Physiographic Regions - UPSC Geography Optional & GS Paper I 2025–26

The landscape of India is an interesting combination of varied physical features formed over millions of years. Physiographic region study provides important information on the development, distribution, and nature of landforms of the Indian subcontinent. For aspirants of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, especially those opting for Geography Optional and GS Paper I, understanding these regions is not only essential for conceptual clarity but also for analytical application in Mains answers, essays, and map-based questions.

What Will You Learn from This Article?

This section helps you preview the core academic and exam-relevant takeaways from the article.

❓What are the six major physiographic divisions of India and how were they formed?
❓How do the Himalayas differ from the Peninsular Plateau in structure and origin?
❓What are the key features of the Northern Plains, Coastal Plains, Islands, and the Indian Desert?
❓How have rivers, plate tectonics, and erosion influenced India’s physiographic zones?
❓What are the sub-divisions and notable landforms within each physiographic region?
❓How to use this topic effectively in UPSC Geography Optional and GS Paper I answers?

India is divided into six major physiographic regions based on the reasons of structure geology, processes of geomorphology, and landscape features. These are:

1. Northern and Northeastern Mountains
2. Northern Plains
3. Peninsular Plateau
4. Indian Desert
5. Coastal Plains
6. Islands

1. The Northern and Northeastern Mountains

This region includes the Himalayas and associated hill systems. It plays a crucial role in climatic control, river system formation, biodiversity, and strategic defense.

A. Kashmir and Punjab Himalayas

• It lies between the Indus and Satluj rivers.
• Widest section of the Himalayas (250–400 km).
• Includes ranges like Jaskar, Ladakh, Pir Panjal, and Dhauladhar.
• Features karewa formations ideal for saffron cultivation.
• Important lakes: Dal and Wular (freshwater), Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri (saltwater).

B. Himachal & Uttarakhand Himalayas

• It lies between Ravi and Kali rivers.
• Home to the Greater Himalayas, Lesser Himalayas, and Shiwaliks.
• Ranges include Dhauladhar, Nag Tibba, and Mahabharata (in Nepal).
• Known for ‘Dun formations’ like Dehradun and Kotli Dun.
• Pilgrimage centers: Vaishno Devi, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri.

C. Darjeeling, Sikkim & Arunachal Himalayas

• Deep valleys, steep terrain; notable peak: Kanchenjunga.
• Rivers like Tista and Brahmaputra shape the landscape.
• Arunachal section includes Kangtu and Namcha Barwa.
• Rich in biodiversity and tribal culture.

D. Eastern Hills and Mountains

• Includes Patkai, Naga, Manipuri, Mizo hills.
• Rivers like Barak and Loktak Lake add to geographic significance.
• The Molassis basin (soft deposits) lies here.
• Important tributaries flow into Chindwin and Irrawaddy rivers in Myanmar.

2. The Northern Plains of India

These plains were created by deposits of the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers. These plains are more than 3,200 km in length and 150–300 km in width.

Subdivisions of Northern Plains:

• Bhabar: A porous belt along Shiwalik foothills.
• Tarai: Wetland with rich biodiversity, south of Bhabar.
• Alluvial Plains:
  • Khadar: New alluvium, highly fertile.
  • Bhangar: Older alluvium, slightly elevated.

3. The Peninsular Plateau

India’s most ancient landmass, tectonically stable and composed of hard rocks like granite and basalt. It slopes from west to east and has several important subdivisions.

A. Central Highlands

• Lies between the Narmada and Northern Plains.
• Includes Malwa Plateau, Bundelkhand, Bagelkhand, and Chotanagpur.
• The Rajmahal Hills lie in the eastern extension.

B. Deccan Plateau

• Separated by Narmada River from Central Highlands.
• Characterized by Deccan Traps (black soil), ideal for cotton cultivation.
• Includes the Western and Eastern Ghats and Nilgiri Hills.

C. Northeastern Plateau

• Composed of Meghalaya and Karbi Anglong Plateaus.
• Includes the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia hills.
• Receives high rainfall; rich in minerals.

4. The Indian Desert

Also known as the Thar Desert, located in western Rajasthan.

• Formed by the Aravalli ranges and wind action.
• Sandy terrain with barchans and long sand ridges.
• Very low rainfall and sparse vegetation.
• Luni is the only prominent seasonal river.

5. The Coastal Plains

Border the Arabian Sea (west coast) and Bay of Bengal (east coast).

• Created by sedimentation of rivers and marine processes.
• Divided into Western and Eastern Coastal Plains.

Western Coastal Plain

• Narrower and more dissected.
• Divided into:
  • Konkan (Maharashtra)
  • Kanara (Karnataka)
  • Malabar (Kerala)

Eastern Coastal Plain

• Broader and formed by deltas.
• Rivers: Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri.
• Divided into:
  • Northern Circar (Andhra Pradesh)
  • Coromandel Coast (Tamil Nadu)

6. The Islands of India

India has two island groups: Arabian Sea Islands and Bay of Bengal Islands.

A. Lakshadweep (Arabian Sea)

• Coral origin, 36 islands.
• Largest: Minicoy (453 sq km).
• Divided by the 11° Channel.

B. Andaman & Nicobar (Bay of Bengal)

• 204 islands, divided by 10° Channel.
• Ritchie’s Archipelago and Labyrinth Islands are notable.
• Features coral reefs and tropical vegetation.

Important Points for Revision for UPSC Mains

Below are critical revision facts to help you consolidate key information for UPSC Mains answers.

⭐India has six major physiographic divisions.

⭐The Himalayas are geologically young and structurally folded mountains.

⭐The Trans-Himalayas include Karakoram, Zanskar, and Ladakh ranges.

⭐The Great Himalayas include peaks like Kanchenjunga and Mount Everest.

⭐Siachen Glacier lies in the eastern Karakoram range and is under Indian control.

⭐Dun formations like Dehradun are unique to Lesser Himalayas.

⭐The Shiwaliks are the outermost range of the Himalayas.

⭐The Northern Plains are made of alluvium and subdivided into Khadar and Bhangar.

⭐The Peninsular Plateau is tectonically stable and the oldest landform of India.

⭐Black cotton soil in the Deccan Plateau originates from volcanic activity.

⭐The Chotanagpur Plateau is rich in minerals like iron ore and coal.

⭐The Eastern Coastal Plain is broader and home to major river deltas.

⭐The Western Coastal Plain is narrower and lacks large deltas.

⭐The Islands of India include coral-based Lakshadweep and volcanic Andaman & Nicobar.

⭐The Luni River is a seasonal river in the Indian Desert.

⭐The Indus–Brahmaputra arc defines the Himalayan curvature.

⭐The Rajmahal Hills lie in the eastern part of the Central Highlands.

⭐Garo, Khasi, Jaintia Hills form part of the Northeastern Plateau.

⭐The Molassis basin lies in the Mizoram region.

⭐The 10° and 11° Channels divide the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands.

⭐The Deccan Traps are ideal for cotton cultivation.

⭐The Barak River flows through the Eastern Hills and Mountains.

⭐Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri are saline lakes in Ladakh.

⭐Kashmir Himalayas host karewa formations.

⭐Ladakh Plateau is the highest plateau in India.

⭐The Eastern Himalayas are richer in biodiversity than the western section.

Real-World Applications and Contemporary Relevance

To know India's physiographic regions is not merely an academic exercise—it is critical for sustainable development, resource management, and controlling disasters. The different physiographic features play a pivotal role in shaping India's trends of agriculture, biodiversity zones, water resource pattern, urban growth, and strategic defense. Here is a brief description of their general significance:

1. Environmental Planning

• River Basin Planning: Physiographic regions guide the development of river basin management strategies.
• Land Use Classification: Understanding terrain and soil types helps in classifying land for agriculture, forest use, or industry.

2. Disaster Risk Management

• Flood and Earthquake Zones: The Himalayan region is earthquake-prone due to tectonic activity; riverine plains are flood-prone.
• Landslides and Coastal Erosion: Hills and coastlines require zonal mapping for landslide and tsunami risks.

3. Climate and Agriculture

• Agro-Climatic Zones: The Peninsular Plateau is suited for dryland farming, while the Northern Plains support intensive cultivation.
• Monsoon Behavior: Physiography influences the onset and spread of the monsoon—Western Ghats cause orographic rainfall, deserts block it.

4. Biodiversity and Natural Resources

• Forest Distribution: Varies from alpine forests of the Himalayas to tropical evergreen forests of the coastal and island areas.
• Mineral and Energy Resources: Chotanagpur Plateau, Deccan area, and Rajasthan desert are rich in coal, iron, limestone, and sun resources.

5. Strategic and Geopolitical Relevance

• Border Security: The Himalayas form a natural boundary and house important military outposts.
• Island Territories: Serve as India's extended maritime borders and support blue economy and ocean governance strategies.

UPSC Mains PYQs on Physiographic Regions

This section includes only actual previous year questions (PYQs) from UPSC Mains GS Paper I that directly pertain to the topic of physiographic regions.

📌 Distinguish the North Indian Plains from the Peninsular Plateau of India on the basis of relief, drainage and soil. (UPSC GS I – 2010) 📌 Explain the physiographic divisions of India. How far are they relevant in influencing Indian climate? (UPSC GS I – 2012) 📌 Discuss the major geomorphological divisions of India. How are they formed? (UPSC GS I – 2013) 📌 How do the physiographic features of India influence climate, agriculture and human settlement? (UPSC GS I – 2015) 📌 What is the significance of Indo-Gangetic plains in the economic development of India? (UPSC GS I – 2016) 📌 Why is the Peninsular Plateau considered the oldest physiographic unit of India? Explain with examples. (UPSC GS I – 2019) 📌 Compare the geomorphic features of the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats. (UPSC GS I – 2021)

Important Books on Physiographic Regions (UPSC PSIR Optional & GS Paper II)

Following are the most suitable books that UPSC candidates prefer to study India's physiographic formation in-depth, particularly for Geography Optional and GS Paper I:

These texts offer conceptual clarity, map-based learning, and updated data aligned with UPSC demands. This article offers a comprehensive overview of the “Physiographic Regions” for UPSC aspirants. Also, download the Testbook App from the Play Store to get more details and unlimited study materials for the UPSC Prelims and Mains exams.