Seasons in India
Cold Weather (Winter): Dec–Feb
Hot Weather (Summer): Mar–May
South-West Monsoon (Rainy): Jun–Sep
Retreating Monsoon: Oct–Nov
Monsoon
Burst of monsoon → June (Kerala first)
Mawsynram (Meghalaya) → Wettest place
Western Ghats → Heavy rain on windward side
Natural Vegetation
Tropical Rainforest, Deciduous, Thorn & Shrubs, Tidal (Mangroves), Montane Forests
Wildlife
Elephant, One-horned Rhino, Bengal Tiger, Lion (Gir), Camel, Wild Ass
Project Tiger, Project Elephant
UPSC/SSC Must-Know
- Mawsynram → Highest rainfall in world
- Monsoon bursts first in Kerala
- Mangroves → Sundarbans (Royal Bengal Tiger)
- One-horned Rhino → Kaziranga (Assam)
- Lion → Gir (Gujarat)
- Thorn forests → Rajasthan, Gujarat
- Monsoon → Reverses direction in winter
Q1. The word ‘monsoon’ is derived from
- Arabic ‘Mausim’
- Hindi
- Sanskrit
- Persian
Q2. Wettest place in India
- Cherrapunji
- Mawsynram
- Mahabaleshwar
- Shillong
Q3. Monsoon arrives in India approximately in
- Early May
- Early June
- Early July
- Early August
Q4. Mangrove forests are found in
- Sundarbans
- Western Ghats
- Himalayas
- Rajasthan
Q5. Royal Bengal Tiger is found in
- Sundarbans
- Gir Forest
- Kaziranga
- Ranthambore
Q6. One-horned rhinoceros is found in
- Kaziranga
- Gir
- Corbett
- Periyar
Q7. Asiatic Lion is found only in
- Gir National Park
- Sundarbans
- Kaziranga
- Bandipur
Q8. Hot and dry winds in northern plains during summer
- Loo
- Kaala Baisakhi
- Mango Shower
- Western Disturbance
Q9. Pre-monsoon showers in Kerala & Karnataka
- Loo
- Mango Shower
- Kaala Baisakhi
- Cherry Blossom
Q10. Tropical rainforests are found in
- Andaman & Nicobar
- Rajasthan
- Himalayas
- Thar Desert
Q11. Thorn forests are found in
- Rajasthan
- Kerala
- Assam
- Himachal
Q12. Monsoon retreats by
- October-November
- June-July
- March-April
- December-January
Q13. Kaal Baisakhi occurs in
- West Bengal
- Kerala
- Punjab
- Gujarat
Q14. India receives rainfall mainly from
- South-West Monsoon
- North-East Monsoon
- Western Disturbance
- Cyclones
Q15. Montane forests are found in
- Himalayas
- Western Ghats
- Deccan
- Coastal areas
Q16. Ebony & Rosewood are found in
- Tropical Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Thorn
- Montane
Q17. Sundari tree is famous in
- Sundarbans
- Western Ghats
- Andaman
- Kerala
Q18. Indian elephant is found in
- Foot hills of Himalayas & Eastern India
- Rajasthan
- Gujarat
- Ladakh
Q19. Wild Ass is found in
- Rann of Kutch
- Sundarbans
- Kaziranga
- Corbett
Q20. Project Tiger was launched in
Q21. Winter rainfall in Tamil Nadu is due to
- North-East Monsoon
- South-West Monsoon
- Western Disturbance
- Cyclones
Q22. Deciduous forests shed leaves in
- Dry summer
- Winter
- Monsoon
- Spring
Q23. Teak & Sal are found in
- Tropical Deciduous
- Evergreen
- Mangrove
- Montane
Q24. Camel is found in
- Thar Desert
- Sundarbans
- Himalayas
- Andaman
Q25. Peacock is India’s
- National Bird
- National Animal
- National Flower
- National Tree
Q26. Monsoon is caused by
- Differential heating of land & sea
- Rotation of Earth
- Revolution
- Gravity
Q27. Chir, Pine, Deodar are found in
- Himalayan region
- Western Ghats
- Deccan
- Coastal
Q28. India’s climate is
- Monsoon type
- Tropical
- Temperate
- Polar
Q29. National Animal of India
Q30. Conservation of forests is necessary because
- They maintain ecological balance
- Provide timber
- Prevent soil erosion
- All of the above
Q1. Describe the four seasons of India.
Answer: Winter (Dec–Feb), Summer (Mar–May), South-West Monsoon (Jun–Sep), Retreating Monsoon (Oct–Nov).
Q2. Why do we need to conserve wildlife?
Answer: Maintains ecological balance, food chain, biodiversity, medicinal value, tourism.
Q3. Differentiate between Tropical Evergreen and Deciduous forests.
Answer: Evergreen → No shedding, heavy rainfall areas; Deciduous → Shed leaves in dry season.
Q4. Explain the importance of mangroves.
Answer: Protect coast from erosion, breeding ground for fish, habitat for tigers (Sundarbans).
Q5. Write a short note on Project Tiger.
Answer: Launched in 1973 to protect Bengal Tiger; now 50+ tiger reserves.