Rajasthan Dr. A.K. Tiwari Climate Classification GK

PART - 13: Dr. A.K. Tiwari's Climate Classification

Detailed Index

Section Topic Exam Importance
13.1 Introduction & Scientific Basis ★★★★★
13.2 Five Climatic Zones: Comparative Master Table ★★★★★
13.3 Detailed Zonal Analysis ★★★★★
13.4 Comparative Matrix: Koppen vs Thornthwaite vs Tiwari ★★★★★
13.5 G.T. Trewartha's Classification: Reference Study ★★★★
13.6 Key Exam Pointers ★★★★★
13.7 Comparative Study ★★★★

📖 13.1 Introduction & Scientific Basis

Indian geographer Dr. A.K. Tiwari presented a practical and regional climate classification of Rajasthan, taking into account the state's specific geographical perspective, relief, spatial distribution of seasonal rainfall, and agro-ecology.

The classifications of foreign climate scientists (such as Köppen or Thornthwaite) were based on global-level formulas, due to which the local micro-climatic variations of Rajasthan often could not be clearly understood. In contrast, Dr. Tiwari's classification is based on regional ground realities.

Parameter Scientific Basis & Description
Primary Basis Average Annual Rainfall & Gradient
Secondary Basis Summer & Winter Temperature Conditions, intensity of evaporation, and local patterns of natural vegetation
Total Division Rajasthan has been divided into 5 Distinct Climatic Regions
Practical Importance This classification is considered highly useful for the state's planners, agricultural scientists, and land use surveys
S.No. Climatic Zone Average Rainfall Range Summer Avg Temp Winter Avg Temp Main Extension Area (Districts) Vegetation & Soil Type
1. Extreme Arid Desert Zone 10-20 cm 38°C-45°C+ 10°C-15°C Jaisalmer, Phalodi, Barmer (W), Bikaner (W) Xerophytes (Thorny Bushes)
2. Arid Desert Zone 20-30 cm 36°C-42°C 8°C-14°C Bikaner (E), Churu, Anupgarh, Hanumangarh, Ganganagar (S) Steppe-Xerophyte Mixed
3. Semi-Arid Zone 30-50 cm 34°C-40°C 10°C-16°C Jodhpur, Nagaur, Didwana-Kuchaman, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Pali, Jalore Steppe-like Grass & Khejri
4. Sub-Humid Zone 50-70 cm 30°C-36°C 12°C-18°C Jaipur, Dausa, Alwar, Ajmer, Beawar, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh (N) Mixed Deciduous (Dhokra)
5. Humid Zone 70-100 cm 28°C-34°C 14°C-18°C Jhalawar, Baran, Kota, Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh, Sirohi (Abu) Dense Monsoon Deciduous & Teak

This is the extreme western part of the state, where extreme climatic aridity is found:

Aspect Description
Rainfall Distribution Annual average only 10-20 cm. Rainfall here is highly erratic, short-lived, and uncertain. Sometimes drought persists for years.
Extension Area Entire Jaisalmer district, western part of Barmer (Shiv, Chauhatan border), western part of Phalodi, and border area of Bikaner.
Temperature Conditions Summer temperature often reaches 46°C to 50°C (intense 'Loo' circulation). Winter night temperature rapidly drops to 2°C-5°C. Daily temperature range remains more than 20°C.
Ecology & Agriculture Natural vegetation is extremely sparse; only xerophytic bushes (Phog, Kair, Lani) and Sewan grass are found. Only rain-fed short-duration Kharif crops (Moth, Bajra) are grown in limited quantities.

This is a transitional desert belt located to the north and east of the extreme arid desert:

Aspect Description
Rainfall Distribution Annual average 20-30 cm.
Extension Area Bikaner, Churu, Anupgarh, Hanumangarh, southern part of Sri Ganganagar.
Temperature Conditions The main identity of this region is its highest annual temperature range. In Churu, summer temperature reaches 49°C-50°C, while in winter it drops to zero (0°C) or below freezing point. Intense 'Cold Wave' and Frost prevail in winter.
Ecology & Agriculture Khejri, Rohida, Babool, and thorny bushes are prominent in vegetation. In canal-irrigated areas (IGNP), wheat, gram, mustard, and cotton are cultivated, while in non-irrigated areas, guar and bajra are prominent.

This is the most important agricultural-economic belt of Rajasthan (Rajasthan Bangar), located between the western foothills of the Aravalli range and the desert:

Aspect Description
Rainfall Distribution Annual average 30-50 cm.
Extension Area Jodhpur city & rural, Nagaur, Didwana-Kuchaman, Shekhawati (Sikar, Jhunjhunu), Pali, Jalore, Sanchore.
Temperature Conditions Summer temperature 34°C to 40°C. Winter is generally pleasant, but due to north-western winds, severe cold occurs in January.
Ecology & Agriculture Steppe-like vegetation, in which Rohida, Khejri, Ber, Neem, and Dhaman & Karad grasses are prominent. This is the state's major pulse (Mung, Moth) and oilseed region. Intensive cultivation of commercial crops like cumin, isabgol, fennel, and fenugreek is done.

This region includes the central parts of the Aravalli mountain range and the plain slopes located just east of it:

Aspect Description
Rainfall Distribution Annual average 50-70 cm (rainfall by Bay of Bengal branch of South-West Monsoon).
Extension Area Jaipur, Jaipur Rural, Dausa, Alwar, Kotputli-Behror, Ajmer, Beawar, Bhilwara, Tonk, northern part of Chittorgarh.
Temperature Conditions Summer average temperature 30°C to 36°C (less hot than desert due to Aravalli's altitude). Winter temperate and pleasant (12°C-18°C).
Ecology & Agriculture Tropical dry deciduous forests—Dhokra (Anogeissus pendula), Salar, Khair, Dhak/Palash. Due to the availability of alluvial and kachari soil, this is the state's intensive agricultural area (wheat, mustard, barley, maize, and sorghum).

This is the southern and south-eastern part of Rajasthan, which is the region of highest rainfall and maximum natural greenery in the state:

Aspect Description
Rainfall Distribution Annual average 70-100 cm+ (more than 100 cm in mountainous slopes and Jhalawar).
Extension Area 1. Hadoti Plateau: Jhalawar, Baran, Kota, Bundi. 2. Southern Rajasthan: Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh, southern part of Udaipur. 3. Mountainous Region: Mount Abu block of Sirohi (150 cm rainfall).
Temperature Conditions Summer temperature 28°C to 34°C; due to high atmospheric humidity, sultriness is more. Winter is extremely mild and pleasant. Annual temperature range is lowest in the state.
Ecology & Agriculture Savanna-like dense forests, dry teak forests (Tectona grandis), bamboo, mango, jamun, and mahua. In black clayey (Vertisols) soil, improved cultivation of soybean, cotton, sugarcane, orange (Jhalawar), and opium (Chittorgarh/Pratapgarh) is done.

In competitive examinations, questions regarding the matching of equivalent regions of different geographers are frequently asked:

Physical/Regional Area Koppen's Code Thornthwaite's Code Dr. A.K. Tiwari's Classification Rainfall Range (According to Tiwari)
Extreme Western Desert (Jaisalmer) BWhw EA'd Extreme Arid Desert Zone 10-20 cm
North-Western Rajasthan (Bikaner, Churu) BWhw DB'w Arid Desert Zone 20-30 cm
Central & Bangar Region (Jodhpur, Nagaur) BShw DA'w Semi-Arid Zone 30-50 cm
Eastern Plains & Aravalli (Jaipur, Ajmer) Cwg DA'w Sub-Humid Zone 50-70 cm
Hadoti & Vagad (Jhalawar, Banswara) Aw CA'w Humid Zone 70-100 cm+

In many competitive examinations, confusion arises regarding the names 'Tiwari' and 'Trewartha'. American geographer G.T. Trewartha simplified Köppen's complex classification and presented it in 4 parts:

Code Type Region Characteristics
BWh Tropical Desert Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Western Phalodi Minimum rainfall, xerophytic vegetation
BSh Steppe Jalore, Pali, Nagaur, Shekhawati Thorny bushes
Caw Warm-Humid Eastern Rajasthan plains (Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur) Mixed deciduous vegetation
Aw Tropical Savanna Banswara, Dungarpur, Jhalawar Savanna-like vegetation, high rainfall
Fact Description
Number of Divisions Dr. A.K. Tiwari divided Rajasthan into 5 climatic zones (while Köppen, Thornthwaite, and Trewartha all divided it into 4-4 parts).
Order of Rainfall Limits The rainfall limits of Tiwari's classification are systematic and easy to remember: Extreme Arid = 10-20 cm; Arid = 20-30 cm; Semi-Arid = 30-50 cm; Sub-Humid = 50-70 cm; Humid = 70-100 cm.
Dual Division of Desert The biggest feature of Tiwari's classification is that it divided the Thar Desert into two distinct parts—'Extreme Arid' (10-20 cm) and 'Arid' (20-30 cm)—whereby the climate of Churu-Bikaner could be clearly identified as separate from Jaisalmer.
Location of Churu District According to Dr. Tiwari, Churu district falls under the 'Arid Desert Zone' (not in Extreme Arid).
Hadoti & Vagad Cluster Tiwari placed both Jhalawar and Banswara together under the 'Humid Zone'.
Aspect Extreme Arid Arid Desert Semi-Arid Sub-Humid Humid
Rainfall 10-20 cm 20-30 cm 30-50 cm 50-70 cm 70-100 cm+
Representative Districts Jaisalmer, W. Barmer Bikaner, Churu Jodhpur, Nagaur, Sikar Jaipur, Ajmer, Alwar Jhalawar, Kota, Banswara
Vegetation Xerophytes Steppe-Xerophyte Steppe Mixed Deciduous Dense Monsoon/Teak
Summer Temp 38-45°C+ 36-42°C 34-40°C 30-36°C 28-34°C
Winter Temp 10-15°C 8-14°C 10-16°C 12-18°C 14-18°C
Main Crops Moth, Bajra Wheat, Mustard, Guar Mung, Moth, Cumin Wheat, Mustard, Maize Soybean, Cotton, Sugarcane

Exam Revision

Dr. A.K. Tiwari's 5 Climatic Zones -> Primary Basis: Average Annual Rainfall -> Extreme Arid (10-20 cm, Jaisalmer) -> Arid Desert (20-30 cm, Bikaner/Churu) -> Semi-Arid (30-50 cm, Jodhpur/Nagaur) -> Sub-Humid (50-70 cm, Jaipur/Ajmer) -> Humid (70-100+ cm, Jhalawar/Banswara) -> Trewartha's 4-part classification (BWh, BSh, Caw, Aw)

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