Climate of India – UPSC & SSC Exam Notes | JKSSB Mock Test

Climate of India – Complete Notes for UPSC, SSC, JKSSB

The climate of India plays a crucial role in its agriculture, biodiversity, and economy. For aspirants of UPSC, SSC, JKSSB, and other state-level exams, a solid understanding of India’s climatic regions, seasons, and monsoon patterns is essential. This blog post covers all the important concepts, facts, and one-liners required to master this topic.

What is Climate?

Climate refers to the average weather conditions (temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind, etc.) over a long period (typically 30+ years) in a particular region.

Difference Between Weather and Climate

Aspect	Weather	Climate
Duration	Short-term (daily)	Long-term (30+ years)
Area	Local	Regional/National/Global
Changes	Rapid and frequent	Gradual

Factors Affecting the Climate of India

• Latitude: India lies in the tropical and subtropical zones.
• Himalayas: Block cold winds from Central Asia.
• Altitude: Higher altitude = cooler climate (e.g., Shimla vs Delhi).
• Distance from Sea: Coastal areas have moderate climate; interiors are extreme.
• Monsoon Winds: Cause seasonal rainfall variations.
• Jet Streams: Westerly jet stream impacts Western Disturbances in North India.

Climatic Zones of India (Köppen Classification)

Wladimir Köppen classified India's climate into various zones based on temperature and rainfall:

• Tropical Wet (Af): Western Ghats, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Tropical Wet & Dry (Aw): Peninsular Plateau (e.g., Karnataka, Maharashtra)
• Arid (BWh): Thar Desert region (Rajasthan)
• Semi-arid (BSh): Gujarat, Haryana, interior Deccan
• Humid Subtropical (Cwa): Northern Plains, foothills of Himalayas
• Mountain Climate (H): Himalayan region (cold and snowy)

Seasons in India (According to Indian Meteorological Department - IMD)

• Winter (January - February): Cold, dry winds from North; snowfall in Himalayas.
• Pre-monsoon or Summer (March - May): High temperatures; Loo winds in North India.
• Southwest Monsoon (June - September): Heavy rainfall from Arabian Sea & Bay of Bengal.
• Post-monsoon or Retreating Monsoon (October - December): Rainfall in Tamil Nadu due to NE monsoon.

Monsoon in India

The Indian monsoon is a complex wind system that brings the majority of annual rainfall.

• Onset: First arrives in Kerala by June 1st.
• Southwest Monsoon: Arabian Sea branch and Bay of Bengal branch.
• Withdrawal: Begins in Rajasthan in September and ends in Tamil Nadu by December.
• NE Monsoon: Affects Tamil Nadu and South Andhra Pradesh during October-November.

Rainfall Patterns in India

Region	Rainfall (cm)	Type
Western Ghats, NE India	200 – 400+	Heavy
Gangetic Plains	100 – 200	Moderate
Deccan Plateau	50 – 100	Low to moderate
Thar Desert	<25	Very low

Important Wind Systems

• Western Disturbances: Winter rain in North India; from Mediterranean Sea.
• Jet Streams: High-altitude winds influencing monsoon onset and withdrawal.
• Trade Winds: Easterlies from equatorward regions.

Natural Hazards Linked to Indian Climate

• Droughts: Caused by failed monsoon or El Niño.
• Floods: Excess rainfall and poor drainage (e.g., Assam, Bihar).
• Cyclones: Mostly in Bay of Bengal, few in Arabian Sea (e.g., Phailin, Hudhud).

Major Climatic Regions of India (Thornthwaite Classification)

• Humid: Assam, West Bengal, Kerala
• Sub-humid: UP, Bihar, Chhattisgarh
• Semi-arid: Gujarat, Maharashtra
• Arid: Rajasthan

Exam‑Relevant One‑Liners (SSC / JKSSB / UPSC)

• Rainiest place in India: Mawsynram, Meghalaya
• Monsoon enters India through: Kerala coast
• NE Monsoon affects: Tamil Nadu, SE Andhra Pradesh
• Winter rainfall in Punjab & Haryana: Western Disturbances
• Hot, dry wind in North India: Loo
• Jet streams are found in: Upper troposphere
• Rainfall type in India: Orographic and convectional