Odisha GK Questions with Detailed Solutions

Correct Answer: (c)

{Explanation}
Coastal districts are those that lie along the seashore and have direct access to the sea.
{i} Odisha has several coastal districts along the Bay of Bengal.
{ii} Puri and Ganjam are located on the eastern coastline and have direct sea access. {iii} Cuttack, though slightly inland, is often associated with coastal plains due to its geographical proximity and river delta region.
{iv} Sambalpur is located in the western part of Odisha and is completely landlocked, far from the sea.
Thus, Sambalpur is not a coastal district.

{Additional Information}
{i} Coastal regions are important for fishing, ports, and trade.
{ii} Odisha’s coastline is about 480 km long.
{iii} Chilika Lake, a major coastal lagoon, is located in Odisha.
{iv} Coastal areas are more prone to cyclones and tidal effects.

Correct Answer: (C) Malkangiri
Explanation:
→ Tropical rainforests (Semi-evergreen and moist deciduous) require high temperature and heavy rainfall, conditions found in the southern high-altitude regions of Odisha.
→ Malkangiri, along with parts of Koraput, features dense forest covers that stay green throughout the year due to high precipitation from the monsoon.
→ These forests are characterized by multi-layered vegetation, including tall trees, ferns, and epiphytes, supporting a rich diversity of wildlife.
→ The region's rugged terrain and tribal belt have helped in preserving these forests compared to the more urbanized coastal districts.
Information Booster:
→ Odisha's vegetation is predominantly Tropical Moist and Dry Deciduous.
→ The Similipal Biosphere Reserve in Mayurbhanj is famous for its semi-evergreen forests.
→ Teak, Sal, and Bamboo are common trees found in these tropical belts.
→ Malkangiri is known for its high biodiversity and dense canopy cover.
→ These forests are vital for carbon sequestration and tribal livelihoods.
→ The state government protects these through Sanctuaries and National Parks.

The correct answer is (b) Talcher Coalfield
Explanation:
• Talcher Coalfield is the largest coalfield in Odisha in terms of geological coal reserves.
• It is located mainly in Angul district of Odisha.
• The coalfield forms part of the Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) operational area.
• Talcher coal is primarily used for thermal power generation.
• It plays a crucial role in meeting the energy requirements of eastern India.
Information Booster:
• Talcher Coalfield contains both open-cast and underground mines.
• The Talcher region is also known for fertilizer plants and thermal power stations.
Additional Knowledge:
· Angul Coalfield (Option a)
· Angul is often considered a part of the Talcher coal-bearing region.
· It is not a separate largest coalfield by reserves.
· Koraput Coalfield (Option c)
· Koraput has very limited and minor coal deposits.
· It is not significant in terms of geological reserves.
· Ib River Coalfield (Option d)
· Ib River Coalfield is located in Jharsuguda and Sundargarh districts.
· It is the second largest coalfield in Odisha, after Talcher.

The correct answer is (a) Deomali
Explanation
· Highest Peak: Deomali is the highest mountain peak in the state of Odisha. It stands at an elevation of approximately 1,672 meters (5,486 ft) above sea level.
· Location: It is located in the Koraput district of Odisha and belongs to the Chandragiri-Pottangi subrange of the Eastern Ghats.
Information Booster
· Biodiversity: The hill range is rich in biodiversity and mineral resources (specifically Bauxite) and is inhabited by indigenous tribes such as the Kandhas, Parajas, and Bhumia.
· Tourism: It is a popular destination for trekking and eco-tourism due to its scenic beauty and cool climate.
Additional Knowledge
· Mahendragiri: Located in the Gajapati district, Mahendragiri (1,501 m) is the second-highest peak in Odisha. It has significant mythological importance and is mentioned in the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
· Eastern Ghats: Unlike the Western Ghats, the Eastern Ghats are a discontinuous range of mountains that run along India's eastern coast.

The correct answer is (D) Mahanadi

Explanation:

• The Mahanadi River is the largest river in Odisha, both in terms of length and water flow within the state.
• It originates from the Sihawa hills in Chhattisgarh, and after flowing through Chhattisgarh and Odisha, it empties into the Bay of Bengal.
• The river flows for about 851 km, of which around 494 km is in Odisha.

Information Booster:

• Major tributaries: Seonath, Jonk, Hasdeo (in Chhattisgarh); Ong, Tel, and Mand (in Odisha).
• The Hirakud Dam, built across the Mahanadi near Sambalpur, is one of the longest earthen dams in the world.
• The river plays a crucial role in the agriculture and irrigation of Odisha and has significant cultural and religious importance.
• Mahanadi basin is one of the most fertile regions in Odisha, supporting dense population and agriculture.

Additional Knowledge (Other Options):

• (A) Godavari: Largest river of peninsular India; primarily flows through Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh.
• (B) Tapi (or Tapti): Flows westward into the Arabian Sea, mostly through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
• (C) Krishna: Flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana — not Odisha.

Correct Answer is(a) Cuttack
Explanation:
The National Rice Research Institute (NRRI) is located in Cuttack, Odisha. It was established in 1946 and is one of the premier rice research institutions in India under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
· The institute focuses on rice breeding, pest control, irrigation techniques, and soil management.
· It has played a major role in the development of high-yielding rice varieties that have helped India achieve self-sufficiency in rice production.
· NRRI also works on climate-resilient rice varieties, hybrid rice, and sustainable farming techniques.
Additional Information:
· Puri – Puri is a coastal city in Odisha famous for the Jagannath Temple and Puri Beach, but it does not host the NRRI.
· Sambalpur – Sambalpur is known for Hirakud Dam and Sambalpuri textiles, but it is not the location of NRRI.
· Koraput – Koraput is known for its tribal culture and coffee plantations, but NRRI is not located here.

The correct answer is(c): 2019.

• Origin: Fani originated in the Bay of Bengal.
• Impact: It caused significant damage to infrastructure, homes, and the environment in Odisha, especially in Puri and Bhubaneswar.
• Preparedness: Due to early warnings, massive evacuation efforts were undertaken, saving many lives.

Correct Answer: (A) 1961
Explanation:
→ The Panchayati Raj system in Odisha was formally introduced on 26th January 1961 with the implementation of the Odisha Panchayat Samiti Act.
→ This setup was based on the landmark recommendations of the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee, which advocated for a three-tier decentralized governance structure.
→ Odisha became one of the early pioneering states in India to adopt democratic decentralization at the village, block, and district levels.
→ The structure ensured community participation in rural development programs and helped shift administrative power directly to grassroot leadership.
Information Booster:
→ The three tiers consist of Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and Zilla Parishad at the district level.
→ Odisha celebrates Panchayati Raj Diwas on March 5th every year to mark the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik.
→ Odisha was among the first states to implement a historic 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
→ Article 40 of the Indian Constitution, listed under Directive Principles, explicitly mandates states to organize village panchayats.
→ The system achieved permanent constitutional status nationally through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.

Rourkela Steel Plant was the first integrated steel plant in public sector in India. It was setup with German collaboration (West Germany) in the 1960s with an installed capacity of 1 million tonnes. It is operated by Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL).

Initially, under Emperor Akbar's reign, Odisha was conquered and became part of the Bengal Subah by 1593.
However, Akbar's successor, Jahangir (1605-1627), decided to establish Odisha as an independent Subah with its own governor, or Subahdar.
This separation occurred in 1607.
The first Subahdar appointed to Odisha was Hashim Khan, who served from 1607 to 1611

The correct answer is (C) Puri, Khurda and Ganjam

Explanation:
• Chilika is the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia.
• It is spread over the Puri, Khurda, and Ganjam districts on the east coast of Odisha.

Information Booster:
• It was the first Indian wetland of international importance to be designated under the Ramsar Convention in 1981.

Additional Knowledge:
• Nalabana Bird Sanctuary: Located within the Chilika Lake area.

The correct answer is (B) Nuakhai

Explanation:
• Nuakhai is the agricultural festival of Western Odisha where 'Nua' means new and 'Khai' means food.
• It signifies the eating of the newly harvested rice.

Information Booster:
• The first crop is offered to the mother goddess Samaleswari.
• It is celebrated the day after Ganesh Chaturthi.

Additional Knowledge:
• Nabanna is also a similar harvest festival celebrated in West Bengal.

The correct answer is (a) revive traditional millet cultivation
Explanation:
• The Odisha Millet Mission aims to revive traditional millet farming practices.
• It focuses on nutri-cereals like ragi, mandia, and suan.
• The mission supports small and marginal farmers.
• It promotes nutrition security and climate-resilient agriculture.
• Odisha is a pioneer state in millet revival initiatives.
Information Booster:
• Millets are rich in nutrients and dietary fibre.
• Odisha celebrates Mandia Diwas to promote millets.
Additional Knowledge:
Cash crops / Urban distribution / Aquaculture
• These are not the primary objectives of the Millet Mission.