Which one of the following hills are found where the Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats meet?

1. Physiographic Divisions of the Peninsular Plateau (basic)

The Peninsular Plateau is India’s oldest and most stable landmass, a massive tableland composed of ancient crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. Unlike the young, folded Himalayas, this plateau was formed by the breaking and drifting of the ancient Gondwana land, making it a relic of Earth’s deep geological past Contemporary India-I, Physical Features of India, p.12. Its landscape is characterized by broad, shallow valleys and rounded hills, which tell a story of millions of years of erosion and gradual geological shifts. One of its most distinctive features is the presence of fertile black soil (Regur) in the northwestern part, known as the Deccan Trap, formed by volcanic activity India Physical Environment, Structure and Physiography, p.12.

Geographers divide this vast region into three primary units based on their relief and location. The Central Highlands lie to the north of the Narmada River, encompassing the Malwa Plateau and bounded by the Aravali range—a classic example of highly denuded relict mountains India Physical Environment, Structure and Physiography, p.13. South of the Narmada lies the Deccan Plateau, a triangular landmass that is higher in the west and slopes gently toward the east. Finally, there is the Northeastern Plateau; though it appears separate, hills like the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia in Meghalaya are actually an extension of the main Peninsular block, separated from the Chotanagpur Plateau by a massive geological fault Contemporary India-I, Physical Features of India, p.12.

The table below summarizes these core divisions:

Division	Location Context	Key Landforms/Ranges
Central Highlands	North of Narmada River	Aravalis, Vindhyas, Malwa Plateau
Deccan Plateau	South of Narmada River	Satpuras, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats
Northeastern Plateau	Beyond the Rajmahal Hills	Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia Hills

Sources: Contemporary India-I, Physical Features of India, p.12; India Physical Environment, Structure and Physiography, p.12-13

2. Characteristics of the Western Ghats (Sahyadris) (basic)

The Western Ghats, often referred to as the Sahyadris, form the majestic western edge of the Deccan Plateau. Imagine them as a massive, continuous wall of mountains running parallel to India’s western coast for nearly 1,600 km, stretching from the south of the Tapi River in Gujarat all the way to Kanyakumari Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain, BIODIVERSITY, p.57. Unlike the Eastern Ghats, which are broken and irregular, the Western Ghats are continuous and can only be crossed through specific mountain passes like the Thal Ghat, Bhor Ghat, and Pal Ghat CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Geography, Class IX, Physical Features of India, p.12. One of the most defining roles of the Sahyadris is their impact on India's climate. They act as a barrier to the moisture-laden monsoon winds coming from the Arabian Sea. This causes orographic rainfall: as the moist air is forced to rise along the western slopes, it cools and condenses, dumping heavy rain on the windward side while leaving the eastern side (the leeward side) relatively dry Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Hydrological Cycle, p.339. The elevation of these mountains generally increases from north to south, with an average height ranging between 900 and 1,600 metres — significantly higher than the 600-metre average of the Eastern Ghats CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Geography, Class IX, Physical Features of India, p.12.

Feature	Western Ghats (Sahyadris)	Eastern Ghats
Continuity	Continuous; crossed via passes	Discontinuous; dissected by rivers
Elevation	Higher (900–1600m)	Lower (~600m)
Rainfall	Heavy orographic rain on western slopes	Lower rainfall; parallel to SW monsoon

Across different states, the range takes on local names: it is the Sahyadri in Maharashtra, the Nilgiri hills in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and the Anaimalai and Cardamom hills in Kerala INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI, Structure and Physiography, p.12. The Western and Eastern Ghats eventually meet at the Nilgiri Hills, forming a geological 'knot' in the southern peninsula.

Sources: Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain, BIODIVERSITY, p.57; CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Geography, Class IX, Physical Features of India, p.12; Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Hydrological Cycle, p.339; INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI, Structure and Physiography, p.12

3. Characteristics of the Eastern Ghats (basic)

The Eastern Ghats represent the eastern edge of the Deccan Plateau, running almost parallel to the Bay of Bengal. Unlike the Western Ghats, which are a continuous wall of mountains, the Eastern Ghats are discontinuous, irregular, and dissected by massive rivers like the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri Contemporary India-I, Geography, Class IX NCERT, Physical Features of India, p.12. These rivers have eroded the range over millions of years, creating wide gaps and giving it the appearance of a series of detached hill clusters rather than a single range.

In terms of elevation, the Eastern Ghats are significantly lower than their western counterparts. While the Western Ghats average 900–1600 meters, the Eastern Ghats have an average elevation of about 600 meters Geography of India, Majid Husain, Physiography, p.61. However, there are notable high points; for instance, Aroya-Konda (1680 m) in Andhra Pradesh and Mahendragiri (1501 m) in Odisha are among the prominent peaks of this system Geography of India, Majid Husain, Physiography, p.61-62.

Geographically, the range stretches from the Mahanadi Valley in the north to the Nilgiri Hills in the south, where they finally converge with the Western Ghats Contemporary India-I, Geography, Class IX NCERT, Physical Features of India, p.12. Because of their fragmented nature, they are known by various local names as you move southward. You will encounter ranges like the Nallamala Hills, Palkonda Range, Javadi Hills, and Shevaroy Hills, which are located to the southeast of the main plateau region India Physical Environment, Geography Class XI, Structure and Physiography, p.13.

Feature	Western Ghats	Eastern Ghats
Continuity	Continuous (crossed via passes)	Discontinuous (dissected by rivers)
Avg. Elevation	900 – 1600 meters	~ 600 meters
Highest Peak	Anamudi (2695 m)	Aroya-Konda (1680 m) / Mahendragiri

Sources: Contemporary India-I, Geography, Class IX NCERT, Physical Features of India, p.12; Geography of India, Majid Husain, Physiography, p.61-62; India Physical Environment, Geography Class XI, Structure and Physiography, p.13

4. Drainage Systems of South India (intermediate)

To understand the drainage of South India, we must first recognize that the Peninsular drainage system is significantly older than the Himalayan one. Unlike the young, energetic Himalayan rivers that are still carving deep V-shaped valleys, the rivers of the south have reached a stage of geological maturity. This is evident in their broad, largely-graded, and shallow valleys INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Chapter 2, p.23. Because these rivers flow over the hard, stable Gondwana block, they have fixed courses and lack the large-scale meandering seen in the north. Most importantly, these rivers are seasonal; their flow is almost entirely dependent on the monsoon rains, often shrinking to small channels during the dry summer months CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Geography, Class IX NCERT (Revised ed 2025), Chapter 3, p.18.

The primary architect of this drainage pattern is the Western Ghats, which acts as the Great Water Divide. Running close to the western coast from north to south, these mountains force the majority of major rivers—like the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri—to flow eastwards toward the Bay of Bengal. As they travel across the plateau, they carry sediment that results in the formation of massive deltas at their mouths. Interestingly, while most rivers follow the general slope of the plateau toward the east, the Narmada and Tapi are major exceptions. These rivers flow westward through rift valleys (depressions formed by faulting) and drain into the Arabian Sea, forming estuaries rather than deltas CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Geography, Class IX NCERT (Revised ed 2025), Chapter 3, p.21.

Among these, the Godavari stands out as the 'Dakshin Ganga.' It is the largest Peninsular river system, originating in the Nasik district of Maharashtra and covering nearly 50% of its basin within that state alone CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Geography, Class IX NCERT (Revised ed 2025), Chapter 3, p.21. To compare the two primary directions of flow, look at this breakdown:

Feature	East-flowing Rivers	West-flowing Rivers
Major Examples	Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Mahanadi	Narmada, Tapi, Periyar
End Point	Bay of Bengal	Arabian Sea
Landforms at Mouth	Deltas (e.g., Godavari Delta)	Estuaries (no deltas)
Length/Course	Longer courses through the plateau	Shorter (except Narmada/Tapi)

Sources: INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Chapter 2: Structure and Physiography, p.23; CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Geography, Class IX NCERT (Revised ed 2025), Chapter 3: Drainage, p.18, 21

5. Ecology and Biodiversity: The Shola Forests (intermediate)

When we travel to the high-altitude regions of the Western Ghats—specifically the Nilgiris, Anaimalai, and Palani hills—we encounter a breathtaking landscape known as the Shola-Grassland Mosaic. This is not just a forest; it is a unique ecosystem where patches of stunted evergreen tropical mountain forests (called Sholas) are naturally interspersed with vast rolling grasslands. These forests are typically found at altitudes above 1500–2000 meters, primarily in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka Shankar IAS Academy, Terrestrial Ecosystems, p.24.

The term Shola is derived from the Tamil word 'Solai', meaning a tropical rainforest. A defining characteristic of Shola forests is their stunted growth; the trees are small and rarely exceed 15-20 meters because of high-velocity winds and frost at high altitudes. You will find these dense, evergreen woods tucked away in sheltered valleys, hollows, and depressions where they are protected from the harsh winds of the ridges. The vegetation is incredibly rich, featuring a thick undergrowth of mosses, ferns, epiphytes, orchids, and lianas, with Ebony trees often predominating Shankar IAS Academy, Indian Biodiversity Diverse Landscape, p.159.

Feature	Shola Forest Patches	High-altitude Grasslands
Topography	Confined to valleys and depressions.	Cover the exposed hill slopes and ridges.
Tree Structure	Stunted, dense evergreen canopy.	Virtually treeless; dominated by grasses.
Sensitivity	Fire-sensitive; requires moisture.	Fire and frost-hardy.

Beyond their beauty, Shola forests are the "water towers" of South India. They act like a giant sponge, absorbing heavy monsoon rainfall and releasing it slowly through perennial streams throughout the year. This hydrological regulation is critical for the rivers that sustain millions on the Deccan Plateau Shankar IAS Academy, Terrestrial Ecosystems, p.24. Because of this high level of endemism and ecological importance, the Western Ghats (including these Shola regions) are recognized as one of the world's eight hottest biodiversity hotspots and a UNESCO World Heritage Site Majid Hussain, Environment and Ecology, BIODIVERSITY, p.57.

Sources: Shankar IAS Academy, Terrestrial Ecosystems, p.24; Shankar IAS Academy, Indian Biodiversity Diverse Landscape, p.159; Majid Hussain, Environment and Ecology, BIODIVERSITY, p.57

6. Major Hill Ranges of the Southern Block (exam-level)

In the southern part of the Indian Peninsula, the geography reaches a grand crescendo where the two primary mountain systems—the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats—converge. The Nilgiri Hills (often called the 'Blue Mountains') serve as the structural mountain knot or junction where these two ranges meet INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Chapter 2, p.12. This region is a high-altitude tri-junction between the states of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, acting as a massive ecological bridge. While the Western Ghats are known for their continuity, the Eastern Ghats in this southern block appear as highly eroded, discontinuous hills like the Javadi and Shevaroy hills, primarily composed of ancient charnockite rocks Geography of India, Majid Husain, Chapter 2, p.58.

Moving further south from the Nilgiri knot, the mountains are divided by the Palakkad Gap (or Palghat Gap). This 25 km wide pass is a significant break in the Western Ghats, facilitating trade and moisture-bearing winds between the Coimbatore plains in Tamil Nadu and the Kerala coast Geography of India, Majid Husain, Chapter 2, p.58. South of this gap, the range rises again as the Anaimalai Hills and the Cardamom Hills. It is here that we find Anaimudi (2,695 m), the highest peak of the entire Peninsular plateau, followed by the Nilgiris' highest point, Dodabetta (2,637 m) INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Chapter 2, p.13.

The southern block is characterized by a distinct contrast in the nature of its ranges:

Feature	Western Ghats (Southern Section)	Eastern Ghats (Southern Section)
Continuity	Mostly continuous; broken by the Palghat Gap.	Highly discontinuous; fragmented by river erosion.
Major Hills	Nilgiri, Anaimalai, Cardamom Hills.	Javadi, Shevaroy, Sirumalai, Varushnad Hills.
Highest Peaks	Anaimudi (Highest in South India).	Mahendragiri, Jindhagada (further North).

Sources: INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Chapter 2: Structure and Physiography, p.12-13; Geography of India, Majid Husain (9th ed.), Chapter 2: Physiography, p.58

7. The Nilgiri Knot: The Great Conjunction (exam-level)

In our journey through Indian geography, we have arrived at one of the most significant structural landmarks of the Peninsula: The Nilgiri Hills. Often referred to as the 'Nilgiri Knot,' this region is the grand meeting point where the Western Ghats (which run parallel to the Arabian Sea) and the Eastern Ghats (which track the Bay of Bengal) finally converge. This conjunction transforms the two distinct mountain systems into a singular, massive mountain block in the southern part of the Deccan Plateau. INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Structure and Physiography, p.13

The Nilgiris occupy a strategic tri-junction, straddling the borders of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Unlike the Eastern Ghats, which are highly dissected and broken by river valleys, the Nilgiri region rises abruptly to form a high-altitude plateau with an average elevation exceeding 2,500 meters in several parts. Geography of India, Majid Husain, Physiography, p.61. It is home to the famous hill station Udhagamandalam (Ooty). While the Western Ghats are locally known by names like Sahyadri in Maharashtra, it is at the Nilgiris that the range truly anchors the entire southern relief of India. INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Structure and Physiography, p.12

Immediately to the south of this mountain knot lies a critical topographic break known as the Palghat Gap (or Palakkad Gap). This gap is essential for connectivity, as it allows moisture-bearing winds and trade routes to pass between the Coimbatore plains in Tamil Nadu and the Malabar Coast of Kerala. South of this gap, the mountain system continues as the Anaimalai and Cardamom hills, but the Nilgiri Hills remain the definitive 'knot' that ties the two great Ghats together. Geography of India, Majid Husain, Physiography, p.58

Sources: INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Structure and Physiography, p.12-13; Geography of India, Majid Husain (McGrawHill 9th ed.), Physiography, p.58, 61

8. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

This question is the perfect application of your studies on the physiographic divisions of Peninsular India. Having mastered the individual characteristics of the Western Ghats (Sahyadris) and the Eastern Ghats, you can now see how they interact spatially. This question asks you to identify the specific geographic "knot" where these two massive mountain systems converge. By visualizing the map of South India, you should look for the point where the continuous western wall meets the fragmented eastern ridges, creating a high-altitude plateau that acts as a tri-junction for modern-day states.

To arrive at the correct answer, follow the structural logic of the Deccan Plateau. The Nilgiri Hills, often referred to as the "Blue Mountains," serve as the physical bridge between the two ranges. As noted in Geography of India by Majid Husain, this area forms a mountain knot that anchors the southern portion of the peninsula. Therefore, Nilgiri Hills is the correct choice because it is the only range among the options that serves as a convergence zone rather than just a local extension of a single range.

UPSC often uses geographical proximity to create traps. For instance, the Anaimalai Hills and Cardamom Hills are indeed part of the southern Western Ghats, but they lie further south, separated from the Nilgiris by the Palghat Gap; they do not touch the Eastern Ghats. On the other hand, the Shevoroy Hills are distinct outliers of the Eastern Ghats located in Tamil Nadu, but they are isolated and do not reach the Western Ghats. Understanding the connectivity versus isolation of these ranges, as detailed in NCERT Class XI: India Physical Environment, is key to avoiding these common distractors.