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Q75 (IAS/2022) Geography › Indian Physical Geography › Himalayan physiography Official Key

Consider the following pairs : Peak Mountains 1. Namcha Barwa - Garhwal Himalaya 2. Nanda Devi - Kumaon Himalaya 3. Nokrek - Sikkim Himalaya Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: B
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 2 (2 only) because only the second pair is geographically accurate according to the regional classification of the Himalayas.

  • Pair 1 is incorrect: Namcha Barwa is located in the Arunachal Himalayas (Tibet-China border region), marking the easternmost point where the Brahmaputra takes a sharp turn. The Garhwal Himalayas are situated much further west in Uttarakhand.
  • Pair 2 is correct: Nanda Devi is the highest peak located entirely within India, situated in the Kumaon Himalaya range in Uttarakhand. This region lies between the Satluj and Kali rivers.
  • Pair 3 is incorrect: Nokrek is the highest peak of the Garo Hills in Meghalaya (part of the Shillong Plateau), not the Sikkim Himalayas. The Sikkim Himalayas are known for peaks like Kanchenjunga.

Therefore, only Nanda Devi is correctly matched with its respective mountain range.

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PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
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Q. Consider the following pairs : Peak Mountains 1. Namcha Barwa - Garhwal Himalaya 2. Nanda Devi - Kumaon Himalaya 3. Nokrek - Sikkim Himal…
At a glance
Origin: Mixed / unclear origin Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 6.7/10 · 0/10

This is a classic 'Map-Mental-Model' question. It rewards candidates who don't just memorize lists but visualize locations relative to state boundaries and river basins. It combines core Physical Geography (Himalayan subdivisions) with Environment (Biosphere Reserves locations like Nokrek). If you knew your Biosphere Reserves, this was a sitter.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Which Himalayan subrange contains Namcha Barwa?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 5. The Eastern Himalaya > p. 16
Presence: 5/5
“These lie between the Tista and the Brahmaputra rivers, covering a distance of about 720 km with an area of 67,500 sq km. The Eastern Himalaya occupy the state of Arunachal Pradesh (India) and Bhutan. In this part, the Himalaya rise very rapidly from the plains of Assam, and the foothills of Shiwaliks are very narrow. The Eastern Himalaya include the Aka Hills, the Dafla Hills, Miri Hills, Abor Hills, Mishmi Hills, and Namcha Barwa (7756 m). It has a number of mountain passes among which Bomdi-La, Bom La, Tunga, Yonggyap, Diphu, Pangsau, Tse-La, Dihang, Debang (Arunachal Pradesh) are the most important.”
Why this source?
  • Names Namcha Barwa (7756 m) as included in the Eastern Himalaya
  • Describes the Eastern Himalaya as occupying Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan, linking the peak to that subrange
CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Brahmaputra River System > p. 20
Presence: 4/5
“The Brahmaputra rises in Tibet east of Mansarowar lake very close to the sources of the Indus and the Satluj. It is slightly longer than the Indus, and most of its course lies outside India. It flows eastwards parallel to the Himalayas. On reaching the Namcha Barwa (7757 m), it takes a 'U' turn and enters India in Arunachal Pradesh through a gorge. Here, it is called the Dihang and it is joined by the Dibang, the Lohit, and many other tributaries to form the Brahmaputra in Assam.”
Why this source?
  • Places Namcha Barwa at the location where the Brahmaputra takes a U-turn before entering Arunachal Pradesh
  • Locates the peak at the eastern end of the Himalayan system, reinforcing its Eastern Himalaya position
Statement 2
Which Himalayan subrange contains Nanda Devi?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 2. The Greater Himalaya > p. 12
Presence: 5/5
“Gasherbrum, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Gosainthan, Cho-Cyu, Nanda-Devi, Kamet, Badrinath, Nanda Devi, etc., lie in this zone. The Greater Himalaya are composed of crystalline, igneous or metamorphic rocks (granite, schists, and geneiss). The basal complex of the Himalaya is Archaean. At places, due to heavy thrust, older rocks are found overlying the newer rocks. The Greater Himalaya are almost a contiguous range. The range has very few gaps mainly provided by the antecedent rivers. The Greater Himalaya receive less rainfall as compared to the Lesser Himalaya and the Shiwaliks. Physical weathering is pronounced. Erosion is, however, less effective over the Greater Himalaya as compared to the Lesser Himalaya.”
Why this source?
  • Entry is under the section 'The Greater Himalaya' and explicitly lists 'Nanda-Devi' among peaks that lie in this zone.
  • Directly associates Nanda Devi with the Greater Himalaya subrange.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 1. The Kashmir Himalaya > p. 15
Presence: 5/5
“apricot. The Himalaya in Kashmir by high snow covered peaks, deep valleys, interlocked spurs and high mountain passes. Pir-Panjal, Banihal (Jawahar Tunnel), Zoji-La, Burzil, Khardungla, Pensi-La, Saser-La, Lanak-La, Jara-La, Taska-La, Chang-La, Umasi-La, and Qara-Tagh-La (Karakoram) are the important mountain passes of the Kashmir Himalaya. The Himadri: Known as the abode of gods, this section of the Himalaya has many snow capped peaks, such knows as Nanga-Parbat (8119 m), Nanda Devi 7817 m), Trisul (7140 m), Nunkun (7135 m), Kamath (7756 m), etc.”
Why this source?
  • Defines 'The Himadri' (Great/Inner Himalaya) and enumerates prominent peaks including 'Nanda Devi (7817 m)'.
  • Directly places Nanda Devi in the Himadri (the northern-most/highest Himalayan section).
CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Physical Features of India > The Himalayan Mountains > p. 7
Presence: 4/5
“The northern-most range is known as the Great or Inner Himalayas or the Himadri. It is the most continuous range consisting of the loftiest peaks with an average height of 6,000 metres. It contains all prominent Himalayan peaks.”
Why this source?
  • States that the northern-most range is known as the Great or Inner Himalayas (Himadri).
  • Asserts that this range contains all prominent Himalayan peaks, implying inclusion of peaks like Nanda Devi.
Statement 3
Which mountain range or region contains Nokrek (the peak claimed to be in the Sikkim Himalaya)?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 4. The Central Himalaya > p. 16
Strength: 5/5
“This range stretches from river Kali to river Tista for about 800 km occupying an area of about 116,800 sq km. A major part of it lies in Nepal except the extreme eastern part called Sikkim Himalaya and in the Darjeeling District of West Bengal. All the three ranges of the Himalaya are represented here. The highest peaks of the world like Mt. Everest (8850 m), Kanchenjunga (8598 m), Makalu (8481 m), Dhaulagiri (8172 m), Annapurna (8078 m), Manaslu (8154 m) and Gosainath (8014 m) are situated in this part of the Himalaya. It has very few passes. The passes of Nathu-La and Jelep-La (4538 m in Sikkim) connect Gangtok (Sikkim) with Lhasa (Tibet, China).”
Why relevant

Defines the eastern extent of the Central Himalaya as stretching to the river Tista and names the extreme eastern part as the Sikkim Himalaya (Darjeeling/Sikkim area).

How to extend

A student could compare Nokrek's location (by map or coordinates) to the Kali–Tista/Tista boundary and the Darjeeling–Sikkim area to assess whether Nokrek falls inside the Sikkim Himalaya.

INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Structure and Physiography > The North and Northeastern Mountains > p. 11
Strength: 4/5
“The North and Northeastern Mountains consist of the Himalayas and the Northeastern hills. The Himalayas consist of a series of parallel mountain ranges. Some of the important ranges are the Greater Himalayan range, which includes the Great Himalayas and the Shiwalik. The general orientation of these ranges is from northwest to the southeast direction in the northwestern part of India. Himalayas in the Darjiling and Sikkim regions lie in an eastwest direction, while in Arunachal Pradesh they are from southwest to the northwest direction. In Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram, they are in the northsouth direction. The approximate length of the Great Himalayan range, also known as the central axial range, is 2,500 km from east to west, and their width varies between 160-400 km from north to south.”
Why relevant

Explains that Himalayan ranges in Sikkim/Darjeeling lie east–west and distinguishes the Himalaya as a set of parallel ranges (Greater, Lesser, Shiwalik).

How to extend

Use a regional map to see which of these parallel ranges (or orientation band) covers Nokrek's locality to judge if it matches the Sikkim Himalayan structure.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > THE HIMALAYAN REGION > p. 1
Strength: 4/5
“The Himalaya consist of four lithotectonic mountain ranges, namely (i) the Trans-Himalaya or the Tethys Himalaya, (ii) the Greater Himalaya, (iii) the Lesser Himalaya, and (iv) the Shiwalik or the Outer Himalaya. The Indian Himalaya extend from the eastern boundary of Pakistan to the border of Myanmar for about 2500 km with a varying width of about 500 km in the west and about 320 km in the east. They lies to the north of the Ganga-Brahmaputra Plains and are separated from the plains by the Himalayan Front Fault (HFF). They include parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh.”
Why relevant

Lists the four lithotectonic Himalayan ranges (Trans-, Greater, Lesser, Shiwalik) and explicitly includes Sikkim within the Indian Himalayan extent.

How to extend

Determine which of these Himalayan sub-ranges is present in Sikkim and check whether Nokrek's position corresponds to any of these sub-ranges on an external map.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > Table 2.3 > p. 24
Strength: 3/5
“Main Glaciers of the Himalayan Region • Name of The Glacier: Siachen; Location: Karakoram; Length (Km): 76; Altitude (M): 5400; Important Features: Largest in Nubra Valley of the Himalaya and second longest glacier outside the Polar region • Name of The Glacier: Biafo; Location: Karakoram (Baltistan region of Ladakh); Length (Km): 60; Altitude (M): 5128; Important Features: Flows into Shigar River • Name of The Glacier: Chogo Lungma; Location: Karakoram; Length (Km): 50; Altitude (M): 5016; Important Features: Located in Gilgit Baltistan • Name of The Glacier: Gangotri; Location: Uttarakhand; Length (Km): 28; Altitude (M): 3415; Important Features: Originates below the Chaukhamba Peak and it is also known as 'Gomukh' • Name of The Glacier: Rimo; Location: Siachen Area of Ladakh; Length (Km): 40; Altitude (M): 7385; Important Features: Drains in the Shyok River • Name of The Glacier: Hispar; Location: Gilgit-Baltistan; Length (Km): 63; Altitude (M): 5128; Important Features: World's longest glacial system • Name of The Glacier: Zemu; Location: Sikkim/Nepal; Length (Km): 26; Altitude (M): 300; Important Features: Largest glacier in Eastern Himalaya and it feeds River Teesta • Name of The Glacier: Drang Drung; Location: Himalayan Range; Length (Km): 23; Altitude (M): 4780; Important Features: It lies in the Zanskar range in Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir • Name of The Glacier: Shafat; Location: Eastern Himalayan Range; Length (Km): 14; Altitude (M): 4400; Important Features: Gives rise to the peaks of Nun and Kun The melted water flows into Suru River • Name of The Glacier: Sonapani; Location: Chandra Valley of Lahaul and Spiti region; Length (Km): 15; Altitude (M): 4000; Important Features: Longest glacier of the Pir Panjal range near the Rohtang Pass”
Why relevant

Gives an example of a glacier (Zemu) located in 'Sikkim/Nepal' and labels it as part of the Eastern Himalaya, illustrating how features are assigned to the Eastern/Sikkim Himalayan region.

How to extend

Compare Nokrek's proximity to named Eastern Himalayan features (like Zemu/Teesta basin) on a map to infer if it belongs to the Eastern/Sikkim Himalaya.

CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Physical Features of India > The Himalayan Mountains > p. 7
Strength: 3/5
“The northern-most range is known as the Great or Inner Himalayas or the Himadri. It is the most continuous range consisting of the loftiest peaks with an average height of 6,000 metres. It contains all prominent Himalayan peaks.”
Why relevant

States that the Himadri (Greater Himalaya) contains the loftiest peaks and 'all prominent Himalayan peaks', noting that Sikkim contains major peaks like Kanchenjunga.

How to extend

Check whether Nokrek's elevation and position align with the Greater (Himadri) zone in Sikkim on a topographic map to evaluate the claim.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC loves testing the 'Extremities' (Western vs Eastern anchors) and 'Category Errors' (confusing Himalayan peaks with Peninsular/Plateau peaks like Nokrek). They check if you know the difference between the Fold Mountains (Himalayas) and the Block Mountains/Plateau extensions (Meghalaya Plateau).
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct hits from NCERT Class IX (Drainage/Physical Features) and standard Biosphere Reserve lists.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Regional Divisions of the Himalayas (Sydney Burrard's classification: Punjab, Kumaon, Nepal, Assam) and the 'Anchors' of the Himalayan arc.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the River Boundaries: Punjab Him. (Indus-Satluj), Kumaon Him. (Satluj-Kali), Nepal Him. (Kali-Tista), Assam Him. (Tista-Dihang). Key Peaks: Nanga Parbat (West Anchor), Kamet & Nanda Devi (Kumaon/Garhwal), Kanchenjunga (Sikkim), Namcha Barwa (East Anchor). Nokrek = Garo Hills (Meghalaya).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not study peaks in isolation. Always tag them with: 1. The State/Country, 2. The specific Himalayan sub-range, and 3. Any associated Biosphere Reserve or National Park.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Eastern Himalaya (regional division)
💡 The insight

Namcha Barwa is located within the Eastern Himalayan subrange, connecting the peak to Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan.

High-yield for physical geography: helps locate major peaks regionally, links to climate, biodiversity and state-level physiography; useful in map questions and descriptive answers about eastern Himalayan features.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 5. The Eastern Himalaya > p. 16
  • CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Brahmaputra River System > p. 20
🔗 Anchor: "Which Himalayan subrange contains Namcha Barwa?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Brahmaputra U-turn at Namcha Barwa
💡 The insight

The Brahmaputra (Tsangpo) makes a notable U-turn near Namcha Barwa, tying the peak's location to a major river-course feature.

Important for river-physiography topics: explains river-tectonic interactions and antecedent river behavior; frequently tested in questions on drainage patterns and Himalayan impacts on river courses.

📚 Reading List :
  • CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Drainage > The Brahmaputra River System > p. 20
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > 3. The Brahmaputra River > p. 17
🔗 Anchor: "Which Himalayan subrange contains Namcha Barwa?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Greater Himalaya vs Eastern Himalaya (subrange terminology)
💡 The insight

Discussions of Namcha Barwa occur in contexts referencing both Eastern Himalaya and the Greater Himalaya, highlighting overlap and subrange naming conventions.

Mastering Himalayan subdivisions aids in precise peak placement, differentiating physiographic zones, and answering comparative location questions on maps and in essays.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 5. The Eastern Himalaya > p. 16
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > 3. The Brahmaputra River > p. 17
  • CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Physical Features of India > The Himalayan Mountains > p. 7
🔗 Anchor: "Which Himalayan subrange contains Namcha Barwa?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Himadri (Great/Inner Himalaya) — location of loftiest peaks
💡 The insight

Himadri is the northern-most/highest Himalayan section and contains the most prominent peaks including Nanda Devi.

High-yield for geography: questions often ask which subrange hosts the highest peaks or specific peaks. Mastering this helps link physiography to climate, biodiversity and protected areas.

📚 Reading List :
  • CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Physical Features of India > The Himalayan Mountains > p. 7
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 1. The Kashmir Himalaya > p. 15
🔗 Anchor: "Which Himalayan subrange contains Nanda Devi?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Greater Himalaya (Central/axial range) — principal high-altitude zone
💡 The insight

Greater Himalaya (Great Himalaya) is identified as the zone containing peaks such as Nanda Devi.

Essential for answering questions on Himalayan zonation, comparative rainfall/erosion patterns, and peak-by-peak location; connects to tectonics and conservation topics.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 2. The Greater Himalaya > p. 12
  • INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Structure and Physiography > The North and Northeastern Mountains > p. 11
🔗 Anchor: "Which Himalayan subrange contains Nanda Devi?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Protected areas — Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
💡 The insight

Nanda Devi is associated with a named biosphere reserve, linking the peak to conservation policy and protected-area networks.

Useful for environment and ecology questions on biosphere reserves, UNESCO networks, and conservation challenges in alpine regions; helps integrate physical geography with environmental governance.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and National Parks > BIOSPHERE RESERVES > p. 49
🔗 Anchor: "Which Himalayan subrange contains Nanda Devi?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Major lithotectonic subdivisions of the Himalaya
💡 The insight

The Himalaya are organised into four principal ranges: the Trans‑Himalaya, the Greater (Himadri), the Lesser (Himachal) and the Shiwalik (Outer Himalaya).

High‑yield for UPSC geography questions on physiography and regional classification; helps place specific peaks, glaciers and passes within the correct Himalayan belt and links to topics on climate, river origins and biodiversity. Enables elimination of options by matching a peak's characteristics (height, glaciers, passes) to the appropriate Himalayan subdivision.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > THE HIMALAYAN REGION > p. 1
  • CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Physical Features of India > The Himalayan Mountains > p. 7
🔗 Anchor: "Which mountain range or region contains Nokrek (the peak claimed to be in the Si..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

Since they asked about the Eastern Anchor (Namcha Barwa), the next logical question is the Western Anchor: Nanga Parbat (8126m) in the Kashmir Himalaya. Also, watch out for the 'Kulu-Kangri' (Bhutan/Tibet) or 'Gurla Mandhata' (Nepal/Tibet) in future matching questions.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Distance & Linguistics Logic: Namcha Barwa is the place where the Brahmaputra turns (Arunachal/Tibet border). Garhwal is in Uttarakhand. They are ~1500km apart—impossible match. Nokrek is a Biosphere Reserve in Meghalaya (Garo Hills). Meghalaya is a Plateau, not 'Sikkim Himalaya'. Eliminate 1 and 3 -> Answer is 2 only.

🔗 Mains Connection

Geology & Tectonics: Nokrek is in the Garo Hills, which is geologically part of the 'Peninsular Block' (Deccan extension), separated by the Malda Gap, NOT the Himalayan Fold Mountains. This distinction is a favorite Mains theme for Indian Physical Geography.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

CDS-II · 2024 · Q87 Relevance score: 3.17

Which of the following peaks are situated in India? 1. Dhaulagiri 2. Namcha Barwa 3. Kamet 4. Makalu Select the answer using the code given below:

IAS · 2013 · Q42 Relevance score: 2.77

Consider the following pairs : 1. Nokrek Biosphere Reserve : Garo Hills 2. Logtak (Loktak) Lake : Barail Range 3. Namdapha National Park : Dafla Hills Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

IAS · 2016 · Q94 Relevance score: 2.27

Consider the following pairs : Famous place Region 1. Bodhgaya : Baghelkhand 2. Khajuraho : Bundelkhand 3. Shirdi : Vidarbha 4. Nasik (Nashik) : Malwa 5. Tirupati - : Rayalaseema Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

IAS · 2014 · Q9 Relevance score: 2.04

Consider the following pairs : 1. Dampa Tiger Reserve : Mizoram 2. Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary : Sikkim 3. Saramati Peak : Nagaland Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

IAS · 2019 · Q38 Relevance score: 1.95

Consider the following pairs : Glacier River 1. Bandarpunch : Yamuna 2. Bara Shigri : Chenab 3. Milam : Mandakini 4. Siachen : Nubra 5. Zemu : Manas Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?