Indian Geography — Physiographic Landforms & Drainage System
1. Some Highest Peaks of the Himalayas
Context: The Himalayas are the world's highest mountain range, home to all peaks above 7,000 meters.
| Peak | Country | Height (metres) |
|---|---|---|
| Mt. Everest | Nepal | 8,848 |
| Kanchenjunga | India | 8,598 |
| Makalu | Nepal | 8,481 |
| Dhaulagiri | Nepal | 8,172 |
| Nanga Parbat | India | 8,126 |
| Annapurna | Nepal | 8,078 |
| Nanda Devi | India | 7,817 |
| Gurkha Mandhata | Nepal | 7,728 |
📝 UPSC Previous Year Questions:
- UPSC Prelims 2018: Which is the highest peak in India? Answer: Kanchenjunga (8,598 m).
- UPSC Prelims 2016: Kanchenjunga is located on the border of which countries? Answer: India and Nepal.
- UPSC Prelims 2014: Which is the highest peak in the world? Answer: Mt. Everest (8,848 m).
2. Karakoram & North-Western Himalayas
Karakoram Range
- Junction of notable mountains: Tian Shan, Karakoram, Kunlun, Hindu Kush and the Himalaya mountain ranges.
- Extends across Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan.
North-Western Himalayas (Kashmir Himalayas)
- Between the Indus and the Ravi River.
- Includes: Karakoram, Ladakh, Zaskar and Pir Panjal.
- Valley of Kashmir and Dal Lake: Between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal range.
- Important glaciers: Baltoro and Siachen.
- Famous for Karewas Formations (lacustrine deposits, useful for Zafran [saffron] cultivation).
Important Passes
- Zoji La — Great Himalayas
- Banihal — Pir Panjal
- Photu La — Zaskar
- Khurdang La — Ladakh range
Lakes
- Fresh water lakes: Dal and Wular
- Saltwater lakes: Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri
Rivers
- Indus, Jhelum (in youthful stage, forms meanders) and Chenab.
📝 UPSC Previous Year Questions:
- UPSC Prelims 2019: Siachen glacier is located in which mountain range? Answer: Karakoram.
- UPSC Prelims 2017: Karewas formations are associated with which region? Answer: Kashmir Valley.
3. Himachal & Uttarakhand Himalayas
- Between the Ravi in the west and the Kali (a tributary of Ghaghara) in the east.
- Includes:
- Great Himalayan range
- Lesser Himalayas — locally known as Dhaoladhar (Himachal Pradesh), Nag Tibba (Uttarakhand)
- Shiwalik range from the North to the South
- Dun (longitudinal valleys) formations:
- Chandigarh-Kalka dun
- Nalagarh dun
- Dehra Dun — largest dun
- Harike dun
- Kota dun
- Inhabited by Bhotias — nomadic groups who migrate to Bugyals (summer grasslands) and practice transhumance.
📝 UPSC Previous Year Questions:
- UPSC Prelims 2015: Dehra Dun is located in which state? Answer: Uttarakhand.
- UPSC Prelims 2013: Dhaoladhar range is part of which mountain system? Answer: Lesser Himalayas.
4. Darjeeling, Sikkim & Arunachal Himalayas
Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas
- Bordering Nepal Himalayas in the west and Bhutan Himalayas in the east.
- Fast-flowing rivers such as Teesta.
- Lepcha tribes inhabit this region.
Arunachal Himalayas
- From the east of the Bhutan Himalayas up to the Diphu pass in the east.
- Direction: southwest to northeast.
- Important mountain peaks: Kangtu and Namcha Barwa.
- Important Rivers: Brahmaputra, Kameng, Subansiri, Dihang, Dibang and Lohit.
- Ethnic tribal communities: Monpa, Daffla, Abor, Mishmi, Nishi and the Nagas.
📝 UPSC Previous Year Questions:
- UPSC Prelims 2020: Teesta river flows through which states? Answer: Sikkim and West Bengal.
- UPSC Prelims 2018: Namcha Barwa is located in which Himalayan region? Answer: Arunachal Himalayas.
5. The Northern Plains
- Formed by the alluvial deposits.
- Three major zones:
- Bhabar — pebble-studded zone at the foothills
- Tarai — marshy, swampy zone south of Bhabar
- Alluvial plains — further divided into:
- Khadar — new alluvium deposits
- Bhangaar — old alluvium deposits
- Features: Mature stage of fluvial erosional and depositional landforms — sand bars, meanders, ox-bow lakes, braided channels, riverine islands.
- Famous Delta: Sunderbans.
📝 UPSC Previous Year Questions:
- UPSC Prelims 2019: Which is the largest delta in the world? Answer: Sunderbans Delta.
- UPSC Prelims 2016: Khadar and Bhangaar are associated with which type of soil? Answer: Alluvial soil.
6. Indian Desert (Thar Desert)
- To the northwest of the Aravalli hills.
- Longitudinal dunes and barchans (crescent-shaped sand dunes).
- Low rainfall: below 150 mm per year.
- River: Luni (only river in the desert).
- Typical case of inland drainage — rivers join a lake or playa.
📝 UPSC Previous Year Questions:
- UPSC Prelims 2017: The Thar Desert is located to the northwest of which hills? Answer: Aravalli hills.
- UPSC Prelims 2015: Which river flows through the Thar Desert? Answer: Luni.
7. The Peninsular Plateau
- Includes:
- Delhi ridge in the northwest (extension of Aravallis)
- Rajmahal hills in the east
- Gir range in the west
- Cardamom hills in the south
- Shillong and Karbi-Anglong plateau in the Northeast
- Patland plateaus: Hazaribagh, Palamu, Ranchi, Malwa, Coimbatore and the Karnataka plateau.
- Features: Tors, block mountains, rift valleys, spurs, bare rocky structures, hummocky hills, wall-like quartzite dykes offering natural sites for water storage.
- Black soil: western and north-western part.
- Ravines and gorges: Chambal, Bhind and Morena.
The Deccan Plateau
- Includes: Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and the Satpura, Maikal range and Mahadeo hills.
📝 UPSC Previous Year Questions:
- UPSC Prelims 2018: Which plateau is known as 'Patland plateau'? Answer: Chhota Nagpur Plateau.
- UPSC Prelims 2016: Black soil is mainly found in which part of India? Answer: Western and north-western part of Peninsular Plateau.
8. The Central Highlands & North-Eastern Plateau
Central Highlands
- Formed by the disjunctive ranges of the Satpura and Vindhya Hills.
- Example of relict mountains.
- Longitudinal sand ridges and barchans.
- Presence of metamorphic rocks such as marble, slate, gneiss.
North-Eastern Plateau
- Extension of peninsular plateau.
- Meghalaya and Karbi Anglong plateau detached from the main Peninsular Block.
- Chhota Nagpur Plateau: Jharkhand adjacent parts of Odisha, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh.
- Meghalaya plateau subdivided into: Garo Hills, Khasi Hills, Jainita Hills.
📝 UPSC Previous Year Questions:
- UPSC Prelims 2019: Which plateau is known as the 'Meghalaya Plateau'? Answer: Shillong Plateau.
- UPSC Prelims 2017: Chhota Nagpur Plateau is located in which state? Answer: Jharkhand.
9. The Coastal Plains
Western Coastal Plains
- Submerged Coastal Plain — natural conditions for development of ports and harbors.
- Natural Ports: Kandla, Mazagaon, JN Port (Nhava Sheva), Marmagao, Mangalore, Cochin, etc.
- Divisions:
- Kachchh and Kathiawar coast — Gujarat
- Konkan coast — Maharashtra
- Canara coast — Karnataka
- Malabar coast — Kerala
- Rivers do not form any delta.
- ‘Kayals’ (backwaters) in the Malabar coast.
Eastern Coastal Plains
- Emergent coast — less number of ports and harbors.
- Well-developed deltas: of Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and the Kaveri.
📝 UPSC Previous Year Questions:
- UPSC Prelims 2020: Which coast is known for its backwaters (Kayals)? Answer: Malabar coast.
- UPSC Prelims 2018: Which is the largest natural port in India? Answer: Mumbai.
10. Islands
Islands of the Arabian Sea
- Includes Lakshadweep and Minicoy.
- Coral origin.
- Largest Island: Minicoy.
- Divided by the Eleventh-degree channel.
Bay of Bengal Island Group
- Divided into Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Southward extension of Arakan Yoma range (Myanmar).
- Barren Island — the only active volcano in India.
- Equatorial vegetation.
📝 UPSC Previous Year Questions:
- UPSC Prelims 2019: Which is the only active volcano in India? Answer: Barren Island.
- UPSC Prelims 2017: Lakshadweep islands are of which origin? Answer: Coral origin.
- UPSC Prelims 2015: The Eleventh-degree channel separates which islands? Answer: Lakshadweep and Minicoy.
11. Drainage System
Indus River System
- Origin: Kailash Mountain Range (Tibet).
- Length: ~2,900 km.
- Enter India: Through Ladakh.
- Tributaries: Gilgit, Gartang, Dras, Shiger, Hunza, Shyok, Nubra, Zaskar, Suru, Shigar, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej.
- Important: The Indus flows through India, Pakistan, and China.
📝 UPSC Previous Year Questions:
- UPSC Prelims 2016: The Indus River originates from which mountain range? Answer: Kailash Mountain Range.
12. Summary: Physiographic Landforms at a Glance
| Landform | Key Feature | UPSC Year |
|---|---|---|
| Kanchenjunga | Highest peak in India (8,598 m) | 2018 |
| Siachen Glacier | Located in Karakoram | 2019 |
| Karewas | Lacustrine deposits; saffron cultivation | 2017 |
| Dehra Dun | Largest dun in Uttarakhand | 2015 |
| Sunderbans | Largest delta in the world | 2019 |
| Barren Island | Only active volcano in India | 2019 |
| Lakshadweep | Coral origin; 11° channel | 2017 |
| Malabar Coast | Kayals (backwaters) | 2020 |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Highest Peak in India: Kanchenjunga (8,598 m) — UPSC 2018
- Karewas: Lacustrine deposits in Kashmir; saffron cultivation — UPSC 2017
- Dun Formations: Dehra Dun is the largest — UPSC 2015
- Indian Desert: Thar — Aravalli hills northwest; Luni river; barchans
- Peninsular Plateau: Patland plateaus (Hazaribagh, Ranchi, Malwa); black soil; ravines in Chambal
- Western Coastal Plains: Submerged coast; natural ports; Kayals in Malabar coast — UPSC 2020
- Eastern Coastal Plains: Emergent coast; well-developed deltas
- Barren Island: Only active volcano in India — UPSC 2019
- Lakshadweep: Coral origin; Eleventh-degree channel — UPSC 2017
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Physiographic Landforms)
Q1. Which is the highest peak in India?
Correct Answer: B. Kanchenjunga (8,598 m) is the highest peak in India. It is located on the India-Nepal border. (UPSC 2018)
Q2. The Siachen glacier is located in which mountain range?
Correct Answer: B. Siachen glacier is located in the Karakoram mountain range. (UPSC 2019)
Q3. Karewas formations are associated with which region?
Correct Answer: B. Karewas formations are lacustrine deposits found in the Kashmir Valley, useful for saffron (Zafran) cultivation. (UPSC 2017)
Q4. Which is the largest dun in India?
Correct Answer: C. Dehra Dun is the largest dun in India, located in Uttarakhand. (UPSC 2015)
Q5. The Thar Desert is located to the northwest of which hills?
Correct Answer: C. The Thar Desert is located to the northwest of the Aravalli hills. (UPSC 2017)
Q6. Which river flows through the Thar Desert?
Correct Answer: B. Luni is the only river that flows through the Thar Desert. (UPSC 2015)
Q7. Which is the only active volcano in India?
Correct Answer: C. Barren Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the only active volcano in India. (UPSC 2019)
Q8. Lakshadweep islands are of which origin?
Correct Answer: B. Lakshadweep islands are of coral origin. (UPSC 2017)
Q9. The Malabar coast is known for:
Correct Answer: B. The Malabar coast in Kerala is known for its backwaters called 'Kayals'. (UPSC 2020)
Q10. The Eleventh-degree channel separates:
Correct Answer: B. The Eleventh-degree channel separates Lakshadweep and Minicoy. (UPSC 2015)