Highest Mountain Peak in India (Kanchenjunga Explained for Students)

The highest mountain peak in India is Kanchenjunga.
Many students ask which is the highest mountain peak in India, especially because of confusion with K2. For school exams and competitive tests, the correct answer is Kanchenjunga.

Key exam facts students should remember:

  • Name: Kanchenjunga
  • Height: 8,586 metres
  • Location: Sikkim (India-Nepal border)
  • Exam answer: Kanchenjunga is the highest peak of India

Parents can guide students to write this answer clearly, as per NCERT and board syllabus, without adding extra explanations unless asked.

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Vector illustration showing Kanchenjunga, the highest mountain peak in India, located in the Himalayan range near Sikkim.
Kanchenjunga is the highest mountain peak in India, located in the Himalayan range near Sikkim.

Which Is the Highest Mountain Peak in India?

The clear and correct answer is Kanchenjunga.
So, when students are asked which is the highest mountain peak in India, the highest peak of India is Kanchenjunga.

This is an important India highest peak exam question asked in school exams, Olympiads, and competitive tests. Students should write the answer confidently without adding confusing details.

Why Kanchenjunga is considered the highest:

  • A major part of the mountain lies within Indian territory
  • It is officially recognised in NCERT Geography
  • Indian exams follow country-wise location, not global height ranking

For parents helping with studies, it is best to teach children to stick to this simple, syllabus-based answer, as this is what examiners expect.

Kanchenjunga – The Highest Peak of India

Kanchenjunga is recognised as the highest peak of India.
In school geography, it is also taught as the highest mountain in India because a large part of the peak lies within Indian borders.

Kanchenjunga has a height of 8,586 metres, which makes it one of the tallest mountains in the world. However, for Indian exams, students should focus on its location and country-wise classification, not global rankings.

This mountain is part of the Himalayan range and is an important topic in NCERT Geography for middle and secondary classes.
Parents can help students by reminding them to write short, factual answers, especially in one-mark or two-mark questions.

Location of Kanchenjunga in India

The Kanchenjunga location in India is in the state of Sikkim, along the India–Nepal border.
It lies in the Eastern Himalayas, which include some of the highest Himalayan mountain peaks in India.

On maps, Kanchenjunga is marked in north Sikkim, close to Nepal.
Students should remember the state name (Sikkim) clearly, as this is often asked in map-based and objective questions.

Why K2 Is NOT the Highest Mountain Peak in India

Many students get confused and think K2 is the highest peak of India.
However, K2 is not the highest peak in India, and writing K2 in exams can lead to loss of marks.

The main reason is location.
Although K2 is taller than Kanchenjunga, it is not located within Indian territory as per Indian geography textbooks. Most of K2 lies in the Pakistan-administered region, which is why it is not counted as India’s highest peak.

This confusion often appears in questions like “highest peak in India – K2 or Kanchenjunga?”.
For all school exams, the correct answer is Kanchenjunga.

Exam Tip for Students and Parents

  • Kanchenjunga → Highest peak of India
  • K2 → Highest peak of the Indian subcontinent (not India)

Parents should advise students to follow NCERT definitions, as examiners check answers based on official syllabus facts, not global height rankings.

Second Highest Mountain Peak in India

After Kanchenjunga, the second highest mountain peak in India is Nanda Devi.
Students should remember that Kanchenjunga is the first highest mountain peak in India, and Nanda Devi comes second in ranking.

Nanda Devi has a height of 7,816 metres and is located in Uttarakhand.
It is completely inside Indian territory, which makes it an important and safe exam answer.

Quick ranking for exams:

  • 1st highest: Kanchenjunga
  • 2nd highest: Nanda Devi

Parents can help students by practising such rank-based questions, as they are commonly asked in objective tests and one-mark questions.

Highest Mountain Range in India

The highest mountain range in India is the Himalayas.
In highest peak in India geography topics, students first learn about the mountain range and then the important peaks within it.

The Himalayas are home to Kanchenjunga, which is the highest peak of India.
This is why the Himalayas are considered the most important mountain system in the country.

Why this is important for exams:

  • Mountain range explains where peaks are formed
  • NCERT connects Himalayas → highest peaks → climate and rivers
  • Many map and MCQ questions are based on this link

Parents can help students by revising range + peak together, instead of learning facts separately, to improve understanding and memory.

Highest Mountain Peaks in India (Quick Revision Table)

For quick revision before exams, students should remember only the most important Himalayan mountain peaks in India.
Learning too many names can cause confusion, so focusing on the top 5 peaks is enough for school and competitive exams.

These peaks are commonly asked in one-mark questions, MCQs, and map work.
Parents can help students revise this table regularly instead of memorising long lists.

Top Mountain Peaks of India (Exam-Focused)

Rank Mountain Peak Height (metres) State
1 Kanchenjunga 8,586 Sikkim
2 Nanda Devi 7,816 Uttarakhand
3 Kamet 7,756 Uttarakhand
4 Saltoro Kangri 7,742 Ladakh
5 Saser Kangri I 7,672 Ladakh

Among these, students should clearly remember that Kanchenjunga is the highest peak of India, as this is the most frequently tested fact.

Exam-Focused FAQs on Highest Peak of India

Q. Which is the highest mountain peak in India?

The which is the highest mountain peak in India answer is Kanchenjunga.
Students should write this clearly in exams without adding extra details unless asked. Kanchenjunga is officially recognised in NCERT Geography, which makes it the safest and correct exam answer.

Q. What should students write in exams – K2 or Kanchenjunga?

This is a common doubt in exams: highest peak in India – K2 or Kanchenjunga?
The correct answer for all Indian exams is Kanchenjunga. K2 is higher in height, but it is not considered India’s highest peak in school geography.
Parents should guide students to follow syllabus-based answers only.

Q. Is Kanchenjunga included in the Indian Himalayas?

Yes, Kanchenjunga is part of the Indian Himalayas.
It belongs to the Eastern Himalayas and is counted among the major Himalayan mountain peaks in India. This question checks students’ understanding of ranges and locations, not just peak names.

Q. Why is Kanchenjunga important in Indian geography?

Kanchenjunga is important because it connects mountains, climate, and rivers in geography chapters. It is often used as an example while explaining the Himalayan system in textbooks. This makes it a repeated exam topic across classes.

Q. How can students avoid mistakes in peak-related questions?

Students should:

  • Remember country-wise classification
  • Follow NCERT wording
  • Avoid mixing India with Indian subcontinent

Parents can help by revising standard answers regularly, instead of relying on internet shortcuts.

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