States and Union Territories are the administrative divisions of India, each with its own geographical, cultural and political significance. This topic covers the formation of Indian States and Union Territories, their capitals, official languages, geographical features, neighbouring states, constitutional provisions, recent administrative changes, and important facts frequently asked in competitive examinations. It also includes maps, previous year questions, topic-wise MCQs and detailed explanations to help aspirants prepare effectively for UPSC, State PCS, SSC, CDS, NDA, Railway and other General Studies examinations.
Out of the four southern states – Andhra Pradesh Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, which shares boundaries with maximum number of Indian states?
Correct Answer:
(C) Each of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
After the reorganization of Andhra Pradesh, the scenario of States and their borders is as follows –
Andhra Pradesh borders with Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. If the Yaman region of Pondicherry is also taken into consideration the number of States/Union Territories bordering Andhra Pradesh will be six.
Karnataka shares boundaries with six States – Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Kerala shares border with 2 States – Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. If the Mahe region of Pondicherry is included the number of States/Union Territories bordering Kerala will be three.
Tamil Nadu shares border with three states-Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and including Pondicherry, the number of States/Union Territories will be four.
Telangana borders with Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Thus, presently Karnataka shares border with maximum number of States.
Ques: 2
Which one of the following districts of India is the
largest in terms of geographical area?
Correct Answer:
(B) Kutch
Kutch district in Gujarat is the largest area wise district (45,652 km2) in India. Kutch (45,652 km2) > Leh (45,110 km2) > Jaisalmer (39,313 km2) > Barmer (28,393 km2). Kutch district in Gujarat is the largest area wise district (45,652 km2) in India. Kutch (45,652 km2) > Leh (45,110 km2) > Jaisalmer (39,313 km2) > Barmer (28,393 km2).
Ques: 3
Son Bhadra district is touched by –
Correct Answer:
(C) Boundaries of four states
Son Bhadra was carved out from Mirzapur on 4th March 1989. Son Bhadra borders 4 States namely – Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar.
Ques: 4
Which of the following was the capital of Andhra State when it was made a separate state in the year 1953?
Correct Answer:
(B) Kurnool
In an effort to gain a separate state based on linguistic basis Potti Shriramulu fasted until death in 1952. After Shriramulu's death, the Telugu speaking areas Andhra State was carved out of Madras State on 1 October, 1953 with Kurnool as its capital city. Later in 1956, Hyderabad was made capital of Andhra Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated in 2014 and a separate state of Telangana was formed. However, in accordance with the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 Hyderabad will remain the de Jure capital of both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for a period not exceeding 10 years. The de facto capital city of Andhra Pradesh is Amaravati.
Ques: 5
With reference to India, Chhattisgarh comes under which geomorphological region?
Correct Answer:
(B) Peninsular upland
Chhattisgarh comes under Peninsular upland.
Ques: 6
Among the following cities, which one is on the highest altitude above mean sea level?
Correct Answer:
(A) Bengaluru
The altitude (height) above mean sea level of given cities is as follows: Bengaluru. – 910m, Delhi – 218m, Jodhpur – 250-300m and Nagpur – 312. 41m.
Therefore, it is clear that Bengaluru is located on the highest altitude above mean sea level among given options.
Ques: 7
Which of the following statements are true about the Rajasthan desert? Use the code given below to select the correct answer?
It is the most densely populated desert of the world.
Correct Answer:
(D)
Code:
Desert of Rajasthan is the most densely populated desert in the world, with a population density of 83 person/ sq. km. It is about 10,000 years old. Here only 40% to 60% of the area is suitable for farming. Due to development in the irrigation processes, the increase in the net sown area has adversely affected the coverage of grazing land.
Ques: 8
Among the following cities, which one lies on a longitude closest to that of Delhi?
Correct Answer:
(A) Bengaluru
Bengaluru is the city which lies on the longitude near to the Delhi because the longitude of Nagpur, Hyderabad, and Pune is too far from Delhi.
Ques: 9
A particular State in India has the following characteristics –
It is located on the same latitude which passes through Northern Rajasthan.
It has over 80% of its area under forest cover.
Over 12% of forest cover constitutes Protected Area Network in this State.
Which one among the following States has all the above characteristics?
Correct Answer:
(A) Arunachal Pradesh
28° north latitude passes through Arunachal Pradesh and north Rajasthan. Arunachal Pradesh has near about 80% (79.63%) of its area under forest cover and near about 12% (11.68%) of the forest is protected area.