UPPSC 2025
DAILY
CLASS NOTES
Indian Geography
Lecture – 03
Physical Classification of India
Part 2
Physical Classification of India Part 2
The Indian Desert
❖ The Indian Desert lies towards the western margin of Aravalli
Hills. It is also called Thar Desert. It is the ninth largest desert
in the world.
❖ It spreads over the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. This region
has semi-arid and arid weather conditions.
❖ It receives less than 50 mm of rainfall per year. The (vegetation
cover is low with thorny bushes.
❖ Luni is the main river in this area. All other streams appear only
at the time of rainfall otherwise they disappear into the sand.
The Peninsular Plateau
❖ Rising from a height of 150 meters above the river plains to an elevation of 600-900 meters, the irregular
triangle known as the Peninsular Plateau extends across several regions. The outer boundaries of this plateau
include the Delhi Ridge in the northwest (an extension of the Aravalis), the Rajmahal Hills in the east, the
Gir Range in the west, and the Cardamom Hills in the south.
❖ Additionally, an extension of this plateau is visible in the northeast as the Shillong and Karbi-Anglong
Plateaus. The Peninsular Plateau of India consists of a series of plateaus such as the Hazaribagh Plateau,
Palamu Plateau, Ranchi Plateau, Malwa Plateau, Coimbatore Plateau, and Karnataka Plateau. It is one of the
oldest and most stable landmasses in India.
❖ The general elevation of the plateau slopes from west
to east, which is evidenced by the flow pattern of its
rivers. Major rivers of the Peninsular Plateau, such as
the Godavari, Krishna, and Mahanadi, flow eastward to
the Bay of Bengal, while rivers like the Narmada and
Tapti flow westward to the Arabian Sea.
❖ Typical landforms associated with east-flowing rivers
include extensive delta formations and estuaries, which
are generally absent in the west-flowing rivers.
❖ Notable physiographic features of this region include
tors, block mountains, rift valleys, spurs, bare rocky
structures, series of hummocky hills, and wall-like
quartzite dykes that provide natural sites for water
storage. The western and northwestern parts of the
plateau prominently feature black soil.
❖ The Peninsular Plateau has experienced recurrent
phases of upliftment and submergence, accompanied by crustal faulting and fractures, with the Bhima fault
being particularly notable for its recurrent seismic activities.
❖ These variations have created diverse relief features in the plateau. The northwestern part of the plateau is
characterized by complex relief forms, including ravines and gorges, with the Chambal, Bhind, and Morena
ravines being well-known examples.
Delhi Ridge
❖ Peninsular plateau rising from the height of 150 m above the river
plains up to an elevation of 600-900 m is the irregular triangle shape.
❖ Peninsular plateau is part of an ancient land mass called Gondwana.
❖ It covers an area of nearly 5 lakh sq.km. It is spread over the states of
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
❖ Delhi ridge in the northwest, (extension of Aravalli's), the Rajmahal
hills in the east, Gir range in the west and the Cardamom hills in the
south constitute the outer extent of the Peninsular plateau.
Based on prominent relief features, the Peninsular Plateau can be divided into three broad groups:
1. The Deccan Plateau
2. The Central Highlands
3. The Northeastern Plateau
The Deccan Plateau
❖ The Deccan Plateau is geographically defined by several mountain ranges: the Western Ghats to the west,
the Eastern Ghats to the east, and the Satpura, Maikal range, and Mahadeo hills to the north.
❖ The Western Ghats, also known locally as the Sahyadri in Maharashtra, the Nilgiri hills in Karnataka and
Tamil Nadu, and the Anaimalai and Cardamom hills in Kerala, are higher and more continuous than the
Eastern Ghats.
❖ The Western Ghats have an average
elevation of about 1,500 meters,
increasing in height from north to
south, with 'Anaimudi' (2,695
meters) in the Anaimalai hills being
the highest peak, followed by
Dodabetta (2,637 meters) in the
Nilgiri hills. Most Peninsular rivers
originate in the Western Ghats.
❖ In contrast, the Eastern Ghats,
consisting of discontinuous and
lower hills, are heavily eroded by
rivers such as the Mahanadi,
Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.
❖ Notable ranges in the Eastern Ghats include the Javadi hills, Palconda range, Nallamala hills, and
Mahendragiri hills. The Eastern and Western Ghats converge at the Nilgiri hills.
The Central Highlands
❖ The Central Highlands are bordered by the Aravalli range
to the west. The Satpura range, composed of a series of
scarped plateaus, forms the southern boundary of the
Central Highlands, with elevations generally between 600-
900 meters above sea level.
❖ These ranges are classic examples of relict mountains,
which are highly eroded and form discontinuous ranges.
The Peninsular Plateau extends as far as Jaisalmer in the
west, where it is covered by sand ridges and barchans
(crescent-shaped sand dunes).
❖ This region has undergone significant metamorphic processes, evidenced by the presence of rocks such as
marble, slate, and gneiss. The Central Highlands generally range in elevation from 700-1,000 meters above
sea level and slope towards the north and northeast.
❖ Most tributaries of the Yamuna River originate in the Vindhyan and Kaimur ranges, with the Banas River
being a significant tributary of the Chambal River, originating from the Aravalli range.
❖ The eastern extension of the Central Highlands is marked by the Rajmahal hills, south of which lies the
mineral-rich Chotanagpur plateau.
The Central Highland of Peninsular India includes several plateaus and hill ranges that lie to the north of
the Deccan Plateau. This region is characterized by its varied topography, rich mineral resources, and
diverse vegetation. Here are the major components of the Central Highland:
1. Malwa Plateau
➢ Location: Lies in western Madhya Pradesh and parts of southeastern Rajasthan.
➢ Elevation: Ranges from 300 to 600 meters above sea level.
➢ Features: Characterized by volcanic origin with black soil (regur) which is ideal for cotton
cultivation. It is drained by the Chambal River and its tributaries.
2. Bundelkhand Plateau
➢ Location: Extends over parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
➢ Elevation: Generally, between 300 to 600 meters above sea level.
➢ Features: Known for its rocky terrain, with granite and gneiss formations. It is less fertile
compared to the Malwa Plateau and faces water scarcity issues.
3. Baghelkhand Plateau
➢ Location: Lies in northeastern Madhya Pradesh and southeastern Uttar Pradesh.
➢ Elevation: Elevation varies, with some parts rising to about 600 meters.
➢ Features: Composed mainly of sedimentary rocks. The Son River, a tributary of the Ganges,
flows through this plateau.
4. Vindhyan Range
➢ Location: Runs across central India, dividing the Indo-Gangetic Plain to the north and the
Deccan Plateau to the south.
➢ Elevation:Generally between 300 to 600 meters, but can rise up to 1,000 meters in some parts.
➢ Features: Made up of ancient sedimentary rocks. This range is significant for its geological
formations and mineral resources.
5. Satpura Range
➢ Location: Runs parallel to the Vindhyan Range, south of the Narmada River, extending across
Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
➢ Elevation: Peaks like Dhupgarh in Madhya Pradesh can rise up to about 1,350 meters.
➢ Features: Composed of volcanic rocks and is rich in forests and wildlife. It forms a natural
barrier between northern and southern India.
6. Chotanagpur Plateau
➢ Location: Spreads across Jharkhand, northern Odisha, and parts of Chhattisgarh and West
Bengal.
➢ Elevation: Ranges from 300 to 1,100 meters, with the highest point being Parasnath Hill.
➢ Features: Known for its rich mineral resources, including coal, iron ore, bauxite, and mica. The
plateau is also known for its dense forests and tribal population.
7. Meghalaya Plateau
➢ Location: Lies in the northeastern part of India, covering most of the state of Meghalaya.
➢ Elevation: Ranges from 1,000 to 2,000 meters, with peaks like Shillong Peak rising to 1,961
meters.
➢ Features: Composed of ancient Precambrian rocks. It is one of the rainiest places on earth, with
significant biodiversity and dense forests.
8. Aravalli Range
➢ Location: Extends from Gujarat in the southwest to Delhi in the northeast.
➢ Elevation: Peaks like Guru Shikhar in Rajasthan rise to about 1,722 meters.
➢ Features: One of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, composed of Proterozoic rocks. It is
rich in minerals and has a significant impact on the climate of the region.
The Northeastern Plateau
❖ The Northeastern Plateau is essentially an extension of the main Peninsular Plateau. The north eastward
movement of the Indian plate during the formation of the Himalayas created a significant fault between the
Rajmahal hills and the Meghalaya plateau.
❖ This depression was subsequently filled by deposits from numerous rivers. Consequently, the Meghalaya and
Karbi Anglong plateaus are now separated from the main Peninsular Block.
❖ The Meghalaya plateau is subdivided
into three regions: the Garo Hills, Khasi
Hills, and Jaintia Hills, named after the
local tribal groups.
❖ The Karbi Anglong hills in Assam are an
extension of this plateau. Like the
Chotanagpur plateau, the Meghalaya
plateau is rich in minerals such as coal,
iron ore, sillimanite, limestone, and
uranium.
❖ This area receives heavy rainfall from the
southwest monsoon, leading to a highly
eroded surface, with Cherrapunji
displaying a bare rocky landscape devoid of permanent vegetation.
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UPPSC 2025
Indian Geography DMP–02
Physical Classification of India Part – 2 – Practice Questions
1. Discuss the key plateaus and ranges of the Central Highlands and explain how their geological features
contribute to the region's economy and environment.
(12 Marks, 200 Words)
How to approach the question:
❖ Introduction: Briefly discuss the central highlands in 20-30 words.
❖ Main Body: Discuss the key plateaus and ranges of the central highlands and how their geological
features contribute to the region's economy and environment in 130-140 words.
❖ Conclusion: Write a conclusion in 20-30 words highlighting the economic and ecological importance
of the Central Highlands.
Answer:
The Central Highlands are a significant geographical region in India, lying north of the Deccan Plateau.
These highlands are bordered by the Aravalli range to the west and the Satpura range to the south. This
region includes several plateaus and ranges, each with distinct geological features, elevations, and natural
resources.
Main Body:
Key Plateaus and Ranges
❖ Malwa Plateau
➢ Located in western Madhya Pradesh and parts of southeastern Rajasthan.
➢ Known for its volcanic origin and black soil suitable for cotton cultivation.
➢ Drained by the Chambal River and its tributaries.
❖ Bundelkhand Plateau
➢ Extends over parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
➢ Features rocky terrain and granite and gneiss formations but suffers from water scarcity.
❖ Baghelkhand Plateau
➢ Lies in northeastern Madhya Pradesh and southeastern Uttar Pradesh.
➢ Composed of sedimentary rocks and drained by the Son River, a tributary of the Ganges.
❖ Vindhyan Range
➢ Divides the Indo-Gangetic Plain to the north and the Deccan Plateau to the south.
➢ Consists of sedimentary rocks and is rich in mineral resources.
❖ Satpura Range
➢ Runs south of the Narmada River, extending across Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and
Chhattisgarh.
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➢ Known for volcanic rocks, rich forests, and wildlife, with peaks like Dhupgarh rising up to 1,350
meters.
❖ Chotanagpur Plateau
➢ Spreads across Jharkhand, northern Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and parts of West Bengal.
➢ Rich in coal, iron ore, bauxite, and mica and is home to dense forests and tribal populations.
❖ Meghalaya Plateau
➢ Located in the northeastern part of India, primarily in Meghalaya.
➢ Characterized by ancient Precambrian rocks and one of the highest rainfall regions on Earth.
❖ Aravalli Range
➢ Extends from Gujarat to Delhi, with peaks like Guru Shikhar rising to 1,722 meters.
➢ One of the oldest mountain ranges, rich in minerals and influencing the region’s climate.
The Central Highlands of Peninsular India play an essential role in the country’s geography, economy, and
natural environment. This region is not only rich in mineral resources but also has a diverse topography
ranging from hills and plateaus to fertile plains. The geological features and natural resources of the Central
Highlands make them vital for agriculture, industry, and biodiversity.
