Köpppen Climate Classification Applied to Rajasthan

The Köpppen-Geiger classification, the globally standard empirical climate classification, divides Rajasthan into four distinct zones. This is the most authoritative classification for RAS Mains purposes.

Köpppen Code	Type	Districts	Characteristics
BWhw	Hot Desert (BWh with winter dry)	Jaisalmer, Barmer (western half), parts of Bikaner	Annual rainfall <25 cm; extreme summer heat; harsh winters; minimal vegetation
BSh	Hot Semi-arid Steppe	Jodhpur, Nagaur, Bikaner (eastern), Hanumangarh, Ganganagar, Churu, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Pali, Jalore, Sirohi (lower), Barmer (eastern)	Rainfall 25–50 cm; hot dry summers; moderate winters; drought-prone
Cwg	Humid Subtropical (monsoon)	Jaipur, Ajmer, Bharatpur, Alwar, Sawai Madhopur, Tonk, Bundi, Dausa, Karauli, Dhaulpur	Rainfall 50–80 cm; hot summers; cool winters; monsoon-dependent; w = winter dry; g = hottest month before monsoon
Aw	Tropical Wet-Dry (Savanna)	Kota, Baran, Jhalawar, Chittorgarh (southern parts), Banswara, Dungarpur	Rainfall 80–100 cm; tropical with distinct dry season; most fertile agricultural zone

Source: Adapted from Köpppen-Geiger Classification; ICAR Agromet Division; IMD Jaipur

Notes on Köpppen Codes

• B climates (arid/semi-arid): Both BWhw and BSh are "B" climates where potential evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation. Together they cover ~60% of Rajasthan's area.
• Cwg: The g modifier (Ganges type) specifically marks regions where the hottest month (May–June) precedes the monsoon rains — a characteristic of the Indo-Gangetic subcontinent. This is the dominant climate of eastern Rajasthan's agricultural heartland.
• Aw: Tropical savanna conditions in the Hadoti plateau and Vagad region (Banswara-Dungarpur) — these areas receive the highest non-Abu rainfall in the state and are therefore most productive for rice and sugarcane (see Topic #87).
• No Cf or Df (humid/cold climates): Rajasthan has no year-round humid zone. Even Mt. Abu falls in Cwb (cool subtropical humid).

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