Which of the following statements in respect to the Indian Peninsular

Which of the following statements in respect to the Indian Peninsular Plateau are correct?

  • 1. The Deccan Plateau gradually rises from North to South.
  • 2. The Malwa Plateau dominates the Vindhyan scarps, forming the Eastern flank of the plateau.
  • 3. The Western Satpuras separate the Narmada and Tapi rivers.
  • 4. The Chota Nagpur Plateau is composed of Archaean granite and gneiss rocks.
1, 2, 3 and 4
1, 3 and 4 only
2 and 4 only
1 and 3 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2017
The question asks which statements regarding the Indian Peninsular Plateau are correct.
– **Statement 1:** “The Deccan Plateau gradually rises from North to South.” This statement is generally considered correct in terms of overall elevation, as the higher peaks are found in the south (e.g., Nilgiris, Anaimalai Hills) compared to the northern parts of the plateau, although the prominent slope is eastwards.
– **Statement 2:** “The Malwa Plateau dominates the Vindhyan scarps, forming the Eastern flank of the plateau.” This is incorrect. The Malwa Plateau is located to the northwest of the Vindhya range, and the Vindhyas form its southern boundary. It does not form the *eastern* flank of the plateau.
– **Statement 3:** “The Western Satpuras separate the Narmada and Tapi rivers.” This is correct. The Narmada River flows in a rift valley north of the Satpura range, and the Tapi River flows in a rift valley south of the Satpura range. The Satpuras lie between these two rivers.
– **Statement 4:** “The Chota Nagpur Plateau is composed of Archaean granite and gneiss rocks.” This is correct. The Chota Nagpur Plateau is part of the ancient Gondwana landmass and is primarily composed of ancient crystalline rocks like granite and gneiss, making it rich in mineral resources.
Based on the analysis, statements 1, 3, and 4 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect. Option B includes statements 1, 3 and 4. While statement 1’s interpretation of “rises” might seem ambiguous compared to the primary eastward slope, in the context of elevation gradient from north to south, it can be considered correct up to the southern highlands. Statement 2 is definitively wrong. Statements 3 and 4 are definitively correct. Given the options, B is the most plausible answer.