Consider the following statements:The duration of the monsoon decreases from southern India to north

Q: What is UPSC Prelims?

UPSC Prelims is a competitive examination conducted in India. This question is from the 2012 UPSC Prelims Geography paper.

Q: How can I prepare for UPSC Prelims Geography?

To prepare for UPSC Prelims Geography, practice previous year questions (PYQs), understand concepts thoroughly, and solve mock tests regularly. This 2012 question covers Indian Monsoon – Mechanism, Onset & Variability topic.

Q: What is the difficulty level of this question?

This UPSC Prelims 2012 Geography question has a easy difficulty level and is marked as an important question and is one of the most repeated questions.

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Question

Consider the following statements:The duration of the monsoon decreases from southern India to northern India.The amount of annual rainfall in the northern plains of India decreases from east to west.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: C — Both 1 and 2Solution:Statement 1 — Monsoon duration decreases from south to north: This is correct. The Southwest Monsoon arrives first in Kerala (around June 1) and departs last from northern India (around September-October). Southern India experiences the monsoon for approximately 4-5 months, while northern India receives it for only 2-3 months. This is because the monsoon's northward progress takes time and its retreat begins from the northwest. Tamil Nadu also receives a second monsoon (Northeast Monsoon) in October-December, extending its overall rainy season. ✓Statement 2 — Annual rainfall in northern plains decreases from east to west: This is correct. The Southwest Monsoon enters the northern plains from the east (Bay of Bengal branch — more moisture-laden) and progressively loses moisture as it travels westward. Consequently: eastern plains (West Bengal, Bihar — 150+ cm); moving west to UP (80-100 cm); further west to Rajasthan (20-30 cm in western parts). The Bay of Bengal branch brings more rainfall to eastern India while the Arabian Sea branch loses moisture over the Western Ghats before reaching the interior. ✓Why other options are incorrect:Options A, B, D: Both statements are geographically correct.Key Concept: Indian Monsoon patterns — critical for UPSC Geography: Southwest Monsoon (June-September): arrives Kerala (June 1), reaches Delhi by end of June, reaches NW India by early July; two branches — Arabian Sea branch (hits Western Ghats, gives heavy rain to west coast; orographic rain; relatively dry Deccan Plateau in rain shadow) and Bay of Bengal branch (enters Northeast India, moves along Ganga plains westward, gives rain to east coast via cyclones in October-November). The rainfall pattern in the northern plains clearly shows east-west gradient — highest near Kolkata, lowest in western Rajasthan. Northeast Monsoon (October-December) brings rain to Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, and Andhra Pradesh coast.

Consider the following statements:The duration of the monsoon decreases from southern India to northern India.The amount of annual rainfall in the northern plains of India decreases from east to west.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements:The duration of the monsoon decreases from southern India to northern India.The amount of annual rainfall in the northern plains of India decreases from east to west.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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More Questions from Indian Monsoon – Mechanism, Onset & Variability

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