NDA & CDS 1 2026 Exam Indian Geography – Climate

India experiences a wide range of climatic conditions due to its vast size, diverse topography, and geographical location. From the snow-covered Himalayas in the north to the tropical coastal regions in the south, the Indian climate shows remarkable variation. Understanding India’s climate is essential for NDA and CDS aspirants as questions from this topic frequently appear in the General Studies section.

NDA & CDS 1 2026 Exam Indian Geography – Climate

1. Factors Influencing India’s Climate

Several geographical factors influence the climate of India:

1. Latitude:
   India lies between 8°4′N and 37°6′N latitudes. The Tropic of Cancer (23°30′N) divides the country into tropical and subtropical zones, influencing temperature and humidity.
2. Altitude:
   The Himalayan ranges in the north prevent the cold winds from Central Asia from entering the Indian subcontinent, keeping northern India warmer in winter.
3. Distance from the Sea (Continentality):
   Coastal areas such as Mumbai and Chennai experience moderate temperatures, while interior regions like Delhi and Jaipur face extreme summers and winters.
4. Monsoon Winds:
   The Indian monsoon system is the most significant climatic factor, bringing about 75% of annual rainfall to the country.
5. Western Disturbances:
   These are temperate cyclones originating in the Mediterranean region that cause winter rainfall in northwestern India.
6. Relief Features:
   The Western Ghats and Himalayas greatly influence rainfall distribution. For example, the windward side of the Western Ghats receives heavy rainfall, while the leeward side (rain shadow area) remains dry.

2. Major Seasons in India

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), India experiences four distinct seasons:

1. Cold Weather Season (Winter) – December to February:
   • Northern India experiences low temperatures.
   • Westerly disturbances bring light rainfall to Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh.
2. Hot Weather Season (Summer) – March to May:
   • Temperatures rise across the country; northwestern India becomes extremely hot.
   • The Loo, a hot dry wind, blows over the northern plains.
   • Pre-monsoon showers (Mango showers in Kerala, Kalbaisakhi in West Bengal, and Cherry Blossom showers in Karnataka) occur in some regions.
3. Southwest Monsoon Season – June to September:
   • Moist winds from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal bring heavy rainfall.
   • The Arabian Sea branch causes rainfall on the west coast, while the Bay of Bengal branch moves towards the northeast and northern plains.
   • This is the main rainy season in India.
4. Retreating Monsoon Season – October to November:
   • Winds retreat from northern India.
   • Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Kerala receive rainfall due to the northeast monsoon.

3. Distribution of Rainfall

• High Rainfall Areas (>200 cm):
  Western coast, northeastern states (Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam).
  Mawsynram in Meghalaya receives the highest rainfall in India.
• Moderate Rainfall Areas (100–200 cm):
  Northern plains, Odisha, parts of Madhya Pradesh.
• Low Rainfall Areas (<50 cm):
  Western Rajasthan, parts of Gujarat, and Ladakh.

4. Climatic Regions of India (Koppen’s Classification)

According to Koppen’s Climate Classification, India can be divided into the following regions:

1. Tropical Rainy Climate (A):
   Western coast, Assam, and northeastern states.
2. Tropical Savanna Climate (Aw):
   Peninsular India, including Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
3. Monsoon Type with Dry Winter (Cw):
   Northern plains and parts of the northeast.
4. Arid Climate (BWh):
   Western Rajasthan and Kutch region.
5. Mountain Climate (H):
   Himalayan region with cold and snowy conditions.

5. Important Climatic Phenomena

• El Niño and La Niña:
  Periodic warming or cooling of the Pacific Ocean affects the strength of the Indian monsoon.
• Jet Streams:
  Strong westerly winds in the upper atmosphere influencing the onset and withdrawal of monsoons.
• Cyclones:
  Common in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea during the pre- and post-monsoon periods.

6. Importance of Monsoon in India

• Vital for agriculture, as nearly 60% of Indian farmers depend on monsoon rains.
• Impacts water resources, hydroelectric power generation, and rural economy.
• Irregular or delayed monsoons can cause droughts or floods, affecting the national economy.