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Physical Geography of India

IBPS Clerk · General Awareness

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Core Concept

Read this first — the foundation of the topic

→India's Location and Size

India lies entirely in the Northern Hemisphere between 8°4'N to 37°6'N latitude and 68°7'E to 97°25'E longitude. The Tropic of Cancer (23°30'N) passes through the middle of India. Total area is 32.87 lakh sq km, making India the 7th largest country globally

→Physiographic Divisions

India has 6 major physical divisions - The Himalayas, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Indian Desert, Coastal Plains, and Islands. Each division has distinct characteristics that are frequently tested

💡Key Formulas and Measurements

- India's latitudinal extent = 37°6' - 8°4' = 28°2' = approximately 3214 km - India's longitudinal extent = 97°25' - 68°7' = 29°18' = approximately 2933 km - Standard Time calculation: 82.5°E longitude = IST (Indian Standard Time)

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Exam Patterns

What examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs

⚡Shortcut Trick - HIMALAYAN acronym for Northern mountain ranges

1

Convert to decimal = 29.3°

2

At India's latitude (average 23°N), use formula: Distance = 29.3 × 111 × cos(23°)

3

cos(23°) ≈ 0.92

4

Distance = 29.3 × 111 × 0.92 = 2,993 km (approximately 2933 km actual) Worked Example 2: Which physiographic division covers the maximum area of India?

1

List all divisions with approximate percentages

2

Peninsular Plateau = 16 lakh sq km = 48.7% of total area

3

Northern Plains = 7 lakh sq km = 21.3%

4

Himalayas = 5 lakh sq km = 15.2% Answer: Peninsular Plateau covers maximum area Drainage Pattern Shortcut: Remember BRAHMAPUTRA formula for major rivers: B - Brahmaputra (longest in India), R - Rivers flow east-west in peninsular, A - Arabian Sea rivers are short, H - Himalayan rivers are perennial, M - Monsoon-fed peninsular rivers, A - Antecedent drainage in Himalayas, P - Peninsular rivers are seasonal, U - Upper reaches have gorges, T - Tributaries join at right angles, R - Radial drainage from Western Ghats, A - Alluvial deposits in plains Climate Zones: India has 6 major climatic regions based on Koppen classification. The monsoon system dominates with 4 seasons - Winter, Summer, Southwest Monsoon, and Northeast Monsoon

→Most Common Trap

Students confuse between Western and Eastern Ghats characteristics. Western Ghats are higher (average 1200m), continuous, and face Arabian Sea. Eastern Ghats are lower (average 600m), discontinuous, and face Bay of Bengal. Many questions specifically test this distinction

→Coastal Features

India has 7516 km coastline. Western coast is submergent with natural harbors. Eastern coast is emergent with deltas and lagoons. This difference explains port locations and economic activities

→Island Geography

India has 247 islands total. Andaman-Nicobar (572 islands) in Bay of Bengal are volcanic in origin. Lakshadweep (36 islands) in Arabian Sea are coral origin. Remember the number game - these figures appear directly in questions.

🔑 Key Points

India extends from 8°4'N to 37°6'N latitude and 68°7'E to 97°25'E longitude
Tropic of Cancer (23°30'N) passes through 8 Indian states
Formula: India's area = 32.87 lakh sq km = 2.4% of world's land area
Peninsular Plateau covers maximum area (48.7%) among physiographic divisions
K2 (8611m) is highest peak in India, Kanyakumari is southernmost point
Standard Meridian 82.5°E determines Indian Standard Time (IST)
Western Ghats: continuous, higher (1200m avg), submergent coast
Eastern Ghats: discontinuous, lower (600m avg), emergent coast
Coastline length = 7516 km with 9 coastal states and 4 Union Territories
Formula: Andaman-Nicobar = 572 islands (volcanic), Lakshadweep = 36 islands (coral)

📌 Exam Facts

Kanchenjunga (8598m) is the highest peak completely within India
Indira Point in Nicobar Islands is India's southernmost point at 6°45'N
India shares 15,106 km land border with 7 countries
Gurushikhar (1722m) in Aravalli is the highest peak in Rajasthan
Chilika Lake in Odisha is India's largest coastal lagoon
Deccan Plateau average elevation is 600-900 meters above sea level
Thar Desert receives less than 150mm annual rainfall
India has 247 islands with total area of 8249 sq km

🚀 60-Second Revision

Remember: Tropic of Cancer passes through 8 states - Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, Mizoram
Formula: IST = UTC + 5:30 hours based on 82.5°E longitude
Trap: Western Ghats are HIGHER and CONTINUOUS, Eastern Ghats are LOWER and BROKEN
Quick fact: Peninsular Plateau = largest physiographic division (48.7% area)
Remember: India's mainland extends from Kashmir to Kanyakumari = 3214 km
Island trick: Andaman-Nicobar = BAY of Bengal = BIGGER (572 islands)
Border formula: Pakistan-China-Nepal-Bhutan-Bangladesh-Myanmar-Afghanistan = 7 neighbors

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