Physical Features of India for UPSC Prelims
1. Introduction to Physical Features of India
India’s diverse physical features, shaped by tectonic and geomorphic processes, include towering mountains, fertile plains, rugged plateaus, arid deserts, coastal plains, and islands. These features influence India’s climate, agriculture, economy, and culture, making them a key topic for UPSC Prelims in Indian geography. From the Himalayas in the north to the coastal plains in the south, India’s varied topography supports a wide range of ecosystems and human activities.
Key Facts
- Major Features: Himalayas, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Indian Desert, Coastal Plains, Islands
- Area: India covers ~3.28 million sq. km, with diverse topography
- Significance: Influences climate, agriculture, and settlement patterns
- Geological Origin: Tectonic collisions, erosion, and deposition
Important Facts for UPSC
- The Himalayas act as a climatic barrier, blocking cold winds and monsoons.
- The Northern Plains support 50% of India’s population due to fertile soils.
- The Peninsular Plateau is rich in minerals, driving India’s mining industry.
2. The Himalayan Mountains
Overview
The Himalayas, the world’s youngest and highest mountain range, extend across northern India, spanning five states: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Divisions
| Division |
Altitude (m) |
Features |
Examples |
| Greater Himalayas (Himadri) |
Above 6,000 |
Snow-capped peaks, glaciers |
Mount Everest (8,848 m), Kanchenjunga |
| Lesser Himalayas (Himachal) |
3,700–4,500 |
Forested valleys, hill stations |
Shimla, Mussoorie |
| Outer Himalayas (Shiwaliks) |
900–1,100 |
Foothills, deciduous forests |
Dehradun, Haridwar |
Characteristics
- Length: ~2,400 km, width: 150–400 km.
- Acts as a climatic barrier, causing orographic rainfall.
- Source of major rivers: Ganga, Indus, Brahmaputra.
Important Facts for UPSC
- The Himalayas formed due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates.
- Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) is India’s highest peak.
- The Shiwaliks are prone to landslides due to soft sedimentary rocks.
3. The Northern Plains
Overview
The Northern Plains, also called the Indo-Gangetic Plains, stretch from Punjab to Assam, formed by alluvial deposits of rivers like the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus.
Divisions
- Bhabar: Coarse gravel zone at Himalayan foothills, porous soils.
- Terai: Marshy, fertile zone below Bhabar, rich in biodiversity.
- Bhangar: Older alluvium, less fertile, above floodplains.
- Khadar: Younger alluvium, highly fertile, flood-prone.
Characteristics
- Length: ~2,400 km, width: 240–320 km.
- Flat terrain, ideal for agriculture and dense population.
- Major rivers create fertile deltas (e.g., Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta).
Important Facts for UPSC
- The Northern Plains are India’s “food basket,” producing 60% of its grains.
- The Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta is the world’s largest delta.
- Terai is known for its swamps and wildlife (e.g., Dudhwa National Park).
4. The Peninsular Plateau
Overview
The Peninsular Plateau, a stable, ancient landmass, covers central and southern India, formed by volcanic and tectonic activity.
Divisions
- Deccan Plateau: Basalt-covered, slopes eastward, rich in black soils.
- Central Highlands: North of Narmada, includes Malwa and Bundelkhand.
- North-Eastern Plateau: Meghalaya and Karbi Anglong, rich in coal.
Characteristics
- Area: ~1.9 million sq. km, triangular shape.
- Bounded by Aravallis, Vindhyas, Satpuras, and Western/Eastern Ghats.
- Rich in minerals: coal, iron ore, manganese.
Important Facts for UPSC
- The Deccan Traps formed 65 million years ago due to volcanic activity.
- The Western Ghats are a UNESCO World Heritage Site for biodiversity.
- The Chhota Nagpur Plateau is India’s mineral hub (e.g., Jharkhand).
5. The Indian Desert
Overview
The Indian Desert, or Thar Desert, lies in northwest India, primarily in Rajasthan, extending into Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana.
Characteristics
- Area: ~200,000 sq. km, world’s 17th largest desert.
- Arid climate, low rainfall (<250 mm annually).
- Features: Sand dunes, salt flats, sparse vegetation.
Significance
Supports pastoralism, wind energy, and tourism (e.g., Jaisalmer).
Important Facts for UPSC
- The Thar Desert is formed by aeolian processes, creating dunes like sam.
- The Indira Gandhi Canal irrigates parts of the desert, boosting agriculture.
- Luni River is the only significant river, often drying up.
6. The Coastal Plains
Overview
India’s coastal plains run along the Arabian Sea (west) and Bay of Bengal (east), formed by river deposition and marine processes.
Divisions
| Coastal Plain |
Location |
Features |
Examples |
| Western Coastal Plain |
Gujarat to Kerala |
Narrow, rocky, lagoons |
Konkan, Malabar Coast |
| Eastern Coastal Plain |
West Bengal to Tamil Nadu |
Wide, fertile, deltas |
Coromandel, Northern Circars |
Characteristics
- Western: Narrow (50 km), steep, ports like Mumbai.
- Eastern: Wide (100–150 km), deltas like Krishna-Godavari, supports rice cultivation.
- Features: Beaches, lagoons (e.g., Chilika Lake), mangroves.
Important Facts for UPSC
- The Eastern Coastal Plain is prone to cyclones (e.g., Odisha coast).
- The Western Coastal Plain has backwaters like Kerala’s Vembanad Lake.
- Coastal plains support 14% of India’s population and major ports.
7. The Islands
Overview
India has two major island groups: Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Bay of Bengal) and Lakshadweep Islands (Arabian Sea).
Characteristics
- Andaman and Nicobar: 572 islands, volcanic origin, coral reefs, tropical forests.
- Lakshadweep: 36 islands, coral atolls, lagoons, marine biodiversity.
Significance
Strategic location, tourism, and biodiversity hotspots (e.g., Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve).
Important Facts for UPSC
- Barren Island in Andaman is India’s only active volcano.
- Lakshadweep’s Pitti Island is a key bird sanctuary.
- Both island groups are Union Territories, vital for maritime security.
Overview
India’s physical features result from tectonic, volcanic, and geomorphic processes over millions of years.
Key Processes
- Himalayas: Formed by the collision of Indian and Eurasian plates (~50 million years ago).
- Northern Plains: Alluvial deposition by Himalayan rivers over millennia.
- Peninsular Plateau: Ancient Gondwana landmass, volcanic Deccan Traps.
- Desert: Aeolian processes in arid climate, rain shadow of Aravallis.
- Coastal Plains: River deposition, marine erosion, and tectonic subsidence.
- Islands: Volcanic (Andaman) and coral (Lakshadweep) formations.
Important Facts for UPSC
- The Himalayas are still rising (~5 mm/year) due to tectonic activity.
- The Deccan Traps are linked to dinosaur extinction (~65 million years ago).
- Coral atolls in Lakshadweep formed over submerged volcanic bases.
9. Socioeconomic Significance
Agriculture
Northern Plains and coastal plains support intensive farming; plateaus grow millets and cotton.
Resources
Peninsular Plateau provides minerals; Himalayas supply hydropower; coasts support fisheries.
Tourism
Himalayas (hill stations), deserts (cultural tourism), coasts (beaches), and islands attract millions.
Challenges
Landslides in Himalayas, desertification in Thar, and coastal erosion pose risks.
Important Facts for UPSC
- The Himalayas host hydropower projects like Tehri Dam.
- Coastal plains contribute 30% of India’s fish production.
- Desertification affects 25% of Rajasthan’s land.
10. Significance for Geography
Geographical Significance
India’s physical features create diverse climatic zones, drainage systems, and ecosystems, shaping its geography.
Environmental Significance
Features like the Himalayas and Western Ghats are biodiversity hotspots, while plains and coasts face environmental challenges like flooding.
Socioeconomic Significance
These features drive India’s economy through agriculture, industry, and tourism but require sustainable management.
UPSC Relevance
Physical features are a core topic in Indian geography, tested for their geological, economic, and environmental implications.
Important Facts for UPSC
- India’s physical diversity supports six major climatic zones.
- The Western Ghats influence India’s southwest monsoon.
- NDMA addresses hazards like Himalayan landslides and coastal cyclones.
UPSC Preparation Tips
- Memorize the six physical divisions and their sub-regions (e.g., Himadri, Konkan).
- Understand geological origins (tectonic, alluvial, volcanic).
- Focus on socioeconomic roles (agriculture, minerals, tourism).
- Link features to climate and rivers (e.g., Himalayas and Ganga).
- Practice map-based questions on physical divisions and key locations.
- Revise key terms (alluvium, plateau, atoll) and examples (e.g., Barren Island).