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Himalayan Ranges MCQs
High-yield multiple choice questions asked in previous years (UPSC, SSC CGL, JKSSB, RRB & State PSCs).
High-Yield Concept Capsule & Key Facts
📌 Core physical geography module in UPSC, SSC, CDS, NDA, and State PSCs.
Longitudinal Divisions of the Himalayas
- • Trans-Himalayas: North of the Great Himalayas; comprises Karakoram (houses K2/Godwin-Austen, 8,611m - 2nd highest peak in the world; Siachen Glacier - 76 km long), Ladakh Range, and Zaskar Range. Indus River flows between Ladakh and Zaskar ranges.
- • Greater Himalayas (Himadri): Highest, continuous, snow-bound chain; average elevation 6,000m. Houses Mount Everest (Sagarmatha/Chomolungma - 8,848.86m), Kanchenjunga (8,586m in Sikkim - highest peak in undisputed Indian territory), Makalu, Dhaulagiri, Nanga Parbat, Nanda Devi.
- • Lesser Himalayas (Himachal / Middle Himalayas): Average elevation 3,700-4,500m. Rugged relief with hill resorts (Shimla, Mussoorie, Nainital, Darjeeling). Prominent ranges: Pir Panjal (longest range in Lesser Himalayas; Banihal pass, Atal Tunnel), Dhauladhar, Nag Tibba, Mahabharat Lekh.
- • Outer Himalayas (Shiwalik): Southernmost foothills; average elevation 900-1,100m. Formed of unconsolidated river gravel and alluvium. Characterized by longitudinal flat-bottomed valleys called 'Duns' (e.g. Dehradun, Kotli Dun, Patli Dun) and 'Duars'.
Regional Divisions & Strategic Mountain Passes
- • Regional (West to East) by Rivers: Punjab / Kashmir Himalaya (between Indus & Satluj), Kumaon Himalaya (between Satluj & Kali), Nepal Himalaya (between Kali & Teesta - highest section), Assam Himalaya (between Teesta & Dihang/Brahmaputra).
- • Strategic Passes: Zojila (Kashmir to Ladakh), Banihal (Jammu to Srinagar), Rohtang & Atal Tunnel (Kullu to Lahaul-Spiti), Shipki La (Himachal to Tibet - Satluj river enters here), Lipulekh & Mana Pass (Uttarakhand to Tibet / Kailash Mansarovar), Nathu La & Jelep La (Sikkim to Tibet / Chumbi Valley), Bomdi La (Arunachal Pradesh).
| Himalayan Section | Elevation / Extent | Key Mountain Peaks | Strategic Passes / Valleys |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trans-Himalayas | North of Himadri | K2 (8,611m), Gasherbrum | Karakoram Pass, Khardung La |
| Himadri (Great Himalaya) | Avg 6,000 m | Kanchenjunga, Nanda Devi, Kamet | Zojila, Shipki La, Lipulekh, Nathu La |
| Lesser Himalaya (Himachal) | 3,700 - 4,500 m | Pir Panjal, Dhauladhar, Nag Tibba | Banihal Pass, Rohtang Pass (Atal Tunnel) |
| Shiwalik (Outer Himalaya) | 900 - 1,100 m | Foothill gravel ridges | Duns (Dehradun), Duars |
| Purvanchal (Eastern Hills) | North-East border | Patkai Bum, Naga Hills, Mizo Hills | Diphuk Pass, Pangsau Pass |
Showing 15 Practice Questions
Q1SSC CGL 2023Easy
Which is the highest mountain peak located in undisputed Indian sovereign territory?
Q2UPSC CSE PrelimsEasy
The longest and most prominent mountain range of the Lesser Himalayas (Himachal) is the:
Q3JKSSB FAA 2022Easy
The famous Nathu La pass, connecting India with Tibet's Chumbi Valley, is located in which state?
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Q4CDS 2022Easy
The longitudinal valleys lying between the Lesser Himalayas and the Shiwalik foothills are locally known as:
Q5JKSSB VLW 2023Medium
The Indus River flows through a dramatic gorge between which two Trans-Himalayan mountain ranges?
Q6SSC CGL Tier-1Medium
Through which mountain pass in Himachal Pradesh does the Satluj River cut through from Tibet into India?
Q7JKPSC KAS PrelimsEasy
Nanda Devi, the second-highest mountain peak in India (7,816 m) and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is located in:
Q8Current Affairs & Geography 2021-2022Easy
The world's longest highway tunnel above 10,000 feet, the Atal Tunnel (9.02 km), is bored under which Himalayan pass?
Q9SSC CHSLMedium
The regional division of the Himalayas lying between the Kali River in the west and the Teesta River in the east is designated as:
Q10JKSSB Sub-InspectorEasy
Which of the following mountain ranges is NOT part of the Trans-Himalayan system?
Q11UPSC CSE PrelimsEasy
The Siachen Glacier, the second-longest non-polar glacier in the world (76 km), is situated in which mountain range?
Q12JKSSB Patwari 2024Medium
Lipulekh Pass, situated at the tri-junction of India, Nepal, and China and used for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, is in:
Q13UPSC CSE / State PSCHard
What is the geological boundary fault that separates the Lesser Himalayas from the Shiwalik foothills called?
Q14JKSSB Junior AssistantEasy
Zojila Pass, which provides vital road transit from Srinagar to Kargil and Leh, cuts through which mountain range?
Q15CDS 2021Easy
The Eastern Hills of the Himalayas, bending sharply southwards beyond the Dihang gorge along the Myanmar border, are collectively known as:
Frequently Asked Questions (Himalayan Ranges)
Q: What is the highest mountain peak located in undisputed Indian territory?
Kanchenjunga, standing at an elevation of 8,586 metres on the border between Sikkim and Nepal, is the highest mountain peak in undisputed Indian territory (and third highest globally). While K2 (8,611 m) is higher, it is situated in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Q: What is the geological origin of the 'Duns' in the Outer Himalayas?
Duns are broad, longitudinal tectonic valleys situated between the Lesser Himalayas and the Shiwalik foothills. When rivers were temporarily dammed by the rising Shiwaliks, lakes formed where gravel and silt accumulated. When the rivers cut through the ridges, the drained lake beds left flat valleys known as Duns (such as Dehradun).
Q: Through which mountain pass does the Satluj River enter India from Tibet?
The Satluj River cuts through the Zaskar range and enters India from Tibet through the Shipki La pass in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.
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