Physiography

The Jhelum River is the primary river that flows through the Kashmir Valley. It originates from Verinag Spring in Anantnag district and flows through Srinagar before entering Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The Chenab, Ravi, and Beas flow through other regions of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh but not through Kashmir Valley.

Correct answer is (2).

Nathu La is a high-altitude mountain pass located in Sikkim, connecting India with China's Tibet Autonomous Region. It's one of the oldest trading routes and was re-opened for trade in 2006. Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir have other passes but not Nathu La.

Correct answer is (2).

Wular Lake in Jammu and Kashmir is India's largest freshwater lake. It spans approximately 100-130 square kilometers depending on season. Other options are incorrect: Bhimtal is in Uttarakhand, there's no major lake called Brighu in Madhya Pradesh, and while Dal Lake is famous in Kashmir, it's much smaller than Wular.

Anamudi in Kerala is the highest peak in the Western Ghats at 2,695 meters (8,842 feet). It's located in the Anaimalai Hills of the Western Ghats range. Other options: Mullayangiri (1,930m) is Karnataka's highest peak but not the highest in entire Western Ghats, Salher (1,567m) is in Maharashtra, and Kemmanagundi (1,434m) is also in Karnataka - both are lower than Anamudi.

India's north-south extent is approximately 3,214 km (from Kashmir to Kanyakumari), and east-west extent is approximately 2,933 km (from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh). Option A reverses these values, Option C has incorrect measurements, and Option D swaps the dimensions.

The Middle Himalayas (also called Himachal or Lesser Himalayas) have an average elevation range of approximately 1,828 to 3,000 meters (6,000 to 10,000 feet). This range lies between the Siwalik range (outer Himalayas) and the Great Himalayas (Himadri). Other options provide incorrect ranges.

The Indian states that share a border with China are Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. Option A correctly lists Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim. Other options are incorrect because Uttar Pradesh, Mizoram, and states mentioned in C and D do not border China.

Nanda Devi (7,816m) is located in the Uttarakhand Himalayas (specifically in the Chamoli district). It's the second-highest peak in India after Kangchenjunga. Other options are incorrect: Himachal Himalayas have different peaks like Manimahesh, Nepal Himalayas contain Kangchenjunga and other Nepal peaks, and Sikkim Himalayas contain Kangchenjunga. Note: Uttarakhand was formerly called Uttaranchal.

Nainital is known as the Lake District because it has numerous natural lakes including the famous Naini Lake. The city was built around this lake and the region contains several other tectonic lakes like Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal, and Sattal. The other options - Almora, Pithoragarh, and Uttarkashi - are hill stations but not specifically known for lakes.

Correct Answer: Plate tectonic theory

Correct Answer: Jhelum valley
A succession of plateaus is present above the plains of Jhelum and its tributaries. These plateau-like terraces are called ‘Karewas’ or ‘Vudr’ in the local language.

The Chambal Valley is characterized by badland topography known as ravines. These are deep gullies formed in the alluvial soil due to extensive soil erosion, deforestation, and the region's susceptibility to gully erosion during monsoon rains. The Gulf of Kutch, Sundarbans, and Konkan Coast have different geological formations.

The Bhabar belt is a narrow belt running along the foothills of the Himalayas (Himalayan Piedmont zone) where the streams disappear into the ground. It consists of porous rocks and pebbles deposited by the Himalayan rivers, allowing water to percolate underground. The other options are not associated with this piedmont alluvial feature.

Delhi is at the lowest elevation (approximately 218m above sea level) among the given options. Jodhpur (around 230m), Kota (around 271m), and Nagpur (around 310m) are all at higher elevations. Delhi is situated on the Indo-Gangetic plains which have relatively low elevation throughout.

The Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats meet at the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu-Kerala border. The Nilgiri Hills form the junction point where these two major mountain ranges of peninsular India converge, though they don't physically merge in a continuous chain. Cardamom, Annamalai, and Palani Hills are extensions of the Western Ghats.

Correct Answer: Andhra Pradesh

Correct Answer: ravines

Correct Answer: Radcliffe Line

The North Indian plains were formed by alluvial deposition (sedimentation) carried down by the Himalayan rivers over millions of years. The Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems transported enormous amounts of silt, sand, and clay from the mountains, depositing them in the vast foreland basin. Erosion and denudation are processes that remove material, not build plains.

The Amarnath Caves are located in Jammu and Kashmir, in the Anantnag district of the Kashmir Valley. These limestone caves are famous for the naturally formed ice Shiva Lingam and are an important Hindu pilgrimage site visited during July-August. The caves are situated at an altitude of 3,888m in the Himalayas.

The Shivalik Hills are formed by sedimentation (alluvial deposits) brought down by rivers from the Greater and Middle Himalayas. These sedimentary rocks were deposited and then uplifted to form the outermost range of the Himalayas. They consist of conglomerates, sandstones, and siltstones from the Miocene era, not from volcanic activity.

Haryana does not share a border with Pakistan. The states bordering Pakistan are Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. Haryana is landlocked and shares boundaries with Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, but has no international border.

The Peninsular Plateau is the largest physiographic division of India, covering approximately 27% of the country's total area. It extends from the Aravallis in the northwest to the eastern ghats and is bounded by the Western Ghats on the west. The Great Northern Plains, Deccan Plateau (part of Peninsular), and Coastal Plains are all smaller in comparison.