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Physiographic Divisions of India

Introduction

The physiographic divisions of India form a fundamental part of Indian Geography and are frequently asked in exams like SSC CGL, IBPS PO, RRB NTPC, and State PSCs. Understanding these divisions helps in grasping India's diverse physical landscape, which influences climate, vegetation, and human activities.

Pattern: Physiographic Divisions of India

Pattern

This pattern tests knowledge of the major physical divisions of India, their characteristics, and their geographical significance.

Key Concept:

India's physiographic divisions include the Himalayan Mountains, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Coastal Plains, and Islands.

Important Points:

  • Himalayan Mountains = Young fold mountains in the north, including Greater, Lesser, and Trans-Himalayas
  • Northern Plains = Formed by the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems; fertile alluvial soil
  • Peninsular Plateau = Oldest landmass, composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks; includes Deccan Plateau
  • Coastal Plains = Narrow plains along Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal with estuaries and deltas
  • Islands = Andaman and Nicobar (archipelago in Bay of Bengal) and Lakshadweep (in Arabian Sea)

Related Topics:

  • Indian Rivers and their basins
  • Mountain ranges of India
  • Soil types and vegetation zones

Step-by-Step Example

Question

Which of the following is NOT a part of the Peninsular Plateau of India?

Options:

  • A. Deccan Plateau
  • B. Chota Nagpur Plateau
  • C. Malwa Plateau
  • D. Shivalik Hills

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify Peninsular Plateau components

    The Peninsular Plateau includes the Deccan Plateau, Chota Nagpur Plateau, and Malwa Plateau, all part of the ancient landmass.

  2. Step 2: Analyze the Shivalik Hills

    Shivalik Hills are part of the Himalayan mountain system, which is a young fold mountain range in northern India, not part of the Peninsular Plateau.

  3. Step 3: Conclusion

    Since Shivalik Hills belong to the Himalayas, they are not part of the Peninsular Plateau.

  4. Final Answer:

    Shivalik Hills → Option D

  5. Quick Check:

    Peninsular Plateau excludes Shivalik Hills ✅

Quick Variations

This pattern may appear as questions on:

  • 1. Identification of mountain ranges and their locations
  • 2. Differences between young and old mountains in India
  • 3. Features of coastal plains and island groups

Trick to Always Use

  • Remember the five major divisions by the mnemonic: HNP-CI (Himalayas, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Coastal Plains, Islands)
  • Associate the Peninsular Plateau with "oldest landmass" and the Himalayas with "youngest fold mountains"

Summary

Summary

  • India's physiographic divisions are Himalayas, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Coastal Plains, and Islands.
  • Himalayas are young fold mountains; Peninsular Plateau is ancient and stable.
  • Coastal Plains lie between the plateau and the seas; islands are in Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.

Remember:
HNP-CI covers all major physiographic divisions of India

Practice

(1/5)
1. Which of the following is a part of the Himalayan mountain system?
easy
A. Shivalik Hills
B. Deccan Plateau
C. Chota Nagpur Plateau
D. Malwa Plateau

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the Himalayan mountain components

    The Himalayan mountain system includes the Greater Himalayas, Lesser Himalayas, and Shivalik Hills, which are young fold mountains in northern India.

  2. Step 2: Analyze the other options

    Deccan Plateau, Chota Nagpur Plateau, and Malwa Plateau are parts of the Peninsular Plateau, which is an ancient landmass, not part of the Himalayas.

  3. Final Answer:

    Shivalik Hills → Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    Shivalik Hills = correct ✅
Hint: Remember Shivalik Hills as the outermost Himalayan range.
Common Mistakes: Confusing Peninsular Plateau regions as Himalayan ranges.
2. The Northern Plains of India are mainly formed by the deposits of which rivers?
easy
A. Mahanadi, Subarnarekha, Damodar
B. Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery
C. Narmada, Tapi, Mahi
D. Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand the formation of Northern Plains

    The Northern Plains are formed by alluvial deposits brought by major river systems flowing from the Himalayas.

  2. Step 2: Identify the correct river systems

    The Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers are the primary rivers responsible for the fertile alluvial soil of the Northern Plains.

  3. Final Answer:

    Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra → Option D

  4. Quick Check:

    Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra = correct ✅
Hint: Remember the three major northern rivers as IGB (Indus-Ganga-Brahmaputra).
Common Mistakes: Confusing peninsular rivers with northern river systems.
3. Which of the following island groups is located in the Arabian Sea?
easy
A. Lakshadweep Islands
B. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
C. Maldives
D. Sundarbans

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the location of Indian island groups

    India has two major island groups: Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, and Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea.

  2. Step 2: Analyze the options

    Andaman and Nicobar Islands are in the Bay of Bengal; Maldives is a separate country in the Indian Ocean; Sundarbans is a mangrove forest in the delta region, not an island group.

  3. Final Answer:

    Lakshadweep Islands → Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    Lakshadweep Islands = correct ✅
Hint: Remember: Andaman-Nicobar = Bay of Bengal, Lakshadweep = Arabian Sea.
Common Mistakes: Mixing Andaman and Nicobar Islands with Lakshadweep location.
4. Which of the following statements about the Peninsular Plateau is correct?
medium
A. It is the youngest fold mountain range in India
B. It is composed mainly of sedimentary rocks
C. It is an ancient landmass composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks
D. It lies between the Himalayas and the Northern Plains

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand the nature of the Peninsular Plateau

    The Peninsular Plateau is one of the oldest landmasses in India, geologically stable and composed mainly of igneous and metamorphic rocks.

  2. Step 2: Analyze the options

    It is not a fold mountain range (that describes the Himalayas), nor is it mainly sedimentary rock. It does not lie between the Himalayas and Northern Plains but south of the Northern Plains.

  3. Final Answer:

    It is an ancient landmass composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks → Option C

  4. Quick Check:

    Peninsular Plateau = ancient igneous and metamorphic rocks ✅
Hint: Associate Peninsular Plateau with 'oldest landmass' and rock types.
Common Mistakes: Confusing Peninsular Plateau with Himalayan fold mountains.
5. The Coastal Plains of India are characterized by which of the following features?
medium
A. They are wide and lie between the Himalayas and the Northern Plains
B. They have estuaries and deltas formed by rivers flowing into the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal
C. They are part of the Peninsular Plateau and consist mainly of rocky terrain
D. They are located in the interior of the Deccan Plateau

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand the features of Coastal Plains

    Coastal Plains lie between the Peninsular Plateau and the seas (Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal) and are characterized by estuaries, deltas, and fertile soil.

  2. Step 2: Analyze the options

    They are narrow, not wide plains; they are not part of the Peninsular Plateau; and they are not located in the interior of the Deccan Plateau.

  3. Final Answer:

    They have estuaries and deltas formed by rivers flowing into the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal → Option B

  4. Quick Check:

    They have estuaries and deltas = correct ✅
Hint: Remember Coastal Plains lie between plateau and seas with river deltas.
Common Mistakes: Confusing Coastal Plains with plateau or Himalayan regions.

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