📌 CDS Focus (2022–2026): This is one of the most tested Indian Geography topics. Exam regularly asks: Himalayan divisions (longitudinal & regional), passes (Shipki La, Nathu La, Zoji La — which state they are in), highest peaks, river origins, Northern Plains (Bhangar vs Khadar), Peninsular Plateau features (Deccan Trap, Eastern & Western Ghats differences), coastal plains (which coast is wider), and Island features (A&N vs Lakshadweep). Average students should master the location + one key fact per feature.
1. India’s Major Physiographic Divisions
Fig. 1.1 — Schematic Cross-Section: North to South Physiographic Zones of India
💡 The 7 Physiographic Divisions of India (N to S): 1 The Himalayas | 2 Northern Plains | 3 Peninsular Plateau | 4 Indian Desert (Thar) | 5 Coastal Plains | 6 Western & Eastern Ghats | 7 Islands
THE HIMALAYAS
2. The Himalayas
Fig. 2.1 — Longitudinal Divisions of the Himalayas (Cross-Section S to N)
A. Longitudinal Divisions (S to N)
Division
Also Called
Height Range
Key Features & CDS Facts
Shiwaliks
Sub-Himalaya / Outer Himalaya
600–1,200 m
Outermost & youngest; soft sedimentary rocks; longitudinal valleys = Duns (e.g., Dehradun, Patlidun, Kotlidun). Prone to earthquakes and landslides
Lesser Himalaya
Himachal / Middle Himalaya
1,000–4,500 m
Famous hill stations: Mussoorie, Shimla, Darjeeling, Nainital. Ranges: Pir Panjal, Dhauladhar, Nag Tibba, Mahabharat. Karewas (glacial lake deposits) in Kashmir valley used for saffron cultivation
Greater Himalaya
Himadri / Inner Himalaya
6,000+ m
Highest, oldest, most continuous range; perpetual snow; all major peaks. Everest (8,848 m), Kanchenjunga (8,586 m — India’s highest). Main Himalayan passes for trade
Trans Himalaya
Tibetan / Tethys Himalaya
3,000–7,000 m
North of main range; Karakoram, Ladakh, Zaskar ranges; K2 (8,611 m) in Karakoram; dry rain-shadow area; Indus and Sutlej rivers originate here (antecedent drainage)
B. Regional Divisions (W to E)
Fig. 2.2 — Regional (West to East) Divisions of the Himalayas
Topic AHimalayan Passes & Peaks — CDS DirectFrequently Asked
Passes
Zoji La — J&K; connects Srinagar & Leh (NH-1D). Rohtang La — Himachal Pradesh; connects Kullu & Lahul-Spiti. Shipki La — Himachal Pradesh; India-China trade route (Sutlej enters India here). Nathu La — Sikkim; India-China border; reopened for trade 2006. Jelep La — Sikkim; ancient trade route to Tibet. Lipulekh — Uttarakhand; pilgrim route to Kailash-Mansarovar.
Peaks
Mt. Everest (8,848 m) — Nepal Himalaya; world’s highest. K2 / Godwin Austen (8,611 m) — Karakoram; 2nd highest; in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) — Sikkim; India’s highest peak. Nanga Parbat — “Killer mountain”; western end of Himalayas. Namcha Barwa — eastern end of Himalayas.
Rivers
Rivers with antecedent drainage (older than mountains): Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra. These carved gorges through rising mountains. The Brahmaputra makes a hairpin bend at Namcha Barwa before entering India as Siang → Dihang → Brahmaputra.
GREAT NORTHERN PLAINS
3. The Great Northern Plains
The Northern Plains are formed by the alluvial deposits of three river systems: Indus (west), Ganga (central), and Brahmaputra (east). They extend about 2,400 km east to west and are 240–320 km wide. This is the world’s largest alluvial plain and India’s agricultural heartland.
Punjab Plains: Formed by Indus & tributaries (5 rivers: Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej). Doabs (land between two rivers) — most of this is now in Pakistan
Ganga Plains: Largest division; stretches from Delhi to West Bengal; Ganga + tributaries (Yamuna, Ghaghra, Gandak, Kosi)
Khadar: Newer alluvium in flood plains; renewed annually; most fertile; best for cultivation
Delta: At river mouths; the Sundarbans delta = world’s largest delta (Ganga-Brahmaputra)
PENINSULAR PLATEAU
4. The Peninsular Plateau
The oldest and most stable landmass of India — a fragment of ancient Gondwana. Composed of ancient crystalline, igneous and metamorphic rocks. Divided into: Central Highlands (north of Narmada) and Deccan Plateau (south of Narmada).
⛰️ Central Highlands (N of Narmada)
Malwa Plateau: MP, Rajasthan; formed by Deccan Trap; rivers drain north to Ganga
Bundelkhand: UP & MP; granitic rocks; Betwa & Ken rivers
Baghelkhand: Eastern MP; limestone plateau; Son River
Chota Nagpur Plateau: Jharkhand; rich in minerals (coal, iron, mica, bauxite); “Mineral heartland of India”
Aravalli Range: World’s oldest fold mountain; Rajasthan; NE–SW trend; Guru Shikhar (1,722 m) = highest peak in Rajasthan
⛰️ Deccan Plateau (S of Narmada)
Triangular block tilted west to east (rivers drain E to Bay of Bengal)
Deccan Trap: NW part; formed by extensive lava flows (Cretaceous period); black basaltic soil (Regur) = cotton belt
Bounded: Western Ghats (W), Eastern Ghats (E), Satpura range (N), Nilgiris (S junction)
Highest peak: Anamudi (2,695 m) in Kerala = highest peak in South India and in peninsular India
Rivers: Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi, Cauvery — all drain east to Bay of Bengal
⚠️ Peninsular Plateau Traps: (1) Anamudi (2,695 m) is the highest peak in peninsular India (Kerala/Cardamom Hills), not a Himalayan peak. (2) Chota Nagpur is the “Mineral heartland of India” — not in South India. (3) Deccan Trap = lava flows from Cretaceous period, NOT Himalayan folding. (4) Narmada & Tapti rivers are unique — they flow westward through rift valleys (unlike other peninsular rivers). (5) Guru Shikhar is Rajasthan’s highest peak (Aravalli hills), not Guru Nanak’s peak.
WESTERN & EASTERN GHATS
5. Western & Eastern Ghats
Fig. 5.1 — Comparison: Western Ghats vs Eastern Ghats
Feature
Western Ghats
Eastern Ghats
Other name
Sahyadri
No specific name; sometimes called Purva Ghat
Continuity
Continuous, unbroken wall from Gujarat to Kerala
Discontinuous; cut by rivers Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery
Height
Higher; average 1,000–1,600 m
Lower; average 600 m
Highest peak
Anamudi 2,695 m (Kerala)
Mahendragiri 1,501 m (Odisha)
UNESCO WHS
Yes — Western Ghats declared WHS (2012) and Biodiversity Hotspot
No
Meeting point
Both Ghats meet at Nilgiri Hills (Tamil Nadu). Doda Betta (2,637 m) is the highest point of Nilgiris
COASTAL PLAINS
6. Coastal Plains of India
🌊 Western Coastal Plain
Narrower (10–80 km); relatively straight; no major deltas
Receives heavy SW monsoon (windward side of W. Ghats)
🌊 Eastern Coastal Plain
Wider (100–130 km); deltaic; gentle slope
Lies between Eastern Ghats and Bay of Bengal
Northern Circars: N. Andhra Pradesh & Odisha coast
Coromandel coast: S. Andhra Pradesh & Tamil Nadu; receives NE monsoon
Major river deltas: Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery
Chilika Lake (Odisha) = largest coastal lagoon in India
💡 West vs East Coast — Easy Memory:Western = Winding, Wetter (SW monsoon), Wider Ghats but Narrower coast. Eastern = Expansive coast (wider), Enormous deltas, gets NE monsoon. Western coast lacks major deltas because rivers are short & swift. Eastern coast has major deltas from long peninsular rivers.
THAR DESERT & ISLANDS
7. Indian Desert (Thar) & Islands
🏜 Thar Desert
Also called Great Indian Desert; located in western Rajasthan & part of Gujarat
Area: ~3.2 lakh km² (12th largest desert in world)
Arid; receives <150 mm rainfall annually
Luni River = only significant river; flows into Rann of Kutch
Consists of sand dunes (Erg) and rocky terrain; shifting dunes called barchans
Bordered by Aravalli Range on east (no barrier to Arabian Sea on west = dry)
Major cities: Jaisalmer (“Golden City”), Barmer, Bikaner
🏖️ Islands of India
Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Bay of Bengal; 572 islands; volcanic origin; India’s southernmost point = Indira Point (Great Nicobar). Largest: Middle Andaman. Barren Island = India’s only active volcano. Port Blair = capital
Lakshadweep: Arabian Sea; 36 islands (10 inhabited); coral atoll origin; smallest UT of India; Kavaratti = capital. Rich in coconut. Close to Maldives
Pamban Island (Rameswaram) — connected to mainland by bridge; Gulf of Mannar
⚠️ Island Traps — Most Tested: (1) Andaman & Nicobar = volcanic islands in Bay of Bengal. (2) Lakshadweep = coral atolls in Arabian Sea. (3) India’s southernmost point = Indira Point (Great Nicobar Island), not Cape Comorin/Kanyakumari (southern tip of mainland). (4) Barren Island (A&N) = India’s only active volcano. (5) Lakshadweep’s capital = Kavaratti, NOT Minicoy. (6) A&N capital = Port Blair (South Andaman Island).
📐 Key Facts Sheet — GC06 Physiography of India
Himalayan Peaks
Everest: 8,848 m (Nepal; world’s highest) K2: 8,611 m (Karakoram; 2nd highest) Kanchenjunga: 8,586 m (India’s highest) Nanga Parbat: western end of Himalayas
Length: 2,400 km E–W Width: 240–320 km Bhangar = older alluvium (kankar) Khadar = newer alluvium (most fertile)
Peninsular Plateau Peaks
Anamudi: 2,695 m (highest in peninsular India) Doda Betta: 2,637 m (Nilgiris, TN) Mahendragiri: 1,501 m (E. Ghats, Odisha) Guru Shikhar: 1,722 m (Aravalli, Rajasthan)
Coastal Plains
W. coast: Narrower; Konkan, Kanara, Malabar E. coast: Wider; N. Circars, Coromandel Kayals (backwaters): Kerala coast Chilika Lake: largest coastal lagoon (Odisha)
Islands
A&N Islands: Volcanic; Bay of Bengal Lakshadweep: Coral atolls; Arabian Sea Southernmost point: Indira Point (Great Nicobar) Active volcano: Barren Island (A&N)
📝 Topic-Wise PYQs & Tricky Questions — GC06
Q1. The Nathu La pass is located in which state of India? CDS PYQ
Nathu La (4,310 m) is a mountain pass in the Sikkim Himalayas on the India–China border. It was reopened for trade in 2006 after being closed since the 1962 war. It connects Gangtok (Sikkim) with Tibet. Zoji La is in J&K, Rohtang La and Shipki La are in Himachal Pradesh, and Lipulekh is in Uttarakhand.
Q2. Khadar differs from Bhangar in which of the following ways? CDS PYQ
(a) Khadar is older alluvium found above the flood level(b) Khadar is newer alluvium renewed annually by floods — more fertile(c) Bhangar is found in the active flood plains of rivers(d) Both are equally fertile and occur at the same level
✔ Answer: (b) Khadar is newer alluvium renewed annually by floods — more fertile
Khadar = newer alluvium deposited in active flood plains; renewed by floods each year; fine silt; very fertile; ideal for cultivation. Bhangar = older alluvium; lies above flood level; contains kankar (nodules of calcium carbonate); less fertile than Khadar. This distinction is among the most repeatedly tested Northern Plains facts in CDS.
Q3. Which is the highest peak in South India? ⚡ Tricky
(a) Doda Betta(b) Mahendragiri(c) Anamudi(d) Guru Shikhar
✔ Answer: (c) Anamudi
Anamudi (2,695 m) in Kerala (Cardamom Hills/Anaimalai Hills, part of Western Ghats) is the highest peak in South India and in the entire Peninsular India. Doda Betta (2,637 m) is the highest peak of the Nilgiri Hills (Tamil Nadu). Mahendragiri (1,501 m) is the highest peak of the Eastern Ghats (Odisha). Guru Shikhar (1,722 m) is the highest peak of the Aravalli range (Rajasthan).
Q4. The Lakshadweep Islands are formed by: CDS PYQ
(a) Volcanic activity in the Arabian Sea(b) Coral reef formation (atolls) in the Arabian Sea(c) Submergence of coastal land in the Bay of Bengal(d) River delta deposits
✔ Answer: (b) Coral reef formation (atolls) in the Arabian Sea
Lakshadweep Islands are coral atolls (ring-shaped coral reefs enclosing a lagoon) formed by coral polyps in the warm shallow waters of the Arabian Sea. They are India’s smallest Union Territory. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands, in contrast, are of volcanic origin in the Bay of Bengal. Barren Island in A&N is India’s only active volcano.
Q5. The Duns are longitudinal valleys found in which part of the Himalayas? ⚡ Tricky
Duns (or Doons) are longitudinal flat-floored valleys found between the Shiwaliks (outermost/southernmost Himalayan range) and the Lesser Himalaya. Famous examples: Dehradun, Kotlidun, Patlidun, Chaukhambu. The word “Doon” in Dehradun comes from this geographical feature. They are formed by river deposits between ridges and are agriculturally fertile.
Q6. The Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats meet at: CDS PYQ
The Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats converge at the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu. The highest point of the Nilgiris is Doda Betta (2,637 m). The Nilgiris are also known for tea cultivation and the Toda tribal community. The Palghat (Palakkad) Gap is a major natural pass in the Western Ghats in this region, connecting Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Q7. India’s southernmost point, Indira Point, is located on which island? CDS PYQ
(a) Little Andaman(b) Great Nicobar(c) Car Nicobar(d) Katchall Island
✔ Answer: (b) Great Nicobar
Indira Point (also called Pygmalion Point) at the southern tip of Great Nicobar Island is India’s southernmost point (6°45′N latitude). It was submerged slightly due to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. India’s southernmost point on the mainland is Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin), Tamil Nadu. Do not confuse these two for CDS.
Q8. The Chota Nagpur Plateau is also known as: ⚡ Tricky
(a) Granary of India(b) Mineral heartland of India(c) Garden of India(d) Rice bowl of India
✔ Answer: (b) Mineral heartland of India
Chota Nagpur Plateau (Jharkhand) is called the “Mineral heartland of India” or “Ruhr of India” (like Germany’s industrial Ruhr region) due to its vast deposits of coal, iron ore, mica, bauxite, copper, and uranium. The Damodar Valley is the major coalfield here. Punjab is the “Granary of India”; Kerala is the “Garden of India”; Andhra Pradesh is the “Rice bowl of India.”
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