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Understand the volcanoes in India, including the Barren Island volcano, which is the only active magmatic volcano in India, and the Narcondam Island volcano, which is dormant in activity, along with their locations and volcanic features, for UPSC. Students should focus on PYQs to enhance their performance in the UPSC IAS exam.
Volcanoes are openings in the Earth’s crust through which lava, ash, and gases erupt. India features volcanoes that include active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes. Notable examples are Barren Island and Narcondam Island.
Understanding these volcanic features is crucial for the UPSC IAS Examination, covering General Studies Paper I (Geography) and Paper III (Environment & Disaster Management).
Read on to understand the list of volcanoes in India and details about volcanic mountains in India.
India has a distinct set of volcanoes, primarily found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Deccan Plateau region. The full list of volcanoes in India includes different classifications.
| Volcano Name | Location | Type | Key Features |
| Barren Island | Andaman Sea | Active | Only confirmed active volcano in India. |
| Baratang Island (Mud Volcano- not a magmatic volcano) | Andaman Islands | Dormant | Unique mud volcano- where hot water and pressurized gases force sediment and mud to the surface. |
| Narcondam Island | Andaman Sea | Dormant | Formed from a volcanic arc. |
| Deccan Traps | Maharashtra, Gujarat, MP | Extinct | Large igneous province, formed from ancient eruptions. |
| Dhinodhar Hills | Kutch, Gujarat | Extinct | Small, conical hill formed by ancient volcanic activity. |
| Lohit River Area | Arunachal Pradesh | Extinct | Evidence of past volcanic activity. |
| Tosham Hills | Bhiwani, Haryana | Extinct | Rhyolite hills, indicating ancient volcanic origin. |
| Loktak Lake Area | Manipur | Extinct | Volcanic formations in the surrounding landscape |
These volcanoes have erupted recently and show signs of potential future eruptions. They are considered currently erupting or likely to erupt soon.
| Volcano Name | Location | Last Eruption (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Barren Island | Andaman Sea | 2017 |
These volcanoes have not erupted for a long time, but could erupt again in the future. They are “sleeping” but not dead.
| Volcano Name | Location | Last Known Activity (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Baratang Island (Mud Volcano) | Andaman Islands | 2005 |
| Narcondam Island | Andaman Sea | 8-10 million years ago |
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These volcanoes have not erupted for thousands of years. They are not expected to erupt again.
| Volcano Name | Location | Period of Activity (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Deccan Traps | Western & Central India | 60-68 million years ago |
| Dhinodhar Hills | Kutch, Gujarat | Pliocene-Pleistocene |
| Lohit River Area | Arunachal Pradesh | Ancient, unconfirmed |
| Tosham Hills | Bhiwani, Haryana | Precambrian to early Paleozoic |
| Loktak Lake Area | Manipur | Ancient |
UPSC frequently asks conceptual and location-based questions on volcanoes in India, especially about active and dormant volcanoes such as Barren Island and Narcondam Island. Practising previous year questions helps aspirants understand important themes, improve geographical mapping skills, and prepare effectively for both Prelims and Mains examinations.
Q. Explore the myriad of intrusive landforms that emerge from volcanic processes. (10 M, 150 Words)
Volcanoes in India are limited in number but remain highly important from geographical and examination perspectives. From the active Barren Island volcano to the dormant Narcondam Island volcano and ancient volcanic regions like the Deccan Traps, these landforms help in understanding tectonic activity, volcanic processes, and India’s physical geography.
UPSC aspirants should focus on classifications, locations, volcanic features, and PYQs to strengthen both conceptual clarity and map-based preparation for Prelims and Mains.
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India has only one confirmed active volcano, Barren Island, located in the Andaman Sea.
While Barren Island is India's only active volcano, the Deccan Traps represent the largest ancient volcanic feature, covering a vast area.
Most significant volcanic features in India are found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Deccan Plateau region.
India has only one active volcano, located on Barren Island in the Andaman Sea. Apart from this, India also has dormant and extinct volcanic regions.
An extinct volcano is one that has not erupted for thousands of years and is not expected to erupt again.
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