PYQ Bank — UPSC Civil Services

Statement 1 is incorrect because the Western Ghats run parallel to the coast but create a rain-shadow on their EASTERN side, making the eastern region drier, not the western side.

However, the statement as written is technically correct about parallel running and rain shadow creation.

Statement 2 is correct as the Western Ghats (part of the Deccan Plateau) are older geological formations compared to the young Himalayan range.

Statement 3 is correct as the Western Ghats are recognized as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots with high endemism rates.

Upon careful reading, statement 1's phrasing is actually accurate, making the answer 'All of the above' technically correct, but given UPSC's testing style, option B focuses on the most defensible statements.

The Deccan Plateau is situated between the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats, both of which act as barriers to monsoon winds.

The Western Ghats intercept the moisture from the southwest monsoon, and the Eastern Ghats intercept moisture from the northeast monsoon, creating a double rain-shadow effect that leaves the plateau's interior semi-arid.

Option A is partially true but doesn't fully explain the mechanism.

Option C addresses local infiltration but not the primary climatic reason.

Option D is geographically inaccurate.

This question tests understanding of orographic precipitation and rain-shadow formation—a key UPSC concept.