India Climate MCQs
1. What is the primary source of rainfall in India?
A) Northeast monsoon
B) Southwest monsoon
C) Western cyclonic disturbances
D) Tropical cyclones
The southwest monsoon, active from June to September, brings the majority of India’s rainfall due to moisture-laden winds from the Indian Ocean.
2. Which place in India receives the highest rainfall?
A) Cherrapunji
B) Mawsynram
C) Mumbai
D) Kolkata
Mawsynram in Meghalaya’s Khasi Hills receives over 400 cm of rainfall annually due to orographic lift of monsoon winds.
3. What is the Coriolis force?
A) Force due to ocean currents
B) Force due to Earth’s rotation
C) Force due to temperature differences
D) Force due to altitude
The Coriolis force, caused by Earth’s rotation, deflects winds to the right in the northern hemisphere, influencing monsoon patterns.
4. Which season is characterized by the ‘loo’ winds?
A) Winter
B) Summer
C) Monsoon
D) Transition
The ‘loo’ refers to hot, dry winds in northern India during the summer season (March–May).
5. Why does Tamil Nadu receive rainfall in winter?
A) Southwest monsoon
B) Northeast monsoon
C) Western disturbances
D) Local thunderstorms
The northeast monsoon brings moisture from the Bay of Bengal to Tamil Nadu’s coast in October–November.
6. What is the main factor causing India’s monsoon climate?
A) High altitude
B) Seasonal wind reversal
C) Ocean currents
D) Latitude alone
Seasonal wind reversal, driven by differential heating of land and sea, causes India’s monsoon climate.
7. Which region experiences the highest diurnal temperature range?
A) Meghalaya
B) Thar Desert
C) Tamil Nadu
D) Kerala
The Thar Desert in Rajasthan has a high diurnal range due to clear skies and arid conditions.
8. What are ‘mango showers’?
A) Winter rains
B) Pre-monsoon rains
C) Monsoon rains
D) Cyclonic rains
Mango showers are pre-monsoon rains in Kerala and Karnataka, aiding mango ripening.
9. Why does rainfall decrease from east to west in the Northern Plains?
A) Increasing altitude
B) Loss of moisture in winds
C) Ocean currents
D) Temperature rise
Monsoon winds lose moisture as they move westward from the Bay of Bengal.
10. What is ‘mahawat’?
A) Summer heat
B) Winter rainfall
C) Monsoon storms
D) Dust storms
Mahawat refers to winter rainfall in northern India from western cyclonic disturbances.
11. Which winds cause rainfall along the Malabar coast?
A) Northeast monsoon
B) Southwest monsoon
C) Trade winds
D) Westerlies
Southwest monsoon winds bring heavy rainfall to the Malabar coast from June to September.
12. What is the role of the Himalayas in India’s climate?
A) Increase monsoon rainfall
B) Block cold winds
C) Cause desertification
D) Reduce humidity
The Himalayas block cold Central Asian winds, making India’s winters milder.
13. Why is the monsoon considered a unifying bond?
A) Uniform temperature
B) Shared rainfall cycle
C) Same altitude
D) Equal humidity
The monsoon’s rainfall cycle supports agriculture and culture across India.
14. What are Kaal Baisakhi storms?
A) Winter cyclones
B) Summer thunderstorms
C) Monsoon floods
D) Dust storms
Kaal Baisakhi are summer thunderstorms in West Bengal with violent winds and rain.
15. Why does Thiruvananthapuram have an equable climate?
A) High altitude
B) Coastal location
C) Desert proximity
D) Monsoon breaks
Thiruvananthapuram’s coastal location moderates temperature fluctuations.
16. Which factor does NOT influence India’s climate?
A) Latitude
B) Altitude
C) Population density
D) Relief features
Population density does not directly affect climate, unlike geographic factors.
17. What causes tropical cyclones during the retreating monsoon?
A) Western disturbances
B) Bay of Bengal depressions
C) Southwest monsoon
D) Loo winds
Depressions in the Bay of Bengal cause cyclones in October–November.
18. Which region receives the least rainfall?
A) Meghalaya
B) Leh
C) Kerala
D) Tamil Nadu
Leh in Ladakh receives less than 10 cm of rainfall due to its rain shadow location.
19. What is the monsoon trough?
A) A desert region
B) A low-pressure zone
C) A mountain range
D) A coastal area
The monsoon trough is a low-pressure zone that influences rainfall distribution.
20. Why does Delhi receive more rain than Jodhpur?
A) Higher altitude
B) Proximity to monsoon winds
C) Desert location
D) Coastal influence
Delhi’s proximity to Bay of Bengal monsoon winds results in more rain (67 cm) than Jodhpur (36.6 cm).
21. What is the Tropic of Cancer’s role in India’s climate?
A) Causes cyclones
B) Divides tropical and subtropical zones
C) Blocks monsoon winds
D) Increases humidity
The Tropic of Cancer divides India into tropical and subtropical climate zones.
22. Which season is marked by ‘October heat’?
A) Winter
B) Retreating monsoon
C) Summer
D) Advancing monsoon
October heat occurs during the retreating monsoon due to high humidity and temperatures.
23. Why are houses in Rajasthan built with thick walls?
A) To prevent flooding
B) To insulate against heat and cold
C) To support heavy roofs
D) To block monsoon winds
Thick walls in Rajasthan insulate against extreme diurnal temperature ranges.
24. Why do houses in Goa have sloping roofs?
A) To retain heat
B) To drain monsoon rain
C) To collect snow
D) To reduce wind
Sloping roofs in Goa allow heavy monsoon rains to drain quickly.
25. Why are houses in Assam built on stilts?
A) To stay cool
B) To avoid flooding
C) To block winds
D) To store grain
Stilts in Assam protect houses from monsoon floods.
26. What causes monsoon breaks?
A) High temperature
B) Monsoon trough movement
C) Ocean currents
D) Desert winds
Monsoon trough movement causes wet and dry spells, known as breaks.
27. Why is Shillong rainier than Kolkata?
A) Coastal location
B) High altitude
C) Desert proximity
D) Low humidity
Shillong’s high altitude and Khasi Hills location trap monsoon winds, causing more rain.
28. Why does Chennai receive less southwest monsoon rain?
A) High altitude
B) Rain shadow of Western Ghats
C) Desert location
D) Ocean currents
Chennai lies in the rain shadow of the Western Ghats, reducing southwest monsoon rain.
29. What is the role of ocean currents in India’s climate?
A) Cause cyclones
B) Moderate coastal climates
C) Increase desertification
D) Reduce rainfall
Warm ocean currents moderate temperatures along India’s coast.
30. Why is Leh’s climate extremely cold?
A) Coastal location
B) High altitude
C) Monsoon influence
D) Desert proximity
Leh’s high altitude (3,506 m) causes extreme cold, with temperatures dropping to -45°C.
31. What is the main source of winter rainfall in northern India?
A) Southwest monsoon
B) Western cyclonic disturbances
C) Northeast monsoon
D) Local storms
Western cyclonic disturbances from the Mediterranean bring winter rainfall to northern India.
32. Why does Bengaluru have a moderate climate?
A) Coastal location
B) High altitude
C) Desert proximity
D) Monsoon breaks
Bengaluru’s altitude (920 m) keeps temperatures moderate, between 20–30°C.
33. What is continentality?
A) Coastal moderation
B) Extreme inland temperatures
C) High rainfall
D) Low humidity
Continentality refers to extreme temperature ranges in inland areas like Rajasthan.
34. Which region is prone to droughts?
A) Meghalaya
B) Rajasthan
C) Kerala
D) Assam
Rajasthan’s low rainfall due to the Aravalli rain shadow makes it drought-prone.
35. Why does the Western Ghats cause heavy rainfall?
A) Low altitude
B) Orographic lift
C) Desert proximity
D) Ocean currents
Orographic lift of monsoon winds by the Western Ghats causes heavy rainfall on the windward side.
36. What is the climate of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
A) Arid
B) Humid tropical
C) Cold desert
D) Temperate
The islands’ proximity to the sea and monsoon winds creates a humid tropical climate.
37. Why does Jodhpur have an extreme climate?
A) Coastal location
B) Arid conditions
C) High rainfall
D) Low altitude
Jodhpur’s arid conditions and distance from the sea cause extreme temperatures.
38. What is the significance of winter rainfall for crops?
A) Supports kharif crops
B) Supports rabi crops
C) Causes flooding
D) Reduces humidity
Winter rainfall (mahawat) is vital for rabi crops in northern India.
39. Why does the Aravalli Range affect Rajasthan’s rainfall?
A) Increases rainfall
B) Creates a rain shadow
C) Causes cyclones
D) Moderates temperature
The Aravalli Range blocks monsoon winds, creating a rain shadow in Rajasthan.
40. Which season has the highest rainfall in India?
A) Winter
B) Advancing monsoon
C) Summer
D) Retreating monsoon
The advancing monsoon (June–September) brings the highest rainfall to India.
41. What is the climate type of Rajasthan?
A) Tropical wet
B) Arid
C) Temperate
D) Humid subtropical
Rajasthan’s arid climate is due to low rainfall and high temperatures.
42. Why does the northeast monsoon affect Tamil Nadu?
A) High altitude
B) Moisture from Bay of Bengal
C) Desert winds
D) Himalayan influence
The northeast monsoon picks up moisture from the Bay of Bengal, affecting Tamil Nadu.
43. What is the role of relief features in India’s climate?
A) Reduce temperature
B) Influence rainfall distribution
C) Cause desertification
D) Increase humidity
Relief features like the Western Ghats and Himalayas influence rainfall patterns.
44. Why is the climate in coastal areas equable?
A) High altitude
B) Sea moderation
C) Desert influence
D) Monsoon breaks
The sea moderates temperatures in coastal areas, reducing extremes.
45. What causes dust storms in northern India?
A) Monsoon winds
B) Summer heat
C) Winter cold
D) Cyclones
Summer heat and dry conditions cause dust storms in northern India.
46. Why does the retreating monsoon cause rainfall in Tamil Nadu?
A) Southwest winds
B) Northeast winds
C) Western disturbances
D) Local storms
Northeast winds during the retreating monsoon bring rainfall to Tamil Nadu.
47. What is the climate of Kerala?
A) Arid
B) Tropical wet
C) Cold desert
D) Temperate
Kerala’s tropical wet climate is due to heavy monsoon rainfall and coastal location.
48. Why does the monsoon arrive in two branches?
A) Temperature differences
B) Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea
C) Desert winds
D) Himalayan altitude
The monsoon arrives via the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea branches, influencing rainfall patterns.
49. What is the role of latitude in India’s climate?
A) Causes cyclones
B) Affects temperature gradients
C) Reduces rainfall
D) Increases humidity
Latitude affects temperature gradients, dividing India into tropical and subtropical zones.
50. Why does the monsoon climate vary regionally?
A) Uniform rainfall
B) Geographic factors
C) Same altitude
D) Equal humidity
Geographic factors like altitude, relief, and distance from the sea cause regional climate variations.
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