North Central India Research Articles

Distribution of HLA-A, B and DRB1 alleles in Sahariya tribe of North Central India: An association with pulmonary tuberculosis

Sahariya, a primitive tribe, native of North Central India, is characterized by a significantly increased incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) as compared to other tribes from the same region. Host genetic factors are known to influence susceptibility to PTB at the population level. Since an association of immune regulatory genes, particularly HLA, with PTB susceptibility has already been reported in several studies, we investigated a similar association of HLA alleles with PTB pathogenesis in the Sahariya tribe. A total of 210 cases and 178 healthy individuals from Sahariya tribe were genotyped for HLA class I and II alleles using the PCR based SSP and Reverse-SSO methods. The study showed a significantly increased allelic frequency of HLA-DRB1∗15 (p=0.02) in the patients as compared to healthy controls. However, the allelic frequency of HLA-DRB1∗16 was significantly reduced in patients than in controls (p=0.01). Three locus haplotype analysis of HLA-A, B and DR revealed a significantly increased frequency of A∗24-B∗40-DRB1∗15 haplotype among patients than controls (p=0.005), while A∗02-B∗40-DRB1∗16 and A∗02-B40-DRB1∗03 (p=0.001 and 0.02, respectively) were significantly reduced in the patients. Our findings confirm a positive association of HLA-DRB1∗15 in Sahariya tribe similar to the one already shown in other Indian ethnic groups. On the other hand, HLA-A∗24-B∗40-DRB1∗15 haplotype was found to be specific to Sahariya tribe with a strong predisposition to PTB. Further, the protection offered by DRB1∗16 allele and associated haplotypes towards PTB in this tribe appears to be a novel finding that warrants further investigation with regard to resistance to PTB.

Further geochronological and paleomagnetic constraints on Malani (and pre-Malani) magmatism in NW India

article i nfo At 750 Ma India was part of a larger fragment of eastern Gondwana blocks that included the Seychelles-Mauritia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and the Enderby Land-Prydz Bay region of East Antarctica. Sub- duction of the Mozambique Ocean beneath Seychelles-Mauritia, northern Madagascar and northwestern India formed a lengthy continental arc that remained active during the formation of Gondwana. Paleomag- netic data from the Malani rhyolites and associated dykes provide a robust paleomagnetic pole constraining India's position at this time. The rhyolitic and granitic rocks associated with the Malani Igneous Suite (MIS) have robust age constraints; however, the ages of the mafic dykes were inferred solely on the basis of simi- larity in paleomagnetic directions to the rhyolitic units. Here we present new geochronological data from the Malani mafic dykes that yield a minimum age of 704 Ma. The 207 Pb/ 206 Pb ages obtained for the dykes are less-likely to be affected by Pb-loss and yield a more reliable estimate for the age of the mafic dykes of ~750 Ma. We argue that intrusion of these mafic (and minor felsic) dykes represents the final pulse of MIS magmatism. Many of the granitic rocks in the region are reported as 'unclassified' due to limited geochemical data and/or geochronological ages. Some of these 'unclassified' granites are intruded by the mafic dykes sampled in this study near the town of Bilara. The granites yielded zircon core ages of ~1100 Ma with younger rims averaging ~1020 Ma. We argue that this provides further evidence for a significant orogenic event ~1000 Ma that may relate to the collision of the Marwar block with the Banded Gneiss Complex/Bundelkhand craton in north-central India. Other ~1000 Ma orogenesis is also known along the Central Indian Tectonic Zone (CITZ) and the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt. Globally, this same time interval is thought to represent the amal- gamation of the supercontinent Rodinia and may also have resulted in the closure of the major Purana basins in India.

Validation of a new meteorological forcing data in analysis of spatial and temporal variability of precipitation in India

During the past two decades, numerous datasets have been developed for global/regional hydrological assessment and modeling, but these datasets often show differences in their spatial and temporal distributions of precipitation, which is one of the most critical input variables in global/regional hydrological modeling. This paper is aimed to explore the precipitation characteristics of the Water and Global Change (WATCH) forcing data (WFD) and compare these with the corresponding characteristics derived from satellite-gauge data (TRMM 3B42 and GPCP 1DD) and rain gauge data. It compared the consistency and difference between the WFD and satellite-gauge data in India and examined whether the pattern of seasonal (winter, pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon) precipitation over six regions [e.g. North Mountainous India (NMI), Northwest India (NWI), North Central India (NCI), West Peninsular India (WPI), East Peninsular India (EPI) and South Peninsular India (SPI)] of India agrees well for the gridded data to be useful in precipitation variability analyses. The multi-time scale of precipitation in India was analysed by wavelet transformation method using gauged and WFD precipitation data. In general, precipitation from WFD is larger than that from satellite-gauge data in NMI and Western Ghats region whereas it is smaller in the dry region of NWI. Both WFD and satellite-gauge datasets underestimate precipitation compared to the measured data but the precipitation from WFD is better estimated than that from satellite-gauge data. It was found that the wavelet power spectrum of precipitation based on WFD is reasonably close to that of measured precipitation in NWI and NCI, while slightly different in NMI. It is felt that the WFD data can be used as a potential dataset for hydrological study in India.

CloudSat–CALIPSO characterizations of cloud during the active and the break periods of Indian summer monsoon

Here we report cloud macrophysical (cloud top height (CTH), cloud base height (CBH), cloud geometrical depth), microphysical (liquid and ice water contents, water paths, effective radii and number concentration) and radiative (heating rate) properties over the North Central India (18–28°N, 65–88°E) region (core monsoon zone) during the active and the break periods (2006–2010) of the Indian summer monsoon (ISM). Synergetic data from the CloudSat radar and the CALIPSO lidar are used. Analysis shows that the CTH and CBH have bimodal distributions during both the phases of monsoon. We have classified clouds into four type's viz., high-, mid-, low- and vertically extended deep clouds. The low-level clouds and optically thick cirrus are more dominant of the total observations and they occur more frequently during the active period compared to that of the break period. In contrast, the high-level clouds and optically thin cirrus are more frequent during the break phase of monsoon. The integrated depolarization ratio of high-level cloud exhibits bimodal distribution. It is observed that there is a significant variation in macrophysical, microphysical, optical and radiative properties of all the four types of clouds during the active and the break periods. As little observational evidence exists in the vertical structure of clouds during the active and the break periods of the ISM, the current results would be useful in understanding the characteristics of monsoon clouds, which have implications in the Earth's radiation budget and global climate models.

Vertebrate fauna of the Chambal River Basin, with emphasis on the National Chambal Sanctuary, India

This research provides an updated checklist of vertebrate fauna of the Chambal River Basin in north-central India with an emphasis on the National Chambal Sanctuary. The checklist consolidates information from field surveys and a review of literature pertaining to this region. A total of 147 fish (32 families), 56 reptile (19 families), 308 bird (64 families) and 60 mammal (27 families) species are reported, including six Critically Endangered, 12 Endangered and 18 Vulnerable species, as categorised by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This represents the first such extensive checklist for this region and provides an initial baseline of species for future research in this area.

Young Toba Tuff in the Middle Son Valley, North-Central India: a valid tephro-stratigraphical marker?

Young Toba Tuff in the Middle Son Valley, North-Central India: a valid tephro-stratigraphical marker?

GIS surface modeling of the Quaternary fluvial deposits of the Middle Son Valley, North-Central India: palaemorphological and palaeoclimatic setting for the Middle Palaeolithic archaeological sites

GIS surface modeling of the Quaternary fluvial deposits of the Middle Son Valley, North-Central India: palaemorphological and palaeoclimatic setting for the Middle Palaeolithic archaeological sites

Spatial Distribution of Heavy Metals in Soil and Flora Associated with the Glass Industry in North Central India: Implications for Phytoremediation

The effect of the glass industry on soil metal characterization was assessed at five test sites at five successive distances in a semi-arid area. A comprehensive profile of Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, and As levels in soils was obtained. The spatial distribution patterns of integrated contamination indices for these metals show a similar decreasing trend in distribution as we move further from the industrial cluster. There was significant correlation among individual heavy metal concentrations in the soil samples. Integrated contamination indices indicate that 64% of the sites were in the high contamination range and 28% were in the moderate contamination range. A statistically significant difference (P ≤ 0.001) was obtained for each metal on comparing mean metal content among soil samples. Phytoremedial potential of 12 native plant species was also evaluated. Individual elements displayed remarkably different patterns of accumulation in soils as well as plants. Plants established limited capabilities in mobilizing Zn, Pb, Ni, and Cu in the root zone. While Cd, Cu, As, Zn and Pb were predominantly partitioned in shoots, Ni was equally partitioned between shoots and roots. Interestingly, some plants showed a different partitioning trend at higher concentrations of different metals compared to lower concentrations. Potential species for phytoremediation include Calotropis procera (Milk weed), Chenopodium murale (Goosefoot),Poa annua (Annual bluegrass) and Datura stramonium (Thorn apple). None of the species showed phytoremedial potential for Ni and Cu.

Sources of overdispersion in a K-rich feldspar sample from north-central India: Insights from De, K content and IRSL age distributions for individual grains

Abstract Luminescence dating of individual sand-sized grains of quartz is a well-established technique in Quaternary geochronology, but the most ubiquitous mineral on the surface of the Earth—feldspar—has received much less attention at the single-grain level. In this study, we estimated single-grain equivalent dose values and infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) ages for K-rich feldspar (KF) grains from a fluvial sample underlying Youngest Toba Tuff (YTT) deposits in north-central India, and compared these ages (corrected for anomalous fading) with those obtained from individual grains of quartz from the same sample. Both minerals have broadly similar single-grain age distributions, but both are greatly overdispersed and most grains have ages substantially younger than the expected age of the YTT deposit (∼74 ka). Almost half (45%) of KF grains used for age calculation have fading rates statistically consistent with zero, but the age distribution of these grains is as dispersed as that of the entire population. We obtained a similar distribution of ages calculated for 51 grains using their individually measured internal K contents, which exhibited only minor grain-to-grain variation. Given the lack of dependency of single-grain ages on the measured fading rates and internal K contents, and the overall adequacy of bleaching of grains collected from a sandbar in the modern river channel, we consider the spread in ages is most likely due to mixing, at the time of deposition and after the YTT event, of potentially well-bleached fluvially-transported sediments with older grains derived from slumping of riverbank deposits. Some spread may also be due to natural variations in the IRSL properties of individual KF grains.

Surface ozone concentrations in Agra: links with the prevailing meteorological parameters

Measurements of surface ozone (O3), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx=NO+NO2) and meteorological parameters have been made at Agra (North Central India, 27°10’N, 78°05’E) in post monsoon and winter season. The diurnal variation in O3 concentration shows daytime in situ photochemical production with diurnal maximum in noon hours ranging from 51 to 54 ppb in post monsoon and from 76 to 82 ppb in winter, while minimum (16–24 ppb) during nighttime and early morning hours. Average 8-h O3 concentration varied from 12.4 to 83.9 ppb. The relationship between meteorological parameters (solar radiation intensity, temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and wind direction) and surface O3 variability was studied using principal component analysis (PCA), multiple linear regression (MLR) and correlation analysis (CA). PCA and MLR of daily mean O3 concentrations on meteorological parameters explain up to 80 % of day to day ozone variability. Correlation with meteorology is strongly emphasized on days having strong solar radiation intensity and longer sunshine time.

Genetic polymorphisms of CCL2, CCL5, CCR2 and CCR5 genes in Sahariya tribe of North Central India: An association study with pulmonary tuberculosis

The association of genetic variants of chemokines, CCL2 [MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1)], CCL5 [RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted)] and their receptors CCR2 and CCR5, respectively, earlier reported to be associated with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in certain ethnic populations, were explored in Sahariya tribe, a primitive tribe of North Central India having a high prevalence of TB. We genotyped 215 cases and 215 controls of Sahariya tribe for polymorphisms in CCL2 (-2518A/G, -362G/C) by PCR-RFLP method and in CCR2 (V64I), CCL5 (-403G/A, -28C/G) and CCR5 (-59029G/A) by ARMS-PCR method. The frequencies of ‘AA’ genotype and ‘A’ allele of -403G/A were found significantly higher in cases than in controls (OR, 2.616 [95%CI, 1.302–5.320] and OR, 1.348 [95%CI, 0.980–1.853], respectively). Conversely, the frequencies of ‘AA’ genotype and ‘A’ allele of V64I were significantly (p=0.05 and 0.04, respectively) higher in controls than in cases. Also, the “AA” genotype of V64I was found to provide significant (p=0.05) protection against high bacillary load (3+). Likewise, the comparison of frequencies of different combinations of these polymorphisms further strengthens the association of -403G/A with susceptibility and V64I with resistance to TB in Sahariya tribe. However, no significant association of other polymorphisms with either resistance or susceptibility to TB was found. Thus, our findings support the association of -403G/A and V64I polymorphisms with genetic susceptibility and resistance to TB, respectively , alone or in combination with other polymorphisms in Sahariya tribe.

Spatial and temporal diversity of begomoviral complexes in papayas with leaf curl disease

Old World, monopartite begomoviruses associated with satellite DNA β were observed in papaya showing symptoms of leaf curl disease sampled randomly over five years from within a radius of 250 km in north-central India. Three groups of DNA A sequences were evident. One group resembled chili leaf curl virus infecting tomatoes (ChiLCuV). Another group resembled tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCuNDV). The third group was novel (tentatively named papaya leaf crumple virus, PaLCrV), with less than 89% identity to known begomovirus sequences in the GenBank database. At least seven DNA A sequences were putative recombinants. The AC4-encoding regions exhibited highest numbers of non-synonymous substitutions. Most DNA β sequences resembled tomato leaf curl virus-associated DNA βs. A few DNA β sequences were similar to that of croton yellow vein mosaic virus-associated DNA β (CroYVMVβ). One DNA β sequence was novel and showed <65% similarity to its counterparts. Mixed infections and sequence diversity among 25 cloned av1 genes indicated that papayas grown in plantations, kitchen gardens and feral patches in the region are vulnerable to disease outbreak. No geographic or temporal patterns were discernable in the distribution of these viruses.

The liver function test enzymes and glucose level are positively correlated in gallbladder cancer: A cancer registry data analysis from north central India

To investigate the trend of expression of liver function test enzymes and other biochemical changes during gallbladder carcinogenesis. Eight hundred and seventy-eight gallbladder disease patients were selected to study the liver function test enzymes and routine blood biochemical changes in the last five years (2004-08). Statistical analysis was performed using Graph Pad prism 5.02 software. The liver function test enzymes showed significant correlations among themselves, and with glucose in gallbladder cancer and gallstone disease patients (N = 878). Out of 878 gallbladder cases, 46 (5.24%) showed significantly higher glucose level of 216.66 mg/dL (P < 0.0001). All the three pathological conditions of gallbladder, gallbladder cancer with stones (GBCS), gallbladder cancer without stones (GBC) and calculus cholecystitis (CC), showed highly significant positive correlation (Pearson) between Serum Glutamic Oxaloactetic Transaminase (SGOT) and Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT) [P < 0.0001, (GBCS); P < 0.0001, (GBC), and P < 0.0001, (CC)]. SGOT and SGPT also showed positive correlation with higher glucose level independently, in both GBCS and CC (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001), respectively. Simultaneous elevation of glucose and liver function test enzymes in GBC makes the diagnosis complex. Any patient of gallbladder diseases with higher level of glucose may have the possibility of developing gallbladder cancer.

Dhaba: An initial report on an Acheulean, Middle Palaeolithic and microlithic locality in the Middle Son Valley, north-central India

This paper presents the first report on Dhaba, a newly discovered locality in the Middle Son Valley, north-central India. The locality preserves Acheulean, Middle Palaeolithic and microlithic artefacts within a Late Quaternary stratified alluvial sequence. Initial information is provided on the sedimentary sequence, archaeological survey and excavation, topographical mapping, and lithic technological analysis of Dhaba 1, the largest excavation at the locality. The assemblage is situated within the regional geomorphological and hominin occupation sequences, noting that while Dhaba lies within a kilometre of Toba tephra deposits, no temporal link between the tephra and the artefact-bearing sediments is possible at present. Dhaba currently provides the only known extensive occurrence of Middle Palaeolithic artefacts in the Middle Son Valley that lacks handaxes.

Simulations of Cyclone Sidr in the Bay of Bengal with a high-resolution model: sensitivity to large-scale boundary forcing

The predictability of Cyclone Sidr in the Bay of Bengal was explored in terms of track and intensity using the Advanced Research Hurricane Weather Research Forecast (AHW) model. This constitutes the first applica- tion of the AHW over an area that lies outside the region of the North Atlantic for which this model was developed and tested. Several experiments were conducted to understand the possible contributing factors that affected Sidr's intensity and track simulation by varying the initial start time and domain size. Results show that Sidr's track was strongly controlled by the synoptic flow at the 500-hPa level, seen especially due to the strong mid-latitude wes- terly over north-central India. A 96-h forecast produced westerly winds over north-central India at the 500-hPa level that were notably weaker; this likely caused the modeled cyclone track to drift from the observed actual track. Reducing the model domain size reduced model error in the synoptic-scale winds at 500 hPa and produced an improved cyclone track. Specifically, the cyclone track appeared to be sensitive to the upstream synoptic flow, and was, therefore, sensitive to the location of the western boundary of the domain. However, cyclone intensity remained largely unaffected by this synoptic wind error at the 500-hPa level. Comparison of the high resolution, moving nested domain with a single coarser resolution domain showed little difference in tracks, but resulted in significantly different intensities. Experiments on the domain size with regard to the total precipitation simulated by the model showed that precipitation patterns and 10-m surface winds were also different. This was mainly due to the mid-latitude westerly flow across the west side of the model domain. The analysis also suggested that the total precipitation pattern and track was unchanged when the domain was extended toward the east, north, and south. Furthermore, this highlights our conclusion that Sidr was influenced from the west side of the domain. The dis- placement error was significantly reduced after the domain size from the western model boundary was decreased. Study results demonstrate the capability and need of a high-resolution mesoscale modeling framework for simu- lating the complex interactions that contribute to the for- mation of tropical cyclones over the Bay of Bengal region.

Seasonal trends of PM 10, PM 5.0, PM 2.5 & PM 1.0 in indoor and outdoor environments of residential homes located in North-Central India

This study presents data on the size characterization concentration of PM 10, PM 5.0, PM 2.5 and PM 1.0. These particulate concentrations were monitored from October-07 to March-09 indoors and outdoors of five roadside and five urban homes using Grimm aerosol spectrometer in Agra, India. Annual average concentrations of coarse particles (PM 10) indoor and outdoor were 247 μg m −3 and 255 μg m −3 at roadside houses and 181 μg m −3 and 195 μg m −3 at urban houses. PM 5.0 concentrations at roadside houses were 211 μg m −3 and 230 μg m −3 and at urban houses were 145 μg m −3 and 159 μg m −3. For fine particles (PM 2.5) the annual mean concentrations were 161 μg m −3 and 160 μg m −3 at roadside houses and 109 μg m −3 and 123 μg m −3 at urban houses. PM 1.0 concentrations at roadside houses were 111 μg m −3 and 112 μg m −3 while at urban houses they were 99 μg m −3 and 104 μg m −3. Monthly and seasonal variations of coarse and fine particulate matter have been studied at both the monitoring sites. Significant seasonal variations of particulate pollutants were obtained using the daily average particulate concentrations along with the inter particulate ratios. Particulate indoor/outdoor ratios and concentrations were also linked with meteorological conditions and indoor activities using occupant’s diary entries. The concentration of all sizes of particulate matter was found to be highest in winter season due to increase human activities and more space heating in indoors and due to low windspeed and high humidity in outdoors in comparison with other seasons. There was a strong correlation between indoor and outdoor particulate at both the sites. Health problems in occupants of the houses with higher concentrations of the fine particulate matter were more prominent. Household activities like cooking on stoves, indoor smoking and outdoor vehicular traffic, and garbage burning were found to be the major sources of particulate emissions indoor as well as outdoors.

Metal contamination of soils and plants associated with the glass industry in North Central India: prospects of phytoremediation

The effect of the glass industry on urban soil metal characterization was assessed in the area of Firozabad, India. A comprehensive profile of metal contamination was obtained in five zones each containing five specific sites. Zn, Cd, and As showed a greater accumulation, whereas accumulation of Ni and Cu was high in limited samples. Positive correlation was found for the metal pairs Cu-Zn, Cu-Co, and Cu-Cr at P < 0.01. Moderate positive correlation was also observed between Zn-Co, Mn-Cd, Mn-As, Pb-As, and Ni-Cu at P < 0.05. Integrated contamination indices indicate that 60% of the sites were heavily contaminated while 28% were moderately contaminated. Phytoremedial potential of native flora (twenty herbs, three shrubs, and two grasses) was also assessed by analyzing their metal uptake. Individual elements displayed remarkably different patterns of accumulation in soils as well as in plants. Mn, Zn, Cu, and As were predominantly partitioned in shoots, Co and Cd in roots while Pb, Cr, and Ni almost equally between shoots and roots. Most plants exhibited capabilities in mobilizing Co, Pb, Cr, and Ni in the root zone. Potential phytoextractors include Datura stramonium and Chenopodium murale while phytostabilizers include Calotropis procera and Gnaphalium luteo-album. Poa annua showed potential in both categories. None of the species showed phytoremedial potential for Co and Ni.

Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Loud.: A Review on its Ethnobotany, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profile

Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Loud. commonly called as deodar, is a species of cedar native to the Western Himalayas in Eastern Afghanistan, Northern Pakistan, North-Central India, South Western Tibet and Western Nepal. The chemical constituents obtained from different parts of plant include wikstromal, matairesinol, dibenzylbutyrolactol, berating, isopimpillin, lignans 1, 4 diaryl butane, benzofuranoid neo lingam, isohemacholone, sesquiterpenes LIII: deodarone, atlantone, deodarin, deodardione, limonenecarboxylic acid, α-himacholone, β-himacholone, α-pinene, β-pinene, myrcene, cedrin (6-methyldihydromyricetin), taxifolin, cedeodarin (6-methyltaxifolin), dihydromyricetin and cedrinoside. Various parts of this plant are used in traditional system of medicine for the treatment of different ailments such as fever, inflammation, pain, ulcer, apoptosis, spasmodic, hyperglycemia, infections, insomnia, disorder of mind, disease of skin and blood. Recent in-vivo and in-vitro studies have indicated its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-hyperglycemia, antispasmodic, insecticidal, anti-apoptotic, anti-cancer, immmunomodulatory, molluscidal, anxiolytic and anticonvulsant properties. Exhaustive literature survey reveals that there are some activities which are still not validated scientifically. The current review compiles and presents an up-to-date comprehensive review of the traditional and folklore medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of Cedrus deodara plant.

Chemotypic Variation in Indian Lantana camara Essential Oil

The essential oil from the leaves of Lantana camara from Dibrugarh, in the northeastern Indian state of Assam, after spectroscopic analysis, has shown that cis-davanone, an uncommon sesquiterpenoid, is its major constituent, while the essential oil from flowers contained β-caryophyllene and bicyclo-germacrene as the major components. Presence of davanone in the essential oil from leaves of this region clearly showed that L. camara exists in the form of another chemotype in the northeastern part of India as compared to north and north central India, wherein β-caryophyllene is the major component. The oil has been extracted from three different locations of the northeastern region successively for four years to confirm the stability of the chemotype

Lithostructural and chronological constraints for tectonic restoration of Proterozoic accretion in the Eastern Indian Precambrian shield

The Central Indian Tectonic Zone (CITZ) is a ∼700 km long orogenic belt in north-central India that demarcates the accretion zone between the Northern and Southern Indian crustal domains. However, the timing of accretion remains speculative. The Chottanagpur Gneiss Complex (CGC), the North Singhbhum Mobile Belt (NSMB) and the Singhbhum Craton (SC) are three crustal units located at the eastern extremity of the CITZ. The CGC, dominated by blastoporphyritic granitoids intrusive into amphibolite- to granulite facies gneisses, is juxtaposed against the greenschist-facies northern metaflysch belt in the NSMB (N-NSMB) north of the Dalma Ophiolite Belt (DOB), along the Northern Shear Zone (NSZ). Both south CGC and N-NSMB exhibit correlated increase in strain and prograde metamorphism towards the NSZ. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry U–Pb zircon and U–Th–Pb monazite chemical ages from the southern parts of the CGC lie between 1.1 and 0.9 Ga. Monazite from N-NSMB are of similar age. In contrast, zircon from central parts of the CGC away from the NSZ preserves older concordant ages (up to 2.6 Ga), and the 1.0–0.90 Ga age population is scarcely represented. South of the DOB, the ∼1.0 Ga ages are absent in S-NSMB. Instead, monazites from all samples in S-NSMB record a tightly constrained 1.59–1.56 Ga high-P metamorphic event, arguably a result of northward subduction of the metaflysch belt. These two terranes were in turn accreted to the CGC at 1.0–0.90 Ga. This accretion at the leading edge of the amalgamated SC–S-NSMB block led to the emplacement of expansive granitoids in the CGC. Apparently, the polychronous CITZ orogen marks the gradual closure of a major ocean basin separating the crustal domains of the Northern and Southern Indian blocks during the Meso- and the Early Neoproterozoic era.