India GK Map Guide
Practice MapMountain Passes of India — Map & List of 37 Major Passes
India's mountain passes range from Umling La in Ladakh — at 5,799 metres, the world's highest motorable road — down to the Palakkad Gap at just 230 metres, a low break in the Western Ghats far from the Himalaya entirely.
This is a blank practice map, not a pre-labeled reference map. Every location on it is left for you to identify and mark yourself — the facts on this page are your answer key for filling it in, exactly the way it's used for exam revision.
37 major mountain passes
Highest: Umling La, Ladakh — 5,799 m
Nearly a third sit in the Northeast and Ladakh
How are India's mountain passes grouped?
The most useful way to learn all 37 is by altitude band rather than alphabetically: trans-Himalayan passes above roughly 4,500 m, mid-Himalayan passes, and the low Western Ghats gaps — because altitude band is what most exam questions actually test, not the exact metre figure for each pass. Nearly a third of the 37 sit in the Northeast and Ladakh alone, reflecting how much of India's pass geography is concentrated along its Himalayan and trans-Himalayan frontier.
What makes the Palakkad Gap different from the rest?
It's the one pass on the list that isn't part of the Himalayan system at all — it's a break in the Western Ghats, and it's the reason Kerala's climate differs so much from Tamil Nadu's, just across it. Every other of the 37 belongs to the Himalayan or trans-Himalayan system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the highest motorable mountain pass in India?
Umling La in Ladakh, at 5,799 metres.
How many mountain passes does this map cover?
37 major passes, the set most commonly tested in competitive-exam geography.
Is the Palakkad Gap a Himalayan pass?
No — unlike the other 36, it's a break in the Western Ghats, not part of the Himalayan system.
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