Indian Geography Complete Notes
7 min read
Feb 18, 2026
Geography used to be the "safe skip" for many UPSC aspirants. Not anymore.
In recent years, Indian Geography questions in Prelims have climbed from around 8 questions to 16+ in a single paper — a shift significant enough to change rank outcomes. Yet most aspirants still don't have a dedicated, structured set of notes for it. This post fixes that.
Whether you're just starting out or doing a focused revision, these notes are built around what the UPSC actually tests.
Why Indian Geography Deserves a Dedicated Strategy
The UPSC doesn't test geography in isolation. A question on the Western Ghats might link to biodiversity, one on river systems to flood disasters, and one on soils to agricultural output. Geography is the connective tissue of the GS paper.
With 16 questions now possible from this section, getting 10+ right here can meaningfully separate you from the crowd. The good news: geography is highly map-based and factual, which makes it one of the more reliably scorable areas once you've done focused preparation.
Part 1: Physical Geography of India
Physiographic Divisions
India is divided into six major physiographic zones:
- The Himalayan Mountains — Three parallel ranges: Greater Himalayas (Himadri), Lesser Himalayas (Himachal), and Outer Himalayas (Shivaliks). Key passes: Zoji La, Shipki La, Nathu La.
- The Northern Plains — Formed by Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra alluvium. Divided into Bhabar, Terai, Bhangar, and Khadar zones — each ecologically distinct.
- The Peninsular Plateau — Oldest landmass; made of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Includes the Deccan Trap, Chota Nagpur Plateau, and Malwa Plateau.
- The Coastal Plains — Western coast (narrow, rocky) vs. Eastern coast (wider, deltaic). Key deltas: Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri.
- The Thar Desert — Arid zone of Rajasthan; receives less than 25 cm annual rainfall.
- The Islands — Andaman & Nicobar (Bay of Bengal, volcanic origin) vs. Lakshadweep (Arabian Sea, coral origin).
Drainage Systems
| System | Type | Key Rivers |
|---|---|---|
| Himalayan Rivers | Perennial (glacier + rain-fed) | Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus |
| Peninsular Rivers | Seasonal (rain-fed) | Godavari, Krishna, Narmada, Tapti |
Note: Narmada and Tapti flow westward through rift valleys — a frequent UPSC trick question.
Part 2: Climate of India
India has a monsoon-dominated climate but with significant regional variation.
Factors Influencing India's Climate:
- Latitude and the Tropic of Cancer
- Distance from the sea (continentality)
- Relief (Western Ghats block Arabian Sea monsoon)
- Upper air circulation — the jet streams play a critical role in monsoon onset and withdrawal
The Indian Monsoon — Key Exam Points:
- Southwest Monsoon (June–September): Splits into Arabian Sea branch and Bay of Bengal branch
- Mawsynram (Meghalaya) receives the highest rainfall in the world due to orographic lift
- Rain Shadow Areas: Leeward side of Western Ghats — includes parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra
- Northeast Monsoon (October–December): Brings rain to Tamil Nadu's Coromandel coast
Climate Types (Köppen-based mapping often appears indirectly):
- Tropical Rainforest: Andaman, Western Ghats
- Semi-Arid/Arid: Rajasthan
- Alpine/Tundra: Upper Himalayas
Part 3: Soils of India
The UPSC frequently tests soil types in relation to crops and states.
| Soil Type | Key States | Suitable Crops |
|---|---|---|
| Alluvial | UP, Punjab, Bihar | Wheat, Rice, Sugarcane |
| Black (Regur) | Maharashtra, MP, Gujarat | Cotton |
| Red & Yellow | Odisha, Jharkhand, AP | Millets, Pulses |
| Laterite | Kerala, Karnataka, NE India | Tea, Coffee, Cashew |
| Arid/Desert | Rajasthan | Drought-resistant crops |
| Forest Soil | Himalayan belt | Fruits, Spices |
Quick fact: Black soils are self-ploughing — they shrink and crack in dry season, and swell when wet, incorporating organic matter naturally.
Part 4: Natural Vegetation and Forests
India has seven major forest types (as classified by Champion and Seth), but for UPSC purposes, focus on:
- Tropical Evergreen: Andaman, NE India, Western Ghats — dense, no leafless season
- Tropical Deciduous (Monsoon Forests): Most widespread; teak, sal, bamboo
- Mangroves: Sundarbans (largest), Bhitarkanika, Gulf of Kutch — highly exam-relevant
- Alpine Vegetation: Found above 3,600 m in Himalayas
India's forest cover is tracked by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) biannually. Recent reports often appear in Prelims.
Part 5: Economic Geography — Agriculture, Minerals, and Industries
Major Agricultural Zones:
- Green Revolution belt: Punjab, Haryana, Western UP
- Plantation crops: Tea (Assam, Darjeeling), Coffee (Coorg), Rubber (Kerala)
- Spice bowl: Kerala and parts of Karnataka
Mineral Distribution (frequently tested):
- Iron Ore: Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh — the "Iron Ore Triangle"
- Coal: Jharia (highest quality), Raniganj, Talcher
- Petroleum: Bombay High, Assam, Rajasthan (Barmer basin)
- Uranium: Jaduguda (Jharkhand) — India's primary uranium mine
Industrial Corridors (rising in importance):
- Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC)
- Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor
- Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor
These are regularly linked to infrastructure and economic geography questions.
Part 6: Human Geography — Population and Urbanisation
- India's population density is highest in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal
- Lowest density: Arunachal Pradesh (17 persons/sq km)
- Census 2011 remains the base — data on literacy, sex ratio, and urban population is still tested
- Sex ratio: National average 943; Kerala highest (1084), Haryana among the lowest
Migration patterns — rural to urban migration driving growth of metro cities — is a theme that appears in both Geography and Society sections.
How to Study This Effectively
Structure beats volume every time. Here's what works:
- Map practice daily: Use a blank India map and mark rivers, states, resources, and forests by rotation
- Integrate with Current Affairs: Forest fires, floods, new industrial corridors — link them to your geography base
- Revise in chunks: Physical → Climate → Soils → Vegetation → Economic → Human
Platforms like PrepAiro make this structured revision significantly easier — with topic-wise quizzes and AI-driven weak area tracking that surfaces exactly where your geography knowledge has gaps, so you're not re-reading chapters you've already mastered.
Final Takeaway
Indian Geography is no longer a supplementary topic — it's a scoring priority. With the right notes and consistent map-based revision, 12–14 correct answers from this section alone is a realistic target.
Build your base, revise smart, and let the maps do the heavy lifting.
Published by the PrepAiro Editorial Team | UPSC Prelims 2025 Series
