Which physiographic region of the Northern Plains of India is characterised by a wet, marshy, and swampy surface and lies immediately south of the Bhabar belt due to the re-emergence of rivers?

1. A

   Karewas

2. B

   Bhangar

3. C

   Khadar

4. D

   Terai

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent-2026 (Shift -1st)

Explanation

• The Terai region is a distinct physiographic belt located directly south of the Bhabar at the foothills of the Himalayas.
• Streams and rivers that disappear underground into the porous, gravelly Bhabar belt re-emerge on the surface in the Terai region.
• This re-emergence of water without well-defined channels results in a wide tract of land that is characteristically wet, swampy, and marshy, supporting dense forests and diverse wildlife.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: Karewas are not part of the Northern Plains' structure; they are specific geological formations found in the Kashmir Valley.
• Option B: Bhangar refers to the older alluvial soil that forms terraces above the flood level of rivers. It is not characterized by being wet or marshy.
• Option C: Khadar describes the new, fertile alluvial soil found in the active floodplains of rivers, which are renewed almost every year.

Related Visual

• Visual 1: Diagram - A cross-section of the Himalayan foothills showing the north-to-south sequence of the physiographic divisions: Bhabar (where rivers disappear), Terai (where they re-emerge), Bhangar (older alluvium), and Khadar (newer alluvium). This visual helps clarify the spatial relationship between the regions.

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Physiographic divisions of the Northern Plains of India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• A community health nurse must understand that geographical features directly impact public health. Marshy regions like the Terai are ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
• This increases the prevalence of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and Japanese encephalitis in the local population.
• What if? If a nurse is posted to a primary health centre in the Terai region, their health promotion activities must prioritize vector control measures, such as promoting the use of mosquito nets, eliminating stagnant water sources, and conducting awareness campaigns about the symptoms of these diseases.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify the key geographical descriptors in the question stem: 'wet, marshy, and swampy', 'south of the Bhabar belt', and 're-emergence of rivers'.
• This is a factual recall question based on Indian geography. Access your knowledge of the physiographic divisions of the Northern Plains.
• Recall the north-to-south sequence: Bhabar → Terai → Bhangar → Khadar.
• Match the characteristics from the stem to the definition of each region. The description of re-emerging rivers creating a swampy landscape is the defining feature of the Terai belt.
• Eliminate the other options based on their distinct characteristics: Karewas (Kashmir deposits), Bhangar (older alluvium), and Khadar (newer alluvium).

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Physiographic divisions of the Northern Plains of India
• Stem keywords: physiographic region, Northern Plains, wet, marshy, and swampy, south of the Bhabar belt, re-emergence of rivers
• Lead-in keywords: Which
• Clinical cues: The description of a 'wet, marshy, and swampy' surface is a significant environmental factor for community health, indicating a high potential for vector-borne diseases.

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Q3pRIZVl2ATGPSDpaRtyRj

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