π Topic 06 of 6 Β· Chapter 03 Β· Climate of India
India Climate β Quick Revision & Key Facts
Climate types, Koppen classification, complete revision checklist β UPSC & PSC exams.
πΊοΈ Climate Types of India (Koppen Classification)
| Climate Type | Region | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Rainforest (Af) | Andaman & Nicobar, Western Ghats coast | Heavy rainfall year-round; no dry season; dense forests |
| Tropical Monsoon (Am) | Western coast, NE India | Heavy seasonal rainfall; short dry season |
| Tropical Savanna (Aw) | Most of peninsular India | Distinct wet and dry seasons; moderate rainfall |
| Semi-Arid (BSh) | Rajasthan, Gujarat, Deccan interior | Low rainfall; hot; steppe vegetation |
| Arid/Desert (BWh) | Thar Desert (Rajasthan, Gujarat) | Very low rainfall (<25 cm); extreme temperatures |
| Humid Subtropical (Cwa) | Indo-Gangetic Plain, NE India | Hot summers, cool winters; monsoon rainfall |
| Mountain/Alpine (H) | Himalayas, J&K, Uttarakhand, HP | Cold; snowfall; altitude controls climate |
π‘οΈ Extreme Temperatures in India
| Record | Place | State |
|---|---|---|
| Hottest place | Barmer / Phalodi | Rajasthan |
| Coldest place | Dras | Ladakh (J&K) |
| Highest rainfall | Mawsynram | Meghalaya |
| Lowest rainfall | Leh / Drass | Ladakh |
| Most equable climate | Kochi / Mumbai | Kerala / Maharashtra |
| Most extreme climate | Delhi / Jodhpur | Delhi / Rajasthan |
β Chapter 03 β Complete Revision Checklist
β
“Monsoon” = from Arabic “Mausim” = season
β SW monsoon onset = June 1 at Kerala coast (normal date)
β SW monsoon covers all India by mid-July
β Two branches: Arabian Sea branch (stronger) + Bay of Bengal branch
β Mawsynram (Meghalaya) = highest average annual rainfall in world
β Cherrapunji = world record for most rain in a single year (1861)
β Tamil Nadu gets rain from NE monsoon (OctβDec), not SW monsoon
β Loo = hot dry wind = NW India = summer
β Kalbaisakhi (Nor’westers) = violent thunderstorms = West Bengal, Assam
β Western Disturbances = winter rain to NW India = important for wheat (rabi)
β El NiΓ±o = warming of Pacific = weakens Indian monsoon = drought risk
β La NiΓ±a = cooling of Pacific = strengthens Indian monsoon
β Positive IOD = good monsoon for India
β Rain shadow = leeward side of Western Ghats = Deccan Plateau = less rain
β Rajasthan = driest state; Ladakh = lowest rainfall area
β SW monsoon onset = June 1 at Kerala coast (normal date)
β SW monsoon covers all India by mid-July
β Two branches: Arabian Sea branch (stronger) + Bay of Bengal branch
β Mawsynram (Meghalaya) = highest average annual rainfall in world
β Cherrapunji = world record for most rain in a single year (1861)
β Tamil Nadu gets rain from NE monsoon (OctβDec), not SW monsoon
β Loo = hot dry wind = NW India = summer
β Kalbaisakhi (Nor’westers) = violent thunderstorms = West Bengal, Assam
β Western Disturbances = winter rain to NW India = important for wheat (rabi)
β El NiΓ±o = warming of Pacific = weakens Indian monsoon = drought risk
β La NiΓ±a = cooling of Pacific = strengthens Indian monsoon
β Positive IOD = good monsoon for India
β Rain shadow = leeward side of Western Ghats = Deccan Plateau = less rain
β Rajasthan = driest state; Ladakh = lowest rainfall area