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Indian physiography

Geography

Useful for: UPSC Civil Services, OSSC RHT — Regular High School Teacher, OSEPA Upper Primary — Arts, OSSC Geography, OSSSC Govt TGT Arts, SSB Lecturer (Degree Colleges), SSB TGT Arts

Overview

India has six physiographic divisions: the Himalaya, the northern plains, the peninsular plateau, the Thar desert, the coastal plains and the islands.

Key points

Himalayan ranges: Greater (Himadri), Lesser (Himachal), Outer (Shiwalik); longitudinal valleys between Lesser and Shiwalik are duns.
Northern plains: bhabar (pebbles at the foothills), terai (marshy), bhangar (older alluvium), khadar (newer alluvium).
Anaimudi (about 2,695 m) is the highest peak of peninsular India.
Western Ghats are continuous; Eastern Ghats are broken by rivers.
Coastal plains: Konkan and Malabar (west); Coromandel and Northern Circars (east).
Barren Island (Andaman) is India’s only active volcano; Lakshadweep islands are coral.

Explanation

Narmada and Tapi flow west through rift valleys.
The Deccan Plateau is made largely of basalt (Deccan Traps).
Thar desert lies mainly in Rajasthan.
Aravallis are among the oldest fold mountains.
Andaman and Nicobar islands are extensions of submarine mountains.

Step by step

Identify the concept, law or fact asked.
Recall the definition, formula, example or year.
Apply it and eliminate mismatched options.

Examples

Statement: "Khadar is older alluvium." → Incorrect (bhangar is older; khadar newer).
Statement: "Barren Island is an active volcano." → Correct.
Statement: "The Eastern Ghats are continuous." → Incorrect.

Traps and advanced points

Trap: Reversing bhangar and khadar.
Trap: Calling the Eastern Ghats continuous.
Trap: Saying Lakshadweep is volcanic.

Quick revision

Himadri, Himachal, Shiwalik; duns.
Bhabar, terai, bhangar, khadar.
Anaimudi; Barren Island.

Practice MCQs

From the perspective of definition and scope, which one of the following statements about Indian Physiography is correct?
1. India’s major physiographic divisions include the Himalaya, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, coastal plains and islands.
2. The Peninsular Plateau is geologically younger than the Himalayan mountain system.
3. Indian Physiography is unrelated to institutions, processes or real-world applications.
4. Indian Physiography has no exceptions or limitations in exam analysis.
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Answer: (a) India’s major physiographic divisions include the Himalaya, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, coastal plains and islands.. India’s major physiographic divisions include the Himalaya, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, coastal plains and islands.
Consider the following statements on Indian Physiography, focusing on definition and scope: 1. India’s major physiographic divisions include the Himalaya, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, coastal plains and islands. 2. The Himalaya are geologically young fold mountains while much of the Peninsular block is ancient and stable. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2. Both statements are correct.
With reference to Indian Physiography (definition and scope), consider the following statements: 1. Coriolis force is zero at the equator and maximum at the poles. 2. India’s major physiographic divisions include the Himalaya, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, coastal plains and islands. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2. Both statements are correct.
From the perspective of practical application, which one of the following statements about Indian Physiography is correct?
1. Industrial location depends on combinations of raw materials, power, labour, market, transport, capital and policy.
2. The lithosphere is broken into plates moving over the weaker asthenosphere.
3. Coastal morphology differs between the western and eastern coasts.
4. Upwelling brings nutrient-rich deeper water toward the surface.
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Answer: (c) Coastal morphology differs between the western and eastern coasts.. Coastal morphology differs between the western and eastern coasts.
Consider the following statements on Indian Physiography and Pressure Belts & Winds, focusing on working mechanism: 1. The Peninsular Plateau is geologically younger than the Himalayan mountain system. 2. Coriolis force is strongest at the Equator and becomes zero at the poles. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2. Neither statement is correct; both are common misconceptions.
From the perspective of working mechanism, which one of the following statements about Indian Physiography is correct?
1. Industrial corridors aim to combine connectivity, urban infrastructure, manufacturing and logistics.
2. River systems reflect relief, geology, rainfall and tectonic history.
3. Dynamic map facts should be cross-checked against current official maps where boundaries or designations matter.
4. UPSC map questions reward relative-location reasoning, drainage orientation, mountain passes, seas, straits and protected areas.
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Answer: (b) River systems reflect relief, geology, rainfall and tectonic history.. River systems reflect relief, geology, rainfall and tectonic history.
With reference to Indian Physiography (institutional design), consider the following statements: 1. The Peninsular Plateau is geologically younger than the Himalayan mountain system. 2. The Himalaya are geologically young fold mountains while much of the Peninsular block is ancient and stable. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Read chapter notes · Similar questions
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 only. Only statement 2 is correct.
Consider the following statements on Indian Physiography, focusing on institutional design: 1. The Himalaya are geologically young fold mountains while much of the Peninsular block is ancient and stable. 2. Coastal morphology differs between the western and eastern coasts. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Read chapter notes · Similar questions
Show answer
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2. Both statements are correct.
With reference to Indian Physiography (working mechanism), consider the following statements: 1. River systems reflect relief, geology, rainfall and tectonic history. 2. The Peninsular Plateau is geologically younger than the Himalayan mountain system. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Read chapter notes · Similar questions
Show answer
Answer: (a) 1 only. Only statement 1 is correct, so the answer is (A) 1 only. Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect — it is an overstated or wrong claim. Correct position: India’s major physiographic divisions include the Himalaya, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, coastal plains and islands.
With reference to Indian Physiography (definition and scope), consider the following statements: 1. Coriolis force is zero at the equator and maximum at the poles. 2. The Peninsular Plateau is geologically younger than the Himalayan mountain system. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Read chapter notes · Similar questions
Show answer
Answer: (a) 1 only. Only statement 1 is correct, so the answer is (A) 1 only. Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect — it is an overstated or wrong claim. Correct position: India’s major physiographic divisions include the Himalaya, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, coastal plains and islands.