Which one of the following is the highest mountain peak?

1. Physiographic Divisions: The Northern Mountains (basic)

The Northern Mountains of India are not a single mountain range but a complex system of parallel ranges that form a majestic arc across the north. These are broadly categorized into the Trans-Himalayas (like the Karakoram, Ladakh, and Zaskar ranges) and the Himalayas proper (comprising the Greater, Lesser, and Outer Himalayas). As noted in CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Chapter 2, p.7, this region is the first of India’s six major physiographic divisions, acting as a climatic and physical barrier for the subcontinent.

When studying these mountains, we must distinguish between peaks based on their altitude and the specific range they belong to. For instance, K2 (also known as Mount Godwin-Austen) stands at 8,611 metres, making it the highest peak in India and the second-highest in the world Geography of India, Chapter 2, p.15. Crucially, K2 is located in the Karakoram Range, which is part of the Trans-Himalayan system, rather than the Himalayan range itself. In contrast, the Himalayan Range hosts giants like Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), the world's third-highest peak, and Nanga Parbat (8,126 m), which marks the western anchor of the Great Himalayas.

Understanding these elevations helps us grasp the scale of these landforms. While K2 and Kanchenjunga dominate the 8,000-metre club, other significant peaks like Nanda Devi (7,816 m) in the Kumaun region are also vital to India's geography Geography of India, Chapter 2, p.23. These high altitudes also determine the snowline—the level above which snow remains throughout the year—which varies from 4,400 m in the Eastern Himalayas to over 5,500 m in the drier Karakoram regions.

Peak Name	Height (metres)	Mountain Range
K2 (Godwin-Austen)	8,611 m	Karakoram
Kanchenjunga	8,586 m	Greater Himalayas
Nanga Parbat	8,126 m	Greater Himalayas
Nanda Devi	7,816 m	Greater Himalayas (Kumaun)

Sources: CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Chapter 2: Physical Features of India, p.7; CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Chapter 2: Physical Features of India, p.8; Geography of India, Chapter 2: Physiography, p.15; Geography of India, Chapter 2: Physiography, p.23

2. Geological Formation of the Fold Mountains (intermediate)

To understand how the giant ripples of the Earth—our Fold Mountains—came to be, we must first visualize the Earth's crust as a series of moving plates. Fold mountains are primarily the result of horizontal compression. Imagine pushing the two ends of a tablecloth toward each other; the fabric bunches up into ridges and valleys. In geological terms, when two tectonic plates collide, the sedimentary rocks accumulated along the margins are squeezed and uplifted into complex folds. As noted in Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Tectonics, p.104, the Indo-Australian Plate is a classic example of this, moving northward to collide with the massive Eurasian Plate.

There are two primary schools of thought regarding this formation. The older Geosynclinal Theory, supported by geologists like Kober and Suess, suggests that mountains grew out of long, shallow marine depressions called geosynclines. The most famous was the Tethys Sea, which existed between the northern Angaraland and the southern Gondwanaland Geography of India by Majid Husain, Physiography, p.3. Over millions of years, sediments gathered in this sea. When the two landmasses moved closer, these sediments were compressed and forced upward to form the Himalayas.

Modern science views this through the Plate Tectonic Theory (popularized by W.J. Morgan). About 70 million years ago, the Indian plate began its journey north, eventually subducting under the Asian plate Geography of India by Majid Husain, Physiography, p.4. This continent-continent convergence is a violent, slow-motion crash that doesn't just create mountains; it keeps them growing. Because the Indian plate continues to push northward even today, the Himalayas are still rising, making them "young" fold mountains INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Structure and Physiography, p.8.

Sources: Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Tectonics, p.104; Geography of India by Majid Husain, Physiography, p.3-4; INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Structure and Physiography, p.8

3. Regional Classification of the Himalayas (intermediate)

While we often study the Himalayas from North to South (Greater, Lesser, and Shiwaliks), geographers also classify them from West to East. This regional classification is primarily based on the river valleys that carve through the mountains, acting as natural boundaries. This horizontal perspective is crucial for understanding how the climate, vegetation, and topography shift as we move from the dry, snowy heights of the Northwest to the lush, rain-drenched forests of the Northeast.

The classification is generally broken down into four major sections defined by five key rivers: the Indus, Satluj, Kali, Teesta, and Dihang (Brahmaputra). The westernmost stretch between the Indus and Satluj is known as the Punjab Himalayas (also referred to locally as Kashmir and Himachal Himalayas). Moving eastward, the Kumaon Himalayas lie between the Satluj and Kali rivers, followed by the Nepal Himalayas between the Kali and Teesta. Finally, the Assam Himalayas stretch from the Teesta to the Dihang river CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I , Geography, Class IX . NCERT (Revised ed 2025), Physical Features of India, p.10.

There is a stark contrast between the Western and Eastern wings of this range. The Western Himalayas are characterized by a colder, more temperate climate with heavy winter snowfall but relatively low annual rainfall. This region is famous for Margs (alpine pastures) found in Jammu & Kashmir and high-altitude coniferous forests Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.), BIODIVERSITY, p.25. In contrast, the Eastern Himalayas receive much higher rainfall due to their proximity to the Bay of Bengal, resulting in lush, dense vegetation that resembles tropical rainforests at lower altitudes. Beyond the Dihang gorge, the range takes a sharp southward turn, forming the Purvachal or Eastern Hills, which are composed mainly of strong sedimentary sandstones CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I , Geography, Class IX . NCERT (Revised ed 2025), Physical Features of India, p.10.

Regional Division	River Boundaries	Key Characteristics
Punjab/Kashmir	Indus — Satluj	Dryer, temperate, broad-leaved trees like Walnut/Oak.
Kumaon	Satluj — Kali	Home to peaks like Nanda Devi.
Nepal	Kali — Teesta	Tallest section; contains Everest and Kanchenjunga.
Assam/Eastern	Teesta — Dihang	Heavy rainfall, lush biodiversity, bamboo and ferns.

Sources: CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I , Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025), Physical Features of India, p.10; Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.), BIODIVERSITY, p.25; Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th), Indian Biodiversity Diverse Landscape, p.158

4. Adjacent Geography: Glaciers and Mountain Passes (intermediate)

In the high-altitude geography of the Himalayas and the Karakoram, Glaciers and Mountain Passes (known locally as 'La') are the two most critical features that define both the hydrology and the connectivity of the region. Glaciers act as 'frozen water towers,' feeding the perennial rivers of North India, while passes serve as the only viable gateways through the world's most formidable wall of rock and ice. Understanding these requires us to look at them as pairs: where there is a massive glacier, there is often a strategic pass nearby that allows human movement across the range.

The Karakoram Range houses some of the world's largest non-polar glaciers. The Siachen Glacier, stretching 76 km in the Nubra Valley, is a prime example Majid Husain, Physiography, p.24. Adjacent to it is the Khardung La, famous as one of the highest motorable passes, which connects Leh to the Siachen base camp. Further north, the Aghil Pass and Khunjerab Pass serve as vital links between Ladakh and the Xinjiang province of China Majid Husain, Physiography, p.19-20. These passes are historically significant as offshoots of the ancient Silk Road, facilitating trade despite being snow-bound for much of the year.

Moving east into the Greater Himalayas, the character of these features shifts toward pilgrimage and river origins. In Uttarakhand, the Gangotri Glacier (also known as 'Gomukh') is the sacred source of the Ganga Majid Husain, Physiography, p.24. Nearby, passes like Lipu Lekh, Mana, and Niti provide the traditional routes for pilgrims traveling to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in Tibet Majid Husain, Physiography, p.21. Similarly, in the Eastern Himalayas, the Zemu Glacier in Sikkim feeds the Teesta River, while the Nathu La serves as a critical trading border post between India and China, reopened in 2006 after decades of closure.

Region	Key Glacier	Key Pass	Significance
Karakoram	Siachen	Khardung La	Strategic defense; Nubra Valley access.
Kashmir/Ladakh	Biafo	Banihal / Zoji La	Connects Jammu to Srinagar (Jawahar Tunnel).
Uttarakhand	Gangotri	Lipu Lekh	Source of Ganga; Manasarovar pilgrimage route.
Sikkim	Zemu	Nathu La	Feeds Teesta River; Ancient Silk Road offshoot.

Sources: Majid Husain, Geography of India, Physiography, p.19; Majid Husain, Geography of India, Physiography, p.20; Majid Husain, Geography of India, Physiography, p.21; Majid Husain, Geography of India, Physiography, p.24

5. Climatic Influence of the Northern Ranges (intermediate)

The Northern Ranges, primarily the Great Himalayas, function as a massive climatic divide that fundamentally shapes the environment of the Indian subcontinent. Their most immediate role is acting as a 'Great Wall' that shields the Indo-Gangetic plains from the frigid, bone-chilling Siberian air masses during winter. Without this barrier, Northern India would likely be a cold, bleak desert similar to Central Asia. By trapping the heat from the south and blocking the arctic winds from the north, the Himalayas ensure that the subcontinent maintains a distinctively tropical to sub-tropical climate even at higher latitudes Majid Husain, Geography of India, Physiography, p.28. Beyond acting as a shield, these ranges are the primary architects of India's rainfall patterns through the orographic effect. When the moisture-laden summer monsoon winds from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal strike these high-altitude barriers, they are forced to rise. This 'forceful upliftment' leads to adiabatic cooling, condensation, and heavy orographic rainfall on the windward slopes PMF IAS, Physical Geography, Hydrological Cycle, p.339. Furthermore, the Himalayas deflect the Bay of Bengal branch of the monsoon westward, channeling it along the Gangetic plains and ensuring that the heartland of India receives life-sustaining water Majid Husain, Geography of India, Climate of India, p.17.

Feature	Windward Side (Southern Slopes)	Leeward Side (Northern Slopes/Rain Shadow)
Rainfall	Heavy precipitation (e.g., foot-hills, Northeast India)	Arid/Semi-arid (e.g., Ladakh, Tibet)
Vegetation	Dense forests and lush greenery	Sparse vegetation, alpine cold deserts

Finally, the Himalayas exert a hydro-dynamic influence on the upper atmospheric circulation. Their physical presence causes the Subtropical Westerly Jet Stream to bifurcate or split into two branches. The sudden shift of the southern branch to the north of the Himalayas is one of the key triggers for the 'burst' or the abrupt onset of the summer monsoon in June Majid Husain, Geography of India, Climate of India, p.6. This high-altitude interaction is critical for the success and timing of the entire Indian monsoon system.

Sources: Majid Husain, Geography of India, Physiography, p.28; PMF IAS, Physical Geography, Hydrological Cycle, p.339; Majid Husain, Geography of India, Climate of India, p.6; Majid Husain, Geography of India, Climate of India, p.17

6. Ranking the Eight-Thousanders and Key Peaks (exam-level)

When we study the vertical profile of the world, the term 'Eight-thousanders' refers to the 14 independent mountains that stand more than 8,000 metres above sea level. All of these giants are located in the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges of Asia. For a UPSC aspirant, the trick lies not just in knowing their heights, but in distinguishing their geographical ranges and their specific locations within India and its neighbors.

At the very top sits Mount Everest (8,848 m), located on the border between Nepal and Tibet. However, the second-highest peak, K2 (also known as Mount Godwin-Austen at 8,611 m), is not part of the Himalayan range; it belongs to the Karakoram Range to the north CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Chapter 2, p.15. In contrast, Kanchenjunga (8,598 m) is the third-highest peak globally and the highest within India's borders, situated in the Great Himalayan range between Sikkim and Nepal Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Landforms and Life, p.45.

Moving further down the hierarchy, we encounter peaks like Nanga Parbat (8,126 m), which serves as the western 'anchor' of the Great Himalayas in the Jammu and Kashmir region, and Nanda Devi (7,817 m), which is significant for being the highest peak located entirely within Indian territory (Uttarakhand) CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Chapter 2, p.8. Understanding this ranking is crucial for mapping-based questions where you might be asked to arrange these peaks from North to South or West to East.

Peak Name	Height (m)	Mountain Range	Key Detail
Mount Everest	8,848	Great Himalayas	Highest in the world (Nepal/Tibet)
K2 (Godwin-Austen)	8,611	Karakoram	2nd highest; located in PoK
Kanchenjunga	8,598	Great Himalayas	3rd highest; India's highest peak
Nanga Parbat	8,126	Great Himalayas	Westernmost pillar of Great Himalayas
Nanda Devi	7,817	Great Himalayas	Highest peak entirely in India

Sources: CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025), Chapter 2: Physical Features of India, p.8, 15; Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025), Landforms and Life, p.45

7. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

Now that you have mastered the structural divisions of the Trans-Himalayas and the Great Himalayas, this question tests your ability to apply that spatial hierarchy. In your lessons, we discussed how the Karakoram Range houses some of the world's most formidable elevations outside of the main Himalayan axis. This question isn't just about memorizing numbers; it's about recognizing the global standing of these peaks within their respective geological settings.

To arrive at the correct answer, you must evaluate the peaks by their absolute elevation. While Mount Everest is the highest globally, K2 (Godwin-Austen) follows closely as the world’s second-highest peak at 8,611 metres. When you see K2 in a list, always check if Everest is present; if not, K2 will almost certainly be the highest choice. As noted in CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Geography, Class IX. NCERT, K2 is located in the Karakoram, distinguishing it from the other three options which belong to the Himalayan range proper.

UPSC often uses Kanchanjunga (8,586m) as a primary distractor because it is the highest peak located in the Indian Himalayas, leading students to reflexively pick it. However, K2 is objectively taller. Similarly, Nanga Parbat (8,126m) and Nanda Devi (7,816m) are significant landmarks—with Nanda Devi being the highest peak situated entirely within the undisputed Indian mainland—but they fall short of the 8,500m+ bracket. Therefore, the correct answer is (D) K2, as it surpasses all others in vertical height according to the data in Geography of India, Majid Husain.