Indian Plateau Practice Questions
20 free Indian Plateau practice questions for the Static GK. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which of the following plateaus is famously known as the 'Ruhr of India' due to its vast mineral wealth?
- A Chota Nagpur Plateau
- B Malwa Plateau Region
- C Deccan Plateau
- D Baghelkhand Plateau
Correct answer: Chota Nagpur Plateau
The Chota Nagpur Plateau is extremely rich in minerals like coal, iron ore, and mica, resembling the Ruhr industrial region of Germany. It covers much of Jharkhand as well as adjacent parts of Odisha, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh.
The 'Deccan Trap' of the Indian Peninsula is primarily composed of which type of rock?
- A Granite
- B Basalt
- C Shale
- D Gneiss
Correct answer: Basalt
The Deccan Trap was formed by volcanic fissure eruptions that laid down thick layers of basaltic lava. Over millions of years, the weathering of this basalt has resulted in the fertile black soil (regur) found in the region.
Which mountain range acts as the northern boundary of the Deccan Plateau?
- A Aravalli Range
- B Vindhya Range
- C Satpura Range
- D Himalayan Range
Correct answer: Satpura Range
The Satpura Range, along with the Mahadev Hills and Maikala Range, forms the broad northern base of the triangular Deccan Plateau. It separates the plateau from the Indo-Gangetic plains to the north.
The 'Malwa Plateau' is situated between which two prominent mountain ranges?
- A Vindhyas and Satpuras
- B Aravallis and Vindhyas
- C Western and Eastern Ghats
- D Himalayas and Arakan Yoma
Correct answer: Aravallis and Vindhyas
The Malwa Plateau occupies the region of west-central India, bounded by the Aravalli Range in the northwest and the Vindhya Range in the south. It is characterized by a rolling landscape and black soil.
Which is the highest peak of the Peninsular Plateau of India?
- A Chembra
- B Anamudi
- C Guru Shikhar
- D Mahendragiri
Correct answer: Anamudi
Anamudi, located in the Anaimalai Hills of Kerala, is the highest peak in Southern India and the entire Peninsular Plateau, standing at 2,695 meters. It is often referred to as the 'Everest of South India'.
The 'Meghalaya Plateau' (Shillong Plateau) is an extension of which major physiographic unit of India?
- A The Himalayan Foothills
- B The Peninsular Plateau
- C The Northern Plains
- D The Coastal Plains
Correct answer: The Peninsular Plateau
Geologically, the Meghalaya Plateau is an outlier of the Peninsular Plateau. It was separated from the main block by a massive fault, creating the Rajmahal-Garo gap (Malda Gap).
The 'Bastar Plateau' is a part of which larger plateau region in India?
- A Dandakaranya
- B Bundelkhand
- C Telangana Plateau
- D Karnataka Plateau
Correct answer: Dandakaranya
The Bastar Plateau is located in the southern part of Chhattisgarh and is a significant part of the Dandakaranya region. It is known for its rugged terrain and rich deposits of high-grade iron ore.
Which river divides the Peninsular Plateau into the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau?
- A Tapti
- B Narmada
- C Godavari
- D Krishna
Correct answer: Narmada
The Narmada River flows through a rift valley and serves as a natural boundary between the Central Highlands to the north and the Deccan Plateau to the south. This division is a key feature of Indian physical geography.
The 'Bundelkhand Plateau' is characterized by which distinctive erosional feature?
- A Deep U-shaped valleys
- B Ravines and badlands
- C Coral reef formations
- D Sand dune formations
Correct answer: Ravines and badlands
Bundelkhand is famous for its senile topography and extensive ravines, particularly along the Chambal River. This badland topography makes large areas unsuitable for agriculture.
In which state is the 'Karas Plateau' (also known as the Kathiawar Peninsula) located?
- A Haryana
- B Rajasthan
- C Gujarat
- D Madhya Pradesh
Correct answer: Gujarat
The Kathiawar Plateau occupies the central part of the Gujarat peninsula. It is a volcanic highland region surrounded by coastal plains and the Rann of Kutch.
The 'Telangana Plateau' is primarily drained by which two major river systems?
- A Narmada and Tapti
- B Mahanadi and Damodar
- C Cauvery and Pennar
- D Godavari and Krishna
Correct answer: Godavari and Krishna
The Telangana Plateau lies in the semi-arid rain shadow region of the Western Ghats. It is drained by the Godavari and Krishna rivers, which flow eastward toward the Bay of Bengal.
Which part of the Peninsular Plateau is known for its 'Baba Budan Hills', famous for the first coffee plantations in India?
- A Karnataka Plateau
- B Telangana Plateau
- C Rayalaseema Plateau
- D Tamil Nadu Uplands
Correct answer: Karnataka Plateau
The Baba Budan Hills are located in the Chikkamagaluru district of the Karnataka Plateau. According to legend, the saint Baba Budan brought seven coffee beans from Yemen and planted them here in the 17th century.
The 'Rayalaseema' region is the southern part of which state's plateau area?
- A Karnataka
- B Telangana
- C Andhra Pradesh
- D Madhya Pradesh
Correct answer: Andhra Pradesh
Rayalaseema is a geographic region in Andhra Pradesh that forms the southern part of the state's interior plateau. It is historically significant and predominantly an arid region.
The 'Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia Hills' are the main constituent parts of which plateau?
- A Karbi Anglong Plateau
- B Chota Nagpur Plateau
- C Ranchi Plateau
- D Meghalaya Plateau
Correct answer: Meghalaya Plateau
These hills form the core of the Meghalaya Plateau. The Khasi Hills are particularly famous for Mawsynram and Cherrapunji, which receive some of the highest rainfall in the world.
Which plateau is primarily responsible for the westward flow of the rivers Narmada and Tapti?
- A Satpura Plateau
- B Deccan Plateau
- C Kathiawar Plateau
- D Central Highlands
Correct answer: Central Highlands
The slope of the Central Highlands and the presence of rift valleys created by the Vindhya and Satpura ranges force the Narmada and Tapti to flow westward into the Arabian Sea, unlike most other peninsular rivers.
The 'Hazaribagh Plateau' is a sub-division of which larger plateau?
- A Eastern Ghats Plateau
- B Baghelkhand Plateau
- C Bundelkhand Plateau
- D Chota Nagpur Plateau
Correct answer: Chota Nagpur Plateau
The Chota Nagpur Plateau consists of several sub-plateaus, including the Ranchi Plateau and the Hazaribagh Plateau. They are separated by the Damodar River valley.
Which plateau region is famous for the 'Dhuan Dhar Falls' on the Narmada River?
- A Bundelkhand Plateau
- B Marwar Plateau
- C Vindhyan Plateau
- D Deccan Plateau
Correct answer: Vindhyan Plateau
The Dhuan Dhar Falls are located in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, where the Narmada River plunges through the marble rocks of the Vindhyan highlands. The mist created by the fall gives it the name 'Smoke Cascade'.
The 'Deccan Plateau' covers a total area of approximately how many square kilometers?
- A 2 lakh sq km
- B 10 lakh sq km
- C 15 lakh sq km
- D 5 lakh sq km
Correct answer: 5 lakh sq km
The Deccan Plateau covers roughly 5 lakh square kilometers. It is a large triangular landmass that slopes gently from west to east, influencing the flow of major rivers like the Godavari and Krishna.
Which pass in the Western Ghats connects the Maharashtra Plateau with the Konkan Coast near Mumbai?
- A Palakkad Gap
- B Thal Ghat
- C Bhor Ghat
- D Haldighati Pass
Correct answer: Bhor Ghat
The Bhor Ghat is a critical mountain pass that connects Mumbai on the coast with Pune on the Deccan Plateau. It has historically been a vital trade and transport route.
The 'Black Soil' (Regur) of the Indian Plateau is most suitable for the cultivation of which crop?
- A Tea
- B Rubber
- C Jute
- D Cotton
Correct answer: Cotton
The clayey black soil of the Deccan Plateau is excellent at retaining moisture and is rich in nutrients. Because it is ideal for cotton farming, it is often called 'Black Cotton Soil'.