Within India, which of the following regions is considered most prone to frequent and severe earthquakes due to active tectonic activity?

Introduction / Context:
Earthquakes occur mainly in regions where the Earth's crust is under active tectonic stress, such as plate boundaries and fault zones. In India, the Himalayas and the adjoining regions are among the most seismically active areas in the world. General knowledge questions often ask which parts of India are most prone to earthquakes so that candidates understand the link between tectonic processes and regional risk. This question focuses on identifying the most earthquake prone region among the options.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The question asks about areas in India that are prone to earthquakes.
Options include the Deccan Plateau, the GangaBrahmaputra Valley, the plains of northern India, and the Western Ghats.
We assume standard seismic zoning in India, where the Himalayan belt and the northeastern region are among the highest risk zones.
The term GangaBrahmaputra Valley refers to the large river valley and adjoining areas in the northeastern part of India, close to active plate margins.

Concept / Approach:
Earthquake proneness is highest where two tectonic plates converge or where there is major crustal movement. In India, the collision of the Indian plate with the Eurasian plate has created the Himalayan mountain system, and the northeastern region including the GangaBrahmaputra Valley lies in this highly active zone. The Deccan Plateau and Western Ghats are part of the stable peninsular shield and usually fall in lower seismic zones, while the general plains of northern India are less active than the belt near the Himalayan foothills and northeastern valley.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Himalayan and northeastern regions of India fall in high seismic zones due to the collision of tectonic plates. Step 2: Recognise that the GangaBrahmaputra Valley lies in this northeastern region, close to the Himalayan foothills and complex plate boundaries. Step 3: Remember that the Deccan Plateau is part of the ancient, stable peninsular block with comparatively fewer major earthquakes. Step 4: Note that the Western Ghats, while mountainous, are also part of the stable shield and are not as earthquake prone as the Himalayan belt. Step 5: Conclude that among the options, the GangaBrahmaputra Valley is the most earthquake prone region.

Verification / Alternative check:
A useful check is to think of major earthquakes in recent history. Many strong earthquakes affecting India have occurred in regions such as Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and other parts of the northeastern states, as well as in the Himalayan belt near the GangaBrahmaputra basin. Official seismic zonation maps of India place much of this region in Zone V, the highest risk category. In contrast, the Deccan Plateau and Western Ghats generally fall in lower risk zones, confirming that the valley region is more prone to earthquakes.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Deccan Plateau is wrong because it lies on a relatively stable part of the Indian plate with comparatively fewer large earthquakes. Plains of northern India, as a broad term, include areas that are less active than the concentrated seismic belt along the northeastern valley and Himalayan foothills. Western Ghats is wrong because it is a mountain range on the western side of the Deccan Plateau but not a major tectonic collision zone like the Himalayan front. None of these regions match the high seismicity of the GangaBrahmaputra Valley.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes think that any hilly or mountainous region must be equally prone to earthquakes and therefore may mistakenly choose the Western Ghats. Another common error is to treat the entire northern plain as a single high risk area without recognising that the highest seismic activity is concentrated closer to the Himalayan margin and northeastern valley. Reviewing seismic zone maps and linking them with regional names helps avoid such confusion.

Final Answer:
The region in India most prone to earthquakes among the options is the GangaBrahmaputra Valley.