Northwestern India Research Articles

Maternal genetic diversity and phylogenetic analysis of Indian riverine and swamp buffaloes: insights from complete mitochondrial genomes.

This study explored the genetic diversity and evolutionary history of riverine and swamp buffaloes in India, utilizing complete mitochondrial genome sequences. Through comprehensive sampling across varied agro-climatic zones, including 91 riverine buffaloes from 12 breeds and 6 non-descript populations, along with 16 swamp buffaloes of the Luit breed, this study employed next-generation sequencing techniques to map the mitogenomic landscape of these subspecies. Sequence alignments were performed with the buffalo mitochondrial reference genome to identify mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variations and distinct maternal haplogroups among Indian buffaloes. The results uncovered the existence of 212 variable sites in riverine buffaloes, yielding 67 haplotypes with high haplotype diversity (0.991), and in swamp buffaloes, 194 variable sites resulting in 12 haplotypes, displaying haplotype diversity of 0.950. Phylogenetic analyses elucidated the genetic relationships between Indian buffaloes and the recognized global haplogroups, categorizing Indian swamp buffaloes predominantly into the SA haplogroup. Intriguingly, the haplogroup SB2b was observed for the first time in swamp buffaloes. Conversely, riverine buffaloes conformed to established sub-haplogroups RB1, RB2, and RB3, underscoring the notion of Northwestern India as a pivotal domestication site for riverine buffaloes. The study supports the hypothesis of independent domestication events for riverine and swamp buffaloes, highlighting the critical role of genetic analysis in unraveling the complex evolutionary pathways of domestic animals. This investigation contributes to the global understanding of buffalo mitogenome diversity, offering insights into this important livestock species' domestication and dispersal patterns.

Morphological and histological analysis of six Lamiaceae species from the North-Western Indian Himalaya

Morphological and histological analysis of six Lamiaceae species from the North-Western Indian Himalaya

Family Study of Different Hemoglobin Disorders and Variants in North-Western India in Tertiary Center

Hemoglobin-related disorders are among the most common inherited genetic disorders in the world. They are posing a serious health burden to the global health system. As per WHO, the highest incidence of hemoglobinopathies is in the Middle East and Indian subcontinent. Screening methods like High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) help in determining values of HbA, HbA2, and HbF and diagnosing hemoglobinopathies at the initial stages. The present study aims to determine the role of family studies using HPLC in hemoglobin-related disorders. A retrospective study of 48 months between January 2019 and January 2024, comprising 137 patients was conducted. Patients attending the Outpatient Department (OPD)and admitted to the Inpatient Department (IPD) with anemia and abnormal values of different hemoglobin (HbA, HbA2, HbF, etc.) along with family members were included in this study. Patients with less than 3 months of history of blood transfusion and less than 6 months of age were excluded from the study. A total number of 572 patients with Hb < 11 g/dL were screened. Out of 153 (26.74%) patients, 137 (23.95%) patients and their family members agreed to the family study. Among 137 patients, 72 were females and 65 were males. Therefore M:F ratio was 0.90:1. Pallor was present in 121 (88.32%) cases and splenomegaly was seen in 49 cases (35.76%). HPLC along with family studies is a quick and minimally invasive method to screen high to medium-risk large communities, which in return helps in controlling the spread of clinically dreadful homozygous state of hemoglobin disorders.

New record of Giant Redeye Gangara thyrsis thyrsis (Fabricius, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) from Garhwal region of western Himalaya, India

Gangara thyrsis thyrsis (Fabricius,1775) has distribution extending in peninsular India from Maharashtra to Kerala; Andhra Pradesh, and in northeastern India from West Bengal to Sikkim & Arunachal Pradesh. In north-western India it has been reported from Delhi & Kangra in Himachal Pradesh and also from Andaman & Nicobar Islands. In the current observation, the occurrence of G. t. thyrsis was recorded from New Forest Campus of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun which is the first known authentic record from the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India.

Endemism in Indian Grasses-Tribe Andropogoneae

The paper deals with endemism in the grass tribe Andropogoneafe in India. Out of about 1150 species of grasses occurring in India, 350 species belong to Andrcpogoneae.An analysis of the floras of regions adjacent to India shows that out of 329 species of Andropogoneae 151 are endemic to India, giving a percentage of 45.89. Out of these endemic species of Andropogoneae, 102 are confined to Peninsular India, 16 to Northeastern India, 12 to North-western Himalayas, 10 to Upper Gangetic Plain, 8 to the Indus Plain and North-western India and 3 to rest of the country.Species which extend beyond the boundaries of India show affinity primarily with Africa Studies on endemism are important for conservation of rare taxa.

Evaluation of Cape Gooseberry Varieties for Growth and Bioactive Compounds Under Subtropical Conditions of Northwestern India

Evaluation of Cape Gooseberry Varieties for Growth and Bioactive Compounds Under Subtropical Conditions of Northwestern India

Longitudinal assessment of extreme climate events in Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh, north-western Himalaya, India.

It is vital to keep an eye on changes in climatic extremes because they set the stage for current and potential future climate, which usually have a reasonable adverse impact on ecosystems and society. The present study examines the variability and trends in precipitation and temperature across seasons in the Kinnaur district, offering valuable insights into the complex dynamics ofthe Himalayan climate. Using Climatic Research Unit gridded Time Series (CRU TS) datasets from 1951 to 2021, the study analyzes the data to produce 28 climate indices based on India Meteorological Department (IMD) convention indices and Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI). Although there may be considerable variation in climate indices in terms of absolute values within different products, there is consensus in both long-term trends and inter-annual variability. Analysis shows that even within a small area, there is variability in the magnitude and direction of historic temperature trends. Initially, the datawere subjected to rigorous quality control procedures, which involved identifying anomalies. Statistical analysis like trend analysis, employing Mann-Kendall test and Sen's slope estimator, reveal significant (p < 0.05) increase in consecutive dry days (CDD) at 0.03days/year and decrease in consecutive wet days (CWD) at 0.02days/year. Notably, the frequency of heavy precipitation occurrences showed an increasing trend. Changes in precipitation in the Western Himalaya are driven by a complex interplay of orographic effects, monsoonal dynamics, atmospheric circulation patterns, climate change, and localized factors such as topography, atmospheric circulation patterns, moisture sources, land-sea temperature contrasts, and anthropogenic influences. Moreover, in case of temperature indices, there is significant increasing trend observed. Temperature indices indicate a significant annual increase in warm nights (TN90p) at 0.06%/year and warm days (TX90p) at 0.11%/year. Extreme temperature events have been trending upward, with monthly daily maximum temperature (TXx) increasing by 1.5°C yearly. This study enhances our comprehension of the global warming phenomenon and underscores the importance of acknowledging alterations in the water cycle and their repercussions on hydrologic resources, agriculture, and livelihoods in the cold desert of the northwestern Indian Himalaya.

Variation of trace metal minerals among different soil orders under different land use systems falling in Malwa region of Punjab in North-western India

BackgroundTrace metal deficiency has become a major constraint on the productivity and sustainability of soils. Agriculture becomes more complex, advanced and intensive farming systems develop, however, the deficiency of trace metal are more frequent and extensive in different systems. MethodsThis study investigated the variation of trace metal minerals in soil profiles of diverse land use systems (LUSs), i.e. agriculture, horticulture and forestry, falling under three dominant soil orders (Entisol, Inceptisol and Aridisol) in Malwa region of Punjab. Through comprehensive analyses, we explore the intricate relationships between soil characteristics, land use practices, and the distribution of key trace metals—namely zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn). ResultsThe mean values of DTPA-extractable trace metal from soil profiles of different land uses varied from 1.75 to 2.09, 1.64–2.32, 1.18–1.69 mg kg−1 for Zn; 0.59–1.02, 0.59–0.99, 0.64–0.92 mg kg−1 for Cu; 12.12–16.49, 9.84–16.05, 7.94–11.56 mg kg−1 for Fe; 7.82–9.99, 4.66–9.39, 6.51–7.46 mg kg−1for Mn in soil orders Entisol, Inceptisol and Aridisol, respectively. The concentration of trace metals in different soil orders follows the pattern of ntisol>Inceptisol>Aridisol. In contrast, there is a considerable amount of variation and no discernible pattern in the distribution of trace metals under various LUSs in each soil order. Several LUSs were examined, and agriculture land use system (ALUS) had the greatest Fe and Mn content, while the horticulture land use system (HLUS) had the highest Zn and Cu content. The Irrespective of soil orders and LUSs, the concentration of trace metals decreased as soil depth increased. Diverse LUSs and management practices have a substantial impact on the physico-chemical characteristics of soils, which in turn influence the availability of trace metals. According to the Pearson correlation studies, trace metals were positively associated with soil OC and negatively associated with soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and there was also a positive correlation between DTPA-Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn in the investigated soils. The results of the principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that soil CaCO3 and organic carbon (OC) content were the most variable soil parameters influencing crop trace metal availability in different soil orders and land use systems. ConclusionThe findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of the dynamic interplay between soil properties and land use, providing valuable insights for sustainable agricultural practices and environmental management in the region.

Resource Use Efficiency and Economics of Summer Greengram as Influenced by Land Configuration and Irrigation Regimes in North-western Part of India

Background: Pulses form a crucial protein component of the human diet and among the pulses, greengram is third most important pulse crop in India. Water is a critical input for sustained crop production and is becoming limited day by day. Hence, the need of the hour is to evaluate effective resource conservation practices, such as land configurations and scientific scheduling of irrigation to achieve higher productivity, profitability and resource use efficiency. The aim of the study was to identify most resource efficient and economical land configuration, irrigation regimes for summer greengram under sandy loam soils of northwestern India. Methods: The experiment was conducted during the summer of 2022 on Student’s farm, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab to investigate the performance of summer greengram as influenced by land configuration and irrigation regimes. The experiment was carried out in a strip plot design consisting of 12 treatment combinations and three replications. The treatment included three land configurations viz, (L1: Flatbed, L2: Ridge and furrow and L3: Broad bed furrow) and four different irrigation regimes [Irrigating at critical growth stages (I1), 0.60 IW/CPE (I2), 0.75 IW/CPE (I3) and 0.90 IW/CPE (I4)]. Result: Among three land configurations tried, L3 recorded significantly higher water productivity, NUE and net return. Similarly, I1 recorded significantly higher water productivity whereas I4 recorded significantly higher NUE and net return. Among the treatment combinations, I1L3 recorded significantly higher water productivity (0.262 kg m-3) whereas I3L3 recorded significantly higher NUE (25.16 kg seed kg nutrient-1) and net income (₹ 72,848 ha-1) as compared to other treatment combinations. Hence, I1L3 and I4L3 can be recommended to farmers for growing summer greengram under sandy loam soil conditions in water scare regions and assured irrigation situation, respectively.

How is climate change altering the precipitation pattern over Northwestern India?

AbstractClimate change in India is causing devastating downpour events and shifts in spatial characterization, with apparent regional differences. The Northwest India (NWI), which is in the Aravalli rain shadow zone and was formerly drier, has attracted great attention in recent years due to its changing rainfall patterns. This study throws light on the astonishing behaviour of ISMR over NWI with the advent of intensified rainfall over the region in the recent time frame. The Pettitt test of change point (CP) detection is utilized in this analysis to measure the change in rainfall patterns over a period of 70 years, from 1950 to 2019. This analysis suggests significant variation in the CP's time frame for different months of ISMR. The earliest change was noticed in July, while the latest was for September for the mean as well as for the intense precipitation. Moreover, we found a maximum change in the precipitation during the peak monsoon month (i.e., July and August). The difference in the precipitation of different percentile values before and after CP indicates a decrease (increase) in low (high) intensity precipitation for all the months and seasons as a whole with varying magnitude. The highest reduction of low‐intensity precipitation is noticed for the months of July and August, while the highest increase of high‐intensity precipitation (&gt;95th percentile) is noticed for June and September. The heavier precipitation contributes largely to the mean increase of precipitation, expecting to receive more mean and precipitation extremes in the future. Unlike the increasing precipitation trend, potential evapotranspiration (source of local moisture) shows a declining trend, revealing the negative association among them and the possibility of enhanced advection of remote moisture responsible for enhanced precipitation over NWI. The enhanced vertically integrated moisture transport of the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal and its strengthening relationship with precipitation further confirm the contribution of remote moisture to intensified precipitation over NWI, though the in‐depth dynamical cause remains unclear. The increased Convective Available Potential Energy for entire monsoon seasons as a whole and individual months facilitates a favourable condition for enhanced convective activity over the region, resulting in strengthening the precipitation.

Response of nutrient management practices on carbon mineralization in relation to changed soil biology under rice-wheat cropping in north-western India

Response of nutrient management practices on carbon mineralization in relation to changed soil biology under rice-wheat cropping in north-western India

Fracking, farmers, and rural electrification in India

The shale gas revolution in the United States induced an unprecedented commodity boom across northwestern India. Leveraging population-based discontinuities in the contemporaneous roll-out of India’s national rural electrification scheme, we show that access to electricity increased total employment and non-agricultural employment in villages affected by this exogenous economic shock, but had no impact on labor markets elsewhere. This combination of two natural experiments highlights how complementary economic conditions drive heterogeneity in the labor-market impacts of rural electrification. It also helps explain the large variation in the reported impacts of such resource-intensive infrastructure investments globally.

Significant variations in the structure and composition of the crust beneath northwestern India: Imprints of magmatism

Northwestern India was affected by the Neoproterozoic Malani and Erinpura magmatism, Cretaceous rifting, and magmatism associated with the Deccan precursors. Receiver function analysis was done using 1704 RFs from 18 stations to image and decipher the imprints of the magmatic events and comprehend the crustal modifications in terms of variations in structure and composition. The H-κ grid search and neighbourhood inversion techniques are used to retrieve the crustal structure and Vp/Vs ratios (κ). The study reveals significant variations in the crustal thickness (H = 34 km to 43 km), composition (κ=1.74 to 1.92) and shear wave velocity structure across northwestern India. The terrains encompassing the Erinpura granite and the Malani igneous suite in the vicinity of the Barmer rift are characterized by a thick (H ≥ 41 km) crust with felsic to intermediate composition (κ ≤ 1.81). The crust beneath the southern part of the Marwar basin is ≈ 38–40 km thick with mafic composition (κ> 1.81). The region around the Barmer rift has a thin crust (H = 34–36 km) with intermediate to mafic composition. The region hosting the Early Cretaceous to Paleogene alkaline complexes exhibits a high Vp/Vs ratio (κ= 1.91) that may be associated with mafic cumulates emplaced by magmatic events that overprint the signatures of the Malani event. The crust is heterogeneous with low/high velocity intracrustal layers that reflect the fractionation of magma at different depths. The mafic residue, together with magmatic intrusions, results in a mafic lowermost crust with high shear velocities of 3.9–4.0 km/s beneath most stations. Overall, northwestern India is characterized by a thick crust with intermediate crustal composition and intracrustal layering resulting from large scale magmatic events linked to the Neoproterozoic reorganization of plates and younger magmatic events.

Screening of voluntary blood donors for beta-thalassemia trait in an endemic area in Northwest India for 15 years: Results and future directions after screening more than 300 thousand donors

Abstract: BACKGROUND: North-West India has a high prevalence of the Thalassemia, and the Beta Thalassemia Trait often remains undetected in the population. Recognizing the need to address this public health issue, we initiated “Blood the Lifeline” project in 2006 with the aim to eradicate Thalassemia through proactive measures, including screening of voluntary blood donors. AIM: The primary aim of this study was to screen voluntary blood donors in an endemic area in northwestern India for Thalassemia trait. The study aimed to determine its prevalence, identify gender and ethnic group-wise distributions, and assess the implications for future interventions. METHODS: The screening program was conducted from January 2006 till December 2022. Voluntary blood donors were recruited from the target area and underwent Thalassemia trait screening. The screening process involved High Performance Liquid Chromatography using VARIANT II fully automated HPLC system to identify Thalassemia trait. Data regarding the total number of cases screened, gender distribution, ethnic group-wise distribution, and positive and negative cases were collected and analyzed. Screening Process: EDTA Pilot tube from each donor was collected and analyzed within 24 hrs of collection. RBC Counts, Hb Concentration, MCV, MCH, RDW-SD were noted to differentiate between Iron Deficiency Anaemia &amp; thalassemia trait &amp; following Criteria’s were taken into account: Total RBC Count: &gt; 5.0 x 106 / micro-liter, Hb: &lt; 11.7 g/dl, MCV: &lt; 77 fl, MCH: &lt; 28 pg &amp; RDW-SD: &lt; 45 fl. A combination of Formulas like Mentzer’s index= MCV/RBC &lt;13; Shine and Lal Index (S&amp;L) = MCV × (MCH/100) &lt; 1530; Green &amp; King (MCV2) × RDW]/ (Hb × 100) &lt; 65 were used for screening. All the above formulas were introduced into the Blood Bank Software to exclude out the blood units requiring screening &amp; confirmation. If any of the samples were positive on initial screening, then confirmatory test was done by demonstrating the elevation of concentration of HbA2 by HPLC VARIANT II fully automated analyser. RESULTS: A total of 377,503 voluntary blood donors for a 16 year period were screened and data was analysed .The Mean Hemoglobin of positive donors was 12.1 gm/dl; Mean RBC Count was 6.24 m/cu mm, MCV 67.79 fl, MCH 21.04 pg, RDW-SD 42.11fl &amp; HbA2 was 7.48%. The majority of positive cases were found in the Sindhi (16.68%), Punjabi (10.32%), and Muslim (9.81%) ethnic groups. The Rajasthani population accounted for 6.01% of positive cases. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive screening program revealed a relatively high prevalence of Thalassemia trait in 2.29% of the screened population. The communities with higher prevalence (Sindhi, Punjabi, and Muslim) were educated about the disease and a targeted screening program will be further carried out in these ethnic groups. The data helped in planning genetic counseling, carrier screening, and pre-marital screening programs to reduce the transmission of Thalassemia in these populations. By focusing efforts on specific groups and locations with higher prevalence, a community based approach to prevent the birth of children with Thalassemia major is being implemented. It is also being used for analyzing the implications of different local policies pertaining to Thalassemia trait in the region. Collaborative efforts between healthcare organizations, community leaders, and governmental agencies are crucial to address the burden of Thalassemia and work towards its eradication. The results of this study serve as a foundation for future initiatives aimed at minimizing the impact of Thalassemia at a community level.

Molecular characterization and evaluation of novel management options for Burkholderia glumae BG1, the causative agent of panicle blight of rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Bacterial panicle blight, incited by Burkholderia glumae, has impacted rice production globally. Despite its significance, knowledge about the disease and the virulence pattern of the causal agent is very limited. Bacterial panicle blight is a major challenge in the rice-growing belts of North-western India, resulting in yield reduction. However, the management of B. glumae has become a challenge due to the lack of proper management strategies. Twenty-one BG strains have been characterized using the 16S rRNA and the gyrB gene-based sequence approach in the present study. The gyrB gene-based phylogenetic analysis resulted in geographic region-specific clustering of the BG isolates. The virulence screening of twenty-one BG strains by inoculating the pathogenic bacterial suspension of 1 × 10-8cfu/ml at the booting stage (55 DAT) revealed the variation in the disease severity and the grain yield of rice plants. The most virulent BG1 strain resulted in the highest disease incidence (82.11%) and lowest grain yield (11.12g/plant), and the least virulent BG10 strain resulted in lowest disease incidence of 18.94% and highest grain yield (24.62g/plant). In vitro evaluation of various biocontrol agents and nano copper at different concentrations by agar well diffusion method revealed that nano copper at 1000mg/L inhibited the colony growth of B. glumae. Under net house conditions, nano copper at 1000mg/L reduced the disease severity to 21.23% and increased the grain yield by 20.91% (31.76g per plant) compared to the positive control (COC 0.25% + streptomycin 200ppm). Remarkably, pre-inoculation with nano copper at 1000mg/L followed by challenge inoculation with B. glumae enhanced the activity of enzymatic antioxidants viz., Phenyl ammonia-lyase (PAL), Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and Peroxidase (POX) and non-enzymatic antioxidant phenol. Additionally, we observed a substantial transcript level upregulation of six defense-related genes to several folds viz., OsPR2, OsPR5, OsWRKY71, OsPAL1, OsAPX1, and OsPPO1 in comparison to the pathogen control and healthy control. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into the potential and practical application of nano copper for the mitigation of bacterial panicle blight, offering promising prospects for commercial utilization in disease management.

Accessing vicarious nostalgia and memorable tourism experiences in the context of heritage tourism with the moderating influence of social return

PurposeHeritage tourism is an increasingly popular form of tourism that allows individuals to connect with the past and immerse themselves in cultural and historical narratives. Hence, the purpose of this study is to explore the intricate relationships among vicarious nostalgia (VNOS), memorable tourism experiences (MTEXs) and their collective influence on tourists’ behavioral intentions (BINTs). Additionally, this study examines the moderating effect of social return (SN) in the context of heritage tourism.Design/methodology/approachData were gathered using a self-administered questionnaire from 259 tourists visiting heritage sites in Jaipur. The proposed model was tested using structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results confirmed that VNOS had a significant positive impact on BINT in the context of heritage tourism. The causal relationship between VNOS and BINT was fully mediated by MTEX. The results further verified that the presence of SN strengthens the association between MTEXs and BINT.Practical implicationsThis research will guide the firms associated with heritage tourism to target specific cohorts interested in heritage tourism. Policymakers may find it easier to create unique offerings and packages that appeal to visitors interested in historical sites and produce memorable travel experiences. One key implication is to create “social media friendly spaces” at different locations of the sites. To increase tourism, managers may use the findings from this research to create plans for the ethical promotion and protection of cultural and natural heritage sites.Originality/valueOverall, this research advances the understanding of the role of VNOS in heritage tourism by elucidating its cognitive and emotional aspects and their subsequent influence on the memorability of tourist experiences and BINT s. Additionally, by considering the moderating effect of SN, this study provides a comprehensive view of how these factors collectively shape tourists’ decisions and actions in the context of heritage destinations. This research has been conducted in the heritage city of Jaipur (North-Western India), which, surprisingly – despite its popularity as a heritage tourism site – has not been sufficiently explored in the scholarly research.

Agricultural resilience and land-use from an Indus settlement in north-western India: Inferences from stable Carbon and Nitrogen isotopes of archaeobotanical remains

Agricultural resilience and land-use from an Indus settlement in north-western India: Inferences from stable Carbon and Nitrogen isotopes of archaeobotanical remains

The rich-poor divide: Unravelling the spatial complexities and determinants of wealth inequality in India

This study presents the first in-depth analysis of spatial differences and factors influencing wealth distribution among households in India. It uses data from the latest National Family Health Survey, covering 707 districts. Techniques like the Lorenz curve, Gini coefficient, Location Quotient, Morans statistics, and Univariate and Bivariate LISA methods explore inequalities, concentration, and clustering patterns of rich-poor households at the district level. Additionally, spatial regression models such as OLS, GWR, and MGWR help to uncover spatial disparities and variability. Our findings demonstrate significant regional disparities, with the affluent household concentration being notably higher in north-western and southern India, while central, eastern, and northeastern regions exhibit greater inequality. Key factors impacting wealth inequality include rurality, low female literacy rates, educational level of household heads and prevalence of Scheduled Castes/Tribes. This study highlights the spatial dimensions of wealth inequality and provides a nuanced understanding of the factors contributing to these patterns. The GWR and MGWR models prove most effective, explaining more than 90% of the variation in wealth distribution factors. This study sheds light on the spatial dynamics and factors behind wealth disparities in India, offering strategic insights for equitable growth initiatives targeting diverse socio-economic sectors.

Stature Estimation Using Hand and Foot Metrics among the Meena Tribal Population of the North-western Indian Region

Stature Estimation Using Hand and Foot Metrics among the Meena Tribal Population of the North-western Indian Region

Large variations in the lithospheric thickness of northwestern India: Imprints of collisional and thermal reworking

The fold belts, which border the cratons, are the building blocks for understanding the origin and modification of older continents. The Aravalli-Delhi Fold Belt (ADFB) in northwestern India provides evidence of crustal block accretion due to continental collision, whereas Malani Igneous Suite (MIS) modified with widespread magmatism. Imaging of upper mantle structure and lithospheric modifications, if any, of such regions has been intricate owing to reworking by subsequent superimposed tectono-magmatic processes. We applied a 2D modelling approach to model the lithospheric architecture along a 1000-km long WNW-SSE geotransect across northwestern India, which has been deformed in the past. Our modelling technique combines terrestrial gravity anomaly, heat flow data, satellite-based geoid, and topographic datasets using the basic premise of thermal steady-state and local isostasy. The overall 38 to 40 km thick crustal geometry underneath the Marwar Block had the maximum lithological heterogeneity. The region surrounding the MIS is characterised by 8–10 km thick high-density (2.78 g/cm3) sills deposited in the upper crust down to 9 km depth and another 10–15 km thick high-density (3.05 g/cm3) mafic mantle material near the Moho. About 42 km thick crust, including an 8 to 10-km thick high-density (3.05 g/cm3) underplated layer at its bottom, characterises the high-relief ADFB. The Vindhyan region of Bundelkhand craton is defined by a ∼ 1 km thick trap, having Moho extending at a depth of ∼40 km. The lithospheric thickness varies substantially from ∼143–168 km underneath the Marwar block, which thins to ∼135 km under the ADFB and thickens gradually to ∼150–165 km beneath the Vindhyan region. Substantial crustal density differences in distinct crustal domains, when integrated with the thin lithosphere, reinforce the concept that tectono-magmatic processes might have modified the lithosphere in NW India.