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GeographyMediumAsked in: NDA · NDA-II 2024, GAT

Any land that is left fallow for more than five years is termed as

  1. A.Current fallow
  2. B.Fallow other than current fallow
  3. C.Culturable waste land
  4. D.Barren and waste land

Correct answer

C. Culturable waste land

Explanation

The correct answer is C, Culturable waste land. In India's land-use classification, land left uncultivated for more than five years is recorded as culturable waste land.

India's land records divide area into nine categories. Fallow lands are graded by how long they stay uncultivated: current fallow for up to one agricultural year, and fallow other than current fallow for one to five years. Once the gap crosses five years, the land moves into culturable waste land. It can still be brought under the plough after reclamation, which is what separates it from land that cannot be farmed at all.

A, current fallow, is land left uncultivated for one agricultural year or less, usually to restore fertility.

B, fallow other than current fallow, covers land left uncultivated for more than one but not more than five years.

D, barren and waste land, such as rocky, arid or desert land, cannot be cultivated with available technology at all.

Exam tip: current fallow up to 1 year, other fallow 1 to 5 years, culturable waste more than 5 years.

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Q1.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper IEasy

Consider the following countries:

1. Italy

2. Japan

3. Nigeria

4. South Korea

5. South Africa

Which of the above countries are frequently mentioned in the media for their low birth rates, or ageing population or declining population ?

  1. A.1, 2 and 4
  2. B.1, 3 and 5
  3. C.2 and 4 only
  4. D.3 and 5 only
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 1, 2 and 4

Italy, Japan and South Korea all have fertility rates far below the replacement level of about 2.1 children per woman, ageing people and shrinking numbers.

Q2.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2026, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following statements about river bridges connecting India with neighbouring countries :

1. 'Maitri Setu', built over Feni river, connects Ramgarh in India with Sabroom in Bangladesh.

2. Jhulaghat suspension bridge connects India with Myanmar.

3. Mechi bridge and its approaches connect Panitanki Bypass in India with Kakarvitta in Nepal.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 and 2
  2. B.2 and 3
  3. C.1 only
  4. D.3 only
Show answer
Correct answer: D. 3 only

The Mechi bridge links Panitanki in India with Kakarvitta in Nepal; the other two statements get the places or the country wrong.

Q3.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to 'palm oil', consider the following statements:

1. The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia.

2. The palm oil is a raw material for some industries producing lipstick and perfumes.

3. The palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A.1 and 2 only
  2. B.2 and 3 only
  3. C.1 and 3 only
  4. D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 2 and 3 only

Palm oil is used in cosmetics such as lipstick and perfume and as a feedstock for biodiesel, but the oil palm is native to West Africa, not Southeast Asia.

Q4.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IMedium

What is common to the places known as Aliyar, Isapur and Kangsabati?

  1. A.Recently discovered uranium deposits
  2. B.Tropical rain forests
  3. C.Underground cave systems
  4. D.Water reservoirs
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Water reservoirs

Aliyar, Isapur and Kangsabati are all dams with reservoirs built for irrigation in different parts of India. The Aliyar dam stands on the Aliyar river near Pollachi in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, at the foot of the Anamalai hills, and is part of the Parambikulam-Aliyar project.

Q5.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2025, GS Paper IEasy

India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect

  1. A.India to Central Asia to Europe via Iran
  2. B.India to Central Asia via China
  3. C.India to South-East Asia through Bangladesh and Myanmar
  4. D.India to Europe through Azerbaijan
Show answer
Correct answer: A. India to Central Asia to Europe via Iran

The INSTC links Indian ports by sea to Iran and then by rail and road northwards to Central Asia, Russia and on to Europe.