UPSC Prelims 2005 Q81: Geography – Indian Physical Geography
Which one of the following is the correct sequence of the given hills starting from the north
and going towards the south?
- (a) Nallamalai Hills - Nilgiri Hills - Javadi Hills - Anaimalai Hills
- (b) Anaimalai Hills - Javadi Hills - Nilgiri Hills - Nallamalai Hills
- (c) Nallamalai Hills - Javadi Hills - Nilgiri Hills - Anaimalai Hills
- (d) Anaimalai Hills - Nallamalai Hills - Javadi Hills - Nilgiri Hills
Answer: (c) Nallamalai Hills - Javadi Hills - Nilgiri Hills - Anaimalai Hills
Explanation
Hills of South India from north to south
| Hills | Approximate latitude |
|---|---|
| Nallamalai Hills | About 15.5 N (Andhra Pradesh) |
| Javadi Hills | About 12.5 N (Tamil Nadu) |
| Nilgiri Hills | About 11.4 N |
| Anaimalai Hills | About 10.3 N |
The sequence from north to south is Nallamalai - Javadi - Nilgiri - Anaimalai.
Answer: (c) Nallamalai Hills - Javadi Hills - Nilgiri Hills - Anaimalai Hills.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. It places Javadi after Nilgiri.
- (b) Incorrect. It begins with the southernmost hills.
- (c) CORRECT. Nallamalai, Javadi, Nilgiri, Anaimalai.
- (d) Incorrect. It starts with Anaimalai, the southernmost.
Key point
Eastern Ghats: Nallamalai, Javadi, Shevaroy; Western Ghats: Nilgiri, Anaimalai.
Remember
Nallamalai is the northernmost of these hills.
Common mistakes
- Placing the Javadi Hills in the south.
- Treating the Nilgiris as northernmost.
- Mixing Eastern and Western Ghats ranges.
Exam tip
Tamil Nadu order: Javadi, Shevaroy, Nilgiri, Anaimalai, Palani.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI Geography — India: Physical Environment — Structure and Physiography
- National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation — National Atlas of India: Physiography