Physical Features of India — Updated 2025 (Easy Notes)
Quick, exam-friendly notes on the major physical divisions of the Indian subcontinent. This page covers: the Himalayan system, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Coastal Plains, Deserts, Island groups and important passes & peaks — presented in clear headings, cards for revision and tables for easy memorization.
The Indian subcontinent can be divided into the following major physical divisions (commonly used in school & competitive exam syllabi):
- The Great Mountain Wall of the North (The Himalayas)
- The Great Northern Plains (Indo-Gangetic Plains)
- The Great Peninsular Plateau (Deccan & Central Highlands)
- The Coastal Plains (Western & Eastern Coasts)
- The Great Indian Desert (Thar Desert)
- The Island Groups (Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep)
The Himalayas form the highest and most extensive mountain system in the world and act as a massive orographic barrier along India's northern boundary. They run roughly west to east for about ~2500 km and have an average breadth varying between 250–400 km (width varies by region).
The Himalayas are conventionally divided into three parallel ranges (west → east continuity varies):
- Greater Himalayas (Himadri) — the loftiest range (permanent snow & major glaciers). Highest peaks (e.g., Mount Everest) lie in or beyond this zone. Major glaciers and many river origins (e.g., Indus tributaries, headstreams of Ganga) are here.
- Lesser Himalayas (Himachal / Himachal Himalaya) — also called the Himachal or Middle Himalaya; average height ~4000 m; contains important hill-ranges such as Dhaula Dhar and Pir Panjal and famous hill stations (Shimla, Mussoorie, Nainital).
- Outer Himalayas (Shiwaliks) — southernmost low range (avg. height 900–1,200 m), narrower (10–50 km); valleys between Lesser Himalaya & Shiwaliks are called duns (Dehra Dun, Solan Duns etc.).
Key Facts — Himalayas
They protect the subcontinent from cold Central Asian winds, influence monsoon patterns, and are source region for most perennial rivers in North India.
Local Divisions (Approx. lengths)
Punjab Himalaya: ~560 km (Indus–Sutlej) • Kumaon: ~320 km • Nepal Himalaya: ~800 km • Assam Himalaya: ~720 km
| Major Peaks (India & nearby) | Elevation (m) |
|---|---|
| Kanchenjunga | 8,586 |
| Godwin-Austen (K2) — located in Karakoram (Pakistan-administered) | 8,611 |
| Nanga Parbat | 8,126 |
| Nanda Devi | 7,817 |
| Kamet | 7,756 |
| Saser Kangri I | 7,672 |
| Anamudi (Highest of Peninsular India) | 2,695 |
| S. No | Pass | State / Region |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karakoram Pass | Jammu & Kashmir / Ladakh |
| 2 | Zoji La | Ladakh / Kashmir |
| 3 | Pir Panjal Pass | Jammu & Kashmir |
| 4 | Banihal | Jammu & Kashmir |
| 5 | Burzil | Jammu & Kashmir |
| 6 | Shipki La | Himachal Pradesh |
| 7 | Rohtang La | Himachal Pradesh |
| 8 | Mana | Uttarakhand |
| 9 | Niti | Uttarakhand |
| 10 | Nathu La | Sikkim |
| 11 | Jelep La | Sikkim |
| 12 | Bomdi La | Arunachal Pradesh |
| 13 | Tuju (Tiu) | Manipur |
| 14 | Lipulekh | Uttarakhand |
Formed by the depositional work of the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems, these plains are one of the most extensive and agriculturally productive plains in the world. They have a gentle slope from northwest to southeast and are highly fertile due to alluvial deposits.
The plains are often divided into three major regions for convenience:
- The Punjab Plains — part of Indus basin (western part).
- The Ganga Plains — central part with major tributaries like Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi and Yamuna (important tributary).
- The Brahmaputra Valley — easternmost, large floodplains and river terraces.
Features & Agriculture
Deep alluvium, high water table, intensive agriculture (rice, wheat, sugarcane). Monsoon floods affect large tracts.
Floods & Deltas
Lower Ganga-Brahmaputra region forms the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta — one of the largest deltas in the world (shared with Bangladesh).
The Peninsular plateau is an ancient landmass formed of crystalline and metamorphic rocks. In general it rises from the surrounding plains at heights from 150 m up to 600–900 m (on average). It is often described as a series of plateaus: the Deccan Plateau, the Central Highlands, and the Northeastern (or Eastern) Plateaus.
The Deccan Plateau
Bounded by the Western Ghats (west) and Eastern Ghats (east). It is largely basaltic (Deccan Trap in the west-central India) and drained by rivers like Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri and Mahanadi which form large deltas.
Central Highlands & Northeastern Plateaus
Central Highlands lie between Aravalli and Vindhya–Satpura systems; northeastern plateaus include Chotanagpur and surrounding uplands rich in minerals.
Anamudi — Highest of Peninsular India
Anamudi in the Western Ghats (Kerala) at 2,695 m is the highest peak in peninsular India. The Western Ghats have greater continuity and elevation than the Eastern Ghats.
Western Ghats (Sahyadri)
Run from Tapi valley to near Kanyakumari (~1,600 km). They rise abruptly from the west coast and form a continuous escarpment. Important for rainfall, biodiversity & rivers cutting through create waterfalls.
Eastern Ghats
Discontinuous, lower hills — eroded by major east-flowing rivers (Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri). Important ranges: Nallamala, Javadi, Velikonda, Mahendragiri.
Located mainly in western Rajasthan and extending into Pakistan (Sindh), this arid region is characterized by sandy soils, sparse vegetation and ephemeral rivers. Rivers like the Luni are important; much of the desert lies in the rain shadow of the Aravalli range.
India’s coastal plains are narrow to broad strips along the Arabian Sea (west) and Bay of Bengal (east). They are formed by river deposits, coastal processes and tectonic settings.
Western Coastal Plain
Between the Western Ghats and Arabian Sea; stretches from Gujarat to Kanyakumari. Includes the Konkan (north of Goa) and Malabar (south) coasts.
Eastern Coastal Plain
Broader plain from West Bengal to Tamil Nadu. Contains the deltas of Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna & Kaveri — important agricultural & port regions.
| Port | Location / Notes |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | Major commercial & financial maritime hub |
| Kandla (Deendayal Port) | Important for western dry bulk & container traffic |
| Kolkata–Haldia | Riverine access to eastern India |
| Chennai | Major east coast port (historical & container) |
| Visakhapatnam | Deep natural harbour; significant for eastern seaboard |
| Cochin | Important transshipment & naval presence |
| Marmagao | South-west India; iron ore & cargo |
| Tuticorin (V.O. Chidambaranar) | Major southern port & cargo hub |
| Paradip | Major for iron-ore & export to East Asia |
Lakshadweep: A group of 36 coral islands in the Arabian Sea, about 300 km off the Kerala coast — low-lying, coral atoll formation.
Andaman & Nicobar: An archipelago of roughly 572 islands in the Bay of Bengal — larger, geologically varied (both hills & beaches), strategic location close to Strait of Malacca.
Himalayas
Three parallel ranges — Himadri, Himachal, Shiwaliks; source of major rivers; protect climate & biodiversity.
Northern Plains
Alluvial plains from Indus–Ganga–Brahmaputra — fertile, densely populated, prone to floods.
Peninsular Plateau
Old crystalline rocks, plateaus (Deccan, Central, Northeastern), mineral-rich regions.
Coasts & Islands
Eastern (broad) and Western (narrow) coastal plains; Lakshadweep & Andaman-Nicobar islands.
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