Why this matters now
Deccan Plateau is tested for: Deccan Traps formation 65-66 mya from supercontinent Gondwana breakup; co-incidence with K-Pg (Cretaceous-Paleogene) extinction killing dinosaurs; black cotton soil (regur) ideal for cotton; sub-plateaux (Malwa, Bundelkhand, Baghelkhand, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra plateau); major rivers (Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri); minerals (iron, manganese, copper, bauxite, diamonds); Anaimudi 2,695 m highest peak (in Anamalai Hills, Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, NOT in Western Ghats main range but on Cardamom Hills extension).
Geological history
Origin: Part of Gondwana supercontinent breakup. India broke from Madagascar ~88 mya, drifted north, collided with Asia ~50 mya forming Himalayas.
Deccan Traps: Vast volcanic flood-basalt province formed by mantle plume eruptions 65-66 million years ago at Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary — coincided with mass extinction event that killed dinosaurs. Original area ~15 lakh sq km; eroded to ~5 lakh sq km today.
Stratigraphy: Multiple basalt flows (~2 km thick in places). Found in Maharashtra (Western Ghats), Gujarat, parts of MP, AP, Karnataka.
Black cotton soil (Regur): Weathered Deccan basalt forms cotton-friendly soil rich in calcium + iron + magnesium. Khareef cotton crop dependent on it.
Sub-plateaux
| Sub-plateau | Location | Highest / Notable |
|---|---|---|
| Malwa Plateau | MP-Rajasthan-UP | NW of Vindhyas; volcanic; Sad-Bhaonra Vindhyas. |
| Bundelkhand | UP-MP border | Granitic; Yamuna-Chambal-Betwa. |
| Baghelkhand | MP-Chhattisgarh | Mineral-rich. |
| Chhota Nagpur | Jharkhand | India’s mineral storehouse. Already detailed page. |
| Maharashtra Plateau | West Maharashtra | Black soil (regur). |
| Telangana Plateau | Telangana | Karnool-Kuddapah formation. |
| Karnataka Plateau | Karnataka | Includes Bababudan Hills (iron ore). |
| Dandakaranya | Chhattisgarh-Odisha-MH-Telangana-AP | Bastar Plateau. |
Rivers, Minerals, Cities
Rivers (east-flowing): Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri — all rise in Western Ghats and flow east to Bay of Bengal. West-flowing: Narmada + Tapi (rift valleys).
Minerals:
- Iron ore — Bababudan Karnataka, Kudremukh Karnataka, Bellary-Hospet (banned), Salem TN.
- Manganese — Nagpur Maharashtra, Bhandara, Balaghat MP, Keonjhar Odisha.
- Bauxite — Niyamgiri Odisha, Sijimali Odisha, Maikala Range.
- Mica — Nellore AP.
- Diamond — Panna Plateau.
- Gold — KGF (closed 2001), Hutti Karnataka.
Major cities: Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune, Nagpur, Vishakapatnam, Coimbatore, Mysuru.
Anaimudi 2,695 m — highest peak of peninsular India, on Anamalai Hills (Cardamom Hills extension of Western Ghats), Idukki district Kerala.
UPSC angle
Know DECCAN PLATEAU — vast triangular plateau peninsular India south of Vindhyas ~16 lakh sq km 43% India land area; bordered Western Ghats (west)+Eastern Ghats (east)+Satpura-Vindhya (north); ORIGIN Gondwana supercontinent breakup, India broke Madagascar ~88 mya drifted north collided Asia ~50 mya Himalayas; DECCAN TRAPS volcanic flood-basalt formed mantle plume eruptions 65-66 MYA at K-PG (Cretaceous-Paleogene) boundary coincided with MASS EXTINCTION killed dinosaurs (original ~15 lakh sq km eroded ~5 lakh sq km today); 2 km thick basalt flows Maharashtra+Gujarat+MP+AP+Karnataka; BLACK COTTON SOIL REGUR weathered Deccan basalt rich Ca+Fe+Mg cotton crop; SUB-PLATEAUX: MALWA MP-Rajasthan-UP NW Vindhyas; BUNDELKHAND UP-MP granitic Yamuna-Chambal-Betwa; BAGHELKHAND MP-CG mineral; CHHOTA NAGPUR Jharkhand mineral storehouse; Maharashtra Plateau (regur); Telangana Plateau (Kurnool-Cuddapah); Karnataka Plateau (Bababudan iron); DANDAKARANYA Bastar CG-Odisha-MH-Telangana-AP; RIVERS: east-flowing MAHANADI+GODAVARI+KRISHNA+KAVERI rise Western Ghats flow east to Bay of Bengal; west-flowing Narmada+Tapi rift valleys; MINERALS: IRON Bababudan Karnataka+Kudremukh+Bellary-Hospet (banned)+Salem TN; MANGANESE Nagpur+Bhandara+Balaghat+Keonjhar Odisha; BAUXITE Niyamgiri Odisha+Sijimali+Maikala; MICA Nellore AP; DIAMOND Panna; GOLD KGF closed 2001+Hutti Karnataka; cities Hyderabad+Bangalore+Pune+Nagpur+Vishakapatnam+Coimbatore+Mysuru; ANAIMUDI 2695 m HIGHEST peninsular India on Anamalai Hills (Cardamom Hills extension of Western Ghats) Idukki Kerala.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Deccan Traps?
Vast volcanic flood-basalt province formed by mantle plume eruptions 65-66 million years ago at the K-Pg boundary — coinciding with the mass extinction event that killed the dinosaurs.
What is the highest peak in peninsular India?
Anaimudi at 2,695 m on the Anamalai Hills (Cardamom Hills extension of Western Ghats), Idukki district, Kerala.
What is Regur?
Black cotton soil — formed from weathered Deccan basalt. Rich in calcium, iron and magnesium. Ideal for cotton cultivation.
Which rivers flow through the Deccan Plateau?
East-flowing: Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri (all to Bay of Bengal). West-flowing: Narmada + Tapi (in rift valleys to Arabian Sea).