SSC Stenographer 2026 PYQ — Question 28

Solution: The correct answer is Young fold mountains.
Explanation:
☛ The Himalayas, which are young fold mountains, play a crucial role in the mechanism and reversal of monsoon winds in the Indian subcontinent.
☛ In summer, the high altitude and intense heating of the Tibetan Plateau along with the physical barrier of the Himalayas cause the Subtropical Westerly Jet Stream to shift north of the mountain range.
☛ This shift creates conditions for the onset of the Tropical Easterly Jet Stream and establishes a powerful low-pressure trough, which pulls the moisture-laden winds from the Indian Ocean toward the subcontinent.
☛ The massive mountain barrier prevents these monsoon winds from escaping into Central Asia and shields India from the cold, dry winds blowing from the north during winter, maintaining seasonal wind reversal.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Differential heating of land and sea: Sets up the primary pressure gradient between the Indian landmass and the surrounding ocean.
☛ Coriolis effect: Deflects winds toward their right in the Northern Hemisphere, turning the southeast trade winds into the Southwest Monsoon after crossing the equator.
☛ Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ): Shifts northward over the Ganga plain in summer, often termed as the monsoon trough.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Which word does 'Monsoon' originate from? → The Arabic word 'Mausim' (meaning season)
☛ Which jet stream withdraws from the Indian plains before the arrival of the summer monsoon? → Subtropical Westerly Jet Stream
☛ Which branch of the southwest monsoon causes heavy rainfall along the Western Ghats? → Arabian Sea Branch
☛ Which place receives the highest rainfall in the world from the Indian monsoon? → Mawsynram (Meghalaya)
☛ Which winds bring winter rainfall to the Coromandel Coast of Tamil Nadu? → Northeast Monsoon (Retreating Monsoon)