The Peninsular Plateau

The western part of Deccan is relatively higher so many rivers flow eastward. In exams, remember height and slope together.

Satpura lies near the northern boundary of the Deccan Plateau. In exams, remember it with the Narmada region.

Direct answer: Option B, the western coast. The Western Ghats, or Sahyadri, form a long mountain chain along the western side of Peninsular India, roughly parallel to the Arabian Sea coast. They influence rainfall and the short, swift west-flowing rivers as well as the east-flowing peninsular rivers. Option A is wrong because the Western Ghats are not parallel to the eastern coast. Option C is wrong because they are far south of and separate from the Ganga Plain. Option D is wrong because the Himalaya is a different, much younger mountain system in northern India. Map cue: Sahyadri stands beside the west coast.

East-flowing rivers travel longer distances and form deltas in the Bay of Bengal. In exams, use Godavari and Krishna as examples.

Narmada and Tapi flow westward and mostly form estuaries instead of deltas. In exams, remember them as west-flowing exceptions.

The Central Highlands are plateau and rocky region while the Northern Plains are alluvial. In exams, remember their different bases of formation.

The Deccan Plateau is a triangular landform south of Narmada with Ghats along its edges. In exams, remember it as the southern plateau.

Red soil forms from the weathering of iron-rich rocks. In exams, link the red colour with the presence of iron.

The direct answer is A, Central Highlands and Malwa Plateau. The Peninsular Plateau has important subdivisions, including the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau. The Malwa Plateau lies within or is commonly associated with the Central Highlands, north of the Narmada Valley. Therefore the pair in option A correctly matches a subdivision with an example. Option B is wrong because Bhabar is a pebbly belt along the Shiwalik foothills in the Northern Plains, not an example of the Deccan Plateau. Option C is wrong because the Terai is a marshy belt south of the Bhabar in the Northern Plains, not an example of the Eastern Ghats. Option D is wrong because the Sundarbans are a deltaic mangrove region in the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta, not an example of the Chotanagpur Plateau. The reasoning is to match each landform with its correct region, not merely to notice that the words are geographical. Memory cue: Malwa belongs with the Central Highlands; Bhabar, Terai, and Sundarbans belong to the Northern Plains or delta context.

Bhabar is a foothill belt of the Northern Plains, not a part of the Peninsular Plateau. In exams, keep physical divisions separate.

This plateau is important for minerals, energy resources and black soil areas. In exams, link economic importance with resources.

The word trap is linked with step-like landforms formed by lava flows. In exams, connect it with volcanic origin.

Karbi Anglong and North Cachar are linked with the north-eastern extension of the Peninsular Plateau. In exams, remember them with Meghalaya Plateau.

Rajmahal Hills are linked with the north-eastern part of the Peninsular Plateau near Chotanagpur. In exams, place them in the eastern extension.

Sahyadri is the traditional name commonly used for the Western Ghats, the mountain chain running along the western edge of Peninsular India. Thus, when a textbook or question uses Sahyadri, it is referring to the same major physical feature as the Western Ghats. Recognising alternative names is useful because geography questions may use either term.

The Western Ghats lie roughly parallel to the western coast and form an important highland boundary of the peninsula. The Eastern Ghats are a different, more discontinuous range on the eastern side. The Aravallis are an older range in northwestern India, while Himadri is the highest Himalayan division. Therefore option A is correct: Sahyadri and Western Ghats identify the same range in this context.

Kaveri flows eastward into the Bay of Bengal. In exams, remember it as a major east-flowing river of South India.

The Peninsular Plateau is rocky and old while the Northern Plains are formed by alluvial deposits. In exams, understand the difference between soil and rock.

The Deccan Plateau is a large plateau region south of Narmada. In exams, treat it as the main part of Peninsular India.

The Vindhya Range is associated with the southern edge of the Central Highlands. In exams, connect Vindhya with the region north of Narmada.

On hard rocks, rivers can erode and form valleys and waterfalls. In exams, link plateau river landforms with rocky surfaces.

The Peninsular Plateau is an ancient rocky landform with two main divisions. In exams, remember age, rocks and divisions together.

River flow shows that the plateau generally slopes eastward and a few rivers are west-flowing exceptions. In exams, connect direction with slope.

Narmada and Tapi flow westward through rift valleys. In exams, treat them as exceptions to the usual east-flowing pattern.

Old lava flows formed the Deccan Trap and weathering developed black soil. In exams, remember lava, trap and black soil together.

The Peninsular Plateau is broadly triangular. Exam tip: remember its narrowing shape towards the south.