CDS Geography · Free notes
Indian Physical Geography: CDS Geography
Indian physical geography has 103 past-year questions in CDS General Knowledge, from 2016 (II) to 2026 (II): 15 EASY, 60 MODERATE and 28 HARD. Almost every one is a map fact: which state a lake is in, which river a dam stands on, where a pass leads, or the order of places from north to south. The HARD label rarely means a harder fact. Thirteen of the 28 are match-the-list or ordering items, where one slip in a list of four costs the mark. So the notes teach in tables, grouped the way an atlas groups them, and each table carries the rows CDS has already asked. Learn a table in its order (west to east, north to south) and the ordering questions answer themselves.
The handout has every subtopic, worked example, formula and trap with answers shown. The formula sheet is the chapter’s formulas and traps alone, on one page.
Subtopic notes
Location, States and Borders
16 PYQsWhere India sits on the globe, the line that sets its clock, the Tropic of Cancer states, the neighbours each state touches, and the clues CDS uses to name a state.
Islands and Sea Channels
9 PYQsThe Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep: the sea channels between them, their peaks and the tribes who live there.
Mountains, Plateaus and Plains
16 PYQsThe Himalayan ranges and passes, the hills and plateaus of the peninsula, the belts of the northern plains, the Thar desert and the two coasts.
River Systems
20 PYQsThe Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra systems with their tributaries and projects, and the rivers of the peninsula with how they differ from Himalayan rivers.
Lakes and Waterfalls
12 PYQsHow lakes form and one example of each kind, which state each well-known lake is in, the waterfalls CDS has asked, and the ways of harvesting rain.
Monsoon and Rainfall
7 PYQsWhy one side of a mountain is wet and the other dry, how the two branches of the monsoon and the retreating monsoon share out the rain, and where India is coldest and driest.
Soils of India
8 PYQsThe main soils of India, what each is rich and poor in, where each is found, and the soil orders of the modern classification.
Forests and Protected Areas
15 PYQsIndia's forest types and their trees, the forest cover figures of the 2021 forest report, the biosphere reserves, parks and sanctuaries CDS asks about, and the forest research institutes.
Formula & revision sheet
0 formulas · 29 reference tables · 45 gotchas across all subtopics — the exam-eve cheat-sheet
Formula & revision sheet
0 formulas · 29 reference tables · 45 gotchas across all subtopics — the exam-eve cheat-sheet
Location, States and Borders
Reference tables (4)
Extent, standard meridian and coastline7 rows
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Latitude of the mainland | 8°4′N to 37°6′N |
| Longitude of the mainland | 68°7′E to 97°25′E |
| Standard meridian | 82°30′E, through Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh) |
| Indian Standard Time | GMT plus 5 hours 30 minutes |
| Sunrise gap, Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat | About 2 hours |
| Longest coastline | Gujarat, about 1,600 kmQ CDS 2023 (I): Gujarat, not Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra or Andhra Pradesh. |
| A point at 34°N, 77°E | Near Leh, in LadakhQ CDS 2021 (II): the only Union Territory in the options that far north. |
The Tropic of Cancer states8 rows
| State, west to east | Sea coast |
|---|---|
| Gujarat | Yes |
| Rajasthan | No |
| Madhya Pradesh | No |
| Chhattisgarh | No |
| Jharkhand | No |
| West Bengal | Yes |
| Tripura | No |
| Mizoram | NoQ CDS 2021 (II): the state on the Tropic that is long north to south and borders both Bangladesh and Myanmar. |
Neighbouring countries and border states8 rows
| Neighbour | Indian states and UTs on that border |
|---|---|
| Pakistan | Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh |
| Afghanistan | Ladakh |
| China | Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh |
| Nepal | Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim |
| Bhutan | Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh |
| Bangladesh | West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram |
| Myanmar | Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram |
| Three countries | Ladakh, Sikkim, West Bengal, Arunachal PradeshQ CDS 2020 (I): four units of the Union touch more than two countries. |
Clues that name a state6 rows
| State or UT | Clue CDS used |
|---|---|
| Telangana | Its neighbours are Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh; it does not touch Odisha or Madhya PradeshQ CDS 2023 (I): pick the set without Odisha and Madhya Pradesh. |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Its only Indian neighbours are Assam and NagalandQ CDS 2026 (II): Mizoram and Tripura lie far to the south. |
| Chhattisgarh | The longest north-south stretch among Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana and Jharkhand (more than 6 degrees of latitude)Q |
| Assam | The land of the red river and blue hills; about 2.39 per cent of India's areaQ |
| Ladakh | Khardung La, the Nubra valley and Buddhist monasteries such as Hemis and Diskit |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Home of the Nyishi, its largest tribeQ |
Watch out for (8)
- East, not west→ Extent, standard meridian and coastline
- The longest coastline is on the west→ Extent, standard meridian and coastline
- Odisha and Bihar are not on the Tropic→ The Tropic of Cancer states
- Two coastal states, not three→ The Tropic of Cancer states
- Uttarakhand touches only two countries→ Neighbouring countries and border states
- Meghalaya has a foreign border→ Neighbouring countries and border states
- Telangana is not Odisha's neighbour→ Clues that name a state
- Arunachal Pradesh does not touch Mizoram→ Clues that name a state
Islands and Sea Channels
Reference tables (3)
Sea channels and straits7 rows
| Channel | What it separates |
|---|---|
| Ten Degree Channel | Little Andaman (Andaman group) from Car Nicobar (Nicobar group)Q CDS 2019 (I) and 2021 (I): the 10°N line is the answer for Andaman versus Nicobar. |
| Duncan Passage | South Andaman from Little Andaman |
| Coco Channel | North Andaman from the Coco Islands of Myanmar |
| Great Channel | Great Nicobar from Sumatra (Indonesia) |
| Nine Degree Channel | Minicoy from the main Lakshadweep islands |
| Eight Degree Channel | Minicoy (Lakshadweep) from the MaldivesQ CDS 2018 (II): Lakshadweep from Maldives, not Andaman from Nicobar. |
| Palk Strait | Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka |
Andaman, Nicobar and Lakshadweep4 rows
| Island group | Facts to remember |
|---|---|
| Andaman group | Saddle Peak (North Andaman), Mount Diavolo (Middle Andaman), Port Blair (South Andaman)Q CDS 2022 (II): Lhotse is a Himalayan peak next to Everest, not an island peak. |
| Nicobar group | Mount Thuillier and Indira Point, both on Great Nicobar |
| Barren Island | India's only active volcano, in the Andaman Sea |
| Lakshadweep | Coral islands; capital Kavaratti; about 32 sq km, the smallest UTQ CDS 2020 (II): smaller than Chandigarh, Puducherry and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. |
Tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands5 rows
| Tribe | Island |
|---|---|
| Great Andamanese | Strait Island |
| Onge | Little Andaman |
| Jarawa | South and Middle Andaman (west coast) |
| Sentinelese | North Sentinel Island |
| Shompen | Great Nicobar (interior forest)Q CDS 2019 (I): the Shompen belong to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, not Jharkhand or Odisha. |
Watch out for (3)
- Ten Degree is Andaman and Nicobar→ Sea channels and straits
- Lakshadweep is coral, the Andamans are hills→ Andaman, Nicobar and Lakshadweep
- The Shompen are the one Nicobar tribe→ Tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Mountains, Plateaus and Plains
Reference tables (4)
Ranges of the north, peaks and glaciers8 rows
| Range or feature | What to remember |
|---|---|
| Kunlun | The farthest north, on the edge of the Tibetan plateau |
| Karakoram | Siachen glacier, at the head of the Nubra valleyQ CDS 2024 (II): Siachen and the Nubra valley was the one correct pair. |
| Ladakh range | North of the Indus in Ladakh |
| Zaskar range | South of the Indus, in front of the Great Himalaya |
| Great Himalaya | Kanchenjunga with the Zemu glacier (Sikkim); Nanda Devi (Uttarakhand) |
| Pir Panjal | Karewa deposits on its lower slopes, in the Kashmir valleyQ CDS 2022 (II): all three statements on the Karewas were true. |
| Kashmir valley | The Jhelum meanders; Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri (Ladakh) are salt-water lakesQ CDS 2026 (I): the statement calling them freshwater lakes was the false one. |
| Shiwaliks | The outermost foothills, next to the plains |
Himalayan passes10 rows
| Pass | Where | What it joins |
|---|---|---|
| Zoji La | Between Kashmir and Ladakh | Srinagar and Leh |
| Khardung La | Ladakh | Leh and the Nubra valley |
| Lanak La | Ladakh (Aksai Chin) | The old route from Ladakh to LhasaQ |
| Rohtang | Himachal Pradesh | Kullu and Lahaul |
| Shipki La | Himachal Pradesh (Kinnaur) | The Satluj valley and TibetQ CDS 2026 (I): Shipki La is in the Satluj valley, not the Chumbi or Teesta valley. |
| Lipulekh | Uttarakhand (Pithoragarh) | India and Tibet, on the Kailash Mansarovar route |
| Nathu La | Sikkim | Gangtok and the Chumbi valley |
| Jelep La | Sikkim | Sikkim and the Chumbi valley |
| Bomdi La | Arunachal Pradesh | The road to Tawang |
| Bolan | Pakistan (Balochistan) | Not a Himalayan passQ CDS 2023 (II): the odd one out against Zojila, Shipkila and Lipulekh. |
Hills and plateaus of the peninsula8 rows
| Hills or plateau | Peak or fact | State |
|---|---|---|
| Aravalli | Guru Shikhar, Mount Abu | Rajasthan |
| Vindhya | The northern wall of the Narmada valley | Madhya Pradesh |
| Satpura | Dhupgarh; lies between the Narmada and the Tapi | Madhya Pradesh |
| Mahadeo hills | Eastern part of the Satpura system | Madhya Pradesh |
| Nilgiri | Doddabetta | Tamil Nadu |
| Anaimalai | Anaimudi, the highest peak of the peninsula | Kerala |
| Malwa plateau | Black soil; Indore stands on it | Madhya PradeshQ CDS 2025 (II): Indore is on the Malwa plateau, not in Nimar, Bundelkhand or Mahakoshal. |
| Chota Nagpur plateau | Archaean granite and gneiss; rich in minerals | Jharkhand |
Plains, desert and coasts7 rows
| Feature | What it is |
|---|---|
| Bhabar | Boulders and pebbles at the foot of the Shiwaliks |
| Terai | Marshy belt south of the bhabar |
| Bhangar | Older alluvium, above flood level |
| Khadar | Newer alluvium on the floodplains |
| Thar (Marusthali) | Under the sea in the Mesozoic eraQ CDS 2022 (II): Mesozoic, not Palaeozoic or Cenozoic. |
| West coast | High, rocky, retreating; erosional landformsQ CDS 2022 (II): all three statements on the two coasts were true. |
| East coast | Low, sedimentary; depositional landforms such as deltas |
Watch out for (8)
- The Kunlun is north of the Karakoram→ Ranges of the north, peaks and glaciers
- Pangong Tso is salty→ Ranges of the north, peaks and glaciers
- Shipki La and Lipulekh are next door, not the same state→ Himalayan passes
- Bolan and Khyber are not Indian→ Himalayan passes
- Anaimudi beats Doddabetta→ Hills and plateaus of the peninsula
- Dhupgarh is Satpura, Guru Shikhar is Aravalli→ Hills and plateaus of the peninsula
- Bhabar is dry, terai is wet→ Plains, desert and coasts
- Khadar is new, bhangar is old→ Plains, desert and coasts
River Systems
Reference tables (4)
The Indus system7 rows
| River | What to remember |
|---|---|
| Jhelum | Flows through Wular lake in the Kashmir valley |
| Chenab | Salal project at ReasiQ CDS 2025 (I): Salal is on the Chenab, not the Jhelum, Nubra or Shyok. |
| Ravi | The middle one of the five Punjab rivers |
| Beas | Joins the Satluj at Harike |
| Satluj | Easternmost; enters at Shipki La; Bhakra Nangal dam |
| Gomal | Rises in the Sulaiman range on the Afghan border, not in the HimalayaQ CDS 2025 (I): the odd one out against the Gilgit, Hunza and Zaskar. |
| Indus basin in India | Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, RajasthanQ |
The Ganga system7 rows
| Tributary | Bank | Where it joins |
|---|---|---|
| Yamuna | Right | Prayagraj |
| Son | Right | Directly, near Patna |
| Gomti | Left | Near GhazipurQ CDS 2018 (I): east to west the order is Kosi, Gandak, Ghaghara, Gomti. |
| Ghaghara | Left | Near Chhapra; the Sharda flows into it first |
| Gandak | Left | Hajipur, opposite Patna |
| Kosi | Left | Near Kursela in Bihar |
| Mahananda | Left | West Bengal, the last big left-bank tributaryQ CDS 2016 (II): the Teesta was the river that does not join the Ganga. |
Peninsular rivers7 rows
| River | Flows into | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Mahanadi | Bay of Bengal | Rises in Chhattisgarh |
| Godavari | Bay of Bengal | The largest peninsular river, called the Dakshin Ganga |
| Krishna | Bay of Bengal | With the Tungabhadra it encloses the Raichur doab, between Gulbarga and HampiQ |
| Kaveri | Bay of Bengal | Main tributaries Kabini, Bhavani and AmaravatiQ |
| Narmada | Arabian Sea | Flows west in a rift valley between the Vindhya and the SatpuraQ CDS 2018 (II): the west-flowing river against the Mahanadi, Godavari and Krishna. |
| Tapi | Arabian Sea | Flows west, south of the Satpura |
| Luni | Rann of Kachchh | Tributaries Khari, Sukri and JawaiQ CDS 2018 (II): the Banas is a Chambal tributary, not a Luni one. |
Watch out for (6)
- Bhakra is on the Satluj, Salal on the Chenab→ The Indus system
- The Teesta is not a Ganga river→ The Ganga system
- Chambal, Betwa and Ken go through the Yamuna→ The Ganga system
- The Barak rises in Manipur→ The Brahmaputra and the Barak
- Only two big rivers flow west→ Peninsular rivers
- Snow keeps Himalayan rivers flowing→ Peninsular rivers
Lakes and Waterfalls
Reference tables (4)
Lakes by how they formed7 rows
| Kind | Example | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Tectonic | Bhimtal; Wular | Uttarakhand; Kashmir |
| Crater | Lonar | MaharashtraQ CDS 2020 (II): Lonar's rocks resemble samples from the Moon. |
| Glacial | Gangabal | Kashmir |
| Landslide | Gohna | Garhwal, UttarakhandQ CDS 2017 (II): Bhimtal tectonic, Ashtamudi lagoon, Gohna landslide, Lonar crater. |
| Lagoon | Chilika; Ashtamudi; Vembanad | Odisha; Kerala; Kerala |
| Fluvial (oxbow) | Purbasthali | West Bengal |
| Largest freshwater lake | Wular | KashmirQ CDS 2019 (II): Wular, not Chilika, which is brackish. |
Lakes by state12 rows
| Lake | State or UT |
|---|---|
| Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, Tso Kar | LadakhQ CDS 2017 (II): Tsomgo was the one lake in the list that is not in Ladakh. |
| Tsomgo (Changu) | SikkimQ |
| Khecheopalri | SikkimQ CDS 2022 (I): Kaliveli Tamil Nadu, Khajjiar Himachal, Khecheopalri Sikkim, Vembanad Kerala. |
| Khajjiar | Himachal Pradesh |
| Ghepan Ghat glacial lake | Himachal PradeshQ |
| Loktak | Manipur |
| Barapani (Umiam) | Meghalaya |
| Kolleru | Andhra Pradesh |
| Pulicat | Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu |
| Kaliveli | Tamil Nadu |
| Vembanad | Kerala |
| Panchmuli | Gujarat, beside the Statue of UnityQ |
Waterfalls8 rows
| Waterfall | State | River or place |
|---|---|---|
| Jog | Karnataka | Sharavati river |
| Barkana | Karnataka | Western Ghats |
| Dudhsagar | Goa | Mandovi river |
| Duduma | Odisha | Machkund river |
| Kiliyur | Tamil Nadu | Near Yercaud |
| Hogenakkal | Tamil Nadu | Kaveri river |
| Athirappilly | Kerala | Chalakudy river |
| Nohkalikai | Meghalaya | Near Cherrapunji |
Rainwater harvesting8 rows
| Method | Where it is used |
|---|---|
| Rooftop recharge pit | Cities |
| Recharge trench | Cities |
| Recharge well | Cities |
| Gully plug | Hill slopes in the countryside |
| Check dam | Streams in the countryside |
| Guls or kuls | Western Himalaya |
| Khadins, johads, tankas | Rajasthan |
| Bamboo drip irrigation | Meghalaya |
Watch out for (6)
- Chilika is the biggest lagoon, not the biggest freshwater lake→ Lakes by how they formed
- Lonar is a meteorite crater→ Lakes by how they formed
- Not every Tso is in Ladakh→ Lakes by state
- Kolleru is in Andhra Pradesh→ Lakes by state
- Dudhsagar is in Goa→ Waterfalls
- A gully plug is a rural method→ Rainwater harvesting
Monsoon and Rainfall
Reference tables (3)
Windward and leeward: the rain shadow5 rows
| Place | Side | Rain |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai, Mangaluru | Windward of the Western Ghats | Very heavy |
| Pune, Bengaluru | Leeward of the Western Ghats | Low |
| Interior Maharashtra | Rain shadow of the Western Ghats | Low in the monsoonQ CDS 2017 (II): both statements true, and the rain shadow explains the low rain. |
| Leh | Rain shadow of the Great Himalaya | About 100 mm a year, the leastQ CDS 2020 (II): Leh gets less than Jodhpur, New Delhi or Bengaluru. |
| Mawsynram, Cherrapunji | Windward of the Khasi hills | The heaviest in India |
Monsoon branches and the retreating monsoon5 rows
| Wind | Who gets the rain |
|---|---|
| Arabian Sea branch | West coast, Western Ghats, then central and north-west India |
| Bay of Bengal branch | Bengal, the north-east, then west up the Ganga plain |
| Both branches together | North-west India, such as PunjabQ CDS 2021 (II): Punjab, not Maharashtra, Meghalaya or Tamil Nadu. |
| Retreating (north-east) monsoon | Coromandel coast of Tamil Nadu, October to December |
| Western disturbances | Punjab and Haryana in winter |
Winter temperature and drought3 rows
| Fact | Answer |
|---|---|
| January isotherm that halves India | 20°C, near the Tropic of CancerQ |
| Most drought-prone regions | Kachchh and western Rajasthan |
| Regions with dependable rain | Ganga plains, coastal Andhra Pradesh, the north-east |
Watch out for (4)
- The coast is windward→ Windward and leeward: the rain shadow
- Leh, not the Thar, is the driest→ Windward and leeward: the rain shadow
- Tamil Nadu's rain comes late→ Monsoon branches and the retreating monsoon
- 20°C, not 15°C or 25°C→ Winter temperature and drought
Soils of India
Reference tables (3)
Alluvial and black soils2 rows
| Soil | Rich in | Poor in | Found in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alluvial | Potash, lime | Phosphorus | Northern plains, river valleys and deltasQ CDS 2021 (I): rich in potash and poor in phosphorus. |
| Black (regur) | Lime, iron, magnesia, alumina | Nitrogen, phosphorus, organic matter | Deccan plateau: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, GujaratQ CDS 2026 (I): the false statement said rainfed crops do not grow well in black soil. |
Laterite, saline, arid and other soils5 rows
| Soil | Clue | Found in |
|---|---|---|
| Laterite | Iron and aluminium; heavy rain washes out the rest | Western Ghats, Kerala, Karnataka, Odisha hills |
| Saline (usar) | Sodium, potassium and magnesium salts; infertile; poor in nitrogen | Western Gujarat, eastern deltas, SundarbansQ CDS 2025 (I): 'rich in nitrogen' was the false statement. |
| Arid | Sandy; low in humus and nitrogen | Western Rajasthan |
| Red and yellow | Iron in crystalline rock gives the colour | Eastern and southern Deccan |
| Peaty | Very rich in humus and organic matter | Coastal Kerala, Odisha, West Bengal |
Soil orders (modern classification)5 rows
| Soil order | Share of India | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Inceptisols | About 40% | Young soils with weak layers |
| Entisols | About 28% | Very young soils |
| Alfisols | About 14% | More developed soils, with clay built up below the top layer |
| Vertisols | About 9% | Cracking clays, like black soil |
| Aridisols | About 4% | Desert soils |
Watch out for (4)
- Impermeable helps, not hurts→ Alluvial and black soils
- Alluvial is rich in potash, poor in phosphorus→ Alluvial and black soils
- Saline soil is not fertile→ Laterite, saline, arid and other soils
- Inceptisols, not Entisols, are the largest→ Soil orders (modern classification)
Forests and Protected Areas
Reference tables (4)
Forest types and their trees7 rows
| Forest type | Trees | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical evergreen | Rosewood, ebony, mahogany | Western Ghats, north-east, Andamans |
| Tropical moist deciduous | Sal, teak, bamboo | Eastern and central India, Himalayan foothills |
| Tropical thorn | Khair, babool, euphorbia | Rajasthan, Gujarat, dry Deccan |
| Montane temperate | Oak, maple, birch, laurel, rhododendron, deodar | Himalaya, about 1,500 to 3,000 mQ CDS 2023 (II): the cashew is a tropical coastal tree, not a temperate Himalayan one. |
| Alpine | Kail, silver fir, juniper | Himalaya above about 3,000 m |
| Littoral and swamp | Sundari, Sonneratia, rhizophora | Sundarbans and the eastern deltasQ CDS 2022 (II): from Bikaner to Konark the order is desert, thorn, moist deciduous, mangrove. |
| Shola | Stunted evergreen trees in grassland | Nilgiris and nearby high hills of the Western GhatsQ CDS 2016 (II) and 2022 (II): sholas are in the Nilgiris, not the Himalaya. |
Forest cover (India State of Forest Report 2021)7 rows
| Measure | Answer |
|---|---|
| Forest cover of India | About 21.7% of its area |
| Largest by area | Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh |
| Highest share, states | Mizoram |
| Highest share, all states and UTs | Lakshadweep, about 90%Q CDS 2022 (I): Lakshadweep, ahead of Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. |
| Very dense forest | Canopy density 70% or more |
| Moderately dense forest | Canopy density 40 to 70% |
| Open forest | Canopy density 10 to 40% |
Biosphere reserves, parks and sanctuaries9 rows
| Name | Kind | State |
|---|---|---|
| Nilgiri | Biosphere reserve | Tamil Nadu, Kerala, KarnatakaQ CDS 2024 (I) and 2025 (I): the reserve spread over three states. |
| Agasthyamalai | Biosphere reserve | Kerala, Tamil Nadu |
| Achanakmar-Amarkantak | Biosphere reserve | Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh |
| Seshachalam | Biosphere reserve | Andhra PradeshQ CDS 2026 (II): Seshachalam, Manas, Similipal and Panna paired in the order listed. |
| Similipal | Biosphere reserve | Odisha |
| Manas | Biosphere reserve | Assam |
| Keibul Lamjao | Floating national park | Manipur |
| Chakrashila | Wildlife sanctuary (golden langur) | Assam |
| Dudhwa, Panna, Pench, Indravati | Tiger reserves, north to south | UP, MP, MP and Maharashtra, ChhattisgarhQ |
Forest research institutes8 rows
| Institute | City |
|---|---|
| Forest Research Institute | Dehradun |
| Tropical Forest Research Institute | Jabalpur |
| Rain Forest Research Institute | Jorhat |
| Himalayan Forest Research Institute | Shimla |
| Arid Forest Research Institute | Jodhpur |
| Institute of Wood Science and Technology | Bengaluru |
| Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding | Coimbatore |
| Forest Research Centre for Eco-Rehabilitation | Prayagraj |
Watch out for (6)
- Sholas are not Himalayan→ Forest types and their trees
- A tropical tree in a temperate list→ Forest types and their trees
- Area is not percentage→ Forest cover (India State of Forest Report 2021)
- Keibul Lamjao is in Manipur→ Biosphere reserves, parks and sanctuaries
- Agasthyamalai spans two states, not three→ Biosphere reserves, parks and sanctuaries
- Jabalpur and Jorhat are easy to swap→ Forest research institutes
PYQ weightage by concept
29 concepts · 103 PYQs — where the marks actually sit, so you know what to drill first
PYQ weightage by concept
29 concepts · 103 PYQs — where the marks actually sit, so you know what to drill first
Location, States and Borders16 PYQs · 16%
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Clues that name a state | 8 | 8% |
| Extent, standard meridian and coastline | 4 | 4% |
| The Tropic of Cancer states | 2 | 2% |
| Neighbouring countries and border states | 2 | 2% |
Islands and Sea Channels9 PYQs · 9%
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Sea channels and straits | 4 | 4% |
| Andaman, Nicobar and Lakshadweep | 3 | 3% |
| Tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 2 | 2% |
Mountains, Plateaus and Plains16 PYQs · 16%
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Ranges of the north, peaks and glaciers | 5 | 5% |
| Himalayan passes | 4 | 4% |
| Hills and plateaus of the peninsula | 4 | 4% |
| Plains, desert and coasts | 3 | 3% |
River Systems20 PYQs · 19%
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| The Ganga system | 6 | 6% |
| Peninsular rivers | 6 | 6% |
| The Indus system | 4 | 4% |
| The Brahmaputra and the Barak | 4 | 4% |
Lakes and Waterfalls12 PYQs · 12%
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Lakes by state | 6 | 6% |
| Lakes by how they formed | 4 | 4% |
| Waterfalls | 1 | 1% |
| Rainwater harvesting | 1 | 1% |
Monsoon and Rainfall7 PYQs · 7%
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Windward and leeward: the rain shadow | 3 | 3% |
| Monsoon branches and the retreating monsoon | 2 | 2% |
| Winter temperature and drought | 2 | 2% |
Soils of India8 PYQs · 8%
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Alluvial and black soils | 4 | 4% |
| Laterite, saline, arid and other soils | 3 | 3% |
| Soil orders (modern classification) | 1 | 1% |
Forests and Protected Areas15 PYQs · 15%
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Biosphere reserves, parks and sanctuaries | 6 | 6% |
| Forest types and their trees | 5 | 5% |
| Forest cover (India State of Forest Report 2021) | 3 | 3% |
| Forest research institutes | 1 | 1% |
Test yourself on Indian Geography — Physical Features
20 past CDS questions from this chapter, timed at 20 minutes and marked the way the exam marks it. You see your score and every answer the moment you finish. Free to start.