India's Physiographic Divisions
Full Detailed Notes for SSC GD GK
1. What Are Physiographic Divisions?
India has a unique and diverse physical landscape. Based on structure, geology, and relief features, India is divided into 6 major physiographic divisions.
These divisions influence climate, agriculture, vegetation, population, rainfall, rivers, etc.
Simple Definition
Physiographic Divisions are large physical regions of India formed by natural forces like mountain building, erosion, deposition, and plate movement.
India's Physiographic Divisions are the major physical landform regions such as Himalayas, Northern Plains, Plateau, Coastal Plains, Desert, and Islands.
2. India's 6 Physiographic Divisions (Very Important)
| No. | Division | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Himalayan Mountains | Young fold mountains |
| 2 | Northern Plains | Alluvial plains of Indus–Ganga–Brahmaputra |
| 3 | Peninsular Plateau | Oldest landmass; hard rocks |
| 4 | Indian Desert | Thar Desert (Rajasthan) |
| 5 | Coastal Plains | Eastern & Western coasts |
| 6 | Islands | Andaman-Nicobar & Lakshadweep |
Memory Trick:
"H–N–P–D–C–I" → Himalayas, Northern Plains, Plateau, Desert, Coasts, Islands
3. The Himalayan Mountains
Basic Information
- India's northern mountain wall
- Formed: Young Fold Mountains
- Length: 2500 km
- Direction: West → East
Key Features
- Snow-covered peaks
- Contains highest mountains
- Major rivers originate here
- Climate barrier for India
A. Divisions of Himalayas
1. Himadri (Greater Himalayas)
- Highest range
- Average height: 6000 m
- Contains highest peaks:
- → Mt. Everest (Nepal)
- → Kanchenjunga (India)
- Snow-covered, glaciers
- Rivers originate: Ganga, Yamuna
2. Himachal (Lesser Himalayas)
- Middle range
- Famous hill stations:
- → Shimla
- → Mussoorie
- → Nainital
- Valleys:
- → Kangra Valley
- → Kashmir Valley
3. Shiwalik (Outer Himalayas)
- Lowest range
- Newest mountains
- Soil: Duns (valleys) → Dehradun, Patlidun
B. Regional Divisions (West to East)
| Region | Location |
|---|---|
| Punjab Himalayas | Jammu–Kashmir |
| Kumaon Himalayas | Uttarakhand |
| Nepal Himalayas | Nepal |
| Assam Himalayas | Arunachal Pradesh |
Memory Trick:
"P-K-N-A" → Punjab–Kumaon–Nepal–Assam
4. The Northern Plains
Basic Information
- Formed by: Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra rivers
- Type: Alluvial Plains
- Soil: Alluvial (best for farming)
- Known as: Food Bowl of India
Key Features
- Most fertile region
- Densely populated
- Major agricultural area
- Flat and suitable for farming
A. Divisions of Northern Plains
✔ Punjab Plains
- Formed by Indus & tributaries
- Fertile, irrigated
✔ Ganga Plains
- UP, Bihar, West Bengal
- Densely populated
✔ Brahmaputra Plains
- Assam
- Known for floods, silt, tea gardens
B. Parts based on elevation
| Part | Feature |
|---|---|
| Bhabar | Rocky, rivers disappear |
| Terai | Marshy, wildlife forests |
| Bangar | Old alluvium |
| Khadar | New alluvium → very fertile |
Memory Trick:
"B–T–B–K" → Bhabar, Terai, Bangar, Khadar
5. The Peninsular Plateau
Basic Information
- Oldest landmass (Archaean rocks)
- Triangular shape
- Hard crystalline rocks
- Rich in minerals
Key Features
- Stable landmass
- Rich in coal, iron
- Black soil region
- Moderate elevation
A. Main Parts
✔ Deccan Plateau
- Largest plateau
- Black soil (cotton farming)
- Includes Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana
✔ Central Highlands
- Rajasthan, MP
- Includes Malwa Plateau, Bundelkhand
B. Mountain Ranges in Peninsular Plateau
| Range | Location |
|---|---|
| Aravalli | Rajasthan |
| Vindhya | Central India |
| Satpura | Below Vindhyas |
| Western Ghats | West coast |
| Eastern Ghats | East coast |
Memory Trick:
"A–V–S–W–E" → Aravalli, Vindhya, Satpura, Western, Eastern Ghats
6. The Indian Desert (Thar Desert)
Location & Climate
- Location: Western Rajasthan
- Climate: Very hot & dry
- Rainfall: Less than 150 mm
Key Features
- Sand dunes
- Barchans (crescent-shaped dunes)
- Camel is main transport
- River Luni → only major river
7. The Coastal Plains
Runs along both sides of India
A. Western Coastal Plains
Features:
- Narrow, straight coastline
- States: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala
Divisions:
- Konkan Coast (Mumbai)
- Karnataka Coast
- Malabar Coast (Kerala)
B. Eastern Coastal Plains
Features:
- Wide and flat
- States: West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
Divisions:
- Northern Circar
- Coromandel Coast
Contains large deltas: Ganga, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri
8. The Islands of India
A. Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Located in Bay of Bengal
- Capital: Port Blair
- Coral + volcanic islands
- Indira Point → Southernmost point of India
- Strategic for defence
B. Lakshadweep Islands
- Located in Arabian Sea
- Coral islands
- Capital: Kavaratti
9. Map Representation (Text Format)
North: Himalayas
↓
Middle: Northern Plains
↓
South-Central: Peninsular Plateau
↓
West: Thar Desert
↓
East/West: Coastal Plains
↓
Around: Islands
10. Why Physiographic Divisions Are Important? (SSC GD)
For Understanding
- Questions asked from mountains, rivers, coasts
- Soil & climate depend on physiography
- Major agriculture zones
- Helps understand India's climate
Expected Questions
- Highest range of Himalayas? → Himadri
- Largest plateau? → Deccan Plateau
- River in Thar Desert? → Luni
- Largest delta? → Sundarbans (Ganga-Brahmaputra)
11. Quick Revision Table
| Division | Key Highlights |
|---|---|
| Himalayas | Young mountains |
| Northern Plains | Fertile alluvium |
| Plateau | Old crystalline rocks |
| Desert | Hot, dry, sandy |
| Coastal Plains | Rivers + ports |
| Islands | Coral & volcanic |
Master Geography for Competitive Exams!
Join Courage Library for comprehensive study materials and expert guidance.
Be a Couragian!