Statements A, B and D are correct, while statement C is incorrect. The Peninsular Plateau is made up of ancient crystalline, igneous and metamorphic rocks and is the oldest and most stable landmass of India. The Shivalik range is the southernmost and newest range of the Himalayas, composed of unconsolidated sediments brought by rivers. 'Karewa' lakes found in the Kashmir valley located between the Lesser Himalayas and Pir Panjal are lacustrine deposits, which contain thick layers of moraines and clayey soils and are extremely suitable for the cultivation of high quality saffron. Statement C is incorrect because the Bhabar region is an 8 to 16 km wide strip of pebbles and gravel in the foothills of Shivalik, where rivers merge underground; This area is not suitable for agriculture due to it being highly porous, whereas the area with highly fertile and fine alluvium is called 'Khadar'.

Option B is correct. The longitudinal extent of India is from 68°7' East to 97°25' East, about 29°18' (about 30°). The Earth takes 4 minutes to rotate 1° longitude, so due to 30° longitudinal dilation, there is a difference of about 120 minutes (2 hours) in the local time of Arunachal Pradesh (eastern end) and Gujarat (western end). Option A is incorrect because mainland India is located between 8°4' North (not South) to 37°6' North latitude. Option C is incorrect because the Standard Time Line of India at 82°30' East longitude passes through 5 states of the country (Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh). Option D is incorrect because India's actual north to south distance (3,214 km) is greater than its east to west width (2,933 km).

The correct combination is A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2. The northernmost point of India is 'Indira Kol', located in the Karakoram range near the Siachen Glacier in Ladakh. The easternmost point of India is 'Kibithu', located on the China border in Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. The westernmost point of India is 'Guhar Moti' (or Gaur Mata), located near Sir Creek in Kutch district of Gujarat. India's southernmost point 'Indira Point' (formerly known as Pygmalion Point or Parson's Point) is located at 6°45' north latitude in Great Nicobar Island. Keep in mind that the southernmost point of the mainland is Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin, Tamil Nadu). Hence option A is the correct answer.

All four statements A, B, C and D are completely correct. The Tropic of Cancer (23°30' N) divides India into two almost equal climatic zones (tropical and subtropical). It passes through 8 states in order from west to east: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram. The maximum length of the Tropic of Cancer is in Madhya Pradesh and the minimum length is in Rajasthan (Banswara and Dungarpur). Mahi River originating from the Vindhyachal Mountains first flows northwards in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and then turns southwards and enters Gujarat, due to which it cuts the Tropic of Cancer twice. Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, is the capital city closest to the Tropic of Cancer (approximately 23°21' N). Hence option D is correct.

Option D is false. The Himalayas are a 'Young Fold Mountain', not an ancient folded mountain. Even today, the Indian Plate is moving in the north towards the Eurasian Plate at the rate of about 4 to 5 cm per year, due to which even today there are continuous tectonic movements, uplift and intense earthquakes in the Himalayan region. Option A is correct because the Himalayas were formed by the collision of two continental plates. Option B is correct because in ancient times, the sediments of the Tethys Sea located between Gondwanaland and Angaraland were folded due to compression force, forming the Himalayas. Option C is also correct because the inner core of the Great Himalaya is mainly made up of granite and gneiss rocks over which metamorphic sedimentary rocks are found.

The correct combination is A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3. The Trans Himalayas lie north of the Great Himalayas, including the Karakoram, Ladakh, Zanskar and Kailash ranges (K-2 or Godwin Austin is located in the same Karakoram). The Great Himalaya (Himadri) is the northernmost and highest continuous range, containing the world's highest peaks such as Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Nanda Devi and Kamet. The Lesser Himalaya (Himachal) lies to the south of Himadri, consisting of the Pir Panjal (longest range), Dhauladhar, Nagtibba and Mahabharat ranges. The Outer Himalayas (Shivaliks) are the southernmost and newest range, where longitudinal valleys are found between the Lesser Himalayas and the Shivaliks, called 'Doons' (e.g. Dehradun) in the west and 'Dwars' (e.g. Haridwar) in the east. Hence option A is the correct answer.

Statements A, B and D are correct, while statement C is incorrect. Zojila Pass is situated in the Zaskar range and is situated on National Highway-1 connecting Srinagar to Kargil and Leh. Shipki La is located on the India-China border in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, where the Sutlej River enters India. Banihal Pass is located in the Pir Panjal range and connects Jammu with Srinagar; Below this pass, the Jawahar Tunnel built in 1956 and the recent Qazigund-Banihal Tunnel are situated. Statement C is incorrect because Nathu La Pass is located in the Dokia range of Sikkim state (not Arunachal Pradesh), which connects Gangtok with the Chumbi Valley of Tibet and was part of the ancient Silk Route. Bomdila, Bumla and Sela passes are located in Arunachal Pradesh.

Option A is correct. After the Dihang Gorge (Brahmaputra River), the Himalayas take a sharp turn (Syntaxial Bend) towards the south and spread along the eastern border of India, which is called 'Purvanchal' or Eastern Hills. Their exact geographical order from north to south is: 1. Patkai Bum (Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar border), 2. Naga Hills (Nagaland, highest peak Saramati), 3. Manipur Hills (Manipur), and 4. Mizo Hills or Lushai Hills (Mizoram, highest peak Phawngpui or Blue Mountain). Mizoram is also called 'Molassis Basin' because it is made of soft and unorganized rocks. Hence option A is the correct answer.

All four statements A, B, C and D are correct. Geologically, the Meghalaya Plateau and the Karbi Anglong Plateau of Assam are the eastern extensions of the Chhotanagpur Plateau. The north-east movement of the Indian Plate during the formation of the Himalayas created a huge fault between the Rajmahal Hills and the Meghalaya Plateau, called the 'Malda Gap'; Later the sediments of Ganga-Brahmaputra covered it. Narmada river flows between Vindhya and Satpura and Tapi river flows in the rift valley between Satpura and Ajanta. The Deccan Traps were formed about 65 million years ago in the Cretaceous period by the passage of the Indian Plate over the Reunion hotspot by the calm flow of basaltic lava, which led to the development of black soil. Hence option D is correct.

The correct combination is A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4. Anaimudi (2,695 m) is located in the Annamalai Hills in the Idukki district of Kerala and is the highest peak of the Western Ghats and entire South India (Peninsular India). Doddabetta (2,637 m) is the highest peak in the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu, where the Eastern and Western Ghats meet. Dhupgarh (1,350 m) is the highest peak of the Satpura mountain range (Mahadev Hills), located in Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh. Guru Shikhar (1,722 m) is the highest peak of the oldest relict mountain range 'Aravalli', located on Mount Abu in Sirohi district of Rajasthan. Hence option A is the correct answer.

The correct combination is A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2. Thal Ghat (Kasara Ghat) is located in Maharashtra which connects Mumbai with Nashik and northern India; National Highway 3 and Central Railway pass through here. Bhor Ghat connects Mumbai to Pune and South India, through which the Mumbai-Pune Expressway passes. Pal Ghat (Palakkad Gap) is a natural pass located south of the Nilgiri Hills and north of Annamalai, which connects Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu with Kochi and Palakkad in Kerala. Shencottah Pass is located in the Cardamom Hills which connects Thiruvananthapuram/Kollam in Kerala to Madurai/Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu. Hence option A is the correct answer.

Statements A, B and C are correct, while statement D is incorrect. The western coastal plain is situated as a narrow strip between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, the northern part of which is submerged due to faulting. Due to steep gradient and short flow path, western coastal rivers like Narmada, Tapi, Mandvi and Zuari do not form deltas but form estuaries. The eastern coastal plain is formed by vast alluvial deposits of Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri, giving it a wide and emergent coast. Statement D is incorrect because the indented and deep structure of the west coast is more favorable for the development of natural ports (e.g. Mumbai, Kandla, Kochi, Marmugao), whereas the east coast being shallow has fewer natural ports and artificial ports (e.g. Chennai) or lagoon/river ports (Visakhapatnam, Kolkata) have been developed.

Statements A, B and C are correct, while statement D is incorrect. The 10° North Latitude Line (10 Degree Channel) separates the Andaman Islands (especially Little Andaman) from the Nicobar Group (Car Nicobar). Duncan Passage is a narrow waterway located between South Andaman and Little Andaman. Barren Island is an active stratovolcano located in the Andaman Sea which is the only active volcano in India (Narcondam is a dormant volcano). Statement D is incorrect because 'Saddle Peak' (732 m), the highest peak of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is located in North Andaman Island and not in Great Nicobar. The highest peak of Great Nicobar is Mount Thulier (642 m). Hence option A is the correct answer.

Option D is false. The administrative capital of Lakshadweep is Kavaratti, but in terms of area, the largest island of Lakshadweep is 'Andrott' (Andrott Island - 4.90 sq km), followed by Minicoy Island (4.80 sq km). Option A is correct because Lakshadweep is a group of 36 coral atolls located in the Arabian Sea. Option B is correct because 9° channel separates Minicoy island from Kalpeni and Suheli (Lakshadweep group). Option C is correct because the 8° Channel forms the boundary between India's Minicoy island and the neighboring country Maldives to the south. Hence option D is the correct answer.

The correct combination is A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4. Bhabar is an 8 to 16 km wide strip along the Shivalik, where the rivers descending from the Himalayas deposit heavy boulders and pebbles, due to which the streams go underground due to high permeability. Tarai is a 15 to 30 km wide marshy and moist area located south of Bhabar, where rivers reappear on the surface; It is rich in biodiversity and forests (such as Dudhwa National Park). Bangar is an old alluvial terrain of the northern plains which is situated above the flood level of the rivers and consists of pebbles containing calcium carbonate. Khadar is a new alluvial strip of flood plains, where every year flood water lays down new fertile silt, making it the most suitable area of ​​the country for intensive agriculture. Hence option A is correct.

All four statements A, B, C and D are correct. The Siachen Glacier (about 76 km long) is located near the Saltoro Ridge of the Karakoram range in Ladakh and the Nubra River originates from its melt. The Karakoram range is home to huge glaciers like Baltoro (63 km), Biafo (67 km) and Hispar (49 km) which provide water to the Shigar and Hunza river systems. Jemu Glacier is located at the base of Kanchenjunga in the Eastern Himalayas (Sikkim) and is the main water source of the Teesta River. Gangotri glacier is located in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, from whose Gomukh place the main stream of Ganga 'Bhagirathi' originates. Hence option D is the correct answer.

Option D is false. The Aravalli range is an extremely ancient relic range composed mainly of quartzite, gneiss and schist rocks of Pre-Cambrian age, and not of black lava soils (black lava soils are characteristic of Malwa and the Deccan Plateau). Option A is correct because Aravali originated in the Pre-Cambrian period (about 60-70 crore years ago). Option B is correct because it extends for about 800 km from Palanpur in Gujarat to Delhi (Raisina Hills) via Rajasthan, Haryana. Option C is correct because Aravali acts as a major Great Water Divide between Indus/Luni/Sabarmati (Arabian Sea system) and Ganga/Yamuna/Banas (Bay of Bengal system). Hence option D is the correct answer.

The correct combination is A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3. The highest peak of the Aravali range is 'Guru Shikhar' (1,722 m, Mount Abu, Rajasthan). The highest peak of the Satpura mountain range is 'Dhupgarh' (1,350 m, Mahadev Pahari, Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh). The highest peak of the Western Ghats is 'Anaimudi' (2,695 m, Kerala), which is also the highest peak in the whole of South India. The main peaks of the Eastern Ghats are 'Zindagada' (1,690 m, Andhra Pradesh) and 'Mahendragiri' (1,501 m, Odisha). Hence option A is the correct answer.

All four statements A, B, C and D are correct. The average altitude of the Eastern Ghats is about 600 metres, while the average altitude of the Western Ghats is 900 to 1600 metres. Due to the slope of peninsular India from west to east, most of the major rivers of the peninsula (Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri) originate from the Western Ghats and flow towards the east and deeply cut and dissect the Eastern Ghats before falling into the Bay of Bengal. Nallamalai, Velikonda, Palakonda located in Andhra Pradesh and Javadi, Shevaroy, Panchamalai and Sirumalai hills located in Tamil Nadu are parts of the Eastern Ghats. The Nilgiri hills are situated on the border of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala, which are the confluence of the Western and Eastern Ghats. Hence option D is correct.

Option B is true. Many longitudinal structural valleys with flat foothills are found between the Lesser Himalayas (Himachal) and the Outer Himalayas (Shivalik), which are called 'Doons' in the Western and Central Himalayas (e.g. Dehradun, Kotli Doon, Patli Doon). The alluvial flood plains located in the Eastern Himalayas (Sikkim, West Bengal and Assam) and the foothills of Bhutan are called 'Doors' or 'Dooars'. This gateway region is world famous for its tea gardens (like the tea gardens of Darjeeling and Assam) due to high humidity, rich organic soil and year-round rainfall. Hence option B is correct.

Statements A, B and C are correct, while statement D is incorrect. The temperate and alpine pastures located at an altitude of 3,000 to 4,000 meters in the Garhwal and Kumaon high Himalayan regions of Uttarakhand are called 'Bugyal' in the local language (e.g. Dayara Bugyal, Bedni Bugyal). In Kashmir such grasslands are called 'Marg' (e.g. Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Tanmarg). In these areas, pastoral tribes like Bhotia, Gaddi and Bakarwal climb the mountains with their animals in the summer season and return down to the valleys in the winter season, which is called transhumance. Statement D is incorrect because during the winter season these Bugyals are covered with heavy snow and in the summer season (May to September) when the snow melts, extremely nutritious green grass and colorful alpine flowers bloom here.

The correct combination is A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2. India's total land boundary is approximately 15,106.7 km. The descending order of length of border lines with neighboring countries is as follows: 1. Bangladesh (4,096.7 km – longest border), 2. China (3,488 km – McMahon Line and LAC), 3. Pakistan (3,323 km – Radcliffe Line and LOC), 4. Nepal (1,751 km), 5. Myanmar (1,643 km), 6. Bhutan (699 km), and 7. Afghanistan. (106 km – Durand Line, shortest boundary). Hence option A is the correct answer.

All four statements A, B, C and D are correct. The longitudinal extension of India is from 68°7' E to 97°25' E. To maintain uniformity of time across the country, 82°30' East longitude has been chosen as the Standard Meridian of India, which is +5:30 hours ahead of GMT (0° longitude). This line passes through 5 states (Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh). The intersection point of the Tropic of Cancer (23°30' N) and the Indian Standard Time Line (82°30' E) is located in the northern part of Chhattisgarh (Surajpur/Korea district). Hence option D is correct.

Option A is correct. The total coastline of India including the mainland and islands is 7,516.6 km, of which the mainland coastline is approximately 6,100 km. A total of 9 states and 4 union territories of India are located on the coastline. The correct descending order of mainland coastline in the states is: 1. Gujarat (about 1,214.7 km - longest coastline), 2. Andhra Pradesh (about 973.7 km), 3. Tamil Nadu (about 906.9 km), 4. Maharashtra (about 652.6 km), followed by Kerala, Odisha, Karnataka, West Bengal and the shortest coastline is Goa (101 km). (If union territories are included, Andaman and Nicobar has the highest coastline in the country with 1,962 km). Hence option A is the correct answer.

All four statements A, B, C and D are correct. Chhotanagpur Plateau (mainly Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh) is extremely rich in mineral resources like coal, iron ore, mica, bauxite, copper and uranium, hence it is called 'Rural Region of India'. The Damodar River valley is an ancient tectonic fault valley that houses the rich Gondwana coal fields like Raniganj, Jharia, Bokaro, Giridih and Karnapura. In the western part of this plateau (Ranchi-Palamu area) there are high flat hills called 'Paat land' (e.g. Netarhat Pat) which are rich in bauxite deposits. Parasnath Peak (Sammed Shikharji) located in Giridih district is the highest point of Chhotanagpur Plateau and a major Jain pilgrimage site. Hence option D is correct.

Option D is false. The Malwa Plateau is covered with fertile black soil formed by the breakdown of basaltic lava and is an extremely rich agricultural region of central India for the cultivation of cotton, soybean, wheat and sugarcane, rather than an uncultivated desert plain. Option A is correct because Malwa Plateau is situated between the Aravali and Vindhya Mountains. Option B is correct because due to the northern slope of the plateau, the rivers here (Chambal, Sindh, Betwa, Ken) flow north and join Yamuna. Option C is correct because Chambal and its tributaries have formed deep ravines through intense erosion. Hence option D is the correct answer.

Statements A, B and C are correct, while statement D is incorrect. The Western Ghats are a continuous mountain range that can be crossed only through passes like Thal, Bhor and Pal Ghats. Its average altitude is 900–1000 m in the north (Maharashtra), increasing towards the south (Kerala-Tamil Nadu) to more than 2,000 m (Anaimudi 2,695 m, Doddabetta 2,637 m). It is a global biodiversity hotspot due to the abundance of endemic species. Statement D is incorrect because the Arabian Sea branch of the south-west monsoon directly hits the western slopes and causes heavy rainfall of more than 250 to 400 cm, causing dense 'tropical moist evergreen forests' to be found on the western slopes; Whereas the eastern slopes remain dry due to being in the rain-shadow area and deciduous and dry bushy vegetation is found there. Hence option A is the correct answer.

The correct combination is A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1. The Bastar Plateau (Dandakaranya region) of Chhattisgarh is the only major producing region of tin ore (cassiterite) in India. The Deccan Lava Plateau is famous for 'Regur' (black soil) formed by weathering of basaltic rocks, which is best for cotton and sugarcane. The Meghalaya plateau (Cherrapunji/Masinram) receives the world's highest rainfall and has rich reserves of uranium and limestone-coal in Domiaciat. The Ladakh Plateau is the highest intermontane plateau of India, a high altitude cold desert located between the Greater Himalayas and the Karakoram. Hence option A is correct.

All four statements A, B, C and D are correct. The Rann of Kutch is the southern extension of the Thar Desert, which is filled with shallow salt water in the monsoon and becomes a sheet of white salt in the winter. Gir National Park, located in the Kathiawar peninsula, is the last natural refuge of the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica). The Banni grasslands are a unique saline grassland spread over approximately 2,618 sq km in Kutch that is a base for Maldhari pastoralists and rich wildlife. The Gulf of Khambhat and the Gulf of Kutch, due to their funnel-like structure, experience high tides of 8 to 11 metres, making them major potential centers of tidal energy in India. Hence option D is correct.

The correct combination is A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3. Sela Pass is located at an altitude of 13,700 feet between Tawang and West Kameng districts of Arunachal Pradesh, where the strategic Sela Tunnel has recently been constructed. Jelep La Pass is located in Sikkim which connects Tibet's capital Lhasa to India via Chumbi Valley. Diphu Pass is located at the eastern end of the McMahon Line at the tri-junction of the borders of India, China and Myanmar. Pangsau Pass is located on the Patkai Bum range in Arunachal Pradesh which connects India with Myanmar (Burma); The famous 'Ledo Road' was built through this pass during the Second World War. Hence option A is the correct answer.

Option D is not correctly matched. Rohtang Pass is located in the Pir Panjal range in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, connecting the Kullu Valley with the Lahaul-Spiti Valley (underneath which the 9.02 km long Atal Tunnel is built). The historical pass connecting Srinagar to Gilgit is 'Burzil Pass', which is located in Kashmir. Option A is correct because Khardung La is one of the highest motorable passes in the world which connects Leh to Nubra. Option B is correct because Chang La Pass is located on the route to Pangong Tso in Ladakh. Option C is correct because Pensi La is located in the Jaskar range which connects the Suru valley to Jaskar. Hence option D is the correct answer.

Statements A, B and C are correct, while statement D is incorrect. India's highest peak K2 (8,611 m) is located in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) in Karakoram. At present the highest peak of the Himalayas is 'Kanchenjunga' (8,598 m, Sikkim) in the area under full administrative control of India. Nanda Devi (7,816 m, Chamoli, Uttarakhand) is the second highest peak in India and the highest peak entirely within the Indian territory. Statement D is incorrect because Namcha Barwa (7,756 m) is located on the Arunachal Pradesh-Tibet border at the extreme 'eastern end' of the Himalayas, where the Brahmaputra river takes a U-turn to enter India; Whereas Nanga Parbat (8,126 m) is situated at the extreme 'western end' (Indus Bend) of the Himalayas. Hence option A is the correct answer.

Option A is correct. The exact geographical order of the Himalayan peaks from west to east is: 1. Nanga Parbat (Jammu and Kashmir), 2. Kamet and Nanda Devi (Uttarakhand), 3. Dhaulagiri (Central Nepal - 8,167 m), 4. Annapurna and Manaslu (Nepal), 5. Mount Everest (Nepal-Tibet border - 8,848.86 m), 6. Makalu (Nepal), 7. Kanchenjunga (Sikkim-Nepal border – 8,598 m), and 8. Namcha Barwa (Arunachal-Tibet border – 7,756 m). Hence option A is the correct answer.

Statements A, B and C are correct, while statement D is incorrect. The major coral areas in India are Lakshadweep Atolls, Gulf of Mannar, Fringing Reefs, Andaman-Nicobar and Gulf of Kutch, and Malvan Coast of Maharashtra. Coral reefs require clean, warm (20°C-27°C), moderately salty and sediment-free sea water for growth. Statement D is incorrect because the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers bring large amounts of fresh water and silt to the Sundarban delta, due to which the water becomes turbid and sunlight cannot reach the bottom; Due to this, coral reefs are not found at all in Sundarban, rather mangrove vegetation grows there. Hence option A is the correct answer.

The correct combination is A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2. The Konkan Coast is the northern part of the western coastal plain that extends from Daman/Maharashtra to Goa. The Malabar Coast is the southern part of the western coastal plain located mainly in Kerala and is famous for backwaters/kayals (such as Vembanad and Ashtamudi). The Coromandel Coast is the southern part of the eastern coastal plain that extends from the Krishna delta to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and receives rainfall from the retreating monsoon. The Northern Sark Coast is the northern part of the eastern coastal plain that extends from the Mahanadi to the Krishna River delta in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Hence option A is the correct answer.

All four statements A, B, C and D are correct. The rocks of the Dharwad sequence are the first metamorphic sedimentary rocks formed by the erosion and deposition of Archaean rocks, in which iron, gold, manganese and copper are found in abundance (e.g. Dharwad region of Karnataka). The Cuddapah and Vindhya rocks are non-fossiliferous sedimentary rocks famous for the cement industry's limestone, red sandstone (which forms the Red Fort) and marble. The major coal fields of India (Damodar, Son, Mahanadi, Godavari Basin) are located in the rocks of the Gondwana sequence (Carboniferous to Jurassic period). The Deccan Traps are a vast lava plateau of alkaline basaltic igneous rocks formed by fissure eruption about 65 million years ago. Hence option D is correct.

Option D is false. The saline lakes of the Thar Desert are an example of inland drainage, where local seasonal rivers (e.g. Mentha, Rupangarh, Khari, Khandela) drain into interior basins; They have no connection with the Himalayan rivers. Due to intense evaporation in summer season, the concentration of salts (Sodium Chloride, Sodium Sulphate) increases in these lakes from which salt is made. Option A is correct because Sambhar Lake (Jaipur-Nagaur-Ajmer) is the largest inland brackish water lake of India which produces about 8-9% of the total salt production of the country. Options B and C are correct because the flat and shallow lakes formed in desert basins are called 'playas' or in the local language 'dhandha'. Hence option D is the correct answer.

Statements A, B and C are correct, while statement D is incorrect. Groynes are stone, concrete or wooden walls built far into the sea perpendicular to the shoreline to prevent longshore transport of sand by sea waves, thus preventing beach erosion. Mangrove vegetation binds the coastal sediments with its strong roots like matted hair and forms a natural bio-shield by absorbing the energy of cyclone and tsunami waves. Statement D is incorrect because the west coast is a high, rocky and submerged coast where intense wave erosion is dominant; Whereas the eastern coast is a gently sloping eroded coast where large amounts of sediment are deposited by rivers. Hence option A is the correct answer.

Option B is correct. Although the Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of India and its northern half falls in the subtropical/temperate zone, the impenetrable Himalayan mountain range in the north acts as an effective climatic divide for the extremely cold polar winds coming from Siberia and Central Asia. This results in relatively warm winters and typical tropical thermal characteristics throughout the Indian subcontinent. Along with this, due to the seasonal reversal of winds blowing from the south-west in summer and from the north-east in winter, the climate of India is called 'tropical monsoon'. Option A is incorrect because the northern part of India is in the subtropical zone. Hence option B is correct.

Statements A, B and C are correct, while statement D is incorrect. During summer (May-June) due to direct rays of the Sun falling on the Northern Hemisphere, intense thermal low develops in North-Western India (Thar Desert and Punjab-Haryana). In contrast, there is high pressure in the southern Indian Ocean. As soon as the south-east trade winds (SE Trades) of the Southern Hemisphere, which are attracted from high pressure to low pressure, cross the equator, due to Ferrell's law / Coriolis force, they turn to the right and become 'South-West Monsoon'. Statement D is wrong because the south-west monsoon winds, passing over the thousands of kilometers wide Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea, pick up a large amount of water vapor (humidity) and flow from sea-to-land and cause heavy monsoon rains in India. Hence option B is correct.

All four statements A, B, C and D are correct. ITCZ (Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone) is the equatorial low pressure belt where the trade winds of both hemispheres converge and rise. During summer, as the sun turns north, this low pressure trough moves northwards and comes over the Gangetic plain. It is called 'monsoon trough'. This powerful low pressure center attracts moist monsoon winds from the Indian Ocean. In winter, when the Sun moves southward, the ITCZ ​​shifts to the Southern Hemisphere, resulting in high pressure over India and the dry north-east monsoon starts moving from land to sea. Hence option D is the correct answer.

Option D is correct. Jet streams running in the upper troposphere play a decisive role in the monsoon system. In winter the subtropical westerly jet stream splits into two branches due to the obstruction of the Tibetan Plateau; Its southern branch flows over the Gangetic plain south of the Himalayas at 200-300 millibar level and maintains anticyclonic conditions and high air pressure in the Indian region. This western jet stream suddenly gets displaced north of the Himalayas in early June due to the northward movement of the Sun and the heating of Tibet. As soon as it is removed, 'Tropical Eastern Jet Stream' (TEJ) is established on the peninsula along 15°N latitude, which intensifies the low pressure on the surface and causes a sudden burst of monsoon. Hence all the statements are true.

Option B is true. The Somali Jet (or Findlater Jet) is a seasonal 'low-level jet stream' (LLJ) that is active in the lower troposphere in the summer (June to September). It starts from the high pressure (Mascarine High) of Madagascar in the southern Indian Ocean, flows northwards parallel to East Africa (Somalia coast) and crosses the equator and turns towards the west coast of India over the Arabian Sea. This jet stream acts as an extremely powerful 'engine' in pushing huge amounts of moisture from the Arabian Sea towards the Indian mainland, thereby intensifying and strengthening the south-west monsoon. Options A, C and D are false. Hence option B is the correct answer.

All four statements A, B, C and D are correct. According to the research of famous meteorologists P. Koteshwaram and Flohn, the Tibetan Plateau, due to its huge height and area, becomes 2°C to 3°C warmer than the surrounding atmosphere due to direct solar radiation. This heat acts like a powerful 'thermal engine', which creates low air pressure and the air rises up to form the 'Tibetan Anticyclone' in the upper troposphere. From here, the winds blow southwards and depress the Mascarene high pressure of the Indian Ocean, forming a complete circulation cell which pulls the monsoon winds towards India at high speed. Hence option D is correct.

Statements A, B and C are correct, while statement D is incorrect. In normal years, there is cold current (Humboldt) and high pressure off the Peruvian coast and warm water and low pressure near Indonesia and India. In an El Nino year, the presence of warm water off the Peruvian coast creates low pressure there and increases air pressure in the western Pacific/Indian Ocean, which weakens the monsoon winds blowing towards the Indian subcontinent and leads to summer monsoon drought in India. Statement D is incorrect because historically El Nino has a negative impact on the south-west monsoon (summer), but it has at times had a positive impact (surplus rainfall) on the north-east monsoon (winter) over Tamil Nadu (e.g. in 2015, the summer monsoon was 14% deficient while the north-east monsoon recorded 32% surplus rainfall). Hence option A is the correct answer.

Option D is correct. La Niña ('the little girl' in Spanish) is the cold phase of the ENSO cycle. During this time, the trade winds in the Pacific Ocean become extremely powerful and cause deep cold water upwelling off the coast of Peru, while sea surface temperatures increase in the western Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. This strong thermal gradient causes the Walker circulation to become very strong, providing additional energy and moisture to the monsoon low pressure system over the Indian subcontinent. As a result, India receives abundant and timely rainfall during the south-west monsoon, which proves to be extremely beneficial for Indian agriculture and water bodies. Hence all the above mentioned statements are true.

Statements A, B and C are correct, while statement D is incorrect. IOD is also called 'Indian Nino'. In a positive IOD, the western Indian Ocean (Africa coast) is warmer than normal while the eastern Indian Ocean (Indonesia coast) is cooler; Due to this, moist winds from the western Indian Ocean enter India and increase rainfall and reduce or eliminate the adverse effects of El Nino (e.g. in 1997 and 2019, India received good rainfall due to positive IOD despite El Nino). Statement D is incorrect because in a negative IOD the situation is reversed – the waters near Indonesia warm (causing heavy rainfall and flooding in Australia and Indonesia) and the western Indian Ocean cools, reducing monsoon rainfall over India and increasing the risk of drought. Hence option B is correct.

The correct combination is A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2. The first branch of the Arabian Sea monsoon hits the western slopes of the Western Ghats and causes heavy mountain rainfall (Orographic Rainfall, 250-400 cm). The second branch enters central India via the Narmada and Tapi river valleys north of Mumbai and joins the Bay of Bengal branch in the Ganga plains, bringing rainfall to the Chhotanagpur plateau and Madhya Pradesh. The third branch, after hitting the Saurashtra-Kutch coast of Gujarat, goes straight north without any obstruction parallel to the Aravalli Mountains (due to which Rajasthan remains dry) and after hitting the mountains of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal, it causes rain. Western Disturbance is a temperate cyclone coming from the Mediterranean Sea which causes 'Mavath' rainfall in North-West India during winter. Hence option A is the correct answer.

Option D is false. As the Bay of Bengal branch moves from East to West across the Ganga plain, the amount of rainfall continuously 'decreases' due to increasing distance from the sea and gradual loss of moisture (e.g. Kolkata receives approximately 150 cm of rainfall, Patna receives 100 cm of rainfall, Prayagraj receives 90 cm of rainfall, and Delhi receives 55 cm of rainfall). Option A is correct because this branch turns towards India through the barrier of Arakan Hills. Option B is correct because this branch enters the Ganga valley from the south-east direction. Option C is correct because the Garo, Khasi and Jaintia hills of Meghalaya are located in a funnel shape, where trapping of clouds causes heavy rainfall of more than 1,000 cm in Maasinram and Cherrapunji. Hence option D is the correct answer.

Statements A, B and D are correct, while statement C is incorrect. During June to September, when the south-west monsoon brings rainfall across India, the Tamil Nadu coast remains dry for two main geographical reasons: 1. The Bay of Bengal branch winds blow almost parallel to the Tamil Nadu coast, leaving no mountainous barrier, and 2. The Arabian Sea branch brings rainfall over the western slopes of the Western Ghats and becomes dry and hot while descending on the eastern slopes (Tamil Nadu) (rain-shadow effect). Statement D is correct because when the monsoon returns in October-December, north-easterly winds pick up moisture from the Bay of Bengal and cause heavy rainfall on the Coromandel Coast. Statement C is incorrect because the temperature here remains hot during summers and does not go below the freezing point. Hence option B is correct.

Statements A, B and C are correct, while statement D is incorrect. Dry spells during the south-west monsoon period are a common phenomenon called 'monsoon breaks'. In North India, this happens when the monsoon trough shifts northwards and is situated on the support of the Shivalik hills; Due to this, the plains remain dry but the Himalayan catchment areas receive heavy torrential rainfall. On the west coast, when winds blow parallel to the coast, rainfall stops due to the absence of mountain climbing. Statement D is incorrect because heavy rainfall in the Himalayan foothills and hilly catchment areas during the monsoon break causes sudden severe floods in the Himalayan rivers flowing in the plains (e.g. Ganga, Kosi, Brahmaputra), rather than their water drying up. Hence option B is correct.

Statements A, B and C are correct, while statement D is incorrect. From the end of September, when the sun turns southward, the south-west monsoon begins to retreat due to the decrease in temperature and increase in air pressure in North India. The day temperature in October remains high and the moisture in the ground creates unbearably humid weather which is called 'October heat'. Cyclonic storms forming in the Andaman Sea cross the Bay of Bengal and cause heavy rainfall and loss of life and property in the deltaic areas of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Statement D is incorrect because during the retreating monsoon the weather in North-West India (Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan) remains completely dry; The main rainfall from the retreating monsoon and north-easterly winds occurs over the Coromandel Coast of Tamil Nadu. Hence option A is the correct answer.

Option D is false. Tropical cyclones act like a giant heat engine, whose main source of energy is the 'latent heat of condensation' of water vapor evaporating from warm sea water. When the cyclone makes landfall, the supply of moisture from the sea is immediately cut-off and due to surface friction the cyclone rapidly weakens and dissipates. Option A is correct because the temperature of the Bay of Bengal remains high and the remnants of typhoons from the Pacific Ocean also get revived here (the ratio is approximately 4:1). Options B and C are completely true scientific facts. Hence option D is the correct answer.

All four statements A, B, C and D are correct. Western disturbances are non-monsoon temperate cyclonic systems that originate in the Mediterranean Sea and are carried to India by the westerly jet stream passing over Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. According to meteorology, the first sign of their arrival is a sudden increase in the minimum temperature at night. Due to their effect, there is heavy snowfall in Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand (which provides water to the rivers in summer) and light rainfall in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Western Uttar Pradesh, which is called 'Mawath' in Rajasthan and North India. This rain is considered like nectar for Rabi crops (wheat, barley, gram, mustard). Hence option D is the correct answer.

The correct combination is A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3. Kaal Baisakhi (Vibhishika of the month of Baisakh) are destructive local storms that occur in West Bengal and Assam with strong winds and torrential rainfall in the evening; In Assam, they are called 'Bardoli Chheeda' or 'Bordochila' and they are useful for tea, jute and rice. Mango Shower is a pre-monsoon rainfall occurring in the late summer season in the coastal areas of Kerala and Karnataka which helps in early ripening of mangoes. Cherry Blossom Shower is the rain that occurs in Kerala and Karnataka which causes coffee flowers to bloom. Loo is an extremely dry, hot and dusty westerly wind that blows from Punjab to Bihar in May-June, bringing temperatures up to 45°C-48°C. Hence option A is the correct answer.

The correct combination is A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1. In Vladimir Köppen's climate classification: 1. Amw (Monsoon with dry winter) is found in the western slopes of the Western Ghats, Malabar Coast and Andaman-Nicobar where rainfall is more than 250-300 cm. 2. As (Monsoon with dry summer) is found on the Coromandel Coast of Tamil Nadu where rainfall occurs mainly in winter (north-east monsoon) and summer is dry. 3. Aw (Tropical Savanna) is found in most of the interior parts of the peninsular plateau south of the Tropic of Cancer where rainfall is 75-150 cm. 4. Cwg (Monsoon with dry winter and hot summer) is found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra plain of Northern India where winter is dry and summer is extremely hot. Hence option A is correct.

Statements A, B and C are correct, while statement D is incorrect. According to Köppen: BWhw (Hot Desert) represents extremely dry desert areas in western Rajasthan with rainfall less than 30 cm. BShw (Semi-Arid Steppe) refers to steppe areas (semi-arid part west of Aravali and rain-shadow region of South India) with 30 to 60 cm rainfall. Dfc (Cold Humid Winter with short cool summer) is found in the high Himalayan regions of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Statement D is incorrect because E (Polar) and ET (Tundra) types of glaciated climate are found in the high peaks of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and not in the Nilgiris of Tamil Nadu (Subtropical Hill/Cwb type is found in the Nilgiris). Hence option A is the correct answer.

Option A is correct. The main areas in India that receive less than 50 cm of rainfall are: 1. The high altitude cold desert of Ladakh (which is located in the rain shadow of the Greater Himalayas and receives only 10-15 cm of annual rainfall), 2. Western Rajasthan (Thar Desert of Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner where rainfall is between 10 to 30 cm), and 3. The interior situated to the east of the Western Ghats. Rain-shadow region (Vidarbha of Maharashtra, interior part of Karnataka and Rayalaseema of Andhra Pradesh). Areas in options B, C and D fall under moderate to high (100 cm to 250 cm+) rainfall areas. Hence option A is the correct answer.

All four statements A, B, C and D are correct. Due to continentality, North India experiences extreme heat in summer and severe cold in winter due to which the annual temperature variation reaches 20°C to 30°C. On the contrary, in peninsular India, surrounded by sea on three sides, due to the high specific heat of water, sea breeze keeps the day and night temperatures balanced due to which the annual temperature variation in Mumbai and Chennai is only 3°C to 5°C. Both Agra and Darjeeling are located at about 27°N latitude, but Darjeeling, being at an altitude of 2,000+ meters above sea level, has a temperature of 4°C in January while Agra has a temperature of 16°C. The Thar Desert experiences the country's highest diurnal temperature variation due to the rapid heating of sand and rapid cooling at night. Hence option D is correct.

Option A is correct. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), cold wave conditions are considered in the plains when the actual minimum temperature of a station is 10°C or less and it is 4.5°C to 6.4°C lower than the normal minimum temperature. If this negative deviation is more than 6.4°C then it is called 'Severe Cold Wave'. Additionally, a cold wave is also declared if the actual minimum temperature in the plains falls to 4°C or less. For hilly areas the minimum temperature is required to be 0°C or less. Hence option A is the correct answer.

All four statements A, B, C and D are correct. As per IMD guidelines, the minimum thresholds prescribed for declaration of heat wave are: plains ≥ 40°C, coastal areas ≥ 37°C, and hilly areas ≥ 30°C. When the temperature is 4.5°C to 6.4°C more than normal, it is called 'heat wave' and when it is more than 6.4°C, it is called 'severe heat wave'. Additionally, a heat wave is declared if the actual temperature crosses 45°C and a severe heat wave if it crosses 47°C. Hence option D is the correct answer.

Option A is correct. Winter rainfall in India occurs from specific sources in two major regions: 1. North-West India (Jammu-Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and western UP), where temperate cyclones (western disturbances) coming from the Mediterranean Sea bring rainfall and snowfall; 2. South-eastern India (Coromandel Coast of Tamil Nadu and southern part of Andhra Pradesh), where dry north-east trade winds (north-east monsoon) which pick up moisture while passing over the Bay of Bengal, cause heavy rainfall. In the rest of India, winter is generally dry. Hence option A is the correct answer.

All four statements A, B, C and D are correct. Monsoon is the basic foundation of Indian economy and agriculture. A large part of India's gross sown area is still dependent on monsoon rains. If the monsoon is timely and adequate, agricultural production increases, while failure or delay of the monsoon leads to drought and food crisis. Along with this, while excessive rainfall causes floods in the Northeast and Ganga-Assam valley, there is water crisis in Rayalaseema and Western Rajasthan. Schemes like PMKSY have been implemented to increase water use efficiency in agriculture and achieve the goal of 'Water to every field' and 'Per drop more crop'. Hence option D is correct.

The correct combination is A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3. Cherry blossom or blossom shower is extremely important for coffee growing farmers in Karnataka and Kerala as it helps in nourishing the coffee flowers. Mango rain is famous in the coastal parts of Kerala and Karnataka for early ripening of mango fruits and preventing them from falling. Bardoli Chheeda is the local name for the Kaal Baisakhi storms in Assam which provide very useful water for tea plantations and paddy plantations. Mawath is the winter rainfall caused by western disturbances in North India, which increases the yield of Rabi crops (wheat, gram, mustard) many times. Hence option A is the correct answer.

Statements A, B and C are correct, while statement D is incorrect. The Himalayan rivers (Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra) are young, forming deep gorges, V-shaped valleys, waterfalls and large meanders and oxbow lakes in the plains and flow throughout the year due to glaciers. Peninsular rivers (Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri etc.) geologically exist millions of years before the origin of the Himalayas and have reached their maturity; Their valleys are shallow, wide and the slope gradient is very low. Statement D is incorrect because the peninsular river system is much 'older' than the Himalayan river system. Hence option A is the correct answer.

The correct combination is A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3. The dendritic pattern looks like the branches of a tree, which is found in the plain rivers like Ganga, Yamuna etc. Radial patterns occur when rivers originate from a central hill or dome and flow in all directions; Amarkantak plateau is the best example of this from where Narmada (West), Son (North) and Mahanadi/Johila originate in different directions. A parallel pattern is found on the western slope of the Western Ghats where rivers flow parallel to each other on steep slopes and fall directly into the Arabian Sea. In a reticular pattern, the primary tributaries run parallel to each other and the secondary rivers meet them at right angles (90°), as seen in the folded areas of Chhotanagpur. Hence option A is correct.

All four statements A, B, C and D are correct. The Indus River is a total of 2,880 km long (about 1,114 km in India). It enters India near Demchok in Ladakh and flows through the Ladakh and Zanskar ranges and passes through Leh. Near Gilgit it forms the world famous 5,188 meter deep gorge and turns north from Nanga Parbat and enters Pakistan's Dardistan. Shyok, Gilgit, Kabul, Gomal, Kurram etc. coming from Karakoram and Hindukush are found on its right bank. Finally, near Mithankot in Pakistan, the combined waters of the five rivers of Punjab (Panjanad) join the Indus and form a delta in the Arabian Sea, east of Karachi. Hence option D is correct.

Option D is false. Jhelum River does not fall directly into the Arabian Sea, rather it joins the 'Chenab River' near Trimmu in Jhang district of Pakistan. Options A, B and C are completely correct. The Jhelum River in the Kashmir valley, even in its youth, forms meanders like the plain rivers due to its gentle gradient, which is a unique feature among the Himalayan rivers. After Muzaffarabad it flows parallel to the Line of Control between India and Pakistan. Kishanganga (Neelam River) is its main tributary. Hence option D is the correct answer.

Statements A, B and C are correct, while statement D is incorrect. Chenab (Asikni) is the largest tributary of the Indus. In Himachal Pradesh, 'Chandra' and 'Bhaga' rivers originating from Baralacha La pass join together at Tandi (near Keylong) to form Chandrabhaga. It flows through Kishtwar, Doda and Reasi districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The Government of India has built important run-of-the-river hydroelectric projects such as Salal, Baglihar, Dulhasti, Ratle and Pakal Dul on the Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir. Statement D is incorrect because Chenab is part of the Indus river system and its waters ultimately fall into the Arabian Sea, not the Bay of Bengal. Hence option A is the correct answer.

The correct combination is A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3. The Ravi River (Parushni) originates near the Rohtang Pass in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh and flows through the Chamba Valley. The Beas River (Vipasha) originates from the 'Beas Kund' located at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level near the Rohtang Pass and joins the Sutlej at Harike in Punjab. The Sutlej River (Shutudri) originates from Rakshas Tal at an altitude of 4,555 meters in Tibet where it is called Longchen Khambab. The Shyok River (River of Death) originates from the Remo Glacier in the Karakoram and is the main right bank tributary of the Indus. Hence option A is the correct answer.

Option D is false. Sutlej River does not originate in India, rather it originates from 'Rakas Tal' located near Mansarovar Lake in Tibet. Option A is correct because Sutlej has been flowing since before the formation of the Himalayas and has carved deep gorges cutting the Himalayan ranges. Option B is correct as it enters India through Shipki La Pass in Kinnaur district. Option C is correct because Bhakra Dam in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh and Nangal Dam in Ropar, Punjab are located on Sutlej and its reservoir is called 'Govind Sagar'. Hence option D is the correct answer.

The correct combination is A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2. Five sacred confluences are formed with the Alaknanda River (originating from the Satopanth Glacier) in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand: 1. Dhauliganga and Alaknanda meet at Vishnuprayag. 2. Nandaprayag contains the confluence of Nandakini and Alaknanda. 3. There is a confluence of Pindar river and Alaknanda river in Karnaprayag. 4. In Rudraprayag, there is a confluence of Mandakini (Black Ganga) and Alaknanda rivers coming from Kedarnath. 5. At Devprayag, Bhagirathi and Alaknanda coming from Gangotri meet each other, and from here this combined stream is officially named 'Ganga'. Hence option A is the correct answer.

All four statements A, B, C and D are correct. The Ganga River forms the largest and most important river basin of India (about 26.3% of the total area of ​​the country). Its length is 2,525 km (110 km in Uttarakhand, 1,450 km in UP, 445 km in Bihar and 520 km in West Bengal). Near Haridwar it crosses Shivalik and descends into the plains. At Farakka Barrage in Murshidabad district of West Bengal it divides into two branches; The western branch 'Bhagirathi-Hooghly' falls into the Bay of Bengal via Kolkata, while the main eastern branch enters Bangladesh by the name of 'Padma' where it joins the Brahmaputra (Jamuna) and finally forms the world's largest Sundarban delta as 'Meghna'. Hence option D is correct.

Option A is correct. The main tributaries of the left bank of Ganga (coming from the north) have the exact geographical order from west to east: 1. Ramganga (originating from Dudhatoli hills in Uttarakhand and joining near Kannauj), 2. Gomti (originating from Gomtal/Phulhar lake of Pilibhit and joining near Ghazipur), 3. Ghaghra/Karnali (originating from Mapchachungo glacier and joining Chhapra), 4. Gandak (originating from the Nepal Himalayas and joining Sonpur/Hajipur), 5. Kosi (originating from Saptakoshi, Nepal/Tibet and joining Katihar/Kursela), and 6. Mahananda (originating from the Darjeeling hills and joining the Ganges in West Bengal as the last left tributary). Hence option A is the correct answer.

Statements A, B and C are correct, while statement D is incorrect. Yamuna is the most prominent right tributary of the Ganga (length 1,376 km). The Son River originates from Amarkantak and flows northwards and joins the Ganges at Danapur near Patna; Rihand and North Koel are the major tributaries of the Son. The Damodar River originates from Chhotanagpur and joins the Hooghly River in West Bengal (formerly known as the 'Sorrow of Bengal'). Statement D is wrong because Chambal, Sindh, Betwa and Ken rivers do not directly join Ganga, rather these four rivers first join 'Yamuna River' (Chambal joins near Etawah, Betwa near Hamirpur, Ken near Banda) and then the water of Yamuna flows into Ganga. Hence option A is the correct answer.

The correct combination is A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2. Chambal River originates from the Janapav Hills of Vindhyachal near Mhow in Indore district of Madhya Pradesh. The Betwa (Vetravati) originates from Kumargaon in the Vindhya Mountains in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh and meets the Yamuna at Hamirpur in Uttar Pradesh (the Matatila Dam is on it). The Ken (Karnavati) originates in the Kaimur Hills in the Katni district of Madhya Pradesh and joins the Yamuna near Banda. Hindon River originates from the lower hills of Shivalik (Saharanpur) and joins Yamuna via Noida/Ghaziabad. Hence option A is the correct answer.

All four statements A, B, C and D are correct. Chambal River is a joint multipurpose project of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Four phased dams have been built on it: Gandhi Sagar (in Madhya Pradesh), Rana Pratap Sagar (in Rawatbhata, Chittorgarh), Jawahar Sagar (in Kota) and Kota Barrage (only for irrigation). Due to semi-arid climate and intense water flow in Chambal Basin, the upper layer of soil has been eroded and transformed into 20 to 30 meter deep ravines (badlands). 'Banas' originating from Kumbhalgarh in Rajasthan is the largest left tributary of Chambal, while Kalisindh and Parvati join it from the right side. Hence option D is correct.

Option D is false. Brahmaputra River is one of the rivers with highest silt and water flow in the world. Due to heavy rainfall and steep gradient in the Assam valley, this river causes severe floods and bank erosion every year during monsoon. Due to its excessive sediment load, the river bed in Assam has risen and it flows as a braided river. Options A, B and C are completely correct. It is officially called 'Brahmaputra' after the Dihang, Dibang and Lohit rivers meet near Pasighat in Assam. Hence option D is the correct answer.

The correct combination is A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3. The major rivers of the Brahmaputra's right bank (coming from the north) are Subansiri (largest tributary, preceding river), Kameng (Jia Bhareli), Manas, Sankosh and Teesta. The major rivers of Brahmaputra's left bank (coming from the south) are Dibang, Lohit, Budhi Dihing, Dikhov, Dhansiri and Kopili. Manas River originates in Bhutan and flows through Manas National Park in Assam. Hence option A is the correct answer.

Statements A, B and C are correct, while statement D is incorrect. Teesta is the lifeline of Sikkim and originates from the Jemu glacier region of Kanchenjunga. Before 1787, it used to flow southwards and join the Ganga, but after the severe flood of 1787, it changed its course towards the east and now joins the Brahmaputra (Jamuna) river at Phulchari, Bangladesh. Statement D is incorrect because Teesta is a major tributary of the Brahmaputra river system that ultimately merges into the Bay of Bengal, not the Arabian Sea. Hence option B is correct.

Option D is correct. The Barak River is a very important river of North-East India that originates in the Manipur Hills and flows through Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Assam (Silchar Valley). In Bangladesh, it gets divided into Surma and Kushiyara and meets again near Bhairab Bazaar and along with Padma, falls into the Bay of Bengal under the name 'Meghna'. The Government of India has given the status of National Waterway-16 (NW-16) to its 121 km inland waterways. Hence all the above mentioned statements are true.

All four statements A, B, C and D are correct. Majuli is the world's largest inhabited river island located in the middle of the Brahmaputra river in Assam. The Government of Assam made it India's first island district in 2016. Major 'Satras' (monasteries) of Neo-Vaishnavism established by Srimanta Sankardev in the 15th-16th century like Auniati, Dakshinpat and Kamalbari Satras are located here. Due to continuous erosion and floods of the Brahmaputra River, its area has reduced from the original 1,250 sq km to around 400-500 sq km at present, efforts for its conservation are ongoing. Hence option D is correct.

The correct combination is A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4. The Godavari (South Ganga – 1,465 km) is the longest river of peninsular India and originates at Trimbakeshwar in Nashik district of Maharashtra. Its only major right bank tributary is the Manjra River which originates in the Balaghat range and is fed by the Nizam Sagar Dam in Telangana. Indravati River originates from Kalahandi in Odisha and joins Godavari from the left side via Bastar (Chhattisgarh) (the famous Chitrakoot Falls is situated on it). Wainganga and Wardha together form 'Pranhita' river which is the largest discharge tributary of Godavari. Hence option A is the correct answer.

All four statements A, B, C and D are correct. The Krishna River (1,401 km) is the second largest pre-channel river of peninsular India and flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Tungabhadra (Tunga + Bhadra) is its largest tributary. Shivaji Sagar (Koyna Dam) is situated on the Koyna River in Maharashtra. Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana, is situated on the banks of Musi River. Almatti Dam (Lal Bahadur Shastri Sagar) in Karnataka, Srisailam Dam and Nagarjuna Sagar Dam on the Andhra-Telangana border are located on the Krishna River. Hence option D is the correct answer.

Option D is false. Kaveri River (about 800 km) is a major sacred river of South India that flows through the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and falls into the Bay of Bengal near Pumpuhar; It has no connection with Rajasthan or Gujarat. Option A is correct as it originates from Talakaveri (Brahmagiri). Option B is correct because its upper catchment area (Karnataka) receives rainfall from the south-west monsoon and the lower catchment area (Tamil Nadu) from the north-east monsoon, due to which water fluctuations are less in comparison to other peninsular rivers. Option C is correct because Shivasamudram (where India's first hydroelectric power plant was built in 1902) and Srirangam island are located on the Cauvery. Hence option D is correct.

The correct combination is A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3. India's longest earthen dam 'Hirakud Dam' (about 25.8 km long) has been built on Mahanadi in Sambalpur, Odisha. The huge 'Nagarjuna Sagar Dam' is situated on the Krishna River on the border of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The famous 'Mettur Dam' (Stanley Reservoir) in Salem district of Tamil Nadu and Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) Dam in Karnataka are built on the Kaveri River. The huge 'Sardar Sarovar Dam' is built on the Narmada River in Kevadiya (Ekta Nagar), Gujarat. Hence option A is the correct answer.

Statements A, B and C are correct, while statement D is incorrect. The Narmada (1,312 km) is the longest west-flowing river of peninsular India. It originates from Amarkantak and flows through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Due to flowing in the rift valley, its drainage path is straight and narrow and it forms a smoky waterfall in Jabalpur. Statement D is wrong because due to flowing in a rift valley and having a hard rocky bed, the Narmada does not bring heavy silt with it and flows at a high velocity before meeting the sea, due to which it does not form a delta but forms a 27 km long 'estuary' in the Gulf of Khambhat (Arabian Sea). Hence option A is the correct answer.

All four statements A, B, C and D are correct. Tapi (about 724 km) is the second largest west-draining river of peninsular India. It flows in the rift valley between the Satpura and Ajanta ranges. About 79% of its basin lies in Maharashtra, 15% in Madhya Pradesh and 6% in Gujarat. Purna, Girna, Bori and Panjra are its major tributaries. Ukai Multipurpose Project (Vallabh Sagar Reservoir) and Kakrapar Nuclear/Irrigation Project are located on the Tapi River in Surat district of Gujarat. It forms an estuary in the Gulf of Khambhat near Surat. Hence option D is correct.