UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Progress of monsoon

Q1. With reference to the India Meteorological Department's Updated Long Range Forecast (May 2026) for the 2026 Southwest Monsoon, consider the following statements: 1. Seasonal rainfall over the country as a whole is forecast at 90% of the Long Period Average with a model error of ±4%. 2. June 2026 rainfall over the country as a whole is forecast to be below normal (<92% of LPA). 3. Rainfall over the Monsoon Core Zone is forecast to be below normal (<94% of LPA). 4. La Niña conditions over the equatorial Pacific are the principal driver underlying the below-normal outlook. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Seasonal rainfall over the country as a whole is forecast at 90% of the Long Period Average with a model error of ±4%.
  2. June 2026 rainfall over the country as a whole is forecast to be below normal (<92% of LPA).
  3. Rainfall over the Monsoon Core Zone is forecast to be below normal (<94% of LPA).
  4. La Niña conditions over the equatorial Pacific are the principal driver underlying the below-normal outlook.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4 only

Q2. The Updated Long Range Forecast (issued in May 2026) projecting the 2026 Southwest Monsoon seasonal rainfall at 90% of the Long Period Average was officially released by which one of the following bodies?

  • A. India Meteorological Department
  • B. Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune
  • C. National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting
  • D. Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services

Q3. Consider the following statements comparing the Updated Long Range Forecast (May 2026) for the Southwest Monsoon with IMD's first-stage Long Range Forecast (April 2026): 1. The Updated Forecast assigns a 60% probability of a deficient Southwest Monsoon season. 2. The Updated Forecast retained the use of the Long Period Average computed over a 50-year base period for categorising seasonal rainfall. 3. The Updated Forecast revised the seasonal rainfall projection upward from the first-stage forecast. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Updated Forecast assigns a 60% probability of a deficient Southwest Monsoon season.
  2. The Updated Forecast retained the use of the Long Period Average computed over a 50-year base period for categorising seasonal rainfall.
  3. The Updated Forecast revised the seasonal rainfall projection upward from the first-stage forecast.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. Which of the following Indian regions was the first to record the onset of the 2026 Southwest Monsoon?

  • A. Kerala coast
  • B. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
  • C. Lakshadweep Islands
  • D. Coastal Tamil Nadu

Q5. The India Meteorological Department, which issues the official onset, advance and Long Range Forecasts of the Southwest Monsoon, functions under which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Earth Sciences
  • B. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • C. Ministry of Science and Technology
  • D. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare