Physical Division of India
(Complete Geography Notes – Home Academy)
1. Meaning of Physical Division
The Physical Division of India refers to the classification of India into distinct physiographic regions based on relief, structure, geological history, drainage, climate, and natural vegetation.
👉 India is divided into six major physical divisions.
2. Major Physical Divisions of India (Standard Classification)
- Himalayan Mountains
- Northern Plains
- Peninsular Plateau
- Indian Desert
- Coastal Plains
- Islands
👉 This classification is most accepted by NCERT & UPSC.
3. The Himalayan Mountain System
(Young Fold Mountains)
Origin
• Formed due to collision of Indian Plate with Eurasian Plate
• Age: Tertiary Period
• Still geologically active
Longitudinal Divisions of Himalayas
| Division | Also Known As | Height | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trans-Himalayas | Karakoram, Ladakh, Zaskar | Highest | Mt. K2, cold desert |
| Greater Himalayas | Himadri | Highest peaks | Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga |
| Lesser Himalayas | Himachal | Moderate | Valleys like Kashmir |
| Outer Himalayas | Shiwalik | Lowest | Foothills, loose sediments |
👉 Kanchenjunga (8586 m) – Highest peak in India.
Regional Division (West to East)
• Punjab Himalayas
• Kumaon Himalayas
• Nepal Himalayas
• Assam Himalayas
Importance of Himalayas
• Climatic barrier
• Source of perennial rivers
• Natural defense
• Rich biodiversity
👉 UPSC Favourite: Himalayas block cold Central Asian winds.
4. The Northern Plains
(Alluvial Plains)
Formation
• Formed by Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra river systems
• Composed of alluvium
Sub-Divisions
(A) Punjab Plains
• Indus & tributaries
• Fertile region
(B) Ganga Plains
• Largest plain
• Highly populated
(C) Brahmaputra Plains
• Flood-prone
• Assam region
Relief Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Bhabar | Pebbly belt near foothills |
| Terai | Marshy, forested |
| Bhangar | Old alluvium |
| Khadar | New alluvium |
👉 Khadar is most fertile (exam favourite).
Difference between Bhabar, Terai, Bhangar and Khadar
(Northern Plains – Physical Division of India)
| Basis of Comparison | Bhabar | Terai | Bhangar | Khadar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Pebbly belt | Marshy lowland | Old alluvium plain | New alluvium plain |
| Location | Along the foothills of Himalayas | South of Bhabar belt | Above floodplains | Along river floodplains |
| Width | 8–16 km | Wider than Bhabar | Large area | Narrow strips |
| Soil Type | Coarse pebbles & gravel | Fine alluvium & clay | Old alluvial soil | Fresh alluvial soil |
| Fertility | Poor | Very fertile | Moderately fertile | Highly fertile |
| Water Availability | Rivers disappear underground | Rivers re-emerge | Less frequent floods | Flooded every year |
| Vegetation | Sparse | Dense forests & grasses | Cultivated land | Intensive agriculture |
| Flood Impact | No floods | Flood-prone | Rare floods | Frequent floods |
| Agricultural Use | Least suitable | Converted to farmland | Suitable | Most suitable |
| Exam Importance | River disappearance zone | Marshy belt | Old deposits | New deposits |
Key Concepts (High-Scoring)
• Bhabar → River sinks
• Terai → River reappears
• Bhangar → Old, less fertile
• Khadar → New, most fertile
👉 Khadar is called the “food bowl” area of the plains
PYQ-Type MCQs
Which region is flooded almost every year?→ Khadar
Rivers disappear underground in which region?
→ Bhabar
Which region consists of old alluvium?
→ Bhangar
Dense forests and marshy land are characteristics of:
→ Terai
5. Peninsular Plateau
(Oldest landmass of India)
Geological Origin
• Part of Gondwanaland
• Rich in minerals
Major Divisions
(A) Central Highlands
• Malwa Plateau
• Bundelkhand
• Baghelkhand
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Malwa Plateau | Bundelkhand | Baghelkhand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Western MP | UP & MP | Eastern MP & UP |
| Soil | Black cotton | Shallow & rocky | Red & yellow |
| Rivers | Chambal, Betwa | Ken, Betwa | Son, Tons |
| Fertility | High | Low | Moderate |
| Climate | Moderate | Semi-arid | Moderate |
(B) Deccan Plateau
• Triangular shape
• Lava origin (Basalt)
Mountain Ranges
| Range | Direction |
|---|---|
| Aravalli | Oldest fold mountains |
| Western Ghats | Continuous |
| Eastern Ghats | Discontinuous |
👉 Western Ghats are higher than Eastern Ghats.
Plateau Significance
• Mineral resources
• Hydroelectric power
• Black soil (cotton)
6. The Indian Desert (Thar Desert)
Location
• Western Rajasthan
• Extends into Pakistan
Features
• Arid climate
• Sand dunes (Barchans)
• Sparse vegetation
👉 Luni River – Only long river, flows to Arabian Sea.
Recent Development
• Indira Gandhi Canal has increased agriculture.
7. Coastal Plains of India
Western Coastal Plains
• Narrow
• Divided into:
– Konkan
– Kannad
– Malabar
👉 Western coast has estuaries.
Eastern Coastal Plains
• Broad
• Divided into:
– Northern Circars
– Coromandel Coast
👉 Eastern coast has deltas (Mahanadi, Godavari).
Difference between Western Coastal Plains and Eastern Coastal Plains
(Physical Division of India – Exam Focus)
| Basis of Comparison | Western Coastal Plains | Eastern Coastal Plains |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Between Western Ghats and Arabian Sea | Between Eastern Ghats and Bay of Bengal |
| Width | Narrow (average 50–80 km) | Broad (average 100–120 km) |
| Relief | Steep slope | Gentle slope |
| Coast Type | Submergent coast | Emergent coast |
| Rivers | Short, swift-flowing rivers | Long rivers |
| River Mouths | Estuaries common | Deltas common |
| Sediment Deposition | Less deposition | Heavy deposition |
| Continental Shelf | Narrow | Wide |
| Natural Harbours | Many good natural harbours (Mumbai, Kochi) | Few natural harbours |
| Agricultural Land | Limited due to narrow plains | Extensive fertile land |
| Rainfall | Heavy rainfall due to Western Ghats | Comparatively less rainfall |
| Cyclone Impact | Rare | Frequent cyclones |
| Tidal Activity | Less prominent | More prominent |
| Economic Activity | Fishing, ports, spice trade | Agriculture, ports, industries |
Sub-Divisions
Western Coastal Plains
• Konkan Coast – Maharashtra & Goa
• Kannad Coast – Karnataka
• Malabar Coast – Kerala
Eastern Coastal Plains
• Northern Circars – Odisha & Andhra Pradesh
• Coromandel Coast – Tamil Nadu
👉 PYQ Favourite: Match the coast with its subdivision.
River Pattern (Conceptual Clarity)
• Western rivers: Perennial, fast-flowing, short course
• Eastern rivers: Long course, slow-flowing near mouth
Delta vs Estuary
• Delta: Formed when river deposits sediments (Eastern Coast)
• Estuary: Tidal river mouth, no deposition (Western Coast)
Exam Highlights (Must Remember)
✔ Western Coastal Plains → Estuaries + Natural harbours
✔ Eastern Coastal Plains → Deltas + Cyclones
✔ Western Ghats → Continuous
✔ Eastern Ghats → Discontinuous
MCQs
Which coast of India is known for estuaries?→ Western Coastal Plains
The Coromandel Coast is part of which coastal plain?
→ Eastern Coastal Plains
Which coast is more prone to cyclones?
→ Eastern Coastal Plains
Mumbai port lies on which coast?
→ Western Coastal Plains
8. Island Groups of India
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Composition
• Total 572 islands
• Two groups: Andaman Islands (north) and Nicobar Islands (south)
• Only 38 islands inhabited
Capital
• Port Blair
Volcanic Feature
• Barren Island – India’s only active volcano
• Narcondam Island – dormant volcano
Highest Peak
• Saddle Peak (732 m) – North Andaman
Strategic Importance
• Located near Malacca Strait
• Controls major international sea routes
• Hosts Andaman & Nicobar Command (India’s only tri-service command)
Important Channels
• Ten Degree Channel – separates Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Duncan Passage – between South Andaman & Little Andaman
• Six Degree Channel – separates Nicobar Islands from Indonesia
Lakshadweep Islands
Composition
• Group of 36 small islands
• Includes atolls, reefs and sandbanks
• Only 10 islands are inhabited
Capital
• Kavaratti
Volcanic Feature
• No volcanic origin
• Islands are of coral origin (formed from coral polyps)
Highest Point
• Andrott Island (highest natural elevation)
• Very low height above sea level (about 5 metres)
Strategic Importance
• Located in the Arabian Sea
• Close to major sea routes between Europe, Africa and Asia
• Important for India’s maritime security and EEZ
Important Channels
• Nine Degree Channel – separates Lakshadweep from the Indian mainland
• Eight Degree Channel – separates Minicoy Island from rest of Lakshadweep
• Arabian Sea lies to the West
9. Drainage and Physical Division Link
• Himalayas → Perennial rivers
• Plateau → Seasonal rivers
• Coastal plains → Delta/Estuary formation
10. Climatic Influence of Physical Divisions
• Himalayas affect monsoon
• Plateau affects rainfall pattern
• Desert causes low rainfall
11. Soil Distribution (Linked to Physical Divisions)
| Soil | Region |
|---|---|
| Alluvial | Northern Plains |
| Black | Deccan Plateau |
| Red | Peninsular Plateau |
| Desert | Thar |
| Laterite | Western Ghats |
12. PYQ-Type MCQs (Exam Focus)
Which is the oldest landmass of India?→ Peninsular Plateau
Which region is called “storehouse of minerals”?
→ Peninsular Plateau
Bhabar region is found in:
→ Himalayan foothills
Highest peak in India?
→ Kanchenjunga
Which coast has deltas?
→ Eastern Coastal Plains
13. One-Page Revision Points (High Yield)
• India has six physical divisions
• Himalayas = young fold mountains
• Plains = alluvial & fertile
• Plateau = mineral rich
• Desert = arid region
• Coasts = trade & ports
• Islands = strategic importance
MCQ questions on the Physical Division of India
The Himalayan mountain system is divided into three parallel ranges. Which of the following is the northernmost range?
A. Himachal Himalaya
B. Shiwalik Range
C. Greater Himalaya
D. Purvanchal
Correct Answer: C. Greater Himalaya
(PYQ – UPSC)Which physical division of India is geologically the oldest?
A. Himalayan Mountains
B. Northern Plains
C. Peninsular Plateau
D. Coastal Plains
Correct Answer: C. Peninsular Plateau
(PYQ – SSC)The Northern Plains of India have been formed mainly by the deposits of which rivers?
A. Narmada, Tapi and Mahi
B. Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri
C. Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra
D. Luni and Sabarmati
Correct Answer: C. Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra
(PYQ – JKSSB)Which of the following regions is known as the pebble-studded belt lying at the foothills of the Himalayas?
A. Terai
B. Bhabar
C. Khadar
D. Bhangar
Correct Answer: B. Bhabar
(PYQ – SSC)The Terai region is characterized by which of the following features?
A. Sandy soil and low rainfall
B. Rocky terrain and sparse vegetation
C. Marshy land with dense forests
D. Black soil and cotton cultivation
Correct Answer: C. Marshy land with dense forests
(PYQ – UPSC)Which plateau is formed by lava flows and is also known as the basalt plateau?
A. Malwa Plateau
B. Chota Nagpur Plateau
C. Deccan Plateau
D. Bundelkhand Plateau
Correct Answer: C. Deccan Plateau
(PYQ – UPSC)The soil found in the Deccan Plateau is mainly:
A. Alluvial soil
B. Red soil
C. Laterite soil
D. Black soil
Correct Answer: D. Black soil
(PYQ – SSC)The Western Coastal Plains of India are wider in the south and narrower in the north. This is mainly due to:
A. Strong tidal action
B. Presence of estuaries
C. Western Ghats running close to the coast
D. Coral reef formation
Correct Answer: C. Western Ghats running close to the coast
(PYQ – UPSC)Which of the following rivers forms a delta on the Eastern Coastal Plains?
A. Narmada
B. Tapi
C. Mahi
D. Godavari
Correct Answer: D. Godavari
(PYQ – SSC)The Malwa Plateau is drained mainly by which river?
A. Chambal
B. Betwa
C. Narmada
D. Son
Correct Answer: C. Narmada
(PYQ – JKSSB)The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are separated by which channel?
A. Nine Degree Channel
B. Eight Degree Channel
C. Ten Degree Channel
D. Six Degree Channel
Correct Answer: C. Ten Degree Channel
(PYQ – UPSC)India’s only active volcano is located in:
A. Nicobar Island
B. Barren Island
C. Minicoy Island
D. Andrott Island
Correct Answer: B. Barren Island
(PYQ – UPSC)Lakshadweep Islands are formed mainly due to:
A. Volcanic eruptions
B. Tectonic uplift
C. Coral deposition
D. River deposition
Correct Answer: C. Coral deposition
(PYQ – SSC)Which physical division of India is most prone to earthquakes?
A. Peninsular Plateau
B. Northern Plains
C. Himalayan Region
D. Coastal Plains
Correct Answer: C. Himalayan Region
(PYQ – UPSC)The Khadar soil of the Northern Plains is known for:
A. Low fertility
B. Old alluvial deposits
C. New alluvial deposits and high fertility
D. Saline nature
Correct Answer: C. New alluvial deposits and high fertility
(PYQ – SSCC)