Mapping India's Major Mountain Ranges for the UPSC Exam

Did you know that mountains cover nearly 13% of India’s landmass and play a major role in shaping its climate, rivers, and biodiversity? From the Himalayas’ towering snow-capped peaks that influence monsoons to the Western and Eastern Ghats, home to rich biodiversity and UNESCO heritage sites, every range has a story to tell. 

In this guide, we’ll break down the key mountain ranges in India maps for UPSC and their importance to help you cover the Geography syllabus. Let’s get started!

A mountain range is a series of connected mountains that are formed due to geological processes such as tectonic plate movements, volcanic activity, or erosion. These ranges extend over large areas and often influence climate, biodiversity, and human settlements.

Example: The Himalayan Mountain Range, stretching across India, Nepal, and Bhutan, is one of the most prominent mountain ranges in the world. 

Major Mountain Ranges in India for UPSC

This table provides a quick reference for UPSC aspirants to memorize India’s major mountain ranges along with their locations. 

Mountain Ranges Map of India 

Let’s cover the major mountain ranges of India in detail with their key features. 

The Himalayas are young fold mountains, formed millions of years ago due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. They are one of the most geologically active mountain ranges in the world.

Geographical Extent

The Himalayas extend from the Indus Valley in the west to the Brahmaputra River in the east, covering the northern states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. They also continue into Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet, forming a natural boundary between the Indian subcontinent and the Tibetan Plateau.

Three Major Divisions of the Himalayas

The Himalayas are divided into three parallel ranges, each with distinct characteristics:

1. Greater Himalayas (Himadri):

• The highest and most continuous range.
• Home to some of the world’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest (8,849 m) and Kanchenjunga (8,586 m).
• Covered with permanent glaciers and a source of major rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra.

2. Lesser Himalayas (Himachal):

• Lies between the Greater Himalayas and the Shivaliks.
• Contains famous hill stations such as Shimla, Mussoorie, and Darjeeling.
• Rich in forests, pastures, and river valleys that support agriculture and tourism.

3. Shivalik Hills:

• The outermost and lowest range of the Himalayas.
• Characterized by small hills and valleys with alluvial deposits.
• Home to the Dun valleys like Dehradun and Patli Dun, known for fertile soil and settlements.

Significance of the Himalayas

• Acts as a climatic divide, preventing cold winds from Central Asia from entering India.
• Responsible for monsoonal rainfall, as they trap moisture-laden winds from the Indian Ocean.
  Serves as a natural defense for India against invasions from the north.
• Several important military posts are located in the Himalayas, especially along the Indo-China and Indo-Pak borders.
• Support agriculture, hydroelectric power, and drinking water for millions in the subcontinent.

Also cover: State-wise and Area-wise List of Ramsar Sites in India

The Karakoram Range is one of the most formidable mountain ranges in the world. It is known for its rugged terrain, extreme climatic conditions, and strategic importance.

Geographical Extent

The Karakoram Range is located in the northernmost region of India, primarily in Ladakh (Jammu & Kashmir).  It stretches across India, Pakistan, and China, forming a natural boundary between these nations. 

Features: 

• The Karakoram Range is home to K2 (8,611 meters), the second-highest peak in the world after Mount Everest. 
• The Siachen Glacier, located in the Karakoram, is the highest battlefield in the world. 
• The region is crucial for India’s defense strategy, given its proximity to the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
• The Karakoram Highway, one of the highest paved roads in the world, connects Pakistan to China through the Gilgit-Baltistan region.
• The area is geopolitically sensitive due to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through the disputed Gilgit-Baltistan region.
• The harsh climate and high-altitude terrain make human habitation difficult.
• Glacial melting in the Karakoram is a concern due to climate change, impacting water sources and increasing the risk of landslides.

The Purvanchal Range, also known as the Eastern Mountains, is an important extension of the Himalayan mountain system in Northeast India. The Purvanchal Range is an extension of the Himalayas, curving southward after the Dihang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh. 

Geographical Extent & Major Hills

The Purvanchal Range covers the northeastern states of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh. The Purvanchal hills are lower in elevation, heavily forested, and covered with deep valleys. The range comprises several hill groups, including:

1. Patkai Hills:

• Located in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Assam.
• Acts as a natural boundary between India and Myanmar.
• Covered with dense rainforests, home to a variety of flora and fauna.

2. Naga Hills:

• Spread across Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, extending into Myanmar.
• Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, is situated in this range.
• Known for its cultural and ethnic diversity, housing the Naga tribes.

3. Mizo Hills (Lushai Hills):

• Found in Mizoram, forming its dominant geographical feature.
• Phawngpui (Blue Mountain), the highest peak of Mizoram, is part of this range.
• Rich in biodiversity, with unique species of orchids and medicinal plants.

Significance of the Purvanchal Range

• The Purvanchal region is part of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot, one of the most ecologically rich regions in the world.
• The forests support rare and endangered species like the Hoolock Gibbon, Clouded Leopard, and Red Panda.
• The region is home to several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, including Namdapha National Park (Arunachal Pradesh) and Dampa Tiger Reserve (Mizoram).
• The high rainfall contributes to lush green forests, rivers, and fertile lands, making the region ideal for agriculture and tea plantations.
• The tribal communities of Northeast India, including the Nagas, Mizos, and Chakmas, have distinct cultural traditions deeply linked to the hills.
• The range forms India’s eastern frontier with Myanmar, making it strategically important for defense and trade.

Also prepare this key topic: Ozone Depletion and Climate Change: Causes, Effects, and Global Impact

The Aravalli Range is one of the oldest fold mountains in the world. Despite their modest height, the Aravallis play a vital role in climate regulation, biodiversity, and India's historical and cultural heritage.

Geographical Extent & Key Features

The Aravalli Range extends approximately 800 km from Gujarat in the southwest to Haryana in the northeast, passing through Rajasthan and Delhi. Some of its notable features include:

• Highest Peak: Guru Shikhar (1,722 meters) in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.
• Oldest Fold Mountains: Formed over 2.5 billion years ago during the Precambrian era, making them one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world.
• Low Elevation & Erosion: Due to continuous weathering over millions of years, the range is low in height and consists of rocky hills and ridges.

Significance of the Aravalli Range

1. Natural Barrier to the Thar Desert

• The Aravalli Range acts as a climatic divide, preventing the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert.
• The forests in the Aravallis trap monsoon moisture, helping in rainfall distribution across Rajasthan and adjoining regions.

2. Rich in Mineral Resources

• The range is abundant in minerals like marble, granite, zinc, copper, and lead, supporting Rajasthan’s mining industry.
• Rajasthan’s famous marble industry, including the Makrana marble used in the Taj Mahal, originates from the Aravallis.

3. Ecological Importance & Biodiversity

• The Aravalli hills support semi-arid forests, grasslands, and wildlife, including leopards, sloth bears, and antelopes.
• Important wildlife reserves like Sariska Tiger Reserve and Ranthambore National Park are located in the Aravalli region.
• Delhi Ridge, the northeastern extension of the Aravallis, acts as the green lung of Delhi, reducing pollution levels.

4. Historical & Cultural Significance

• The Aravallis have witnessed the rise and fall of many ancient civilizations, including the Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished along its foothills.
• The range is home to historical forts and temples, such as Kumbhalgarh Fort, Chittorgarh Fort, and Ranakpur Jain Temple.
• Mount Abu, Rajasthan’s only hill station, is a popular tourist and pilgrimage destination, known for the Dilwara Jain Temples.

The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri Hills, is a mountain range running parallel to the western coast of India. The Western Ghats play a crucial role in shaping the monsoon patterns and are home to numerous endemic species.

Geographical Extent & Key Features

The Western Ghats extend for approximately 1,600 km from the Tapti River in Maharashtra to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, covering the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

• Highest Peak: Anamudi (2,695 meters), located in Kerala.
• Steep on the western side, and gradual slopes on the eastern side, affecting climate and river patterns.
• Acts as a climatic divide, preventing the southwest monsoon from reaching the Deccan Plateau.

Significance of the Western Ghats

• The Western Ghats intercept the southwest monsoon winds, causing orographic rainfall, making the windward side lush and fertile.
• Major rivers like Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri originate from the Western Ghats, supplying water to peninsular India.
• The Western Ghats are one of the eight “hottest” biodiversity hotspots in the world.
• Home to key species, including the Malabar civet, Nilgiri tahr, and lion-tailed macaque.
• Houses numerous national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves, such as Silent Valley National Park, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Kudremukh National Park.
• The region is known for plantation agriculture, growing crops like tea, coffee, spices (cardamom, pepper, cloves), and rubber.

The Eastern Ghats: India’s Discontinuous Mountain Chain

The Eastern Ghats is a scattered and discontinuous mountain range running along the eastern coast of India. Unlike the Western Ghats, which are continuous and steep, the Eastern Ghats are broken and fragmented, with several low-elevation hills separated by rivers.

Geographical Extent & Key Features

• Stretch from the Mahanadi River in Odisha to the Vaigai River in Tamil Nadu.
• Cover the states of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
• The highest peak in the Eastern Ghats is Arma Konda (1,680 meters) in Andhra Pradesh.

Significance of the Eastern Ghats

• Acts as a watershed for several east-flowing rivers, which drain into the Bay of Bengal.
• Rivers like Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri cut through the range, forming fertile alluvial plains.
• Home to numerous endemic and endangered species, making it an important ecological zone.
• Hosts significant wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, such as Simlipal National Park (Odisha)Papikonda National Park (Andhra Pradesh) – known for its riverine ecosystem.
• Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve (Andhra Pradesh) – rich in medicinal plants.
• The Eastern Ghats house some of India’s most famous pilgrimage sites, including:
• Tirumala Hills (Tirupati Balaji Temple) 
• Araku Valley (Andhra Pradesh) 
• Mahendragiri Hills (Odisha) 
• Rivers originating in the Eastern Ghats power several dams and reservoirs, such as the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam on the Krishna River.

Also read: Forest Conservation in India: Challenges, Policies & Future Roadmap

The Satpura Range, located in Central India, stretches across Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh. This range plays a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, river systems, and climatic influence in central India.

Geographical Extent & Key Features

• Extends from Gujarat in the west to Chhattisgarh in the east.
• Lies south of the Narmada River, acting as a water divide between north and south India.
• The highest peak in the range is Dhupgarh (1,350 meters) in Madhya Pradesh.
• Major plateaus like Malwa Plateau and Deccan Plateau originate from this range.

Significance of the Satpura Range

• The Satpura forests are among the richest biodiversity zones in India.
• Home to several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, including, Satpura National Park, Pench National Park, and Melghat Tiger Reserve. 
• The Satpura Range serves as a watershed, giving rise to important rivers like the Tapti River, Narmada River, and Son River. 
• Acts as a barrier to the monsoon winds, influencing rainfall distribution.
• The dense vegetation helps in carbon sequestration, reducing the impact of climate change.
• Maintains soil moisture and prevents desertification in neighboring regions.
• Mineral-rich region, with reserves of coal, manganese, and bauxite.
• Tourist destinations like Pachmarhi (Madhya Pradesh) and Chikhaldara (Maharashtra) are popular hill stations.

Also watch: Complete MAPPING in 1 Video | UPSC CSE | Prelims

The mountain ranges in India map UPSC syllabus topics like geography, environment, and biodiversity, making them essential for aspirants. These ranges regulate climate, support diverse ecosystems, and shape civilizations, proving their immense geographical and strategic importance.

"Mountains are the beginning and the end of all natural scenery." – John Ruskin

For UPSC aspirants, mastering India's mountain ranges is a step closer to cracking geography-based questions in both Prelims and Mains. 

Keep mapping, keep learning, and let these majestic ranges inspire your journey to success!

Also cover: Important Mind Maps for UPSC Exam

Take your UPSC Preparation to the Next Level with SuperKalam!

Meet SuperKalam! Your Super Mentor provides a comprehensive learning ecosystem, you can benefit from focused and disciplined preparation strategies. 

Start Now—it's FREE and take advantage of personalized guidance to crack the UPSC with confidence and clarity.

Explore SuperKalam's Resources and set yourself on the path to success!