Geography MCQs for UPSC Prelims — April 2026

Q1. Which railway tunnel, boring through the Pir Panjal range between Banihal and Qazigund, was dedicated to the nation in 2013 as India's longest transportation tunnel at that time?

  • A. Pir Panjal Tunnel (T-80)
  • B. Tunnel T-50 (Khari–Sumber)
  • C. Jawahar Tunnel
  • D. Atal Tunnel

Q2. Consider the following statements about how the USBRL crosses the Pir Panjal range: 1. The Banihal–Qazigund section pierces the Pir Panjal range through the Pir Panjal (T-80) railway tunnel. 2. This tunnel gives the Jammu region a rail passage to the Kashmir Valley across the Pir Panjal. 3. It is the Chenab Bridge, rather than any tunnel, that carries the line across the Pir Panjal range. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Banihal–Qazigund section pierces the Pir Panjal range through the Pir Panjal (T-80) railway tunnel.
  2. This tunnel gives the Jammu region a rail passage to the Kashmir Valley across the Pir Panjal.
  3. It is the Chenab Bridge, rather than any tunnel, that carries the line across the Pir Panjal range.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. On the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), which one of the following is India's longest transportation tunnel?

  • A. Tunnel T-50 (Khari–Sumber)
  • B. Pir Panjal Tunnel (T-80)
  • C. The tunnel approach of the Chenab Bridge
  • D. The Anji Khad tunnel approach

Q4. According to USGS 2025 estimates, China holds the world's largest share of rare-earth reserves, amounting to approximately what percentage of the global total?

  • A. About 48%
  • B. About 70%
  • C. About 90%
  • D. About 13%

Q5. The largest volcanic eruption in recorded history — measuring VEI 7 and triggering the 1816 'Year Without a Summer' — occurred at which volcano and in which year?

  • A. Mount Tambora, 1815
  • B. Krakatoa, 1883
  • C. Mount Vesuvius, AD 79
  • D. Santorini (Thera), c. 1600 BC

Q6. With reference to the geographical setting of ancient Pompeii, consider the following statements: 1. Pompeii lay about 23 km south-east of Naples. 2. Mount Vesuvius overlooks the Bay of Naples in the Campania region. 3. The Bay of Naples is an inlet of the Adriatic Sea. 4. Pompeii stood near the mouth of the Sarnus (Sarno) River. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Pompeii lay about 23 km south-east of Naples.
  2. Mount Vesuvius overlooks the Bay of Naples in the Campania region.
  3. The Bay of Naples is an inlet of the Adriatic Sea.
  4. Pompeii stood near the mouth of the Sarnus (Sarno) River.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. The Great Nicobar transshipment port site is stated to lie approximately how many nautical miles from the East-West international shipping route?

  • A. 20
  • B. 40
  • C. 90
  • D. 145

Q8. The following statements compare the Strait of Hormuz with the Strait of Malacca. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Strait of Hormuz is the only maritime gateway to the Persian Gulf, whereas the Strait of Malacca has geographically proximate alternative routes.
  2. Roughly one-quarter of global seaborne oil trade transits the Strait of Hormuz.
  3. Unlike the Strait of Hormuz, the Strait of Malacca carries no liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit chokepoint, connects which one of the following pairs of water bodies?

  • A. Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
  • B. Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
  • C. Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea
  • D. Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal

Q10. With respect to the capitals of Central Asian SCO members, consider the following statements: 1. Tashkent is the largest city in Central Asia. 2. Dushanbe is the capital of Tajikistan. 3. Bishkek is situated along the Ishim River. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Tashkent is the largest city in Central Asia.
  2. Dushanbe is the capital of Tajikistan.
  3. Bishkek is situated along the Ishim River.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. In 1997 Kazakhstan relocated its national capital to the city later renamed Astana. From which of the following cities was the capital shifted?

  • A. Almaty
  • B. Tashkent
  • C. Karaganda
  • D. Bishkek

Q12. Kyrgyzstan, the host of the April 2026 SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting, shares its land borders with how many countries?

  • A. 3
  • B. 4
  • C. 5
  • D. 6

Q13. The following are approximate marine distances of Chabahar Port from various locations. Consider them: 1. Chabahar-Gwadar: about 76 nautical miles. 2. Chabahar-Kandla: about 550 nautical miles. 3. Chabahar-Dubai: about 353 nautical miles. 4. Chabahar-Mumbai: about 456 nautical miles. Which of the above pairings is/are NOT correctly matched?

  1. Chabahar-Gwadar: about 76 nautical miles.
  2. Chabahar-Kandla: about 550 nautical miles.
  3. Chabahar-Dubai: about 353 nautical miles.
  4. Chabahar-Mumbai: about 456 nautical miles.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q14. Consider the following statements about the location of Chabahar Port: 1. It is the only Iranian port with direct access to the open ocean, lying outside the Persian Gulf. 2. It lies on the Makran coast near the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, whereas Pakistan's Gwadar port lies on the Persian Gulf coast. 3. The port comprises two terminals, Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti, of which India operates the Shahid Beheshti terminal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It is the only Iranian port with direct access to the open ocean, lying outside the Persian Gulf.
  2. It lies on the Makran coast near the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, whereas Pakistan's Gwadar port lies on the Persian Gulf coast.
  3. The port comprises two terminals, Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti, of which India operates the Shahid Beheshti terminal.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q15. The Chamoli (Rishiganga) rock-and-ice avalanche disaster in Uttarakhand, in which a mass detached from the steep north face of Ronti Peak killed over 200 people, occurred in which year?

  • A. 2013
  • B. 2021
  • C. 2022
  • D. 2023

Q16. In the Himalaya, which one of the following is the most common trigger of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs)?

  • A. Earthquakes
  • B. Ice avalanches
  • C. Cloudbursts
  • D. Piping (seepage erosion) through moraine dams

Q17. Which one of the following best describes a 'hanging glacier'?

  • A. A glacier or ice mass perched high on a steep valley wall or mountain slope that terminates abruptly, making it prone to detachment and ice avalanches
  • B. A glacial lake held back by a terminal moraine that can breach to release a sudden flood
  • C. A flood released downstream by the sudden failure of an ice or moraine dam
  • D. A body of ice occupying a bowl-shaped hollow (cirque) at the head of a valley

Q18. Which one of the following is the capital city of New Zealand?

  • A. Auckland
  • B. Wellington
  • C. Christchurch
  • D. Queenstown

Q19. Consider the following statements regarding New Zealand and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF): 1. Australia and New Zealand are the only members of the Pacific Islands Forum that are classified as developed economies. 2. All members of the Pacific Islands Forum are sovereign states recognised by the United Nations as such. 3. The Cook Strait separates New Zealand's North Island from the Australian mainland. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Australia and New Zealand are the only members of the Pacific Islands Forum that are classified as developed economies.
  2. All members of the Pacific Islands Forum are sovereign states recognised by the United Nations as such.
  3. The Cook Strait separates New Zealand's North Island from the Australian mainland.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q20. How many sovereign countries share a land border with Iran?

  • A. Five
  • B. Six
  • C. Seven
  • D. Eight

Q21. A crude-oil tanker sails from a port on the United Arab Emirates coast to Rotterdam via the Suez route. Match List I (waterway/strait) with List II (order in which the tanker enters it) and select the correct option.

  • A. A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
  • B. A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
  • C. A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4
  • D. A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3

Q22. Match List I (Category of energy flow through the Strait of Hormuz) with List II (Approximate share, as cited in PIB/IMF/World Bank briefings of 2026) and select the correct answer using the code given below:

  • A. A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
  • B. A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
  • C. A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4
  • D. A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4

Q23. In the context of global energy trade, the term 'maritime chokepoint' — as applied to the Strait of Hormuz — most precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. A narrow, strategically located shipping passage whose closure or disruption can constrict a disproportionate share of global energy or commodity flows
  • B. The territorial sea belt of 12 nautical miles within which the coastal state exercises full sovereignty over foreign vessels
  • C. An Exclusive Economic Zone where the coastal state holds exclusive rights to living and non-living resources up to 200 nautical miles
  • D. A designated naval exclusion zone declared by a coastal state from which all foreign warships and merchant vessels are barred

Q24. The right of 'transit passage' through international straits used for international navigation, such as the Strait of Hormuz, is codified under which one of the following international conventions?

  • A. UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982
  • B. Convention on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone, 1958
  • C. Convention on the High Seas, 1958
  • D. UN Convention on the Continental Shelf, 1964

Q25. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:

  • A. A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4
  • B. A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4
  • C. A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3
  • D. A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2

Q26. In the geography of New Zealand, the term 'Cook Strait' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The narrow maritime passage that separates New Zealand's North Island from its South Island
  • B. The sea passage lying between the eastern coast of Australia and the western coast of New Zealand
  • C. The channel separating New Zealand's South Island from Stewart Island in the far south
  • D. The stretch of the Southern Ocean separating New Zealand's outlying islands from Antarctica

Q27. The term 'Issyk-Kul', frequently mentioned in the context of Kyrgyzstan, is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. An endorheic high-altitude lake situated in the northern Tien Shan of Kyrgyzstan, designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
  • B. A trans-boundary glacier in the Pamir range shared by Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
  • C. A high mountain pass on the Kyrgyzstan–China boundary linking Bishkek with Kashgar
  • D. A river basin draining from the Tien Shan into the Aral Sea through Uzbekistan

Q28. Match List I (Geographical feature of Kyrgyzstan) with List II (Description) and select the correct answer using the code given below:

  • A. A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1
  • B. A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1
  • C. A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
  • D. A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4

Q29. With reference to UNESCO recognitions associated with Kyrgyzstan's Tien Shan region, consider the following statements:

  1. The Western Tien-Shan, a transnational property shared with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, whereas Issyk-Kul is designated under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme.
  2. Issyk-Kul is the largest high-altitude lake in the world, surpassing Lake Titicaca in surface area.
  3. Despite lying above 1,600 m in the Tien Shan, Issyk-Kul does not freeze in winter owing to its depth, low salinity and warm springs.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q30. With reference to the geography of New Zealand, which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. New Zealand consists primarily of two main landmasses — the North Island and the South Island.
  2. The Tasman Sea lies between Australia and New Zealand, to the west of the New Zealand mainland.
  3. The Cook Strait separates the North Island from the South Island of New Zealand.
  4. Mount Cook, the highest peak of New Zealand, is situated on the North Island.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4