India, the seventh-largest country in the world, spans 3.28 million km² and lies entirely in the Northern Hemisphere. It stretches from 8°4′ N to 37°6′ N latitude and 68°7′ E to 97°25′ E longitude, with the Tropic of Cancer (23°30′ N) bisecting it almost in half. The mainland is divided into three physiographic zones: the youthful Himalayas in the north, the ancient Peninsular Plateau in the south, and the narrow fertile Northern Plains in between. The Himalayan arc acts as a climatic barrier and source of perennial rivers, while the Peninsula, one of the oldest land-blocks on Earth, is rich in mineral resources.

The country is administratively split into 28 States and 8 Union Territories (post-2019). Physiographically, 10 divisions are recognised: Himalayan, Trans-Himalayan, Desert, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Coastal Plains, Islands, etc. India has a coastline of 7,516.6 km—6,100 km for the mainland plus 1,316 km of island shores. The Kanyakumari point is the southernmost tip of mainland India, while Indira Point on Great Nicobar is India’s southernmost territory. Knowing these static facts, along with river systems, soil types, climate patterns and transport networks, fetches 4-6 sure-shot questions in every Railway exam.

Multiple-Choice Questions

1. Which line almost divides India into two equal halves?
   A. Equator
   B. Tropic of Capricorn
   C. Tropic of Cancer
   D. Arctic Circle

2. India shares the longest land border with which country?
   A. Pakistan
   B. Nepal
   C. China
   D. Bangladesh

3. The southern-most point of Indian territory is:
   A. Kanyakumari
   B. Indira Point
   C. Rameswaram
   D. Port Blair

4. Which state has the longest coastline in India?
   A. Tamil Nadu
   B. Maharashtra
   C. Gujarat
   D. Andhra Pradesh

5. The Karakoram Pass lies in which state/UT?
   A. Himachal Pradesh
   B. Uttarakhand
   C. Ladakh
   D. Sikkim

6. Which river forms the world’s largest delta?
   A. Godavari
   B. Ganga-Brahmaputra
   C. Mahanadi
   D. Krishna

7. The Deccan Plateau is mainly made up of:
   A. Sedimentary rocks
   B. Glacial deposits
   C. Igneous & metamorphic rocks
   D. Loess

8. Which state receives rainfall from both the Arabian Sea & Bay of Bengal branches of monsoon?
   A. Kerala
   B. Punjab
   C. West Bengal
   D. Odisha

9. “Laterite soil” is most commonly found in:
   A. Malwa Plateau
   B. North-east
   C. Western & Eastern Ghats
   D. Brahmaputra valley

10. The highest waterfall in India is:
    A. Jog Falls
    B. Barehipani Falls
    C. Nohkalikai Falls
    D. Kunchikal Falls

11. Which of the following is NOT a west-flowing river?
    A. Narmada
    B. Tapti
    C. Mahi
    D. Subarnarekha

12. The only active volcano in India is located in:
    A. Barren Island
    B. Narcondam Island
    C. Lakshadweep
    D. Car Nicobar

13. Which state has the largest area under black soil?
    A. Maharashtra
    B. Madhya Pradesh
    C. Gujarat
    D. Karnataka

14. The mountain range lying between Narmada & Tapti rivers is:
    A. Satpura
    B. Vindhya
    C. Aravalli
    D. Ajanta

15. Which port is known as the “Jewel of Gujarat”?
    A. Deendayal (Kandla)
    B. Marmagao
    C. Paradip
    D. New Mangalore

16. The standard meridian of India (82°30′ E) passes through which of these cities?
    A. Kanpur
    B. Allahabad (Prayagraj)
    C. Mirzapur
    D. Varanasi

17. The climate of India is labelled as “Tropical Monsoon” mainly because:
    A. It lies entirely south of Tropic of Cancer
    B. Himalayas block cold Siberian winds
    C. Reversal of winds & seasonal rainfall
    D. High temperature throughout the year

18. Which one of the following lakes is a salt-water lake?
    A. Chilika
    B. Kolleru
    C. Wular
    D. Loktak

19. The “Duncan Passage” is located between:
    A. North & South Andaman
    B. Little Andaman & South Andaman
    C. South Andaman & Nicobar
    D. Car Nicobar & Great Nicobar

20. Match the following rivers with their tributaries:
    1. Yamuna a. Penganga
    2. Godavari b. Chambal
    3. Krishna c. Bhima
    4. Cauvery d. Hemavati
       Choose the correct code:
       A. 1-b, 2-a, 3-c, 4-d
       B. 1-c, 2-a, 3-b, 4-d
       C. 1-b, 2-c, 3-a, 4-d
       D. 1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-d

21. Which state has the maximum number of National Highways (length-wise)?
    A. Uttar Pradesh
    B. Rajasthan
    C. Maharashtra
    D. Tamil Nadu

22. The “Cardamom Hills” are part of:
    A. Nilgiri Hills
    B. Anamalai Hills
    C. Palani Hills
    D. Sivamalai

23. Which of the following is NOT correctly matched?
    A. Bauxite → Odisha
    B. Mica → Jharkhand
    C. Gold → Kolar
    D. Lignite → Nagaland

24. The “Palk Strait” separates India from:
    A. Maldives
    B. Sri Lanka
    C. Myanmar
    D. Bangladesh

25. Consider the following statements about the Thar Desert:
    1. It extends into Punjab & Haryana.
    2. Luni is the only west-flowing river in it.
    3. It has a “pediment” landscape.
       Which statements are correct?
       A. 1 & 2 only
       B. 2 & 3 only
       C. 1 & 3 only
       D. 1, 2 & 3

Quick Shortcuts & Tips for Railway Exams

• Border Length Mnemonic: B-4 (Bangladesh 4096), C-3 (China 3488), P-3 (Pakistan 3323), N-1 (Nepal 1751), B-0 (Bhutan 699), M-1 (Myanmar 1643).
• West-flowing Rivers: “Narmada-Tapti-Mahi-Sabarmati-Luni” — remember NTMSL.
• Coastal States: G-M-G-K-K-A-T-N-P-O-W (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Odisha, West Bengal).
• Standard Time City: 82°30′ E → Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh) → IST.
• Highest Falls: Kunchikal > Barehipani > Jog.
• Active Volcano: Barren Island (Andaman) — only active, Narcondam is dormant.
• Black Cotton Soil: Spread over Deccan Trap — Maharashtra > MP > Gujarat > Karnataka.
• Map-based questions: Draw rough outline, mark Tropic of Cancer, 23° N, 80° E; place major ports & falls.
• Negative marking: Attempt only if 50 % sure; skip pure-guess.

Revise these 25 questions twice; 4-6 questions are repeated every shift.