Indian Physiography (Geography).
Syllabus: UPSC Pre GS1: Indian & World Geography; Mains GS1
Western Ghats for UPSC: six States, formation, passes, rivers, endemic species, UNESCO and hotspot status, Gadgil vs Kasturirangan reports and landslides.
Himalayas for UPSC: how they formed, Greater, Lesser and Shiwalik ranges, Punjab to Assam divisions, eastern hills, passes, rivers, fragility and real…
An ARIES (DST) study measuring non-methane hydrocarbons at Munsyari, Uttarakhand, through 2022 to 2023 finds that even remote Himalayan air carries pollution that can form ozone and secondary aerosols. Levels were lower in winter and the monsoon and higher in spring and autumn. Dominant sources: LPG and diesel use, vehicles and local construction. Long-term benzene exposure exceeds cancer safety limits.
UPSC angle: Prelims: NMHCs and ozone formation.
17 Jun 2026
A blanket ban on new leases answers the concern that a narrow definition would open hills to mining. Existing leases remain a gap.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Aravalli range, ICFRE. · Mains: mining vs ecology.
24 Dec 2025
Map value: Pangong Tso lies in eastern Ladakh.
UPSC angle: Prelims: mountaineering institutes and locations.
4 Aug 2025
Himalayan rivers depend on glaciers.
UPSC angle: Prelims: none.
31 May 2025
High-altitude data is scarce.
UPSC angle: Prelims: none.
8 Apr 2025