The correct answer is B 1. Bhopal is 23.2599° N. 2. Kolkata is 22.5726° N. 3. Raipur is 21.2514° N 4. Jaipur is 26.9124° N Tropic of Cancer is an imaginary line, at an angle of 23.50 degrees North from the Equator, that passes through the middle of India. It passes through 17 countries, India being one of them. The Tropic of Cancer passes through eight states in India: Gujarat (Jasdan), Rajasthan (Kalinjarh), Madhya Pradesh (Shajapur), Chhattisgarh (Sonhat), Jharkhand (Lohardaga), West Bengal (Krishnanagar), Tripura (Udaipur) and Mizoram (Champhai). Mahi River is the only river in India that cuts the Tropic of Cancer twice, first in Madhya Pradesh from where it flows towards Rajasthan and enters Gujarat where it cuts for the second time. Udaipur in Tripura is the city nearest to the Tropic of Cancer.

Only two pairs are correctly matched, which are 1 and 3. 2nd Pair is incorrectly paired. Aravali range is the oldest mountain range of India. Guru Shikhar (Mount Abu, Rajasthan) is the highest peak of the Aravali range with an elevation of 1,772 metres above sea level. With an elevation of 752 metres above sea level, Kalumar Peak/Sadbhavna Peak (Mandu, Madhya Pradesh) is the highest peak of the Vindhya Range. Dhupgarh (Madhya Pradesh) is the highest peak of Satpura Range with an elevation of 1350 metres above sea level.

Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect. Statement 3 is correct.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The snowline in eastern Himalayas is at a higher altitude due to the lower height of the eastern Himalayas and the moderating influence of the South west monsoon winds. Statement 2 is incorrect. Eastern Himalayas have same orogeny as western Himalayas however their scale of relief and morphology is different.

Statement 3 is correct. The average height of western Himalayas is higher compared to eastern Himalayas. The Indo plate is pushing towards the Eurasian plate and causing the height to increase more rapidly.

Option C is the correct answer. The Kayaks or backwaters of Kerala are a network of brackish lagoons and lakes lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast (Malabar Coast) as well as interconnected canals, rivers, and inlets. Hence statement C is the correct answer. They are used for fishing, inland navigation and also due to its special attraction for tourists. Every year the famous Nehru Trophy Vallamkali (boat race) is held in Punnamada Kayal in Kerala. Backwaters in Kerala are a network of 1500 km of canals both manmade and natural, 38 rivers and 5 big lakes extending from one end of Kerala to the other. Backwaters are one of the major tourism product of Kerala, being unique to the state. Traditionally used as one of the main transportation alleys, today backwaters offer a rejuvenating experience for tourists visiting Kerala.

● The correct sequence is 1-2-4-3

● Bhor Ghat is in Maharashtra.

● Goran Ghat is in Rajasthan.

● Palghat is on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. Palakkad Gap

● Haldighati Pass is in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan.

● Chorla Ghat Pass is at the intersection of Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

● Goram Ghat is south of Mount Abu (Aravalli Range) in Rajasthan.

● Pair 1 and 3 are correctly matched. Pair 2 is not correctly matched:

● Umngot River flows in Meghalaya State.

Feni River

● Feni river forms part of the India Bangladesh border.

● It originates in the South Tripura district, passes through Sabroom town on the Indian side, and meets the Bay of Bengal after it flows into Bangladesh.

● There has been a long standing dispute on water-sharing of the Feni river between the two countries.

Umngot River

● Umngot flows through Dawki, a town in West Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya.

● It is one of the cleanest rivers in the country.

● It has recently been in news, as the Government has proposed to build Megadam on the river

Mahadayi River ● The Mahadayi/Mandovi River, also known as Mahadayi or Mhadei river, is described as the lifeline of the Indian state of Goa.

● It flows through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa.

● It forms Dudhsagar waterfalls and Varapoha Falls.

● Options 1, 3 and 4 are correct.

● The Himalayas are known for their tall peaks. However, numerous lakes embedded in the backdrop of the rugged rocky landscape, creates a wonderful oasis. ● Option 1 is correct. Auli, or Auli Bugyal lake is a ski destination, with a panoramic view of the lofty peaks of one of the greatest mountain ranges in the world, the Himalayas. Auli Lake is considered the highest man made lake in the world.

● The government of Uttarakhand has developed this in view of creating artificial snow on the new ski slopes in the event of low snowfall. Auli hosted the 1st South Asian Winter Games in 2011 along with Dehradun. The Ice hockey and ice skating events were conducted in Dehradun while the snowboarding and skiing events were held at Auli.

● Option 2 is incorrect. Kanwar lake is the Asia’s largest freshwater oxbow lake and Bihar’s only Ramsar site, located in Begusarai district, is facing the threat of running dry. Originally spread over 6,786 hectares, the lake has been a preferred destination for migratory birds and home to several rare aquatic species.

● Option 3 is correct. Wular Lake is the 2nd largest fresh-water lake of Asia, situated on the foothills of Harmukh Mountain. Main source of water for Wular Lake is River Jhelum. This lake also has a small island in its centre called the ‘Zaina Lank’. ● Option 4 is correct. Renuka (Himachal Pradesh) lake is the largest natural lake in Himachal Pradesh, this lake is named after the goddess Renuka.

• Both the statements are incorrect.

• Statement 1 is incorrect. The Karbi Anglong and the Meghalaya Plateau in the Northeast are extensions of the Peninsular Block of India. The northeastern parts are separated by the Malda fault in West Bengal from the Chotanagpur plateau.

• Statement 2 is incorrect. The Himalayas have been divided on the basis of regions from west to east. These divisions have been demarcated by river valleys. For example, the part of the Himalayas lying between Indus and Satluj has been traditionally known as Punjab Himalaya but it is also known regionally as Kashmir and Himachal Himalaya from west to east respectively.

• The part of the Himalayas lying between Satluj and Kali rivers is known as Kumaon Himalayas. The Kali and Tista rivers demarcate the Nepal Himalayas and the part lying between Tista and Dihang rivers is known as Assam Himalayas. There are regional names also in these broad categories.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Palani Hills are a mountain range in the southern Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The Palani Hills are an eastward extension of the Western Ghats ranges, which run parallel to the west coast of India. The Palani Hills adjoin the high Anamalai range (Kerala) on the west, and extend east into the plains of Tamil Nadu, covering an area of 2,068 square kilometres. It is also home to the main temple of Lord Muruga, who is worshipped as the primary god in Tamil Nadu.

Statement 2 is correct: The Shevaroy Hills are a towering mountain range (1620 m) near the city of Salem, in Tamil Nadu state, southern India. It is one of the major hill stations in Tamil Nadu and in the Eastern Ghats. Shevaroys cover an area of 400 square kilometres. This range forms an important link in the southern part of Eastern Ghats hill chain.

Statement 3 is correct: The Javadi Hills are an extension of the Eastern Ghats spread across parts of Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts in the northern part of the state of Tamil Nadu in south-eastern India. This range separates Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts. They are bisected into eastern and western sections by the Cheyyar and Agaram rivers, tributaries of the Palar River. They consist of bluish grey granites, with peaks averaging from 3,600 to 3,800 feet (1,100 to 1,150 metres). Their steep south-eastern flanks are forested with sandalwood.

Statement 4 is incorrect: The Cardamom Hills or Yela Mala are a mountain range of southern India and part of the southern Western Ghats located in southeast Kerala and southwest Tamil Nadu in India. Their name comes from the cardamom spice grown in much of the hills’ cool elevation, which also supports pepper and coffee. The Western Ghats and Periyar Sub-Cluster including the Cardamom Hills, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They cover about 2,800 square kilometres of mountainous terrain with deep valleys, and include the drainages of the west flowing Periyar, Mullayar and Pamba rivers. It includes Idukki Dam and Mullaperiyar Dam. The crest of the hills forms the boundary between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Statement 1 is incorrect: In India, the Tropic of Cancer passes through 8 states. These states are: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram. Statement 2 is incorrect: The Indian Standard Meridian (82.5′ E meridian) passes through 5 states. These states are: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.

Statement 3 is correct: The Mahi river rises in Madhya Pradesh and, after flowing through Rajasthan, enters Gujarat and flows into the Arabian Sea. It is one of the many west-flowing rivers in India. It cuts the Tropic of Cancer twice.