Islands of India: Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep, River Islands and Channels for SSC

India has two major island groups: the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea. Many map-based and fact-based questions in SSC come from their channels, capitals, volcanoes and important points. This note gives the key facts in tables, plus river islands and coastal islands, with practice questions and FAQs.

Two Island Groups at a Glance

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

• The Ten Degree Channel (at 10° N) separates the Andaman Islands in the north from the Nicobar Islands in the south.
• The Coco Channel separates the Andamans from the Coco Islands of Myanmar.
• Saddle Peak in North Andaman is the highest point of the islands (about 732 m).
• Barren Island is the only active volcano in India. Narcondam is a dormant volcano.
• Indira Point on Great Nicobar is the southernmost point of India (formerly Pygmalion Point); parts of it were submerged in the 2004 tsunami.
• Tribes: Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa and Sentinelese (Andaman); Nicobarese and Shompen (Nicobar).
• Cellular Jail at Port Blair was a British colonial prison for freedom fighters. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the tricolour at Port Blair in December 1943.
• The islands have tropical evergreen rainforests, mangroves and coral reefs.

Lakshadweep

• The name means "one lakh islands" in Sanskrit, although there are far fewer.
• The islands are coral atolls on the submarine Chagos-Laccadive ridge.
• The Eight Degree Channel separates Minicoy from the Maldives; the Nine Degree Channel separates Minicoy from the rest of Lakshadweep.
• Minicoy is the southernmost island, with a lighthouse.
• It is the smallest Union Territory of India by area.
• Coconut and fishing (tuna) are the main occupations.

Important River and Coastal Islands

Strait and Gulf Between India and Sri Lanka

• The Palk Strait separates India from Sri Lanka in the north; the Gulf of Mannar lies in the south.
• Adam’s Bridge (Ram Setu) is a chain of limestone shoals between Pamban Island and Mannar Island.

Why Islands Are Important

• Strategic position near busy shipping lanes of the Indian Ocean, including the Malacca Strait.
• Large Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for fishing and resources.
• Rich biodiversity and coral reefs; many are protected as national parks and biosphere reserves.

Quick Tips

• Remember: Ten Degree Channel = Andaman | Nicobar; Eight and Nine Degree = Lakshadweep and Maldives.
• Link the extremes: Indira Point (south), Barren Island (volcano), Saddle Peak (highest).
• Lakshadweep is coral; Andaman and Nicobar is hilly (an extension of a mountain range).
• For map questions, locate Minicoy and Great Nicobar separately.

Quick Revision Points

• Andaman and Nicobar: Bay of Bengal; Lakshadweep: Arabian Sea.
• Ten Degree Channel separates Andaman and Nicobar.
• Barren Island is the only active volcano in India.
• Indira Point is the southernmost point of India.
• Majuli is the largest river island.

Practice Questions With Answers

1. Which channel separates the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
   Answer: Ten Degree Channel
2. What is the capital of Lakshadweep?
   Answer: Kavaratti
3. Which is the only active volcano in India?
   Answer: Barren Island
4. Which is the southernmost point of India?
   Answer: Indira Point (Great Nicobar)
5. Which is the largest river island in India?
   Answer: Majuli
6. Which channel separates Minicoy from the Maldives?
   Answer: Eight Degree Channel
7. Lakshadweep islands are made of?
   Answer: Coral (atolls)
8. What is the highest peak of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
   Answer: Saddle Peak
9. Sriharikota is in which state?
   Answer: Andhra Pradesh
10. Which strait separates India and Sri Lanka?
    Answer: Palk Strait

How to Practise This Chapter

Practise 10 questions every day and write the steps on paper. Then attempt timed sets from our practice papers and the previous year papers page. See all topics on the Islands of India notes page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many island groups does India have?

Two major groups: the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

Where is Lakshadweep located?

In the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Kerala.

What are Lakshadweep islands made of?

They are coral atolls.

Which channel separates Andaman from Nicobar?

The Ten Degree Channel.

Which is the only active volcano in India?

Barren Island in the Andaman Sea.

Where is Indira Point?

On Great Nicobar, the southernmost point of India.

What is the capital of Andaman and Nicobar?

Port Blair, renamed Sri Vijaya Puram in 2024.

What is Majuli known for?

It is the largest river island in the world and in India, in the Brahmaputra in Assam.

What is Ram Setu?

A chain of limestone shoals between Pamban Island and Mannar Island.

Which UT is the smallest in area?

Lakshadweep.

Why are the islands strategically important?

They lie near key sea routes and give India a large Exclusive Economic Zone.

Is this topic asked in SSC?

Yes, island groups, channels and capitals are asked in SSC geography.