State-wise location of major Peninsular and sub-Himalayan peaks

NDA 2008-I

Q. 19. Port Blair: the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is located in which one of the following islands?

(a) North Andaman

(b) Little Andaman

(c) Middle Andaman

(d) South Andaman

Answer: (d) South Andaman

Explanation: Port Blair is located on South Andaman Island. It is the administrative capital and the largest city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands union territory. South Andaman is connected to Middle Andaman by the Baratang Island region and to North Andaman through a chain of smaller islands. Concept Tested: Location of Port Blair on South Andaman Island

NDA 2007-II

Q. 20. From West to East, which one of the following is the correct sequence of Hills?

(a) Mahadeo Hills—Maikala Hills—Garhjat Hills

(b) Mahadeo Hills—Garhjat Hills—Maikala Hills

(c) Maikala Hills—Mahadeo Hills—Garhjat Hills

(d) Maikala Hills—Garhjat Hills—Mahadeo Hills

Answer: (a) Mahadeo Hills—Maikala Hills—Garhjat Hills

Explanation: These hills are part of the Central Highlands of the Peninsular Plateau. Mahadeo Hills are in Madhya Pradesh (~77–78°E). Maikala Hills (also called Maikala Range) lie to their east (~81–82°E), forming the watershed between the Narmada and Mahanadi. Garhjat Hills (in Odisha) lie further east (~84–85°E). West to East: Mahadeo → Maikala → Garhjat. Concept Tested: West-to-east sequence of Central Peninsular hills

NDA 2006-II

Q. 21. Which one among the following peaks is the highest?

(a) Dhaula Giri

(b) Namcha Barwa

(c) Nanda Devi

(d) Nanga Parvat

Answer: (a) Dhaulagiri

Explanation: Approximate heights: Dhaulagiri ~8,167 m, Nanga Parbat ~8,126 m, Nanda Devi ~7,816 m, Namcha Barwa ~7,782 m. Dhaulagiri is the highest among the four options. It is located in Nepal. Concept Tested: Comparative heights of major Himalayan peaks

NDA 2006-I

Q. 22. In which one of the following states is Zojila Pass located?

(a) Arunachal Pradesh

(b) Jammu and Kashmir

(c) Himachal Pradesh

(d) Sikkim

Answer: (b) Jammu and Kashmir

Explanation: Zoji La (also spelled Zojila) is a high mountain pass in the Great Himalayan range. It connects Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley to the Dras and Leh regions of Ladakh. It lies at an altitude of approximately 3,528 metres. Zoji La is the only link between Kashmir and Ladakh during summer months. Concept Tested: Location of Zoji La pass in the Himalayan system

Q. 23. Which one of the following is the correct sequence of passes when one travels along the Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim?

(a) Zozila–Nathula–Shipkila

(b) Nathula–Shipkila–Zozila

(c) Nathula–Zozila–Shipkila

(d) Zozila–Shipkila–Nathula

Answer: (d) Zozila – Shipkila – Nathula

Explanation: Moving from west to east along the Himalayas: from Kashmir towards Sikkim: the correct order of passes is: Zoji La (Jammu & Kashmir) → Shipki La (Himachal Pradesh) → Nathu La (Sikkim). Zoji La is the westernmost, Shipki La is in the middle (Himachal Pradesh–Tibet border), and Nathu La is the easternmost of the three (Sikkim–Tibet border). Concept Tested: West-to-east sequence of major Himalayan passes from Kashmir to Sikkim

★ JOVIK Exam Insight Himalayan passes are a heavily tested topic in NDA Geography. Passes appear repeatedly in single-answer questions, match-the-following questions, and sequencing questions. Know the state for each major pass: Zoji La → J&K, Shipki La → Himachal Pradesh, Lipulekh → Uttarakhand, Nathu La → Sikkim, Jelep La → Sikkim, Khardung La → Ladakh (J&K).

Q. 24. Where is the Nanda Devi peak located?

(a) Himachal Pradesh

(b) Uttarakhand

(c) Sikkim

(d) Nepal

Answer: (b) Uttarakhand

Explanation: Nanda Devi (7,816 m) is located in the Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand. It is the highest peak entirely within India. Nanda Devi is surrounded by the Nanda Devi National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It should not be confused with Kangchenjunga, which is on the Sikkim–Nepal border, or with peaks in Himachal Pradesh. Concept Tested: Location of Nanda Devi peak in Uttarakhand

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