Islands

Islands are land masses surrounded by water on all sides.

• India has two major groups of islands:
  1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
  2. Lakshadweep Islands
• Besides, several riverine and estuarine islands exist in Indian rivers and deltas.

📝 PYQ (BPSC 66th): Which island group lies in the Arabian Sea? → Lakshadweep Islands

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Andaman and Nicobar Island

• Located to the southeast of mainland India.
• Made up of 572 islands (only about 37 are inhabited).
• Divided into:
  • Andaman Islands (North, Middle, South)
  • Nicobar Islands (north to south arc)

Key Features

• Origin: Volcanic and Coral
• Important Peaks: Saddle Peak (highest – 732 m in North Andaman)
• Barren Island: Only active volcano in India
• Indira Point: Southernmost point of India (in Great Nicobar Island)

📝 PYQ (BPSC 67th): Name India’s only active volcano. → Barren Island

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Importance

• Strategic location near Southeast Asia & Malacca Strait
• Rich in marine biodiversity
• Home to indigenous tribes: Sentinelese, Great Andamanese, Nicobarese

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Lakshadweep Islands

• Located off the Kerala coast in the Arabian Sea.
• Made up of 36 coral islands, atolls, and reefs.
• Headquarters: Kavaratti
• Origin: Coral atolls – No hills or rivers

Key Features

• Flat terrain with no forests
• Economy: Fishing and Coconut cultivation
• Declared a Union Territory in 1956

📝 PYQ (BPSC 64th): Lakshadweep is made of which type of islands? → Coral atolls

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Other Islands in India

Riverine & Estuarine Islands

• Majuli Island (Assam):

  • World's largest river island (in Brahmaputra)
  • Cultural hub of Assamese Vaishnavism

• Sundarbans Delta Islands (West Bengal):

  • Formed by Ganga-Brahmaputra delta
  • Home to Royal Bengal Tiger

• Srirangam Island (Tamil Nadu):

  • Located between Kaveri and Coleroon rivers

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Island-related Facts

• Bihar does not have marine islands but has riverine islands in Ganga and Kosi.
• Diara regions along Ganga often act as temporary islands during floods.
• Fluvial processes shape these landforms, especially in districts like:
  • Patna, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Purnea

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Expected MCQs

• Which is India’s only active volcano? → Barren Island
• Which island lies at the southernmost point of India? → Indira Point
• Which island is known for river culture and is in Assam? → Majuli
• Lakshadweep islands are of which origin? → Coral

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Quick Revision Points

• Andaman & Nicobar → Bay of Bengal, Volcanic + Coral
• Lakshadweep → Arabian Sea, Coral Atolls
• Barren Island → Active volcano
• Indira Point → Southernmost point
• Majuli → World’s largest river island
• Bihar → Has seasonal riverine islands (Diara)

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Sources Used

• NCERT Class 9 & 11 – Geography Chapters
• Drishti Bihar & India Special Geography
• Lucent GK – Geography Section
• Bihar Economic Survey (flood-prone Diara info)
• Ghatna Chakra PYQs – BPSC/DPCS