Geography of Jammu & Kashmir (UT) – 25 MCQs for JKSSB & Competitive Exams
Q1. Which of the following mountain ranges forms the northern boundary of the Kashmir Valley?
(a) Pir Panjal
(b) Zanskar
(c) Karakoram
(d) Shiwalik
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The Karakoram Range lies to the north of the Kashmir Valley, separating it from Ladakh and the Tibetan plateau.
Q2. The longest river that flows through the Jammu & Kashmir UT is:
(a) Indus (b) Jhelum
(c) Chenab
(d) Tawi
Answer: (a)
Explanation: The Indus River originates in Tibet, enters Ladakh (part of UT) and travels the greatest distance within the UT before exiting into Pakistan.
Q3. Which lake is the largest freshwater lake in India and is located in the Kashmir Valley?
(a) Dal Lake
(b) Wular Lake
(c) Pangong Tso
(d) Tso Moriri
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Wular Lake, situated in Bandipora district, is the largest freshwater lake in India by surface area.
Q4. The famous “Chinar” tree (Platanus orientalis) is most commonly found in which region of J&K UT?
(a) Ladakh
(b) Jammu
(c) Kashmir Valley
(d) Pir Panjal foothills
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Chinar trees are iconic to the Kashmir Valley, especially around Srinagar and Mughal gardens.
Q5. Which of the following passes connects the Kashmir Valley with Ladakh?
(a) Banihal Pass (b) Zoji La
(c) Pir Panjal Pass
(d) Rohtang Pass
Answer: (b) Explanation: Zoji La (approximately 3,528 m) links Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley to Drass and Kargil in Ladakh.
Q6. The climate of the Jammu region is best described as:
(a) Alpine tundra
(b) Subtropical monsoon
(c) Cold desert
(d) Mediterranean
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Jammu experiences hot summers, a distinct monsoon season, and mild winters typical of a subtropical climate.
Q7. Which national park in J&K UT is known for the conservation of the Hangul (Kashmir stag)?
(a) Hemis National Park
(b) Dachigam National Park
(c) Kazinag National Park
(d) Kishtwar National Park
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Dachigam National Park, near Srinagar, is the primary habitat of the endangered Hangul.
Q8. The Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield, is located in which part of J&K UT?
(a) Jammu Division
(b) Kashmir Valley
(c) Ladakh Region
(d) Pir Panjal Range Answer: (c)
Explanation: Siachen Glacier lies in the eastern Karakoram range of Ladakh, at an average elevation of about 5,400 m.
Q9. Which of the following is a characteristic soil type found in the Kashmir Valley?
(a) Alluvial loam (b) Laterite
(c) Black cotton
(d) Desert sand
Answer: (a)
Explanation: The valley’s soils are predominantly alluvial loam, deposited by the Jhelum River and its tributaries.
Q10. The “Pangong Tso” lake is famous for:
(a) Being a freshwater lake
(b) Changing colours during the day
(c) Being the highest saltwater lake in the world
(d) Having floating islands
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Pangong Tso, a high‑altitude lake in Ladakh, exhibits striking colour shifts from blue to green to grey depending on the sunlight angle.
Q11. Which river is known as the “Lifeline of Kashmir” because it sustains agriculture and horticulture in the valley?
(a) Indus
(b) Jhelum
(c) Chenab
(d) Tawi
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Jhelum River’s waters irrigate the fertile Kashmir Valley, supporting rice, saffron, and apple cultivation.
Q12. The “Markhor” wild goat is primarily found in which protected area of J&K UT?
(a) Hemis National Park
(b) Kazinag National Park
(c) Dachigam National Park (d) Kishtwar National Park
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Kazinag National Park, located in the Baramulla district, hosts a significant population of the endangered Markhor.
Q13. Which of the following districts is NOT part of the Jammu Division of J&K UT?
(a) Kathua
(b) Udhampur
(c) Anantnag (d) Rajouri
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Anantnag belongs to the Kashmir Division, while Kathua, Udhampur, and Rajouri are in Jammu Division.
Q14. The “Zanskar Range” is a sub‑range of which major mountain system?
(a) Himalayas
(b) Karakoram (c) Pir Panjal
(d) Shiwalik
Answer: (a)
Explanation: The Zanskar Range lies along the northern edge of the Himalayas, separating Ladakh from Zanskar valley.
Q15. Which pass provides the main road link between Jammu and Srinagar? (a) Pir Panjal Pass
(b) Banihal Pass
(c) Zoji La
(d) Sinthan Pass Answer: (b)
Explanation: Banihal Pass (approximately 2,832 m) on the Pir Panjal range hosts the Jawahar Tunnel, connecting Jammu to the Kashmir Valley.
Q16. The famous “Dal Lake” is known for its:
(a) Floating gardens (Raad)
(b) Saltwater composition
(c) Hot springs
(d) Coral reefs
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Dal Lake’s unique floating gardens, called “Raad,” are cultivated on mats of vegetation and support vegetable farming.
Q17. Which of the following statements about the climate of Ladakh is correct?
(a) It receives heavy monsoon rainfall.
(b) It has a hot desert climate.
(c) It is a cold desert with scanty precipitation.
(d) It experiences a tropical wet‑and‑dry climate.
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Ladakh lies in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, resulting in a cold desert climate with very low annual precipitation.
Q18. The river “Tawi” flows through which city of J&K UT? (a) Srinagar
(b) Jammu
(c) Leh
(d) Baramulla
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Tawi River originates in the Kailash Kund glacier and flows through the city of Jammu before joining the Chenab.
Q19. Which glacier is the source of the Chenab River?
(a) Gangotri Glacier
(b) Bara Shigri Glacier
(c) Siachen Glacier (d) Kolahoi Glacier
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Chenab River originates from the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers, which themselves arise from the Bara Shigri Glacier in Lahaul‑Spiti (Himachal) – however, within J&K UT the main tributary Chandra originates from glaciers in the region; for exam purposes, Bara Shigri is commonly cited as the source of Chenab’s headwaters.
Q20. The “Kashmir Valley” is situated between which two mountain ranges?
(a) Karakoram and Zanskar
(b) Pir Panjal and Himalayas
(c) Shiwalik and Dhauladhar
(d) Ladakh and Zanskar
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The valley lies between the Pir Panjal range to the southwest and the main Himalayan range to the northeast.
Q21. Which of the following is a characteristic flora of the higher altitudes of Ladakh? (a) Chinar
(b) Deodar
(c) Juniper
(d) Teak
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Juniper species (Juniperus spp.) are hardy shrubs found in the arid, high‑altitude areas of Ladakh.
Q22. The “Hemis National Park” is famous for protecting which endangered mammal?
(a) Hangul
(b) Snow Leopard
(c) Markhor
(d) Himalayan Brown Bear
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Hemis National Park, located in Ladakh, is one of the best habitats for the elusive Snow Leopard.
Q23. Which district of J&K UT is known as the “Apple Bowl of India”?
(a) Kupwara
(b) Shopian
(c) Anantnag
(d) Pulwama
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Anantnag district, with its temperate climate, produces a large share of India’s apple output.
Q24. The “Indus Waters Treaty” of 1960 primarily governs the sharing of water from which river system between India and Pakistan?
(a) Ganges
(b) Brahmaputra
(c) Indus
(d) Mahanadi
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The treaty allocates the waters of the Indus River and its five tributaries (Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) between India and Pakistan.
Q25. Which pass connects the Kargil town with the Leh town in Ladakh?
(a) Zoji La
(b) Khardung La
(c) Tanglang La
(d) Chang La
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Khardung La (elevation ≈ 5,359 m) lies on the Leh‑Kargil road and is often cited as one of the highest motor‑able passes in the world.
