RAS question
The Deccan Plateau slopes towards which direction?
Correct answer: (A) West to East.
The Deccan Plateau slopes from west to east because it is higher in the west and slopes gently eastwards.
Explanation
The Deccan Plateau has a general west-to-east slope. NCERT describes it as a triangular landmass lying south of the Narmada and states that it is higher in the west and slopes gently eastwards. This explains the drainage pattern: major peninsular rivers such as the Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri flow eastward towards the Bay of Bengal. In physical geography, river direction is often a clue to regional relief, because rivers normally move down the natural gradient. Here, the higher western side and gentler eastward fall make option A, West to East, the correct reading of the plateau's slope.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) East to West reverses the actual gradient; most peninsular rivers flow eastward, and NCERT states that the plateau slopes gently eastwards.
- (C) North to South does not match the NCERT description of the Deccan Plateau being higher in the west and sloping eastwards.
- (D) South to North is not supported by the drainage clue or NCERT's statement that the Deccan Plateau slopes gently eastwards.
Concept
This tests the physiography and drainage linkage of the Peninsular Plateau. RAS repeatedly uses such questions because slope, relief and river flow are core map-based concepts in Indian geography.