Which of the following statements about the monsoon in India is incorrect?

Answer: (d) The onset of the monsoon is from West Bengal only

Incorrect — the monsoon sets in over Kerala (early June), not West Bengal.

The idea

The Indian monsoon is an advancing and retreating seasonal circulation, not a single storm arriving everywhere together. Summer onset spreads in stages as moist winds strengthen. Withdrawal follows another regional sequence, and actual dates vary from year to year.

Rain reaches the island region → Summer monsoon reaches Kerala → Arabian Sea and Bay branches advance → Coverage spreads across the mainland → Withdrawal later begins in the north-west → Rain-bearing circulation shifts south

Why the others are wrong

(a) Correct — SW monsoon winds blow from sea to land.

(b) Correct — NE monsoon winds blow from land to sea.

(c) Correct — it withdraws gradually from NW India.

The trap

“Only” in (d).

Elimination technique

Kerala is a known mainland onset landmark. That alone disproves the claim that onset is from West Bengal only, without relying on a guess about the word “only”.

Also know

The island region generally sees summer monsoon rain before Kerala. Kerala marks the familiar mainland onset landmark. North-easterlies are offshore over much of India, but they gain moisture over the Bay and bring rain to the south-eastern coast.