Geography of Jammu & Kashmir (UT) – 25 MCQs for JKSSB & Competitive Exams
Test and enhance your knowledge of Jammu & Kashmir’s physical and environmental geography with these key multiple-choice questions. Ideal for JKSSB exam preparation and other competitive tests.
Mountains, Ranges & Passes
Q1. Which mountain range forms the northern boundary of the Kashmir Valley?
Answer: (c) Karakoram
Explanation: The Karakoram Range lies to the north of the Kashmir Valley, separating it from Ladakh and the Tibetan Plateau.
Q5. Which pass connects the Kashmir Valley with Ladakh?
Answer: (b) Zoji La
Explanation: Zoji La (approx. 3,528 m) links Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley to Drass and Kargil in Ladakh.
Q14. The “Zanskar Range” is a sub-range of which major mountain system?
Answer: (a) Himalayas
Explanation: The Zanskar Range lies along the northern edge of the Himalayas, separating Ladakh from the Zanskar valley.
Q15. Which pass provides the main road link between Jammu and Srinagar?
Answer: (b) Banihal Pass
Explanation: Banihal Pass (approx. 2,832 m) on the Pir Panjal range hosts the Jawahar Tunnel, a vital link between Jammu and the Kashmir Valley.
Q20. The “Kashmir Valley” is situated between which two mountain ranges?
Answer: (b) Pir Panjal and Himalayas
Explanation: The valley lies between the Pir Panjal range to the southwest and the main Himalayan range to the northeast.
Q25. Which pass connects Kargil town with Leh town in Ladakh?
Answer: (b) Khardung La
Explanation: Khardung La (elevation ≈ 5,359 m) lies on the Leh-Kargil road and is one of the highest motorable passes in the world.
Rivers & Water Bodies
Q2. The longest river flowing through the Jammu & Kashmir UT is:
Answer: (a) Indus
Explanation: The Indus River originates in Tibet, enters Ladakh, and travels the greatest distance within the UT before flowing into Pakistan.
Q3. Which lake is the largest freshwater lake in India and is located in the Kashmir Valley?
Answer: (b) Wular Lake
Explanation: Wular Lake, situated in Bandipora district, is India’s largest freshwater lake by surface area.
Q10. The “Pangong Tso” lake is famous for:
Answer: (b) Changing colours during the day
Explanation: Pangong Tso, a high-altitude lake in Ladakh, exhibits striking colour shifts from blue to green to grey depending on sunlight.
Q11. Which river is known as the “Lifeline of Kashmir”?
Answer: (b) Jhelum
Explanation: The Jhelum River’s waters irrigate the fertile Kashmir Valley, supporting rice, saffron, and apple cultivation.
Q16. The famous “Dal Lake” is known for its:
Answer: (a) Floating gardens (Raad)
Explanation: Dal Lake’s unique floating gardens, called “Raad,” are cultivated on mats of vegetation and support vegetable farming.
Q18. The river “Tawi” flows through which city of J&K UT?
Answer: (b) Jammu
Explanation: The Tawi River originates in the Kailash Kund glacier and flows through Jammu city before joining the Chenab.
Q19. Which glacier is the source of the Chenab River?
Answer: (b) Bara Shigri Glacier
Explanation: The Chenab originates from the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers. The Chandra river arises from the Bara Shigri Glacier in Himachal Pradesh.
Q24. The “Indus Waters Treaty” of 1960 governs the sharing of water from which river system?
Answer: (c) Indus
Explanation: The treaty allocates the waters of the Indus River and its five tributaries (Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) between India and Pakistan.
Climate, Flora & Soil
Q4. The famous “Chinar” tree is most commonly found in which region?
Answer: (c) Kashmir Valley
Explanation: Chinar trees are iconic to the Kashmir Valley, especially around Srinagar and the Mughal gardens.
Q6. The climate of the Jammu region is best described as:
Answer: (b) Subtropical monsoon
Explanation: Jammu experiences hot summers, a distinct monsoon season, and mild winters typical of a subtropical climate.
Q9. Which is a characteristic soil type found in the Kashmir Valley?
Answer: (a) Alluvial loam
Explanation: The valley’s soils are predominantly alluvial loam, deposited by the Jhelum River and its tributaries.
Q17. Which statement about the climate of Ladakh is correct?
Answer: (c) It is a cold desert with scanty precipitation.
Explanation: Ladakh lies in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, resulting in a cold desert climate with very low annual precipitation.
Q21. Which is a characteristic flora of the higher altitudes of Ladakh?
Answer: (c) Juniper
Explanation: Juniper species are hardy shrubs found in the arid, high-altitude areas of Ladakh.
Protected Areas & Wildlife
Q7. Which national park is known for conserving the Hangul (Kashmir stag)?
Answer: (b) Dachigam National Park
Explanation: Dachigam National Park, near Srinagar, is the primary habitat of the endangered Hangul.
Q12. The “Markhor” wild goat is primarily found in which protected area?
Answer: (b) Kazinag National Park
Explanation: Kazinag National Park, in the Baramulla district, hosts a significant population of the endangered Markhor.
Q22. “Hemis National Park” is famous for protecting which endangered mammal?
Answer: (b) Snow Leopard
Explanation: Hemis National Park, located in Ladakh, is one of the best habitats for the elusive Snow Leopard.
Administrative & Regional Geography
Q8. The Siachen Glacier is located in which part of J&K UT?
Answer: (c) Ladakh Region
Explanation: Siachen Glacier lies in the eastern Karakoram range of Ladakh, at an average elevation of about 5,400 m.
Q13. Which district is NOT part of the Jammu Division?
Answer: (c) Anantnag
Explanation: Anantnag belongs to the Kashmir Division, while Kathua, Udhampur, and Rajouri are in Jammu Division.
Q23. Which district is known as the “Apple Bowl of India”?
Answer: (c) Anantnag
Explanation: Anantnag district, with its temperate climate, produces a large share of India’s apple output.
