The Coastal Plains and Islands

The coastal plains of India are divided into named sections according to their location along the western and eastern coasts. The Malabar Coast is the southern part of the western coastal plain and is closely associated with Kerala. It lies along the Arabian Sea and includes the coastal region where Kerala is located. Konkan is farther north on the western coast, mainly near Maharashtra and Goa. The Northern Circars and Coromandel are parts of the eastern coastal plain.

Therefore, choice C, Malabar, is correct. The question asks for the coastal section most closely linked with Kerala, so the state-based clue is important. Kerala should be connected with the western coast and the Malabar Coast. The other choices belong to different coastal regions or states and therefore do not provide the correct match. Remembering “Kerala—Malabar” is a useful way to identify this answer quickly.

The Coromandel Coast is linked with the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu. Exam tip: remember it as the southern part of the eastern coast.

East flowing rivers deposit sediments on the eastern coast and form deltas. Exam tip: connect delta with river deposition.

The Krishna River forms a delta on the eastern coast. Exam tip: remember Krishna as a river flowing towards the Bay of Bengal.

The Mahanadi forms a delta on the eastern coastal plain. Exam tip: connect Mahanadi with the Bay of Bengal.

The Western Ghats are close to the sea so many western coastal rivers are short and swift. Exam tip: remember the western coast as narrow.

Chilika, on the Odisha coast, is a saltwater lake. It is also a lagoon connected to the sea, so its water is influenced by seawater. A glacial lake forms in areas affected by glaciers and is therefore not the correct description of Chilika. Exam tip: remember the link—Chilika, Odisha, lagoon, and saltwater lake.

Vembanad Lake is linked with the coast of Kerala. Exam tip: connect Kerala with backwaters and the Malabar coast.

Kayals are the lagoons, backwaters, and connected water bodies found along Kerala’s coastal region, especially associated with the Malabar Coast. They may contain a mixture of fresh water and saline water and are linked in places with rivers, lakes, canals, and the sea. These water bodies are an important physical feature of Kerala and support fishing, transport, farming, and tourism. The local term is therefore a geographical name, not a general word for every lake in India.

Option D, Kayals, is correct. Tal is used for certain lakes or lake-like features in other regional contexts, while khadar refers to newer alluvial deposits in river floodplains. Bhabar is a narrow porous belt along the Himalayan foothills where streams may disappear into sediments. Neither of those terms identifies Kerala’s coastal backwaters. Remembering “Kayals—Kerala or Malabar Coast” gives the direct link needed for this question.

Lakshadweep is located in the Arabian Sea. Exam tip: remember Lakshadweep as India’s western island group.

Lakshadweep is near the Malabar coast of Kerala. Exam tip: connect Lakshadweep with the Arabian Sea and Malabar.

Lakshadweep is a group of coral islands. Exam tip: remember Lakshadweep when you see the word coral.

Pitti Island, also known as Pakshipitti, is in Lakshadweep and is famous for the Pitti Bird Sanctuary. It is important as a breeding area for seabirds. Barren Island, the closest distractor, is a volcanic island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, not in Lakshadweep. Exam tip: remember the link: Pitti Bird Sanctuary—Pitti Island—Lakshadweep.

Minicoy is the southernmost major island of India’s Lakshadweep island group. Lakshadweep consists of coral islands in the Arabian Sea. The Maldives may be geographically nearby, but it is a separate country and island group. Exam tip: remember Lakshadweep–Arabian Sea and Andaman and Nicobar–Bay of Bengal.

Barren Island is famous for India’s active volcano. Exam tip: connect it with the Andaman and Nicobar region.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands form a chain in the north south direction. Exam tip: remember their elongated spread.

India’s southernmost point lies on Great Nicobar Island in the Nicobar region. Exam tip: connect it with Indira Point.

Indira Point is located on Great Nicobar Island. Exam tip: remember it as India’s southernmost point.

Coromandel is the southern part of the eastern coast not the western coast. Exam tip: remember the correct location of coastal divisions.

Mahanadi Godavari Krishna and Kaveri flow eastward. Exam tip: connect east flowing rivers with the Bay of Bengal.