Which of the following geographical features or phenomena is/are associated with the Peninsular Block of India ? 1. Submergence of parts of the western coast due to tectonic activity 2. Presence of residual mountain ranges such as the Veliconda hills and Mahendragiri hills 3. Deep, V-shaped river valleys formed by fast-flowing rivers Select the answer using the code given below :
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) 3 only
Why the answer is (b)
• The Peninsular Block is the ancient, stable Gondwana shield of India; its features reflect great age and only gentle later tectonism.
• Statement 1 is correct: the west coast is a submerged coastline created by faulting and subsidence of the Arabian Sea block in the Tertiary, which is why it has drowned valleys and few deltas.
• Statement 2 is correct: the Peninsula's mountains are residual (relict) hills left by prolonged erosion — the Veliconda hills of the Eastern Ghats and Mahendragiri in Odisha are examples.
• Statement 3 is wrong: deep V-shaped gorges are the mark of youthful, fast-flowing Himalayan rivers; peninsular rivers are old, graded and flow in broad, shallow valleys.
• Hence 1 and 2, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 2 on residual hills is also correct.
- (c) 2 and 3
- Statement 3 is wrong: V-shaped gorges belong to the youthful Himalayan rivers.
- (d) 3 only
- Statement 3 is wrong and statements 1 and 2 are correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.