Answer : D

Explanation :
The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is calculated using four key indicators:

1. Undernourishment (proportion of the population with insufficient caloric intake).
2. Child stunting (children under 5 with low height-for-age, reflecting chronic malnutrition).
3. Child wasting (children under 5 with low weight-for-height, indicating acute malnutrition).
4. Child mortality (mortality rate of children under 5, often linked to malnutrition).

Adult obesity rates are not included in the GHI calculation, as the index focuses on hunger and malnutrition rather than overnutrition or obesity.

Answer : A

Explanation :
• Assertion is true as Northwest India, including states like Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Uttar Pradesh, receives winter rainfall primarily due to Western Disturbances. These are extratropical weather systems that bring moisture and cause rainfall (and sometimes snowfall in higher altitudes) during the winter months (December to February).

• Reason is true as Western Disturbances are low-pressure systems that originate in the Mediterranean region. They travel eastward, picking up moisture from the Caspian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, and bring rainfall to Northwest India when they interact with the Himalayan region.

Why is R the correct explanation for A? :

• As these low-pressure systems move eastward, they carry moisture from the Mediterranean and Caspian Seas. When they reach Northwest India, they interact with the Himalayan range.
  • The Himalayas force the moist air to rise, cool, and condense, leading to rainfall (or snowfall in higher altitudes). This process is known as orographic lifting, and it is the primary mechanism by which Western Disturbances cause winter rainfall in Northwest India.
  • Without Western Disturbances, there would be no significant source of moisture to cause winter rainfall in Northwest India. Thus, Reason (R) directly explains the cause-and-effect relationship described in Assertion (A).

Answer : B

Explanation :
• Statement 1 is incorrect as The Western Coastal Plains are actually narrower than the Eastern Coastal Plains. However, it is true that the Western Coastal Plains are characterized by lagoons, backwaters, and estuaries, especially in regions like Kerala (e.g., the Kerala backwaters).
• Statement 2 is correct as The Eastern Coastal Plains are broader and more fertile due to the deposition of alluvial soil brought by major rivers like the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri. These rivers form large deltas, which are highly fertile and support extensive agriculture.
• Statement 3 is correct as The Coromandel Coast, part of the Eastern Coastal Plains, remains dry during winter because the northeast monsoon retreats during this time. The northeast monsoon brings rainfall to the Tamil Nadu coast earlier in the season (October-November), but as it retreats, the winds lose moisture, resulting in dry conditions during winter.

Answer : B

Explanation :Tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal form due to the development of low-pressure systems over warm ocean waters (typically with sea surface temperatures above 26.5°C). Warm ocean waters provide the necessary heat and moisture to fuel the cyclone. As warm air rises, it creates a low-pressure area, and the surrounding air rushes in, leading to the formation of a cyclonic system. Hence, Option B is the correct answer.

• Option A is incorrect as Tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal are not caused by the interaction of warm ocean currents with cold winds from the Himalayas. Cyclones form due to low-pressure systems over warm ocean waters, not because of cold winds from the Himalayas. Cold winds from the Himalayas are not a significant factor in cyclone formation.
  • Option C is incorrect as While the Coriolis force plays a crucial role in organizing the cyclonic rotation, it is not the primary cause of cyclone formation. Cyclones form due to low-pressure systems over warm ocean waters, and the Coriolis force helps in shaping the storm's rotation. However, the deflection of trade winds alone does not explain the formation of cyclones.
  • Option D is incorrect as The Arabian Sea is located on the western side of India, while tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal form on the eastern side. The evaporation of moisture from the Arabian Sea does not directly contribute to cyclone formation in the Bay of Bengal. Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal are fueled by the warm waters and moisture of the Bay itself, not the Arabian Sea.

Answer : B

Explanation : Kal Baisakhi storms are caused by intense local heating of the Chota Nagpur Plateau and surrounding areas during the summer months (March-May). This heating creates strong convective currents, leading to the formation of thunderstorms. These storms are often accompanied by heavy rain, strong winds, and sometimes hail. The name "Kal Baisakhi" translates to "fateful storm of Baisakh" (the Bengali month corresponding to April-May), reflecting their seasonal occurrence. Hence, Option B is incorrect.

• Option A is incorrect as Kal Baisakhi storms are localized thunderstorms that occur due to intense local heating and convection, not due to the interaction of cold Himalayan winds with warm Bay of Bengal winds. This option describes a phenomenon more characteristic of Nor'westers, which are different from Kal Baisakhi storms.
  • Option C is incorrect as Cyclonic depressions from the Arabian Sea typically affect the western coast of India and are not directly related to the formation of Kal Baisakhi storms in Eastern India. Kal Baisakhi storms are localized and driven by local heating, not by large-scale cyclonic systems.
  • Option D is incorrect as The Eastern Ghats do not play a significant role in the formation of Kal Baisakhi storms. These storms are primarily driven by local convective activity due to intense heating, not by the deflection of trade winds.