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 UPSC CSE 2021 EXAM
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Q.1 Evaluate the nature of the Bhakti literature and its contribution to the Indian culture.
Approach
Introduction: About Bhakti literature
Body
 The nature of Bhakti literature
 Contributions of Bhakti literature on the Indian culture
 Examples of contributions
Conclusion: With relevant statements

The compositions of Bhakti literature started from 6th century A.D onwards in South India by Alvar
devotee of Vishnu and Nayanar devotees of Shiva. It was further spread in the form of Bhakti poetry
and ideas throughout India between 12th and 18th century.
The nature of Bhakti Literature:
 Union of individuals with God: The Bhakti literature provided for strong bond that existed
between the God and the worshiper.
 Road to salvation: They believed in freedom from the cycle of life and death. They
advocated that the salvation could be attained only by deep devotion and faith in God.
 Rejection of brahmanical superiority: The literature provides grounds for worship that was
previously limited to brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya caste now made available to everyone.
 Self Surrender: The vernacular literature provided emphasis on the self-surrender for
obtaining the bliss and grace of God.
 Universal brotherhood: The Bhakti literature provided the spirit of universal brotherhood
among the individuals irrespective of caste, gender and religion.
 Preached Monotheism: The Bhaktiliterature influenced preaching of the principles of
monotheism (oneness of God).
Contributions of Bhakti Literature on the Indian Culture:
 Challenged caste system: The Bhakti literature paved the way for inclusive path to spiritual
salvation to sutras and untouchable communities.
 Improved position of women: The Bhakti literature provides for the respect and dignity for
women and treating them at par with men in the society
 Social order upholding high moral values: The Bhakti exponents raised their powerful
voice against immoral acts like infanticide and sati and encouraged prohibition of wine,
tobacco and toddy. They disregarded caste system and advocated equal status to women.
 Hindu - Muslim unity: The Bhakti literature tried to reduce the growing bitterness between
the two and bridge the gap. The saints of Bhakti movement and the Sufi saints spread
message of friendship, amity, tolerance, peace and equality among all.
 Changes in method of worship: Bhakti literature gave importance to devotion and love for
God who is the God of all-God of both Hindus as well as Muslims. Bhakti or devotion for the
Almighty was the central theme of this movement.
 Rejected idol worship: The Bhakti literature highly criticised idol worship and promoted
devotion based promotion.

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 Spirit of tolerance, harmony and mutual respect: Under the influence of Bhakti literature,
a new cult of Satyapir under the initiative of King Husain Shah of Jaunpur emerged which
later paved the way for the spirit of liberalism adopted by Akbar.
 Promoted the growth of vernacular language and literature: The compositions of Kabir
Nanak and Chaitanya gave their respective vernacular tongues – Kabir in Hindi, Nanak in
Gurmukhi and Chaitanya in Bengali.
 Influenced the rulers: The Bhakti literature inspired Shivaji to establish the Swarajya.
Foundation of Sikhism was one of the results of the Bhakti movement.
Examples of Bhakti Literatures Contribution to Indian Culture
 South India
o Alvars(Vishnu devotee):The famous one include Divyaprabandham, Tiruvaymoli,
Tiruppavai (Women Alvar named Andal). All were made in the praise of lord Vishnu.
o Nayanars: Thirumurai (Tamil Veda) are famous literature of the time. It consisted of 12
volumes which contains hymns and songs, praising shiva.
o Vallabhacharya: Vallbhacharya work of Subodhami in Telugu has laid emphasis on
sankirtana.
o Bassavana: The Kannada literature famously called as Vachanas had strongly criticised
caste system and promoted the feeling of equality and simplicity among the fellow human
beings.
 North India
o Tulsidas: The devotional literature like Ramcharitra manas, Hanuman Chalisa in avadhi
made them accessible to common man.
o Kabir: The dohe of Kabir has broken the boundary of caste and religion, and inspired
people in his metaphorical and daily life analogies.
o Mirabai: The devotional bhajan of Mirabai in form of 1300 songs became the epitome of
the passion, devotion and surrender to the master.
o Surdas: The 10,000 poems in Brajbha Shapaved the way for people to worship and
devotion through local & regional language.
o Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: The Vaishnava literature produced by him represent a synergy
of passion, devotion and lyricism.
o Jananadev: His literature includes Bhavartha Dipika (also known as Jnanesvari) and
Amrutanubhava are popular even in current times
[Note: As this is a 10 marker question, students can make a smart art to showcase the examples
of literary contribution of saints]

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[Note: Students can mention the contribution by remembering the above NCERT diagram]
Conclusion
The Bhakti literature has not only set a spiritual discourse of Indian culture but also broken the
barrier of caste, gender in worship which has become an important aspect of Indian culture.

Q.2 Trace the rise and growth of socio-religious reform movements with special reference to
young Bengal and Brahmo Samaj.
Approach
Introduction: Mention about Socio religious movement, Brahmo Samaj and Young Bengal
Movement
Body
● Mention the Rise of Socio religious movement
● Provide example from Brahmo Samaj and Young Bengal movement to give special reference
● Mention the Growth of Socio religious movement
● Provide example from Brahmo Samaj and Young Bengal movement to give special reference
Conclusion: Conclude by highlighting impact of Brahmo Samaj and Young Bengal Movement

Introduction:
Socio religious movement aimed to reform the nation based on ideology of rationalism, humanism
and Universalism to provide equality and justice to all.
Brahmo Samaj Movement:
 This movement was initiated by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1928 which sought to purify the
Hinduism from evil practices of casteism, Sati system, influence of priestly class.

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Young Bengal movement:
 It was initiated in early 1830s by Henry Vivian Derozio to inculcate the ideas of liberty,
equality and freedom. It sought to purify the society based on freedom of speech and thought
and critical thinking of actions.
Rise of socio religious movement:
 Rejected idol worship: Raja Ram Mohan Roy rejected the idol worshiping as it led to
influence of priestly class.
o Example: In the Brahmo Samaj, objective was to attain the eternal God through
monotheistic methods.
 Promoted humanism: The movements promoted humanism by breaking the barriers of
caste, religion and gender.
o Example: In the Brahmo Samaj, Charity and morality was emphasised to develop
humanistic principles.
 Unity of all religions: movements aimed to attain the unity of all religions by incorporating
their universal components.
o Example: Mediation from Hinduism, charity from Islam was united in the working of
Brahmo Samaj while attack on any religion was prohibited.
 Gender justice: These movements aimed to provide equal rights to women by challenging
the existing evil practices in the society.
o Example: Members of Brahmo Samaj visited the criminating Ghats of Calcutta to
challenge the Sati culture.
 Practice of Rationalism: They made a critical look on every societal practices and opposed
any evil practice.
o Example: Young Bengal movement questioned the existence of God and undertook
drinking wine and consuming beef as a means of freedom.
 Focus on fundamental rights: These movement sought to promote the fundamental rights as
a natural mean of being a human.
o Example: Young Bengal movement believed in French revolution and its principles of
equality, liberty and fraternity for all.
 Women education: These movements rose due to focus on the education of women which
was the most marginalised section of society.
o Example: Young Bengal movement promoted women education and demanded equality
and freedom for them.
Growth of Socio Religious Movements:
 Participation: These movements grew as they sought participation of all the members
irrespective of caste, gender and religion.
o Example: Brahmo Samaj was open for all and members of all religion attended its working.
 Pan India movement: The movement grew to pan India level and organized in all regions of
India.
o Example: Idea of rationality and equality promoted by Brahmo samaj led to rise of
Prathna Samaj in Western India.
 Participations of Intellectuals: These movements provided a natural area for intellectuals to
work and deliver for society.

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o Example: Young Bengal movement provided a base for intellectual revolution among
students who later made Landholders society, British India society for the welfare of
people.
 Across all religions: These movements initiated within the Hinduism further grew to other
religion and sought to purify them from evil practices.
o Example: Ahmadiya movement among Muslims was based on Universalism of religions
on the lines of Brahmo Samaj.
 Growing in number: As education spread along with scientific outlook, it enhanced the no
of socio religious movement across the country.
o Example: Young Bengal movement principle of scientific criticism along with freedom
became the basis for other reforms movement in India.
Conclusion
Thus, Young Bengal and Brahmo Samaj was initial movement on two different lines which further
propagated the ideas of modernism, Universalism and rationalism leading to rise in no of
movements.

Q.3 Access the main administrative issues and socio-cultural problems in the integration
process of Indian Princely States.
Approach
Introduction: Mention about princely states and Indian independence act-1947
Body
● Mention the main administrative issues
● Provide example from these administrative issues faced by different princely states
● Mention the socio cultural issues
● Provide example from these administrative issues faced by different princely states
Conclusion: Conclude by suggesting that princely states integration fuelled further
reorganisation

Introduction:
 India had around 568 princely states t the time of independence and integration of these states
were crucial task to ensure sovereignty, unity and integrity of the nation.
Indian Independence Act-1947:
Indian Independence act -1947 had provided choice to the princely states to accede to India or
Pakistan or remain independent causing the main administrative issue.
Main Administrative Issues:
 Chose to remain independent as it could sustain on itself: Some princely states wanted to
remain independent.
o Example: Travancore had demanded to remain independent as it had access to natural
resources which would survive itself.
 Joined Pakistan but territory was closer to India: some princely states wanted to join
o Example: Junagadh had Muslim ruler and wanted to join Pakistan which led to plebiscite
in Junadagh and merging with India.
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 Strong tilt towards Pakistan as it gave generous benefits for joining Pakistan: some
princely states were inclined towards Pakistan
o Example: Jodhpur wanted to join Pakistan in lieu of benefits but forced to Join India after
giving assurance of benefits.
 War from Pakistan: India had faced invasion in 1947.
o Example: Kashmir witnessed the invasion of Pakistan leading to signing of instrument
accession with India to provide its safety and security.
 Demand for the autonomy: some princely states wanted to be as autonomous states.
o Example: Many princely states like Bikaner wanted to maintain their autonomy and
wealth which caused issues in integrating them under constitutional principles.
Socio Cultural Issues:
 Muslim ruler but Hindu population: In some princely states hindu population is more but
ruled by Muslim ruler.
o Example: Bhopal wished to remain independent as its ruler was Muslim and population
was Hindu.
 War against Hindu Population of the state: some princely states seen state led communal
violence.
o Example: Hyderabad wanted to remain independent and its armed fanatics initiated a war
against Hindu population of state forcing the Indian government to take military action
and accede it.
 Divide of opinion among the public: popular body wanted to accede.
o Example: Manipur popularly elected legislative assembly was divided into accession to
India and India acceded it by persuading the King.
 Hindu ruler but Muslim population: In some princely states Muslim population is more
but ruled by Hindu ruler.
o Example: Kashmir wanted to remain free as ruler was Hindu but high Muslim population
made it more natural inclination towards Pakistan.
Conclusion:
Thus, integration of princely states led to innovation of new methods along with old tactics to ensure
the unity of India. Further reorganization of states on linguistic basis were carried out to bring
uniformity for administration.

Q.4 Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and western ghats.
Approach
Introduction: About landslide
Body
 Differentiation between landslides in Himalayan region and Western Ghats.
Conclusion: With relevant statements

A landslide is a natural phenomenon causing the downward and outward movement of slope
materials like rocks, soil and so on under the influence of gravity. 12% of India’s land is prone to
landslides, and the country accounted for 18% of worldwide deaths in such cases from 2004 to 2016.

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Himalayan region Western Ghats

Natural causes
 Tectonic movements: The mountain range  Occasional cyclonic event: The occurrence
was formed due to the collision of Indian and of low pressure areas or depression in the
Eurasian plates. The northward movement of Arabian Sea have resulted in high rainfall in
the Indian plate causes continuous stress on the western guards and resulted in two
the rocks, rendering them friable, weak and landslides.
prone to landslides.  Mini cloudburst: The excess concentration
 Snow thawing: The thawing of snow during of extremely heavy rain at particular spots
summer results in percolation of water from pushes the soil triggering a chain of events
melting of ice into the soil causing the landslide. that can result into landslides.
 Faults and lineaments: Presence of large  Southwest monsoon: The arrival of South
number of faults and lineaments make the West monsoon and orographic rainfall in the
region geologically very fragile and Western Ghats result into saturation of water
susceptible to landslides at any scale which causing landslide.
 Diurnal changes in temperatures: The high
temperature difference between the highest
temperature and the lowest temperature
result in breakage in rock structures and can
further result into landslides.
 Steep southern slopes: The southern slope
of Himalayan region are highly susceptible to
landslides due to steep slopes.
 Sedimentary rock: The Himalayas are made
up of sedimentary rocks which easily
undergo erosion and can lead to landslide.
 Volatile topography: Mountainous slopes
combined with rugged topography as well as
high seismic vulnerability and rainfall creates
a toxic cocktail in the Himalayan region
augmenting the susceptibility to landslides.
 Himalayan rivers youthful stage: The
youthful stage of Himalayan rivers enables
them to erode the soil and can result into
landslides.
Anthropogenic Causes
 Construction of hydropower projects: The  Extensive manmade constructions: The
construction of dams for hydro power project windmill projects that have come up on the
in the Himalayan region make them Ghats have caused huge fractures on the
earthquake prone and susceptible to mountains loosening structures and causing
landslides. landslides.
 Illegal mining: The mining The mining of  Deposits of overburdened material: The
coal in the north eastern Himalayan region
deposits of primary loose soil, tumbling
can lead to creation of huge amount of
stones and debris are responsible for
vibrations and even mine collapse which can
cause serious landslides. landslides.

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 Shifting cultivation: It results in removal of  Deforestation: The cutting of trees for road
vegetation and trees which erode the soil and construction, rubber plantations and other
result in occurring of landslides. plantations and tourism where structures are
being built on the slopes was also responsible
for landslides.
 Extensive quarrying: In the western guards,
the changes in the land use due to extensive
quarrying of minerals has led to frequent
landslides.

Way forward

[Note: Though directly asking the question, the students can provide way forward in the smart art
form as mentioned above or can use this content to write conclusion].
Conclusion
Policy makers and state governments from all the states in the respective regions of Western Ghats
and Himalaya, should join hands and take urgent measures such as landslide audit, prepare micro
plan, strengthening of EIA clearance mechanism and sustainable plantation practices to protect one
of the oldest ecosystems from landslides.

Q.5 Despite India being one of the countries of the Gondwana Land, it's mining industry
contributes much less to it's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in percentage. Discuss.
Approach
Introduction: Mention about Gondwanaland
Body
● Mention the Benefits of being country of Gondwana land
● Provide example
● Mention the contribution to GDP
● Mention the issues associated with mining industry
● Provide example
Conclusion: Conclude by suggesting some solutions to mitigate the issues

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Introduction:
India was part of Gondwanaland, southern half of the supercontinent Pangea. Rocks of the central
Indian region like parts of Madhya Pradesh, Odisha etc. are known as Gondwana rocks.
Benefits of being country of Gondwana land:
 High coal reserves for energy centric industries
o Example: Coal reserves in India are found in Bokaro, Singareni and Korba region of
Gondwana rocks.
 High Non-ferrous minerals for industries of electrical appliances
o Example: Non-ferrous minerals like Bauxite and Copper are heavily found in the
Gondwana region.
 Presence of High Ferrous minerals for iron ore industries
o Examples: Ferrous minerals like iron and maganite is also found in the Gondwana land.
 Presence of nuclear mineral Uranium
o Example: Uranium only mine in India is found in Jharkhand the Gondwana region.
 Presence of non-metallic minerals like Mica
o Example: Mica which is used in electrical appliances is produced in Jharkhand a
Gondwana land.
Contribution of mining industry to GDP
Indian mining sector contributed around 2% of GDP which is continuously declining.
Issues associated with it:
Governance failure
 Poor Environment Impact Assessment: Coverage of minimim 5 hectare under EIA has
led to cumulation of several small mining areas to unchecked mining losing the economy
of scale and efficiency.
 Conflict of interest in EIA: proponents himself gets the EIA done leading to high
conflict of interest. It leads to protest and delay in the mining project.
 Multiple Jurisdictions: multiplicity of institutions, state government and central
government enhances the red tapism and lead to delay in project.
 Poor participation of private players: Private players mainly the big one doesn't
participate in mining as there is complexity in rules and regulations.
o Example: India has separate rules for the license of exploration and license of
production thus keeping serious interest out.
 High litigation: Complexity in the rules have made high litigation in mining industry
putting explorable mines into stuck.
o Example: Around 500 mines are stuck into litigation between the industry and state
or central government.
 Discrimination based on usage: discrimination in terms of captive and non captive mines
have caused poor utilization of the existing mines and suboptimal extraction of minerals.
Industry Specific Issues:
 Obsolete technology: Public enterprises use the old method to extract which results into
inefficiency.
o Example: Coal industry in India still uses the open pit mining causing huge pollution.
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 Not linked to newer industries: Most mines are linked to older industries like thermal ,
iron ore but newer industries like Solar, Batteries, semiconductors don't have any mining
productions.
o Example: 97% of rare earth metal which is key for solar, battery industry is
controlled by China.
 Poor value addition: Indian mining industry undertakes poor value addition and doesn't
produce high quality material demanded today like carbon Fibre, high quality steel.
Social Issues
 Displacement of locals: Mining industry leads to heavy displacement of locals which
causes natural disliking for these industries.
o Example: POSCO steel plant in Odisha was heavily opposed by locals as it could
disintegrate their local culture.
 Issues of Naxalism: Presence of Naxalism in the key mining area also prevents active
participation from the mining industry.
o Example: Naxal issue in Dantewada
 Lack of Social Impact Assessment: lack of SIA keep the locals out of the benefits
accruing from the mining project thus creating a resistance in mining project.
Environmental Issues:
 Polluting in nature: Mining industry causes heavy water, air and land pollution leading
to huge protest by the locals.
o Example: Starlite copper plants were closed down due to pollution of ground water.
 Issues of climate change: Many mines are located in dense forest and can't be explored
as it would cause felling of trees and lead to climate change.
o Example: Mines in Chattisgarh and Jharkhand are not being explored due to being
situated in dense area.
Conclusion:
Simplifying the rules and procedures, doing away with captive and non captive mines, seeking
higher foreign investment, timely giving forest and environment clearance along with people
participation in mining industry through skill development can enhance the contribution of mining
industry in economy.

Q.6 What are the environmental implications of the reclamation of the water bodies into
urban land use? Explain with examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10 (SIZM01)
Approach
Introduction: Contextual introduction
Body
 Environmental implications of reclamation of water bodies into urban land use with
examples
Conclusion: By relevant statements

The recent Hyderabad floods which are the result of reclamation of urban lakes and encroachments
have highlighted the importance of water bodies for the sustainable urban landscape.

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Declining Number of Water Bodies
[Students: This part is to be written in smart art format to show the extent of the problem]
 Bangalore had 262 lakes in the 1960s which got reduced to only 10 in the year 2021.
 Ahmedabad: At least 137 lakes were listed in Ahmedabad in 2001, out of which
construction work started on 65 lakes.
 Hyderabad has lost 3,245 hectares of its wetlands due to unplanned urbanization.
Environmental Implications
 Environmental hazards: Increased risk of floods and other disasters due to concretization of
the major buildings of the cities. As per NDMA report Management of urban flooding, 31%
of the country was urbanised in 2011 obstructing natural streams and watercourses.
 Example: Higher incidences of floods in Mumbai, which lost 71% of its wetlands
between 1970 and 2014.
o Further, reclamation of water bodies in the coastal areas aggravate the incidents of
earthquakes etc., due to soil liquefaction.
 Water scarcity: Formation of sodic soils that create an impermeable crust reducing
infiltration resulting in water scarcity.
 Example: Badkhal Lake in Faridabad has dried up causing severe water shortages in the
city of Faridabad.
 Loss of vegetation: Due to decrease in ground water recharge and fertility of the soil there
will be loss of vegetation in the affected areas.
 Example: Unsustainable sand mining from the Vembanad Lake (Kochi) decreased the
vegetation of the region.
 Landfills: Increased trend towards turning water bodies into landfills creates serious damages
such as groundwater pollution, release of toxic gases such as Aldehyde and nitrogen oxides.
 Example: Guwahati’s Deeporbeel and Pallikarni marshland in Chennai used as solid
waste dumping sites.
 Biodiversity loss: Many species will not be able to adapt the changed environment and may
suffer from serious declines in population.
 Example: Land reclamation of Hussain Sagar Lake in Telangana increased the BOD of the
lake causing detrimental effect to aquatic species and aerial fauna.
 Pollution: The reclamation of water bodies creates different types of pollution ranging from
plastic pollution to heavy metal pollution.
 Example: Encroachment of water bodies in West Bengal led to a high level of arsenic
pollution in drinking water.
 Loss of ecosystem services: Urban lakes are a source of food, water, medicines, biofuels.
Reclamation of water bodies led to decreased ecosystem value.
 Example: Charkop Lake in Maharashtra and Ousteri Lake in Puducherry
 Degradation of landscape: Illegal mining for construction materials such as sand and
quartzite in the water bodies led to damaging impact on the urban ecosystem.
 Example: Jaisamand Lake in Jodhpur, once the only source of drinking water for the city,
has been suffering from illegal mining in the catchment area for the last 20 years despite a
court order to stop mining in 1999.

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Conclusion
Water bodies in urban areas provide a diversity of values and uses ranging from ecological goods
and services to direct production values. Thus, their conservation through wastewater treatment, non-
encroachment is imperative which is only possible with collective and coordinated efforts of both
government and citizens.

Q.7 Mention the global occurrence of volcanic eruption in 2021 and their impact on regional
environment.
Approach
Introduction: Mention about Volcanic eruption
Body
● Mention the violent volcanic eruption of 2021
● Provide the impact of volcanic eruption on regional environment
● Provide the examples
Conclusion: Conclude by suggesting some method to deal with volcanic eruptions

Introduction:
 Lava and gases are released from inside the earth into the environment in the volcanic eruption.
Around 78 volcanic eruptions took place in the year 2021.
Violent volcanic eruption of 2021
 Taal eruption near the Manali in Phillipines
 Piton de la Fournaise in Indian Ocean
 Great sitkin eruption in Alaska, USA
 Fukutoku- Oka-no-Ba eruption in the Japan
 Kilauea eruption in Hawaii
 Etna eruption in Sicily, Italy
Impact on the regional environment:
 Reducing visibility: Volcanic ash can spread in the atmosphere thus blocking the sunlight
and reducing the visibility.
 Volcanic lightening: Volcanic eruptions are followed by volcanic lightening in the region
because of energy in volcanic ash particles.
 Cooling of temperature: Volcanic ash in the atmosphere reflects the sunlight and absorb
land radiation leading to reduction in temperature.
o Example: Eruption in Indonesia in 1815 led to cooling of temperature by 3degree Celsius.
 Water pollution: Ash emitted by the volcanoes can enter the water bodies and pollution
them.
o Example: Eruption in Mount St. Helens volcano in USA damaged 169 lakes.
 Toxic atmosphere: Resulting emission of the Carbon Dioxide and fluorine can make the
environment toxic in nature.
 Abnormal rainfall: Volcanic ash when mixed with the rainfall can make cement like sludge
which results into abnormal rainfall.

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o Example: Eruption of Mount Pinatubo in Philippines led to rain of cement like sludge
which clogged the sewerage system, drainage system.
 Greenhouse effect: Carbon Dioxide emitted by the volcanoes lead to greenhouse gas effect.
 Acid rain: Sulphur oxides released by the volcanoes result into acid rain.
 Fewer period of rain: altering of the temperature changes the weather cycle resulting into
fewer period of rain in the regional area.
 Destruction of vegetation: High temperature ash and lava when flows onto the vegetation, it
leads to their destruction.
o Example: Eruption in Sumbawa Island in 1815 deposited thick layer of Lava leading to
destruction of vegetation.
 Creation of Tsunamis: Volcanic eruption in the ocean can bring the tsunamis in the region.
o Example: Eruption in Indonesia in 1883 led to high tsunami in the region.
Conclusion:
Volcanic eruption is a natural activity and investing in better early prediction system, citizen's
participation in dust clean up and identification of vulnerable area and capacity building can make
human capable to deal with aftermath.

Q8. Why is India considered as a sub-continent? Elaborate your answer.

Approach
Introduction: Define sub-continent and briefly the features of Indian subcontinent
Body
 Explain why India is called as a sub-continent
Conclusion: By relevant statements

A subcontinent is a part of a continent that is politically and geographically separate from the rest of
the continent. Indian subcontinent, is a southern region and peninsula of Asia mostly situated on the
Indian plate and projecting southwards into the Indian ocean from the Himalayas. It is also called the
“Asian subcontinent”.
Why is India considered as sub-continent?
 Geographical: It is considered a subcontinent because it covers an expansive area of land
that includes the Himalayan region in the north, the Gangetic Plain as well as the plateau
region in the south.
o India is aligned with the Asian continent, but it is a distinct region divided by the
Himalayas and enjoys a unique climate, natural vegetation and culture.
o It covers 2.4% of the earth’s total land area. It has a long land frontier of about 15,200 km
and coastline of about 7516.6 km.
o The Hindukush mountains serve as a common frontier in Central and South Asia to the
west of the Himalayas forming a unique separation from the rest of Asian continent.
 Geological setting: The Indian tectonic plate which is part of Gondwanaland got fused with
the Eurasian plate resulting into unique geographical features from the rest of Asian continent
which makes it a subcontinent.

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 Shared history: History and politics also define the Indian Subcontinent. Nearly all of the
current countries of the Indian Subcontinent were formerly possessions of the British Empire,
which makes it distinct from the rest of Asia continent.
 Example: Both Nepal and Bhutan historically maintained close relations with India when
it was under British control.
 Political reasons: India, along with other countries such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal,
Bhutan, and several other small countries and surrounding islands, is the largest landmass
existing separately. It is thus called the Indian sub-continent.
 Socio-Cultural: The region has a distinct shared ethnic, linguistic, religious and cultural ties
which is unique with rest of Asian continent which makes it a subcontinent.
 Example: Nepal shares a common religion with India, Hinduism. Hinduism is the
common religion professed by most of the people in India and Nepal.
 Others: It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country with over
1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world.
Conclusion
India is regarded as a subcontinent because of its uniqueness in terms of geography, history and
culture unlike other nations in the Asian continent. Its distinct landmass makes it a subcontinent
rather than just a country.
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 UPSC CSE 2021 EXAM
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