In which one of the following States is the Nanga Parbat peak located ?

1. Longitudinal Divisions of the Himalayas (basic)

Welcome to your first step in mastering Indian geography! To understand the Himalayas, we must first look at how they are arranged from North to South. Unlike a single line of mountains, the Himalayas consist of three parallel ranges that run roughly from West to East. This North-South arrangement is known as the Longitudinal Division of the Himalayas.

At the northernmost tip lies the Himadri (Greater Himalayas). This is the most continuous and loftiest range, with an average height exceeding 6,000 meters Geography of India, Physiography, p.11. It acts as a massive wall of snow and ice, housing iconic peaks like Mount Everest and Nanga Parbat. Nanga Parbat, standing at 8,126 meters, serves as the western anchor of the entire Himalayan arc and is situated in the Jammu and Kashmir region Geography of India, Physiography, Table 2.3. This region is perpetually snow-bound and contains the most prominent glaciers.

Moving South, we find the Himachal (Lesser or Lower Himalayas). This range is far more rugged and is composed of highly compressed rocks. Its altitude varies between 3,700 and 4,500 meters Contemporary India-I, Physical Features of India, p.8. While it is home to famous hill stations like Shimla and Mussoorie, it is best known for its specific sub-ranges like the Pir Panjal (the longest) and the Dhauladhar Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Geographical Diversity of India, p.6.

Finally, the southernmost and lowest layer is the Shiwalik (Outer Himalayas). These are younger hills made of unconsolidated sediments like sand and clay. A unique feature here is the Duns—longitudinal valleys that lie between the Himachal and the Shiwaliks, such as Dehra Dun and Patli Dun Geography of India, Physiography, p.12.

Range	Average Altitude	Key Features
Himadri (Greater)	~6,100m+	Highest peaks (Everest, Nanga Parbat), core of granite.
Himachal (Lesser)	3,700m - 4,500m	Famous hill stations, Pir Panjal & Dhauladhar ranges.
Shiwalik (Outer)	900m - 1,500m	Youngest range, known for longitudinal valleys called "Duns."

Sources: Geography of India, Physiography, p.11-12; Contemporary India-I, Physical Features of India, p.8; Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Geographical Diversity of India, p.6

2. Regional (West to East) Classification of Himalayas (basic)

While we often study the Himalayas as three parallel vertical ranges (Greater, Lesser, and Shiwalik), geographers also classify them horizontally from West to East. This regional classification is primarily based on the river valleys that cut across the mountain ranges. These rivers, such as the Indus and the Brahmaputra, are antecedent—meaning they existed before the mountains and maintained their path by carving deep gorges as the land rose Geography of India, The Drainage System of India, p.6.

The entire Himalayan arc is divided into four major regional sections based on these river boundaries:

Regional Division	Western Boundary	Eastern Boundary	Key Characteristics
Punjab / Kashmir Himalayas	Indus River	Satluj River	Includes the high-altitude Karakoram, Ladakh, and Zaskar ranges.
Kumaon Himalayas	Satluj River	Kali River	Lies mostly in Uttarakhand; home to peaks like Nanda Devi Contemporary India-I, Physical Features of India, p.10.
Nepal Himalayas	Kali River	Teesta River	The longest section, containing the world's highest peaks like Everest and Kanchenjunga.
Assam Himalayas	Teesta River	Dihang (Brahmaputra)	Spread across Sikkim, Bhutan, and Arunachal Pradesh.

At the far eastern end, the Brahmaputra marks the final boundary. Beyond the Dihang gorge, the mountains take a sharp southward turn, forming the Purvachal or Eastern Hills Contemporary India-I, Physical Features of India, p.10. Similarly, on the western end, the mighty Nanga Parbat stands as the terminal anchor near the Indus river before the range curves toward the south into Pakistan.

Sources: Geography of India (Majid Husain), The Drainage System of India, p.6; Contemporary India-I (NCERT Class IX), Physical Features of India, p.10; Geography of India (Majid Husain), Physiography, p.13

3. The Trans-Himalayan Ranges (intermediate)

The Trans-Himalayan Ranges, also known as the Tethys Himalayas, are located immediately north of the Great Himalayan Range. Unlike the main Himalayas, which were formed by the folding of the Earth's crust, the Trans-Himalayas consist largely of ancient sedimentary rocks. This region acts as a massive structural bridge between the Indian subcontinent and the Tibetan Plateau. It primarily comprises four major mountain ranges: the Karakoram, the Ladakh, the Zanskar, and the Kailash. This area is characterized by high-altitude plateaus and deep valleys, most notably the Ladakh Plateau, which is the highest plateau in India Geography of India, Physiography, p.48.
The Karakoram Range is often called the 'backbone of High Asia.' It hosts some of the world's highest peaks, including K2 (Godwin-Austen), and massive glacial systems. The Siachen Glacier, the largest in the Nubra Valley at 76 km long, is situated here Geography of India, Physiography, p.24. South of the Karakoram lies the Ladakh Range, and further south is the Zanskar Range. A critical geographical feature is the Indus River, which originates near Mount Kailash and flows northwest, carving a path directly between the Ladakh and Zanskar ranges Geography of India, The Drainage System of India, p.9.
Climatically, the Trans-Himalayas are a cold desert. Because the Great Himalayas act as a barrier to the moisture-laden monsoon winds, this region falls in a rain shadow area. Consequently, it receives very little precipitation (around 10 cm annually), leading to thin air and extreme temperature fluctuations, ranging from just above 0°C in summer days to –40°C on winter nights Geography of India, Physiography, p.48. While Nanga Parbat (8,126 m) is technically the western anchor of the Great Himalayas, it stands at the edge of this complex transition zone where the mountains take a sharp southward turn Contemporary India-I, Physical Features of India, p.8.

Range	Key Feature	Significant Landmark
Karakoram	Northernmost range; high glaciation	K2, Siachen Glacier, Biafo Glacier
Ladakh	Lies between Indus and Shyok rivers	Leh, Ladakh Plateau
Zanskar	Southernmost Trans-Himalayan range	Drang Drung Glacier, Kargil district
Kailash	Offshoot of Ladakh range in Tibet	Source of Indus and Brahmaputra

Sources: Geography of India, Physiography, p.48; Geography of India, Physiography, p.24; Geography of India, The Drainage System of India, p.9; Contemporary India-I, Physical Features of India, p.8

4. Strategic Mountain Passes of the North (intermediate)

In the context of the rugged Himalayan terrain, Mountain Passes (often suffixed with 'La' in Tibetan) serve as the vital 'breathable' gaps that allow for the movement of people, trade, and military forces. Understanding these passes requires viewing the Himalayas not just as a wall, but as a series of gateways. At the westernmost extreme of the Great Himalayas stands Nanga Parbat (8,126 m), often called the 'Naked Mountain' or Diamir. This peak acts as the western anchor of the entire Himalayan range, situated near the Indus River in the Gilgit-Baltistan region Geography of India, Physiography, p.15. From this high point, the range stretches eastward, punctuated by strategic passes that define India's connectivity with its northern neighbors. Historically and strategically, these passes are categorized by the regions they connect. In Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir, the Zoji La is perhaps the most critical, as it links Srinagar with Kargil and Leh; its importance is so high that the government is constructing Asia's longest bi-directional tunnel here to ensure year-round connectivity Geography of India, Physiography, p.22. Further north, the Khardung La serves as the gateway to the Nubra Valley and the Siachen Glacier, maintaining its status as one of the world's highest motorable passes Geography of India, Physiography, p.20. Moving eastward into Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the passes transition from primarily internal strategic links to international trade gateways. Shipki La is a primary example, where the Satluj River carves its way from Tibet into India, serving as an important border trade post Geography of India, Physiography, p.22. In Uttarakhand, Lipu Lekh is renowned not just for trade, but for its spiritual significance, facilitating the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrims Geography of India, Physiography, p.20.

Pass Name	Region	Connects
Burzail Pass	J&K/Ladakh	Kashmir Valley with Deosai Plains
Bara-Lacha La	Himachal Pradesh	Lahaul with Ladakh
Thang La	Ladakh	Second highest motorable pass in India
Dihang Pass	Arunachal Pradesh	Arunachal Pradesh with Myanmar

Sources: Geography of India, Physiography, p.15; Geography of India, Physiography, p.20; Geography of India, Physiography, p.22

5. Himalayan Drainage and Syntaxial Bends (intermediate)

The Himalayas do not run in a perfectly straight line; instead, they form a majestic arc that terminates abruptly at two distinct points. These points are known as syntaxial bends (or knee-bend flexures). At these extremities, the mountain ranges take a sharp, nearly 90-degree turn southward. This phenomenon is a result of the unique tectonic pressure exerted during the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates, where the geological formations wrap around pivotal points like a hairpin Geography of India, Majid Husain, Physiography, p.17.

The Western Syntaxial Bend is anchored by the formidable Nanga Parbat (8,126m). Here, the Indus River has carved one of the world's deepest gorges as it skirts the mountain before turning south into Pakistan. Administratively, while this peak lies in Gilgit-Baltistan, Indian geographical records consider it part of the larger landscape of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir NCERT Class XI, India Physical Environment, p.21. Similarly, the Eastern Syntaxial Bend occurs in Arunachal Pradesh near Namcha Barwa. Here, the Brahmaputra (Tsangpo) makes a sharp turn to enter India, and the mountains curve southward to form the Purvanchal hills.

Feature	Western Anchor	Eastern Anchor
Peak Name	Nanga Parbat	Namcha Barwa
River Association	Indus	Brahmaputra (Dihang)
Directional Shift	East-West to Southward	West-East to Southward

The drainage system is intimately tied to these bends. Rivers like the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab flow through the Kashmir and Himachal Himalayas, cutting through deep valleys and gorges Geography of India, Majid Husain, Physiography, p.13. The Indus itself flows through the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir before crossing the syntaxial zone. These rivers are often antecedent, meaning they are older than the mountains themselves and maintained their path by eroding the rising Himalayas, creating the dramatic relief we see today NCERT Class XI, India Physical Environment, p.21.

Sources: Geography of India, Majid Husain (9th ed.), Physiography, p.17; INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT), Drainage System, p.21; Geography of India, Majid Husain (9th ed.), Physiography, p.13

6. Major Peaks of Uttarakhand and Sikkim (exam-level)

When we look at the Great Himalayas (Himadri), the peaks of Uttarakhand and Sikkim represent the crown jewels of India's high-altitude geography. While Mt. Everest lies in Nepal, India's highest peaks are concentrated in these two regions. Kanchenjunga, standing at 8,598 meters, is the highest peak in India and the third highest in the world. It is uniquely positioned on the border between Sikkim and Nepal/Tibet. Beyond its height, it serves as a critical hydrological hub; major rivers like the Tista and Kosi find their origins in its glacial systems Majid Husain, Physiography, p.16.

Moving westward into Uttarakhand, the landscape is dominated by the Nanda Devi massif. At 7,817 meters, Nanda Devi is often cited as the highest peak located entirely within Indian territory (since Kanchenjunga is shared with Nepal). This region is also home to Kamet (7,756 m), which stands as the second-highest peak in Uttarakhand. These peaks are part of the "Asymmetrical Folds" of the Great Himalayas, meaning they have steep southern slopes and gentler northern slopes NCERT Class IX, Physical Features of India, p.8. Understanding these is vital for UPSC, as they define the climatic and strategic borders of northern India.

Peak Name	State/Region	Height (m)	Significance
Kanchenjunga	Sikkim	8,598	Highest in India; Origin of Tista River
Nanda Devi	Uttarakhand	7,817	Highest entirely within India; UNESCO Site
Kamet	Uttarakhand	7,756	Near the Tibetan border; 3rd highest in India

It is important to distinguish these from the Western Himalayas. For instance, Nanga Parbat (8,126 m) serves as the western anchor of the entire Himalayan range but is located in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, quite distant from the Sikkim-Uttarakhand belt NCERT Class IX, Physical Features of India, p.8. In the east, the range culminates at Namcha Barwa in Arunachal Pradesh, showing the vast longitudinal spread of these giants.

Sources: Geography of India, Majid Husain, Physiography, p.16; CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, NCERT Class IX, Physical Features of India, p.8

7. Nanga Parbat: The Westernmost Pillar (exam-level)

Standing as a colossal sentinel at 8,126 meters, Nanga Parbat is the ninth-highest mountain in the world and serves as the westernmost anchor of the Great Himalayan range. While the Himalayas stretch across 2,400 km, they are bounded by two distinct "pillars": Nanga Parbat in the west and Namcha Barwa in the east NCERT Class IX, Physical Features of India, p.8. Often called the 'Naked Mountain' because its sheer, icy southern face is too steep to hold much snow, it is also known locally as 'Diamir', which translates to 'King of the Mountains' Majid Husain, Geography of India, Physiography, p.25.

Geographically, Nanga Parbat is situated in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. In the context of Indian administrative geography, this area is part of the territory of Jammu and Kashmir (specifically the regions historically administered as part of the state) Majid Husain, Geography of India, India–Political Aspects, p.37. A fascinating feature of this massif is its relationship with the Indus River; the river skirts the northern flank of the mountain, carving one of the deepest professional gorges in the world before turning south toward the plains of Pakistan. Unlike the stable glaciers of the Karakoram, the glaciers here, such as the Rupal and Diamir glaciers, are known for being smaller but fast-moving due to the incredibly steep gradients of the slopes Majid Husain, Geography of India, Physiography, p.26.

It is crucial for aspirants to distinguish Nanga Parbat from K2 (Godwin-Austen). While both are in the same general northern vicinity, K2 belongs to the Karakoram Range, whereas Nanga Parbat is the definitive starting point of the Great Himalayan Range itself. This distinction is a frequent point of testing in geography papers regarding the longitudinal extent of the mountains.

Feature	Nanga Parbat	K2 (Godwin-Austen)
Mountain Range	Great Himalayas (Western Terminal)	Karakoram Range
Height	8,126 m	8,611 m
Significance	Western anchor of the Himalayan arc	Second highest peak in the world

Sources: Contemporary India-I, Geography, Class IX, NCERT, Physical Features of India, p.8; Geography of India, Majid Husain, Physiography, p.25-26; Geography of India, Majid Husain, India–Political Aspects, p.37

8. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

You have recently mastered the physiography of the Great Himalayan range, learning that it stretches in a massive arc from the Indus River in the west to the Brahmaputra in the east. This question tests your ability to identify the "anchor" points of that arc. Nanga Parbat, also known as the 'Naked Mountain' or Diamir, represents the westernmost syntaxial bend of the Himalayas. By connecting your knowledge of the Himalayan extent with the administrative map of India, you can pinpoint its location at the extreme edge of the northwestern frontier, where the range takes a sharp turn southward.

To arrive at Jammu and Kashmir as the correct answer, you must apply the principle of national administrative claims used in UPSC. While Nanga Parbat is geographically situated in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, Indian geographical records and official maps—which are the standard for this exam—consistently place this region within the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (specifically within the territory of the erstwhile state). As noted in Geography of India, Majid Husain, the peak stands at 8,126 meters and is the ninth-highest peak in the world, serving as a sentinel for the Indus valley before the mountains transition into the Karakoram range.

UPSC often uses high-altitude peaks as distractors to test your longitudinal precision. Sikkim is located far to the east and is home to Kanchenjunga, making it the wrong geographic quadrant. Similarly, Uttarakhand is known for the Nanda Devi peak in the central Himalayas, while Himachal Pradesh contains peaks like Leo Pargial but does not extend far enough west to encompass the Nanga Parbat massif. By eliminating these states based on their relative positions along the Himalayan arc, you can confidently conclude that the westernmost anchor belongs to Jammu and Kashmir.