{"id":14491,"date":"2026-07-15T17:48:22","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T12:18:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/?post_type=academic_content&p=14491"},"modified":"2026-07-15T17:48:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T12:18:22","slug":"peninsular-plateau","status":"publish","type":"academic_content","link":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/peninsular-plateau\/","title":{"rendered":"Peninsular Plateau of India, Geography, Map, Rivers and Major States"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Peninsular Plateau almost make up three-fourths of India, and it is the oldest, stable formation in nature. As a fragment of the Indian Shield, it consists of igneous and metamorphic rocks dating back to Precambrian time and has undergone very little tectonic activity for millions of years. The northern edge of the plateau is defined by the Aravalli Range, with central India being occupied from north to south by the Vindhya and Satpura ranges and then running along both coasts up to Kanyakumari. Western Ghats (Sahyadri) in the west and the Eastern Ghats. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Peninsular Plateau, a vast expanse of land with rich minerals and forests as well as fertile soils, supplies many major rivers and is the backbone of farming, industry and economy in India.<\/span><\/p>\n

Peninsular Plateau of India Features<\/span><\/h2>\n

The oldest and most stable physical division of India is the Peninsular Plateau. This is a triangular tableland formed from an ancient crystalline igneous and metamorphic rock contact area. Covering nearly 16 lakh sq. 1 million sq, km, this constitutes nearly half the area of India and its mineral & natural resources.<\/span><\/p>\n

Key Features of the Peninsular Plateau<\/span><\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Oldest Landmass:<\/b> The earth’s oldest geological formations are of early Precambrian age.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Triangular Form:<\/b> The triangular form of the plateau has its base to the north and at Kanyakumari towards the south.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Average Elevation:<\/b> It has an elevation of 600\u2013900 metres (2,000\u20133,000 ft).<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Stable Geographical Structure:<\/b> It contains parts of ancient Gondwana Land and is tectonically stable with a minimum occurrence of seismic movement.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Rock Type:<\/b> Mainly igneous and metamorphic rocks such as granite, gneiss, basalt and schist;<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Limits:<\/b> Surrounded in the upper west by the Aravalli Range, toward the east middle by the Vindhya and Satpura Ranges, and along both flanks by the Western Ghat and Eastern Ghat.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Parent Categories:<\/b> These are divided into the Central Highlands and Numerically Deccan Plateaus.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • River Systems:<\/b> The major rivers include the Narmada and Tapi in the west, while the Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri and Mahanadi drain into the Bay of Bengal.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Rich in minerals like coal, iron ore, manganese, bauxite, mica and limestone and with copper once found as well, it’s the mineral heartland of India.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Deccan Plateau has a range of soil; the most important of all is black cotton soil (also known as Regur soil); it yields high crop and is highly suitable for cultivation of cotton.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Agriculture Significance: Key crops are cotton, millets, pulses, oilseeds and sugarcane & groundnut.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Biodiversity: Has significant forests, wildlife sanctuaries and biodiversity hotspots, particularly in the Western Ghats<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Economic Importance: Helps mining, units; hydroelectricity venture and farming henceforth assume a noteworthy part in the economy of India.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • The Western Ghats are steeper compared to the Eastern Ghats, which leads to different drainage and climate as well.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Well-known waterfalls like Jog Falls, Hogenakkal Falls, and Chitrakote Falls are found in the area.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Peninsular Plateau of India Divisions<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Generally, the Peninsular Plateau may be divided into two physiographic divisions, namely the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau. These divisions are distinguished by geography, altitude, drainage structure and topography.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Central Highlands Plateaus<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nLocation<\/b><\/td>\nKey Features<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Malwa Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh, Rajasthan<\/span><\/td>\nVolcanic origin, black soil, Chambal basin<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Mewar Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nSouthern Rajasthan<\/span><\/td>\nPart of the Aravalli region, rocky terrain<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Marwar Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nWestern Rajasthan<\/span><\/td>\nSemi-arid region with sandy plains<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Bundelkhand Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nUttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nGranite rocks, Betwa and Ken rivers<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Baghelkhand Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh<\/span><\/td>\nRich in limestone and coal deposits<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Chota Nagpur Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nJharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal<\/span><\/td>\nMineral Storehouse of India<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Rewa Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nLies between Vindhya and Kaimur ranges<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Bhander Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nPart of the Vindhyan Plateau<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Kaimur Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar<\/span><\/td>\nSandstone plateau, extension of Vindhyas<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Vindhyan Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nComposed mainly of sandstone and limestone<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Deccan Plateau<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nLocation<\/b><\/td>\nKey Features<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Deccan Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nSouthern India<\/span><\/td>\nLargest plateau, formed by Deccan Trap lava flows<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Maharashtra Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nMaharashtra<\/span><\/td>\nBlack cotton soil, cotton cultivation<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Karnataka (Mysore) Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nKarnataka<\/span><\/td>\nRich in gold, iron ore and manganese<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Telangana Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nTelangana<\/span><\/td>\nAncient granite rocks, Godavari & Krishna rivers<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Andhra (Rayalaseema) Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nAndhra Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nRed soil, drought-prone region<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Tamil Nadu Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nTamil Nadu<\/span><\/td>\nBounded by the Eastern and Western Ghats<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Other Important Plateaus of India<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nLocation<\/b><\/td>\nKey Features<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Bastar Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nChhattisgarh<\/span><\/td>\nDense forests and rich iron ore deposits<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Koraput Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nOdisha<\/span><\/td>\nRich in bauxite reserves<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Dandakaranya Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nChhattisgarh, Odisha & Telangana<\/span><\/td>\nForested tribal region<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Ranchi Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nJharkhand<\/span><\/td>\nFamous for waterfalls and mineral resources<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Hazaribagh Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nJharkhand<\/span><\/td>\nRich coal reserves and forests<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Meghalaya Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nMeghalaya<\/span><\/td>\nIncludes Garo, Khasi and Jaintia Hills<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Karbi Anglong Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nAssam<\/span><\/td>\nExtension of the Meghalaya Plateau<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Nilgiri Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nTamil Nadu, Kerala & Karnataka<\/span><\/td>\nMeeting point of the Eastern and Western Ghats<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Anaimalai Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nTamil Nadu & Kerala<\/span><\/td>\nHome to Anamudi, South India’s highest peak<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Palani Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nTamil Nadu<\/span><\/td>\nKnown for Kodaikanal hill station<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Cardamom Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nKerala<\/span><\/td>\nFamous for spice cultivation<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Saurashtra Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nGujarat<\/span><\/td>\nBasaltic lava region<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Kathiawar Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nGujarat<\/span><\/td>\nPeninsula between the Gulf of Kachchh and Gulf of Khambhat<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Kachchh Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nGujarat<\/span><\/td>\nDry plateau near the Rann of Kachchh<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Ladakh Plateau<\/b><\/td>\nLadakh<\/span><\/td>\nHigh-altitude cold desert plateau<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Key hills of the peninsular plateau of India<\/span><\/h2>\n

    India’s geography, the Peninsular Plateau is bordered by and cut through by several ancient hill ranges that shape its drainage, climate, biodiversity and mineral deposit distribution. The majority of these hills consist of ancient igneous and metamorphic rocks and represent some of the world’s oldest landforms.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"Peninsular<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Hill Range<\/b><\/td>\nLocation \/ States<\/b><\/td>\nHighest Peak<\/b><\/td>\nSignificance<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Aravalli Range<\/b><\/td>\nRajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Gujarat<\/span><\/td>\nGuru Shikhar (1,722 m)<\/b><\/td>\nOldest fold mountain range in India; acts as a barrier to the Thar Desert.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Vindhya Range<\/b><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan<\/span><\/td>\nKalumara Peak (~752 m)<\/b><\/td>\nSeparates the Northern Plains from the Deccan Plateau.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Satpura Range<\/b><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh<\/span><\/td>\nDhupgarh (1,350 m)<\/b><\/td>\nLies between the Narmada and Tapi rivers; rich in forests and wildlife.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Western Ghats (Sahyadris)<\/b><\/td>\nGujarat to Tamil Nadu along the west coast<\/span><\/td>\nAnamudi (2,695 m)<\/b><\/td>\nUNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Eastern Ghats<\/b><\/td>\nOdisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu<\/span><\/td>\nJindhagada \/ Arma Konda (1,690 m)<\/b><\/td>\nDiscontinuous mountain range cut by major rivers such as the Godavari and Krishna.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Nilgiri Hills<\/b><\/td>\nTamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka<\/span><\/td>\nDoddabetta (2,637 m)<\/b><\/td>\nJunction of the Western and Eastern Ghats; famous for tea plantations.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Anaimalai Hills<\/b><\/td>\nKerala and Tamil Nadu<\/span><\/td>\nAnamudi (2,695 m)<\/b><\/td>\nHome to South India’s highest peak and Eravikulam National Park.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Cardamom Hills<\/b><\/td>\nKerala<\/span><\/td>\nSouth Cardamom Peak (~1,670 m)<\/b><\/td>\nRenowned for spice cultivation, especially cardamom and pepper.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Palani Hills<\/b><\/td>\nTamil Nadu<\/span><\/td>\nVandaravu (2,533 m)<\/b><\/td>\nHome to Kodaikanal and an important watershed region.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Mahadeo Hills<\/b><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh<\/span><\/td>\nDhupgarh region<\/b><\/td>\nPart of the Satpura system; rich in forests and biodiversity.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Maikal Hills<\/b><\/td>\nMadhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh<\/span><\/td>\nAmarkantak Plateau region<\/b><\/td>\nSource region of the Narmada and Son rivers.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Rajmahal Hills<\/b><\/td>\nJharkhand<\/span><\/td>\nHighest point ~600 m<\/b><\/td>\nKnown for volcanic rocks and fossil-rich formations.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Shillong Plateau (Meghalaya Plateau)<\/b><\/td>\nMeghalaya<\/span><\/td>\nShillong Peak (1,965 m)<\/b><\/td>\nDetached extension of the Peninsular Plateau, separated by the Malda Gap.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    India Mineral Resources of Peninsular Plateau<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Peninsular Plateau of India, or the Peninsular plateau region, is also known for being a mineral-rich area and hence it is known as the Mineral Storehouse of India. The plateau consists of ancient igneous and metamorphic rocks and has large deposits of both metallic and non-metallic minerals. This is where the majority of India’s large mining and mineral-based industries are located. In the meantime, the Geological Survey of India ( GSI) keeps identifying and exploring new minerals across the Peninsular Plateau under the National Mineral Exploration Policy(NMEP).<\/span><\/p>\n

    Peninsular Plateau of Major Minerals<\/span><\/h3>\n