NCERT Class 9 Geography Chapter 2 – Physical Features of India

These NCERT Class 9 Geography Chapter 2 notes explain the major physiographic divisions of India and their geological formation. This chapter builds strong conceptual clarity about India’s relief structure and its impact on climate, rivers, soil and settlement patterns.

India’s physical features are the result of long geological processes, especially the Theory of Plate Tectonics. The collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate led to the formation of the Himalayan Mountains, while the Peninsular Plateau represents one of the oldest landmasses, part of ancient Gondwanaland.

The country is divided into six major physiographic divisions:
The Himalayan Mountains, The Northern Plains, The Peninsular Plateau, The Indian Desert, The Coastal Plains, and The Islands.

The chapter explains key geographical structures such as the Himadri (average height 6,000 metres), Himalayan length (2,400 km), Northern Plains (7 lakh sq km area), Western Ghats (Anaimudi – 2,695 m), Thar Desert (less than 150 mm rainfall), and the island groups of Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

These notes strictly follow the NCERT textbook Contemporary India – I and are highly useful for CBSE exams, state board exams and BPSC foundation preparation.

For structured preparation of NCERT Class 9–12 for UPSC, BPSC and State PCS examinations, strengthen your basics with our complete NCERT Book Notes PDF for Class 9-12, available inside the NCERT foundation course level-2.

Access Complete NCERT Book Notes PDF

1. Geological structure and formation of India

• India’s landmass was originally part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwanaland, which included present-day South America, Africa, Australia and Antarctica.
• According to the Theory of Plate Tectonics, the earth’s crust is divided into several plates; India lies on the Indo-Australian Plate.
• The northward drift of the Indian Plate led to its collision with the Eurasian Plate, resulting in the folding that formed the Himalayan Mountains.
• The Peninsular Plateau is composed of some of the oldest crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks, making it geologically stable.
• The Malda Fault separates the Meghalaya Plateau from the Chota Nagpur Plateau, indicating structural diversity.
• The ongoing tectonic movements make the Himalayan region geologically unstable and earthquake-prone.

2. Major physiographic divisions of India

• India is divided into six major physiographic divisions based on relief and geological structure.
• These divisions are The Himalayan Mountains, The Northern Plains, The Peninsular Plateau, The Indian Desert, The Coastal Plains, and The Islands.
• These divisions differ in origin, age, structure, and relief characteristics.
• The physical features influence climate, drainage, soil formation, vegetation, population distribution and economic activities.
• India’s physical diversity reflects a long history of geological evolution and river deposition processes.

3. The Himalayan mountains

• The Himalayas are the youngest and highest fold mountains in the world, extending about 2,400 km from the Indus Gorge (west) to the Brahmaputra Gorge (east).
• The width varies from 400 km in Kashmir to 150 km in Arunachal Pradesh.
• The Himalayas consist of three parallel ranges: Himadri, Himachal, and Shiwaliks.
• The eastern extension of the Himalayas is known as the Purvanchal Hills, comprising the Patkai, Naga, Mizo (Lushai) Hills.
• The Himalayas contain some of the highest peaks including Mount Everest (8,848 m) and Kanchenjunga (8,598 m).
• They act as a climatic barrier, blocking cold winds from Central Asia and playing a crucial role in the Monsoon system.

4. The Himadri (Greater Himalaya)

• The Himadri is the northernmost and highest range with an average height of about 6,000 metres.
• It contains the world’s highest peaks including Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, and Nanga Parbat.
• The range is composed mainly of granite rocks and remains permanently snow-covered.
• Important glaciers such as Gangotri Glacier and Yamunotri Glacier originate here.
• It is the most continuous range with very few passes.

5. The Himachal (Lesser Himalaya)

• The Himachal lies south of the Himadri with heights between 3,700–4,500 metres.
• Major ranges include the Pir Panjal Range, Dhauladhar Range, and Mahabharat Range.
• Famous hill stations such as Shimla, Mussoorie, Nainital and Darjeeling are located here.
• Valleys such as Kangra Valley and Kullu Valley are found in this region.
• The region contains thick forests and is highly dissected.

6. The Shiwaliks (Outer Himalaya)

• The Shiwaliks are the southernmost range with heights between 900–1,100 metres.
• They are composed of unconsolidated sediments brought by rivers from the north.
• Valleys between Himachal and Shiwaliks are called Duns, such as Dehra Dun, Kotli Dun and Patli Dun.
• The loose structure makes this region prone to landslides and soil erosion.
• The Shiwaliks represent the most recent phase of Himalayan formation.

7. The Northern plains

• The Northern Plains are formed by the deposition of alluvium by the rivers Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra and their tributaries.
• The plain covers about 7 lakh sq km, with a length of about 2,400 km and width between 240–320 km.
• It is one of the most densely populated and fertile regions due to rich alluvial soil.
• The plains are divided into Punjab Plains, Ganga Plains, and Brahmaputra Plains.
• Important landforms include Bhabar (pebbly belt), Terai (marshy region), Bhangar (old alluvium), and Khadar (new alluvium).
• The land between two rivers is called a Doab, for example the Ganga-Yamuna Doab.

8. The Peninsular plateau

• The Peninsular Plateau is the oldest and most stable landmass, composed of crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks.
• It consists of Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau.
• The Central Highlands include the Malwa Plateau, Bundelkhand Plateau, Baghelkhand Plateau and Chota Nagpur Plateau.
• The Aravalli Hills are among the oldest fold mountains, with Guru Shikhar as the highest peak.
• The Meghalaya Plateau includes Garo, Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
• The Deccan Plateau lies south of the Narmada River and is bounded by Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats.
• The Western Ghats are higher and continuous with peaks like Anaimudi (2,695 m) and Cardamom Hills, while the Eastern Ghats are discontinuous.
• The rivers Narmada and Tapi flow westwards and form estuaries.

9. The Indian desert

• The Indian Desert (Thar Desert) lies west of the Aravalli Hills.
• It is an undulating sandy plain with crescent-shaped sand dunes called Barchans.
• The region receives less than 150 mm of rainfall annually.
• The Luni River is the only large river in the desert region.
• Vegetation consists mainly of thorny bushes and cactus, adapted to arid conditions.

10. The coastal plains

• The Western Coastal Plain lies between the Western Ghats and Arabian Sea and is narrow.
• It is divided into Konkan Coast (Maharashtra), Kannad Plain (Karnataka) and Malabar Coast (Kerala).
• The Eastern Coastal Plain lies between the Eastern Ghats and Bay of Bengal and is wider.
• It includes Northern Circar and Coromandel Coast.
• Major rivers like Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri form large deltas on the eastern coast.
• The eastern coast has the Chilika Lake, the largest saltwater lagoon in India.

11. The islands

• India has two major island groups: Lakshadweep Islands (36 islands) in the Arabian Sea and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (572 islands) in the Bay of Bengal.
• The Lakshadweep Islands are of coral origin.
• The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are of volcanic origin and separated by the Ten Degree Channel.
• Barren Island is India’s only active volcano.
• Loktak Lake (Manipur) is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India.
• The islands are strategically important for maritime routes and defence.

12. Conclusion

• India’s physiography reflects its complex geological history and tectonic evolution.
• The diversity in relief shapes India’s climate, rivers, soil patterns, agriculture and population distribution.
• The Himalayas protect, the plains sustain agriculture, the plateau provides mineral resources, and the coastal areas enable trade.
• The physical divisions together form the foundation of India’s natural and economic geography.

13. Important Exam Oriented Facts

• Gondwanaland – Ancient supercontinent from which the Peninsular Plateau originated.
• Indo-Australian Plate – Tectonic plate responsible for Himalayan formation.
• 2,400 km – Length of the Himalayan mountain arc.
• Mount Everest (8,848 m) – Highest peak in the world.
• Kanchenjunga (8,598 m) – Highest peak in India.
• Pir Panjal Range – Major range of Lesser Himalaya.
• Duns – Valleys between Himachal and Shiwaliks, example Dehra Dun.
• 7 lakh sq km – Area of Northern Plains.
• Bhabar, Terai, Bhangar, Khadar – Distinct relief features of Northern Plains.
• Doab – Land between two rivers.
• Guru Shikhar – Highest peak of Aravalli Hills.
• Anaimudi (2,695 m) – Highest peak of Western Ghats.
• Thar Desert – Receives less than 150 mm rainfall annually.
• Barchans – Crescent-shaped sand dunes.
• Konkan, Kannad, Malabar Coast – Divisions of Western Coastal Plain.
• Coromandel Coast – Part of Eastern Coastal Plain.
• Chilika Lake – Largest saltwater lagoon in India.
• Lakshadweep (36 islands) – Coral islands in Arabian Sea.
• Andaman & Nicobar (572 islands) – Volcanic origin islands separated by Ten Degree Channel.
• Barren Island – Only active volcano of India.

Understanding NCERT Class 9 Geography Chapter 2 – Physical Features of India is essential to analyse how India’s relief structure influences its rivers, climate, agriculture and mineral resources.

The chapter clearly explains the formation of the Himalayas, the fertility of the Northern Plains, the mineral richness of the Peninsular Plateau, and the strategic importance of the Coastal Plains and Islands.

For school examinations, students must focus on key concepts such as Himadri, Himachal, Shiwaliks, Bhabar, Terai, Bhangar, Khadar, Deccan Trap, Western and Eastern Ghats, and coral islands.

For BPSC and civil services foundation studies, this chapter provides conceptual clarity about tectonic processes, physiographic divisions and the relationship between relief and economic development.

Continue reading NCERT Class 9 Geography Chapter 3 – Drainage to understand India’s river systems and their economic importance.

FAQs

Q1. What is NCERT Class 9 Geography Chapter 2 about?
It explains the major physical divisions of India and their geological formation.

Q2. What are the six physiographic divisions of India?
Himalayan Mountains, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Indian Desert, Coastal Plains and Islands.

Q3. What is the length of the Himalayas?
The Himalayas stretch for about 2,400 km from the Indus Gorge to the Brahmaputra Gorge.

Q4. What is the Northern Plain formed by?
It is formed by alluvial deposits brought by the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems.

Q5. Why is NCERT Class 9 Geography Chapter 2 important for exams?
It builds foundational understanding of India’s relief structure, which is essential for both school exams and competitive examinations like BPSC and UPSC.

---