WHAT THIS VIDEO COVERS

GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF
INDIA (ROCK SYSTEM) Many details regarding
this topic has been
(Based on NCERT (Geography) + discussed in Video
Lecture available on

Value Addition) You Tube Channel:

Civil Services with
Neelesh, Kindly go
through the video
LECTURE before reading this pdf
NUMBER - 4 to get extra
information.

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 COVERAGE AND SOURCE
a) D.R. KHULLAR INDIAN GEOGRAPHY
(CH- INDIA’S GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE
& ROCK STRUCTURE)
+
(Various Standard Sources/Govt.
Websites/Survey of India/PIB)
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Q. What is the correct chronological sequence of the following periods' in
the Earth's geological timescale? (UPSC CBI - 2024)
1)Cambrian
2)Carboniferous
3)Cretaceous
4)Devonian

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a)1-4-2-3
(b)1-2-4-3
(c)1-2-3-4
(d)2-1-3-4

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 India’s Geological Structure
India's rock structure is an amalgamation of diverse geological formations, representing
various geological time periods.
These include igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, which are the result of
tectonic activities, erosion, and deposition over billions of years.
The history of Peninsular India begins with original solid crustal surface that was primitive
consisting of cratonic rocks which then led to accretion of continent.
The surface was then exposed to forces of denudation causing accumulation or
sedimentation in ancient geosyncline.

There was presence of 5 ancient geosynclines.

1. Dharawar
2. Aravalli
3. Eastern Ghats
4. Delhi Geosynclines
5. Satpura
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 Archean Era (Oldest Era)
Archean Rocks - Dharawar System
Age: More than 2.5 billion years old. (Precambrian era)
Composition:
Granite, gneiss, and schists.
Locations: Dharwar, Singhbhum, Bundelkhand, and Aravalli Cratons.
Significance:
Rich in minerals like gold, iron, and manganese.

Distribution:
The Dharwar rocks are found predominantly in:
1. Karnataka: Dharwar, Bellary, and Shimoga districts.
2. Tamil Nadu: Parts of the Nilgiri Hills.
3. Odisha: Singhbhum region.
4. Jharkhand: Ranchi and Singhbhum districts.
5. Madhya Pradesh: Bundelkhand region.
6. Rajasthan: Aravalli Hills.
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Archean Rock
System

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 Key Features:
Represents the earliest phase of Earth's history.
Formation of the Earth's crust and oldest rocks, including granite, gneiss, and schist.
These rocks are unfossiliferrous, metallic and defined foliated structure.
The rocks are highly eroded, exposing mineral-rich layers.
The Dharwar System is highly significant due to its mineral wealth:
Iron Ore:
Found in Singhbhum (Jharkhand), Bellary (Karnataka), and Bastar (Chhattisgarh)
Kudremukh and Bailadila.
Gold:
Found in the Kolar Gold Fields and Hutti Mines in Karnataka.
Manganese:
Deposits in Karnataka and Odisha.
Copper:
Found in the Singhbhum and Balaghat regions.
Other Minerals:
Mica, asbestos, and chromite.
Limestone, gemstone (Aravallis)

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 Puranas (Proterozoic Era)
Age: 2.5 billion to 541 million years ago.
Composition:
Sandstones, limestones, and shales.
Locations: Vindhyan, Cuddapah, and Delhi Basins.
The closing of Dharwar witness earth movement causing
folding of Aravallis.
Erosion in old rocks (Dharawar) led to the infilling of
geosynclines.

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 Cuddapah Rock System
Formation: Sedimentary rocks formed in shallow basins.
Location:
Predominantly in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana (Cuddapah
Basin).
Minor occurrences in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Composition:
Quartzites, sandstones, limestones, and shales.
Features:
Fossilized stromatolites indicate early life.
Contains unmetamorphosed sedimentary rocks with minor
volcanic intrusions.
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Cuddapah Rock
System

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 Vindhyan Rock System
Formation: Deposits formed by sedimentation in an intra-cratonic basin.
Most of the Vindhyan rocks have got buried under Deccan Lava (Cretaceous Period).
Sandstone, limestone have retained their original layering except in Aravallis.
Rock of Vindhyas show ripple marks that could have been formed by tectonic activities toward
the north of Indian Plate.
Location:
Central India, covering parts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar.
Vindhyan Basin forms a crescent shape.
Composition:
Sandstones, shales, limestones, conglomerates.
Features:
Horizontal strata with limited metamorphism.
Fossils are rare but significant for studies on early life.
Economic Importance:
Rich in limestone, sandstone, and diamonds (e.g., Panna mines in Madhya Pradesh).
Important building stones and raw materials for cement.
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Vindhyan Rock
System

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 Dravidian (Paleozoic Era)
Time Period: ~541 to 252 million years ago (Cambrian to lower Carboniferous).
Most of the Cambrian formations are absent in Peninsular Plateau because of outpouring
of Lava during Cretaceous period.
Key Features:
Represents the sedimentary deposition phase during the Paleozoic era.
Rocks formed during this period include quartzites, shales, and slates.
Regions:
Found in parts of the Himalayas (Pir Panjal range & Spiti valley), peninsular India, and
Vindhyan ranges.
Mineral Resources:
Coal deposits in the Gondwana regions like Damodar Valley, Mahanadi Basin and Son
Valley.
Fossil Record:
Appearance of marine invertebrates and first plants in some regions.

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 Dravidian
Rock System

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 Aryan (Mesozoic and Cenozoic Era)
Time Period: ~252 million years ago to the present
(Upper Carboniferous to Present times)
It is considered to be most eventful because of Atlantic
expansion, formation of geosyncline & Tethys Sea,
volcanic outburst etc.
Key Features:
Represents younger geological formations.
Petroleum in the Assam-Arakan Basin and Mumbai High.
Fossil fuels like lignite and coal.

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Aryan Rock System

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 Divided into:
1.Gondawana System
Stratified sedimentary rocks are found exhibiting climatic changes especially ice-ages.
The system is represented in Damodar valley, Mahanadi, Godavari & Kutch region.
2.Upper Carboniferous to Permian
There were 2 main geological events
I.Shallowing of Spiti Valley
II.Outpouring of Lava in rock system of Kashmir and Shimla
3.Mesozoic Era (252–66 million years ago):
Formation of the Deccan Traps due to volcanic eruptions.
Deccan Traps
Age: ~65 million years ago (Cretaceous-Palaeocene period).
Composition:
Basaltic is the major rock along with Gabro from volcanic activity.
Locations:
Middle Trap: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh (Malwa).
Lower Trap: Extended towards Southern India i.e. TN & Northern Karnataka
Significance:
Fertile black soil (regur) for agriculture.
Dinosaur fossils found in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
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 4. Cenozoic Era (66 million years ago to present):

Upliftment of the Himalayas due to the collision of

the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate.
Rocks are highly fossiliferous.
Formation of the Indo-Gangetic Plain by sediment
deposition.
Formation of Malda gap & upliftment of Potwar
Plateau (present day Pakistan near Punjab region)

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Economic Importance of Rocks(Mains Specific)
1. Mineral Resources:
Archean rocks: Gold, iron ore, manganese.
Vindhyan rocks: Limestone and building stones.
Gondwana rocks: Coal.
2. Agriculture:
Deccan Traps: Black soil for cotton cultivation.
Indo-Gangetic Plains: Alluvial soils for wheat, rice, and sugarcane.
3. Construction:
Granite and marble for monuments and buildings.
Sandstone and limestone for construction and cement
production.

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PYQs
Q. Which of the following is the oldest rock system in India? (UPPSC - 2016)
(a)Vindhyan
(b)Dharwar
(c)Gondawana
(d)Cuddapah

Q. Which of the following statements is correct? (69th BPSC 2023)

(a) Natural gas is found in Dharawar rock formation.
(b) Mica is found in Kodarma.
(c) Cuddapah series is famous for diamonds.
(d) Petroleum reserves are found in Aravalli hills.

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 Q. Consider the following statements: (HCS 2023)
1. The Archaean rock system is the oldest rock system of India.
2. The most common Achaean rock is gneiss.
3. The Dharwar system belongs to the later part of Achaean system.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(a) 1 & 2
(b) 1 & 3
(c) All of the above
(d) 1 Only

Q. Which of the following statements is/are correct? (UPPCS-J 2023)

1. Natural gas occurs in Gondwana Beds
2. Mica occurs in abundance in Kodarma
3. Dharwar rocks are famous for petroleum.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) Only 1 & 2
(b) Only 1 & 3
(c) Only 2 & 3
(d) Only 2

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Q. Which one among the following statements regarding India's coal is not correct? (UPSC CDS I
2012)
A. 98 percent of reserves of coal in India belongs to Gondwana period
B. Unknown amount of coal lies buried under the Ganga alluvium and the Deccan Trap
C. Bituminous coal is found in both lower Gondwana rocks and in Tertiary rocks
D. Gondwana coal is mainly found in the river valleys of Damodar, Mahanadi and Godavari
Options:
I.A
II.B
III.C
IV.D

Q. Which of the following statements relating to Dharwar geological system are correct? (UPSC CAPF 2016)
1. They belong to Archaean geological period
2. They are metamorphosed sedimentary rocks
3. They are of great economic importance for its mineral resources
4. They are found predominantly in Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Odisha and Jharkhand
Choose the correct option
(a) 1, 2, 3, 4
(b) 2, 3, 4
(c) 3, 4
(d) 1, 2
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 Q. Which one of the following is the appropriate reason to
considering the Gondwana rocks as most important of rock
systems of India? (UPSC CSE 2010)

(a) More than 90% of limestone reserves of India are found in

them.
(b) More than 90% of India’s coal reserves are found in them.
(c) More than 90% of fertile black cotton soils are spread over
them.
(d) None of the reasons given above is appropriate in this
context

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 Practice Question

Q. Which one of the following is the correct order of formation of geological

systems in India in terms of their age? (Starting with the oldest) (UPSC CAPF
2016)
(a) Dharawars-Aravallis-Vindhyans-Cuddapah
(b) Aravallis- Dharawars - Cuddapah -Vindhyans
Answer this in the
(c) Vindhyans- Dharawars - Aravallis- Cuddapah
(d) Cuddapah -Vindhyans- Dharawars - Aravallis comment section

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 In the next Video, we will cover
MOUNTAIN SYSTEM OF INDIA (HIMALAYAS)
TRANS HIMALAYAS
GREATER HIMALAYAS
MIDDLE HIMALAYAS
SHIWALIKS

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