Pragnya IAS · Map 54 · Climate & environment
India: pressure & surface winds (January) map study
The winter pressure map explains the northeast monsoon and the dry season over most of India.
STUDY NOTE 1
High pressure over land
In January a high-pressure cell sits over the northern subcontinent; winds blow seaward — the dry northeast monsoon over most of India.
STUDY NOTE 2
The exception that rains
These same winds cross the Bay of Bengal, pick up moisture and rain on the Tamil Nadu coast — the retreating/northeast monsoon rainfall.
STUDY NOTE 3
Jet stream context
The subtropical westerly jet blows south of the Himalaya in winter, steering western disturbances; its summer shift north unlocks the monsoon.
Map reading task
Sketch January isobars and wind arrows; mark where the seaward wind turns rain-bearing.
Map key · Reference locations
What does this india: pressure & surface winds (january) lesson explain?
In January a high-pressure cell sits over the northern subcontinent; winds blow seaward — the dry northeast monsoon over most of India.
UPSC map practice & Geography Optional connection
For UPSC Prelims, pair the location with its state, neighbouring relief and relevant geographic process. For GS I and Geography Optional Indian geography revision, use a simple labelled sketch to explain the relationship rather than replacing the answer with place names. These are Pragnya-authored exercises, not official UPSC previous-year questions.
References & map credits
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