Geography
Geography in this paper tests physical geography, India’s resources, map interpretation, and Maharashtra’s physiography, climate, rivers, soils, and crops.
Core rules
- Latitude controls temperature; longitude controls time at 4 minutes per degree; IST is based on 82°30′E.
- The Western Ghats (Sahyadri) run parallel to the Konkan coast; the Deccan plateau lies east. Kalsubai (1,646 m) is Maharashtra’s highest peak.
- East-flowing rivers: Godavari and Krishna, draining into the Bay of Bengal. West-flowing: Narmada and Tapi, draining into the Arabian Sea.
- Black regur soil suits cotton; laterite and red soils occur on the plateau; alluvial soil in river valleys.
- Southwest monsoon (June–September) brings rain; the windward Ghats are wet, the leeward plateau is in rain shadow.
Worked example
Question: Why does Mahabaleshwar receive far more rain than Pune? Reasoning: moist Arabian Sea air is forced up the Western Ghats, cools, condenses, and gives orographic rainfall; Pune lies on the leeward side. Answer: relief/orographic effect and rain shadow.
Traps that cost marks
Do not call the Godavari west-flowing. Do not confuse Konkan’s narrow coast with the plateau. “Highest peak” is Kalsubai, not Mahabaleshwar. In map questions, check north arrow and scale before naming a direction. Monsoon withdrawal begins from northwest India, not from Kerala.