Which climate classification applies to most of India?

• A. Desert climate
• B. Tropical wet and dry climate (savanna)
• C. Tropical rainforest climate
• D. Temperate climate

Answer: (B)

Understanding how a region’s rainfall pattern maps to climate types helps here. Most of India experiences hot temperatures year-round with a distinct monsoon season bringing heavy rain, followed by a dry spell for the rest of the year. That pattern fits a tropical wet and dry climate, often described as savanna. The monsoon delivers a pronounced wet season (summer) and a relatively dry season, which is exactly what defines this climate category.

Desert areas in the northwest are much drier and only represent a small part of the country, so desert climate isn’t what dominates India. A tropical rainforest climate would require year-round, heavy rainfall across the year, which isn’t the case for most of India—rain is concentrated in the monsoon months. Temperate climates involve cooler winters and more seasonal temperature variation, which also doesn’t describe the bulk of India.

So, most of India fits the tropical wet and dry climate, the savanna pattern driven by the monsoon.