Northern Mountains of India: Himalayas & Trans-Himalayas Explained for UPSC Geography

If map work feels scary, you’re not alone. For most UPSC aspirants, Geography becomes tough not because concepts are hard, but because locations are unclear. Once you know where what lies, everything suddenly makes sense.

This blog breaks down the Northern Mountain Complex of India in a simple, exam‑oriented way — exactly what you need for UPSC Prelims and Mains Geography.

We’ll cover:

• Trans‑Himalayan ranges
• Himalayan ranges (Great, Middle, Shivalik)
• Pamir Knot and Trans‑Eurasian system
• Rivers that divide the ranges
• North‑East hills: Dafla, Miri, Abor, Mishmi (and their correct names)

Northern Mountains of India: The Big Picture

The Northern Mountains of India are young fold mountains formed in the Tertiary period (less than 60–62 million years old). They are part of the larger Trans‑Eurasian mountain system, which stretches across Asia and Europe.

For UPSC, always remember this classification:

Trans‑Eurasian Mountain System →

1. Trans‑Himalayas (north of the Himalayas)
2. Himalayas (main mountain system of India)

Trans‑Himalayan Ranges of India (Very Important for Map Work)

These ranges lie north of the Himalayas in Ladakh.

Major Trans‑Himalayan Ranges:

• Karakoram Range
• Ladakh Range
• Zaskar Range

Sequence from North to South:

Karakoram → Shyok River → Ladakh Range → Indus River → Zaskar Range

This sequence is extremely important for UPSC map‑based questions.

Important Rivers:

• Indus River – separates Ladakh and Zaskar ranges
• Shyok River – separates Karakoram and Ladakh ranges
• Zaskar River – tributary of Indus, flows from Zaskar range

Pamir Knot: The Roof of the World

The Pamir Knot is a highland region from where several major mountain systems originate.

From Pamir Knot emerge:

• Himalayas (India)
• Kunlun Shan (China)
• Hindu Kush (Afghanistan)
• Sulaiman and Kirthar Ranges (Pakistan)

This makes Pamir Knot a key UPSC Geography hotspot.

Himalayan Mountain System of India

The Himalayas are divided into three parallel ranges:

1. Great Himalayas (Himadri)

• Highest and continuous range
• Contains major peaks like Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Nanga Parbat

2. Middle Himalayas (Himachal)

• Discontinuous ranges
• Important ranges include:
  • Pir Panjal Range
  • Dhauladhar Range
  • Mussoorie Range
  • Nag Tibba Range

3. Shivalik Range

• Southernmost and lowest range
• Known as Outer Himalayas
• Called Jammu Hills in J&K and Dudwa Hills in Uttar Pradesh
• NCERT Point: Shivalik range is absent in North‑East Himalayas

North‑East Himalayas and Hills (Map Work Goldmine)

The North‑East does not have Shivalik ranges. Instead, the Middle Himalayas appear as hill ranges divided by rivers.

Major Rivers of North‑East Himalayas:

• Brahmaputra
• Subansiri
• Dibang
• Lohit
• Kurung

Hill Ranges (Old Names → Correct Names):

Note for UPSC: Dafla and Abor are derogatory terms. Use Nishi Hills and Adi Hills in answers.

Why This Topic Is Important for UPSC

This single map can give you:

• Prelims MCQs on rivers and mountain ranges
• Map‑based questions in Geography optional
• Mains answers on physical geography of India
• Better retention through visual memory

If you master this map, you’ve already scored free marks.

Quick Revision Points

• Northern Mountains are young fold mountains (Tertiary period)
• Trans‑Himalayas = Karakoram, Ladakh, Zaskar
• Himalayas = Great, Middle, Shivalik
• Pamir Knot is the origin hub of major Asian mountains
• Shivalik range is absent in North‑East Himalayas
• Use Nishi Hills and Adi Hills, not Dafla and Abor

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FAQs

1. #UPSCGeography What are the Trans‑Himalayan ranges of India?
2. #HimalayasMapWork How are the Himalayas divided for UPSC Geography?
3. #PamirKnot Why is the Pamir Knot important in physical geography?
4. #NorthEastHimalayas What are Nishi, Miri, Adi and Mishmi Hills in Arunachal Pradesh?