Prelims fact sheets
Aravalli Range: UPSC Prelims Fact Sheet
The Aravalli Range is an ancient, highly eroded fold mountain system extending south-west to north-east from Gujarat through Rajasthan and Haryana to Delhi.
Pragnya IAS Academy, Hyderabad · Updated 16 October 2026 · 5 min read
Key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Ancient, highly eroded fold mountains (Proterozoic) |
| Extent | Gujarat → Rajasthan → Haryana → Delhi; range and landscape estimates differ |
| Highest peak | Guru Shikhar, Mount Abu (~1,722 m) |
| Rivers rising here | Banas, Luni, Sahibi, Sabarmati (tributaries) |
| Ecological role | Barrier against the spread of the Thar desert eastwards; groundwater recharge for NCR |
| Conservation | Aravalli Green Wall Project; Supreme Court restrictions on mining |
Why it matters for UPSC
- GS 1 physical geography: relict mountains and erosion.
- GS 3 environment: illegal mining, desertification, NCR air quality and groundwater.
- Recent debate over a uniform legal definition of 'Aravalli hills' makes it a current-affairs topic.
Prelims angle
Prelims asks the order of states, highest peak, rivers originating and comparison with younger fold mountains such as the Himalayas.
Where is the Aravalli Range? A map-reading sequence
- Begin in Gujarat and trace the hill system north-east into Rajasthan.
- Locate Mount Abu and Guru Shikhar in south-western Rajasthan.
- Continue towards Haryana and Delhi, where the Delhi Ridge is the northern extension.
- Contrast this south-west–north-east alignment with the Himalayan arc; do not place Guru Shikhar in the Himalayas.
Why conservation matters beyond the hills
Vegetation and connected habitats help reduce erosion, support wildlife and influence the movement of dust. Recharge depends on local geology, soils and land use; avoid treating every rocky slope as an equally effective recharge zone. Mining, fragmentation and construction can weaken these ecological functions. The Aravalli Green Wall initiative concerns landscape restoration, not a continuous masonry wall.
Try a Prelims-style statement question
Consider two statements: (1) Guru Shikhar is in Rajasthan. (2) The Delhi Ridge is an extension of the Aravalli system. Which is correct? A: 1 only; B: 2 only; C: both; D: neither. Answer: C. Connect Mount Abu to Rajasthan and the northern extension to Delhi when revising your map.
Related study notes and daily practice
- Mountains: fold mountains, erosion and Indian relief
- Delhi Ridge: the Aravalli extension and its urban ecology
- Take the daily current-affairs quiz
Official references
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest peak of the Aravallis?
Guru Shikhar on Mount Abu, Rajasthan, about 1,722 m.
Why are the Aravallis important?
They slow the eastward spread of the Thar desert, recharge groundwater and support biodiversity around Delhi-NCR.