Physiographic Sub-Units of India

Master the detailed classification of India's physiographic divisions — Northern Mountains, Great Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Coasts, Deserts, and Islands for UPSC Prelims & Mains.

Syllabus Core Study Notes (Deep-Dive)

Geographical classifications, mountain structures, plateau systems, and coastal divisions.

1. The Northern Mountains (Himalayas & Purvanchal)

The Northern Mountains are divided into the Trans-Himalayas, the Himalayan mountain range, and the Purvanchal (Eastern Hills).

Structural Ranges (N to S)
  • Trans-Himalayas: Karakoram, Ladakh, and Zaskar ranges. Mostly dry, cold desert conditions.
  • Greater Himalayas (Himadri): Highest peaks (Everest, Kanchenjunga). Continuous, composed of granite core.
  • Lesser Himalayas (Himachal): Pir Panjal, Dhauladhar, Mahabharat ranges. Highly rugged, famous hill stations.
  • Outer Himalayas (Shiwaliks): Youngest range, made of consolidated sediments, characterized by flat valleys called **Duns** (e.g., Dehradun).
Regional Divisions (W to E)
  • Kashmir/Western Himalayas: Famous for Karewa formations (saffron), cold deserts.
  • Kumaon Himalayas: Between Satluj and Kali rivers; contains peaks like Nanda Devi.
  • Sikkim-Darjeeling Himalayas: Fast-flowing rivers, orchid flora, tea plantations.
  • Arunachal/Eastern Himalayas: High rainfall, deep gorges, home to tribes.
  • Purvanchal: Patkai Bum, Naga Hills, Manipur Hills, and Mizo Hills.

Himalayan Cross-Section Profile:

Schematic Section of Himalayan Zones

Tibetan Plateau Trans-Himalaya Greater Himalaya (Himadri) Lesser Himalaya (Himachal) Shiwalik Ganga Plains MCT MBT HFT

2. The Northern Plains & The Peninsular Plateau

The Plains and the Plateau form the agricultural and mineral backbone of India, respectively.

The Northern Plains (Sub-regions)
  • Bhabar: Porous gravel zone at foothills. Rivers run underground.
  • Terai: Swampy zone where rivers re-emerge; rich in biodiversity.
  • Bhangar: Older clayey alluvium forming upland terraces. Contains calcium nodules called **kankar**.
  • Khadar: Young, fertile alluvial silt renewed annually by floods.
The Peninsular Plateau (Sub-units)
  • Central Highlands: Malwa Plateau, Bundelkhand, Baghelkhand. Bordered by Aravalli and Vindhyan ranges.
  • Deccan Plateau: Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana plateaus. Stepped basalt topography.
  • Northeastern Extension: Meghalaya (Garo, Khasi, Jaintia hills) and Mikir hills. Structurally part of Peninsular block.
  • Chotanagpur Plateau: Rich in minerals (coal, iron). Damodar valley coal graben.

3. Coastal Plains, Western & Eastern Ghats, and Islands

The coastal tracts, mountain borders, and oceanic islands form distinct ecological and structural zones.

Western vs Eastern Ghats
  • Western Ghats (Sahyadris): High, continuous, steep western slope. Thal Ghat, Bhor Ghat, and Pal Ghat are key passes. Highest peak: **Anamudi**.
  • Eastern Ghats: Discontinuous, highly dissected by east-flowing rivers. Average elevation is lower. Highest peak: **Jindhagada / Mahendragiri**.
Coasts and Islands
  • Western Coastal Plains: Narrow, submergent coast. Divided into Konkan, Kannad, and Malabar coasts. Features lagoons (Kayals).
  • Eastern Coastal Plains: Broad, emergent coast. Divided into Northern Circars and Coromandel coast. Famous for large river deltas.
  • Islands: Andaman & Nicobar (tectonic upliftment, volcanic activity like Barren Island) and Lakshadweep (atoll coral islands in the Arabian Sea).

The Chronological Framework

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