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UPSC Prelims 2002 · Indian Geography · India’s Land and Borders
With reference to India, which one of the following statements is not correct?
- (a) About one-third of the area of the country records more than 750 millimeters of annual rainfall.
- (b) The dominant source of irrigation in the country is wells.
- (c) Alluvial soil is the predominant type of soil in the northern plains of the country.
- (d) The mountain areas account for about thirty percent of the surface area of the country.
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (d) The mountain areas account for about thirty percent of the surface area of the country.
Not correct — mountains cover only about 11% (hills ~18%, plateaus ~28%, plains ~43%).
The idea
Relief classes separate plains, plateaus, hills and mountains. Combining hills with mountains gives a different share from counting mountains alone. Rainfall coverage and irrigation shares are separate statistical measures and must also be tied to the period of the question.
Why the others are wrong
(a) The key treats this as correct.
(b) Correct — wells and tubewells are the main source of irrigation.
(c) Correct — the northern plains are alluvial.
The trap
The Himalaya dominates the map, so 30% feels right.
Also know
Bhangar is older alluvium and khadar is younger floodplain alluvium. Bhabar is the coarse foothill belt where streams can sink; the finer, wetter terai lies farther south. The Deccan plateau includes broad uplands rather than only mountains. A tubewell draws groundwater, while a canal carries surface water.
🔒 India relief: plains 43% · plateaus 28% · hills 18% · mountains 11%.
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