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GeographyMediumAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper I

Gandikota canyon of South India was created by which one of the following rivers?

  1. A.Cauvery
  2. B.Manjira
  3. C.Pennar
  4. D.Tungabhadra

Correct answer

C. Pennar

Explanation

The correct answer is C, Pennar. The Pennar river cut the Gandikota gorge through the Erramala hills in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh.

Gandikota is often called the Grand Canyon of India. Over a long time the Pennar (also spelt Penna) carved a steep, narrow gorge with red granite walls about 300 feet deep. On the cliff above the river stands Gandikota Fort, a stronghold of local chiefs that later came under the Qutb Shahis of Golconda. The Pennar rises in the Nandi Hills of Karnataka, flows east across Andhra Pradesh and enters the Bay of Bengal near Nellore.

A is wrong: the Cauvery flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and forms the Hogenakkal falls, not Gandikota.

B is wrong: the Manjira is a tributary of the Godavari in Telangana and Maharashtra.

D is wrong: the Tungabhadra flows past Hampi and joins the Krishna; it does not pass Gandikota.

Exam tip: Gandikota gorge = Pennar river, Kadapa (Andhra Pradesh), the Grand Canyon of India.

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Q1.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2026, GS Paper IHard

Which of the following geographical features or phenomena is/are associated with the Peninsular Block of India ?

1. Submergence of parts of the western coast due to tectonic activity

2. Presence of residual mountain ranges such as the Veliconda hills and Mahendragiri hills

3. Deep, V-shaped river valleys formed by fast-flowing rivers

Select the answer using the code given below :

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

The Peninsular Block is an old, stable landmass with worn-down residual hills and a western edge that sank along faults, but its rivers flow in broad, shallow valleys.

Q2.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IEasy

The term "Levant" often heard in the news roughly corresponds to which of the following regions ?

  1. A.Region along the eastern Mediterranean shores
  2. B.Region along North African shores stretching from Egypt to Morocco
  3. C.Region along Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa
  4. D.The entire coastal areas of Mediterranean Sea
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Region along the eastern Mediterranean shores

The Levant is the land on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea in West Asia. The word comes from the French 'lever', to rise, meaning the land where the sun rises, as seen from Europe.

Q3.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2026, GS Paper IMedium

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 :

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

The islands have a warm, humid tropical maritime climate and get rain from both monsoons, but December to May is their drier part of the year.

Q4.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following pairs :

Peak — Mountains

1. Namcha Barwa — Garhwal Himalaya

2. Nanda Devi — Kumaon Himalaya

3. Nokrek — Sikkim Himalaya

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

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

Nanda Devi belongs to the Kumaon Himalaya, but Namcha Barwa and Nokrek are wrongly placed. Nanda Devi (7,816 m) is the highest peak lying wholly within India and the highest in Uttarakhand.

Q5.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following pairs :

Famous place — River

1. Pandharpur : Chandrabhaga

2. Tiruchirappalli : Cauvery

3. Hampi : Malaprabha

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

  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: A. 1 and 2 only

Pandharpur stands on the Chandrabhaga and Tiruchirappalli on the Cauvery, but Hampi lies on the Tungabhadra, not the Malaprabha. Pandharpur in Solapur district of Maharashtra is the seat of Lord Vitthal (Vithoba) and the goal of the Warkari pilgrimage.