UPSC Geography of India – Chapter 21: Transport, Communication and Trade (22 MCQs)

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UPSC Geography of India – Chapter 21: Transport, Communication and Trade (22 MCQs) – 22 questions, subject: Geography. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

Which of the following ports, inaugurated by the Prime Minister on 2 May 2025, is described as India's first dedicated container transshipment port?

Correct Answer: B [Vizhinjam]

Explanation:

Vizhinjam (Keralam), a natural deep-water port, began commercial operations in December 2024 and was inaugurated on 2 May 2025.

2.  

The width of the broad gauge in India is:

Correct Answer: B [1.676 m]

Explanation:

Indian broad gauge is 1.676 m (5 ft 6 in) and covers most of the network under Project Unigauge.

3.  

The Konkan Railway runs along the:

Correct Answer: A [west coast]

Explanation:

The Konkan Railway runs from Roha (Maharashtra) through Goa to near Mangaluru (Karnataka) along the west coast.

4.  

The North–South and East–West corridors meet at:

Correct Answer: D [Jhansi]

Explanation:

The Srinagar–Kanyakumari North–South corridor and the Silchar–Porbandar East–West corridor cross at Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh.

5.  

The longest national highway of India is:

Correct Answer: C [NH 44]

Explanation:

Srinagar to Kanyakumari.

6.  

National Waterway-1 runs between:

Correct Answer: D [Prayagraj and Haldia]

Explanation:

NW-1 is the Ganga–Bhagirathi–Hugli waterway from Prayagraj to Haldia, about 1,620 km long.

7.  

Which port was developed after Partition to take the place of Karachi?

Correct Answer: C [Deendayal (Kandla)]

Explanation:

After Partition took Karachi to Pakistan, Kandla, a tidal port in the Gulf of Kachchh, was developed to serve western India.

8.  

The port that requires constant dredging because it lies on a river is:

Correct Answer: D [Kolkata]

Explanation:

Kolkata–Haldia is a riverine port on the Hugli, so silt must be removed by constant dredging.

9.  

Mormugao port is known mainly for the export of:

Correct Answer: A [iron ore]

Explanation:

Mormugao in Goa grew as the outlet for iron ore mined in Goa and nearby Karnataka.

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana provides all-weather roads to villages.
2. Bharatmala Pariyojana is a highway development programme.
3. Sagarmala is an airport development programme.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

PMGSY gives villages all-weather roads and Bharatmala builds highway corridors; Sagarmala is about ports, so statement 3 fails.

11.  

Assertion (A): Railways are better suited than roads for carrying bulk goods over long distances.

Reason (R): The fuel used and the cost per tonne-kilometre are lower on railways.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Railways use less fuel and cost less per tonne-kilometre, which is exactly why they suit bulk goods over long distances.

12.  

The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor ends at:

Correct Answer: A [Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Mumbai)]

Explanation:

The Western DFC runs about 1,506 km from Dadri (Uttar Pradesh) to Jawaharlal Nehru Port near Mumbai.

13.  

The Inland Waterways Authority of India was set up in:

Correct Answer: D [1986]

Explanation:

The Inland Waterways Authority of India was constituted in 1986 to develop and regulate national waterways.

14.  

UDAN is a scheme for:

Correct Answer: B [regional air connectivity]

Explanation:

UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik, 2016) links small and under-served airports to make regional flights affordable.

15.  

The PIN code system was introduced in India in:

Correct Answer: C [1972]

Explanation:

The six-digit Postal Index Number (PIN) code system was introduced on 15 August 1972.

16.  

Which of the following is a UNESCO World Heritage railway in South India?

Correct Answer: D [Nilgiri Mountain Railway]

Explanation:

Tamil Nadu; with the Darjeeling Himalayan and Kalka–Shimla railways it forms the Mountain Railways of India.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Konkan Railway completed
2. First passenger train
3. Bharatmala Pariyojana
4. NHAI Act

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [2-4-1-3]

Explanation:

1853, 1988, 1998, 2017.

18.  

Visakhapatnam port is described as:

Correct Answer: A [a deep, land-locked harbour]

Explanation:

Visakhapatnam's harbour is deep and land-locked, sheltered behind a hill and dug into the coast.

19.  

The Golden Quadrilateral links:

Correct Answer: D [Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata]

Explanation:

The Golden Quadrilateral joins the four metros Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata by four- and six-lane highways.

20.  

The National Waterways Act, 2016 declared how many national waterways?

Correct Answer: B [111]

Explanation:

including the existing five.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2023

Consider the following pairs:

1. Kamarajar Port : First major port in India registered as a company
2. Mundra Port : Largest privately owned port in India
3. Visakhapatnam Port : Largest container port in India

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Correct Answer: B [Only two pairs]

Explanation:

pairs 1 and 2; the largest container port is Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

Consider the following pairs:

1. NH 4 : Chennai and Hyderabad
2. NH 6 : Mumbai and Kolkata
3. NH 15 : Ahmedabad and Jodhpur

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

Correct Answer: D [None]

Explanation:

under the old numbering, NH 4 joined Mumbai and Chennai, NH 6 joined Surat (Hazira) and Kolkata, and NH 15 ran through western Rajasthan towards Punjab.

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U09 · Geography of India (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-geography-of-india

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