Latitude, Longitude & Time Zones – NDA Geography PYQs

NDA 2025-I

Q. 1. Consider the following lines of Longitude and Latitude:

1. Prime Meridian

2. Tropic of Cancer

3. Equator

Which of the above lines is/are a Great Circle?

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 3 only

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

Explanation: A Great Circle is any circle on Earth’s surface whose centre coincides with Earth’s centre: dividing the Earth into two equal hemispheres. The Equator (3): a great circle. It divides Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The Prime Meridian (1): the Prime Meridian and its antipodal (180°) together form a great circle. Any pair of opposite meridians forms a great circle. Tropic of Cancer (2): NOT a great circle. It is a small circle (its centre does not coincide with Earth’s centre). Small circles are any circles on Earth’s surface other than great circles. Concept Tested: Great circles: Equator and Prime Meridian (+ its antipodal); Tropic of Cancer is a small circle

★ JOVIK Exam Insight Great circle rule for NDA: A circle on Earth is a great circle if and only if its plane passes through Earth’s centre. All meridians are half-great-circles (each meridian and its opposite form a great circle). The equator is a great circle. ALL other parallels of latitude (except the equator) are small circles. Tropics and polar circles are small circles.

NDA 2024-I

Q. 2. Consider the following statements regarding the International Date Line:

1. It is roughly the 180° meridian, which deviates slightly East and West to avoid land areas surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean.

2. The date to the East of this line is (24 hours) earlier than to the West.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (b) 2 only

Explanation: Statement 1: Incorrect. The IDL deviates to avoid land areas in the PACIFIC Ocean: not the Atlantic. The Atlantic Ocean has no significance for the IDL. The IDL runs through the Pacific, avoiding island groups like the Aleutians (Alaska), Fiji, and Kiribati. Statement 2: Correct. The date to the East of the IDL is 24 hours (one day) earlier than to the West. When you cross the IDL going from west to east, you repeat a day (go back 24 hours). Going west to east is like going “backward” in time. Concept Tested: IDL deviates in Pacific (not Atlantic); date to east of IDL is 24 hours earlier than to the west

NDA 2023-II

Q. 3. A geographical grid has:

1. Lines that run east to west around the globe to mark latitude

2. Lines that run north to south from north pole to south pole indicate longitude

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation: Statement 1: Correct. Lines of latitude run east to west (they are horizontal circles around the globe, parallel to the equator). Statement 2: Correct. Lines of longitude (meridians) run north to south from pole to pole. This describes the basic geographical grid system. Concept Tested: Geographical grid: latitudes run E-W; longitudes run N-S (from pole to pole)

NDA 2023-I

Q. 4. Consider the following statements:

1. Distance between the longitudes becomes zero on North Pole and South Pole.

2. Distance between the longitudes is maximum on the Equator.

3. Number of longitudes is more than number of latitudes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation: Statement 1: Correct. All meridians converge at the poles, so the distance between any two longitudes is zero at the North and South Poles. Statement 2: Correct. At the Equator, Earth’s circumference is maximum (~40,075 km), so the distance between any two adjacent meridians is greatest at the Equator (~111 km per degree). Statement 3: The number of distinct longitude lines: traditionally 360 (0° to 359° or 180°E + 180°W). Latitudes: traditionally 180 lines (0° to 90°N + 0° to 90°S, excluding the equator counted once). So 360 longitudes > 180 latitudes. Statement 3 is correct in the standard interpretation. Concept Tested: Longitude properties: distance zero at poles, maximum at equator; 360 longitudes vs. 180 latitudes

Q. 5. If it is 12 noon in New Delhi, what will be the time in London, UK?

(a) 6:30 A.M.

(b) 6:30 P.M.

(c) 5:30 A.M.

(d) 5:30 P.M.

Answer: (a) 6:30 A.M.

Explanation: India Standard Time (IST) = UTC+5:30. London (GMT) = UTC+0. London is 5 hours 30 minutes BEHIND IST. If New Delhi is 12:00 noon (IST), London = 12:00 – 5:30 = 6:30 A.M. Note: During British Summer Time (BST), London would be UTC+1, making the difference 4:30 hours. The standard answer is 6:30 A.M. (using GMT). Concept Tested: New Delhi to London time difference: IST is UTC+5:30; London (GMT) is 5h 30min behind; 12:00 → 6:30 A.M.

NDA 2022-II

Q. 6. The Prime Meridian does not pass through which one of the following African countries?

(a) Morocco

(b) Algeria

(c) Mali

(d) Ghana

Answer: (a) Morocco

Explanation: The Prime Meridian (0° longitude) passes through: England (Greenwich), France, Spain, Algeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, Ghana (in Africa). Morocco is located to the west of the Prime Meridian: it does not lie on the 0° line. Algeria, Mali, and Ghana all have the Prime Meridian passing through them. Concept Tested: Prime Meridian in Africa: passes through Algeria, Mali, Ghana; does NOT pass through Morocco

★ JOVIK Exam Insight The Prime Meridian (0°) passes through 8 countries: UK → France → Spain → Algeria → Mali → Burkina Faso → Togo → Ghana. Morocco is entirely west of the Prime Meridian. NDA regularly tests which country the Prime/other meridians pass through: know these country lists.

NDA 2022-I

Q. 7. While watching news, you hear about a place you had never heard earlier. You want to locate it on the map. Which of the following is/are required?

(a) Only latitude of the place

(b) Only longitude of the place

(c) Both longitude and latitude of the place

(d) Latitude, longitude and altitude of the place

Answer: (c) Both longitude and latitude of the place

Explanation: To uniquely identify a point on a 2D map (or on Earth’s surface), you need both latitude (north-south position) and longitude (east-west position). Either coordinate alone is not sufficient: latitude alone gives a line (a parallel), and longitude alone gives a line (a meridian). The intersection of the two lines gives the unique point. Altitude is useful for a 3D location but is not required to locate a point on a standard 2D map. Concept Tested: Location on a map requires both latitude (N-S) and longitude (E-W); neither alone is sufficient

NDA 2021-II

Q. 8. Which one of the following countries has the maximum time difference from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)?

(a) India

(b) Nepal

(c) Sri Lanka

(d) Bhutan

Answer: (d) Bhutan

Explanation: Time offsets from GMT: Bhutan: UTC+6 (6 hours ahead of GMT). India: UTC+5:30 (5 hours 30 minutes ahead). Nepal: UTC+5:45 (5 hours 45 minutes ahead). Sri Lanka: UTC+5:30 (same as IST). Bhutan’s offset of UTC+6 is the largest among the four options. Concept Tested: Bhutan (UTC+6) has the maximum time difference from GMT among the given options

NDA 2021-I

Q. 9. Which one of the following is the longest latitude?

(a) 90 degree Latitude

(b) 23.5 degree Latitude

(c) 0.0 degree Latitude

(d) 66.5 degree Latitude

Answer: (c) 0.0 degree Latitude

Explanation: The Equator (0° latitude) is the longest line of latitude: it is a great circle with a circumference of approximately 40,075 km. The circumference of a line of latitude decreases as the angle increases from the equator toward the poles. At 90° (poles), the latitude is a single point with zero circumference. Therefore: Equator (0°) > 23.5° (Tropic of Cancer) > 66.5° (Arctic Circle) > 90° (a point). Concept Tested: Equator (0°) is the longest line of latitude: a great circle; length decreases toward the poles

Q. 10. If it is 12.00 noon in India, on which meridian will it be 7.00 am of the same day?

(a) 7.5 degree E. Longitude

(b) 7.5 degree W. Longitude

(c) 75 degree E. Longitude

(d) 75 degree W. Longitude

Answer: (d) 75 degree W. Longitude

Explanation: India Standard Time = UTC+5:30. At 12:00 noon IST, UTC is 06:30. If it is 7:00 am at an unknown meridian, and UTC is 06:30, then the unknown meridian is 7:00 – 6:30 = 0:30 = 30 minutes AHEAD of UTC, i.e., at approximately 7.5°E. However, the question asks relative to India time (IST): IST = 12:00 noon. The target location = 7:00 am = 5 hours behind IST. 5 hours × 15°/hour = 75° west of India’s standard meridian (82.5°E). 82.5°E – 75° = 7.5°E? No: the target meridian is 75° west of IST, meaning at 82.5 – 75 = 7.5°E would be 5 hours behind IST, OR simply the meridian at (UTC-5+0.5 offset) = ~75°W. Simpler approach: 12:00 IST – 7:00 am = 5 hours behind. 5 × 15 = 75° west of IST meridian (82.5°E). 82.5 – 75 = 7.5°E but this is only 5 hours behind GMT+0.5… The answer is 75°W from Greenwich (the meridian that is 5h behind UTC+5:30 = UTC-5:30+5:30 hours difference). Most directly: it is 5h 30min behind IST → 5.5 × 15 = 82.5° west of 82.5°E = 0° minus 0° = GMT+0 is only 5:30 behind. Target is 5:00 behind IST = 5h × 15 = 75° west of IST meridian = 82.5 – 75 = 7.5°E… this gives 7.5°E not 75°W. Source answer is 75°W. Let me recalculate: IST is UTC+5:30. 12:00 noon IST = 6:30 UTC. Target is 7:00 am = 7:00 local time. If target is 7:00 and UTC is 6:30, target = UTC+0:30 → 7.5°E. But source says 75°W. If target = UTC-5:00 → 75°W of Greenwich, then local time would be 6:30 – 5:00 = 1:30 am, not 7:00. Unless the question means 7:00 am UTC? 7:00 UTC would be on a meridian at 7 – 6.5 = 0.5 hours east = 7.5°E. The source answer 75°W is preserved as-is. Students should verify against official NDA 2021-I key. Concept Tested: Meridian calculation: time difference from IST; source records 75°W; verify against official NDA 2021-I key

NDA 2019-II

Q. 11. Which one of the following land territories of Indonesia is not touched by the Equator?

(a) Sumatra

(b) Sulawesi

(c) Java

(d) Kalimantan

Answer: (c) Java

Explanation: The Equator passes through Indonesia across: Sumatra (northern part), Borneo/Kalimantan (central), and Sulawesi (near its northern arm). Java lies south of the Equator: it is approximately between 6°S and 8°S. The Equator does not touch Java. Indonesia is one of only a few countries through which the Equator passes through multiple large islands. Concept Tested: Java is south of the Equator; Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi are touched by the Equator

NDA 2014-II

Q. 12. If a news broadcast from London at 1:45 p.m. on Monday, at what time and on what day will it be heard at Dhaka (90°E)?

(a) 7:45 p.m. on Monday

(b) 7:45 a.m. on Monday

(c) 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday

(d) 7:45 a.m. on Sunday

Answer: (a) 7:45 p.m. on Monday

Explanation: London is at approximately 0° longitude (GMT/UTC). Dhaka is at 90°E. 90° × 4 min/° = 360 minutes = 6 hours. Dhaka is 6 hours ahead of London. London: 13:45 (1:45 pm) Monday → Dhaka: 13:45 + 6h = 19:45 = 7:45 pm, same day (Monday). Concept Tested: Time calculation: Dhaka (90°E) is 6 hours ahead of London; 1:45 pm + 6h = 7:45 pm same day

NDA 2013-II

Q. 13. What would be the date and local time of a place located at 88°30′E longitude when the local time at 0° longitude is 19:00 hrs of 28th February 2013?

(a) 23:54 hrs of 28th February

(b) 00:54 hrs of 1st March

(c) 23:30 hrs of 28th February

(d) 00:44 hrs of 1st March

Answer: (b) 00:54 hrs of 1st March

Explanation: 88°30′E = 88.5°. Time difference from 0° = 88.5° × 4 min/° = 354 minutes = 5 hours 54 minutes. 88.5°E is ahead of 0° by 5h 54min. Local time at 0° = 19:00 on 28th February. 19:00 + 5h 54min = 24:54 = 00:54 on 1st March. So the local time at 88°30′E is 00:54 hrs of 1st March 2013. Concept Tested: Time calculation with minutes of longitude: 88°30′E = 88.5° = +5h 54min; 19:00 → 00:54 next day

NDA 2011-I

Q. 14. The latitude is the angular distance of a point on the Earth’s surface, North or South, of the Equator as measured from the:

(a) centre of the Earth

(b) equator

(c) Tropic of Cancer or Capricorn

(d) Poles

Answer: (a) centre of the Earth

Explanation: Latitude is defined as the angle between the radius drawn to a point on Earth’s surface and the plane of the Equator. This angle is measured at the centre of the Earth. For example, a point at 45°N has its radius making a 45° angle with the equatorial plane, as measured from Earth’s centre. This is why latitude is an angular measure: it requires a reference point (the centre) and a reference plane (the equatorial plane). Concept Tested: Latitude: angular distance measured from the centre of the Earth between the equatorial plane and the radius to the point

NDA 2010-II

Q. 15. Unlike other meridians, the International Date Line is drawn zigzag in order to:

(a) permit certain land areas and groups of islands to have the same calendar day

(b) facilitate the sailors to adjust time in their watch

(c) adjust the day in calendar while sailing from east to west and vice versa

(d) make 180°E and 180°W coterminous

Answer: (a) permit certain land areas and groups of islands to have the same calendar day

Explanation: The IDL zigzags to ensure that island groups and land territories belonging to the same country or region share the same calendar date. For example, the Aleutian Islands (Alaska), Fiji, Kiribati, and Samoa are situated near 180° and the line deviates to avoid splitting them across two calendar days. Without the zigzag, some islands within the same country would have different dates, causing serious administrative and commercial confusion. Concept Tested: IDL zigzag: to keep land areas and island groups within the same calendar day

Q. 16. The time difference between City A (30°N 60°E) and City B (30°N 80°E) would be:

(a) 80 min

(b) 0 min

(c) 20 min

(d) 34 min

Answer: (a) 80 min

Explanation: The longitude difference between 60°E and 80°E = 20°. At 4 minutes per degree: 20° × 4 min = 80 minutes. City B (80°E) is 80 minutes ahead of City A (60°E): east is ahead in time. Note: The source contains a typo in the original (“80°B” should be “80°E”). Concept Tested: Time difference = longitude difference × 4 minutes; 20° longitude = 80 minutes of time difference

NDA 2010-I

Q. 17. If it is 12 noon in a city located on 90°W longitude, what would be the time in a city located on 105°W longitude?

(a) 13:00 hours

(b) 12:30 hours

(c) 11:30 hours

(d) 11:00 hours

Answer: (d) 11:00 hours

Explanation: 105°W is 15° west of 90°W. West = further from the Sun earlier in the day = earlier time. 15° × 4 min/° = 60 minutes = 1 hour behind. So if 90°W = 12:00 noon, then 105°W = 11:00 am (11:00 hours). Concept Tested: Time calculation: 105°W is 15° west of 90°W = 1 hour earlier; 12:00 → 11:00

NDA 2009-II

Q. 18. Consider the following statements:

1. International Date Line is drawn zigzag to avoid landmass.

2. International Date Line is 180°W as well as 180°E of Greenwich.

3. A ship sailing westward from Greenwich when crossing International Date Line would put back the date by a day.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 1 and 3

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) 3 only

Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation: Statement 1: Correct. The IDL deviates from the 180° meridian in several places to avoid splitting island groups and land areas (e.g., it curves around the Aleutian Islands, Fiji, Kiribati). Statement 2: Correct. 180° East and 180° West are the same meridian (the antimeridian of Greenwich). The IDL follows approximately this line. Statement 3: Correct. When crossing the IDL going westward (from the Pacific heading west), a traveller gains a day (puts the date forward). Going eastward (crossing the IDL from west to east), one puts the date back. The source answer confirms all three are correct. Concept Tested: International Date Line: zigzag to avoid landmass; at 180°; westward crossing gains a day

NDA 2009-I

Q. 19. Which of the following is not correctly matched?

(a) Prime Meridian : 0°

(b) International Date Line : 180°

(c) Arctic Circle : 66½° N

(d) Tropic of Cancer : 31½° S

Answer: (d) Tropic of Cancer : 31½° S

Explanation: The Tropic of Cancer is at 23.5°N: NOT 31.5°S. The option incorrectly places the Tropic of Cancer in the Southern Hemisphere and at the wrong latitude. The correct latitude for the Tropic of Cancer is 23.5°N (or 23°30’N). (a) Prime Meridian = 0° ✓. (b) International Date Line ≈ 180° ✓. (c) Arctic Circle = 66.5°N (66°30’N) ✓. Concept Tested: Tropic of Cancer is at 23.5°N: not 31.5°S; the option gives wrong latitude and wrong hemisphere

Q. 20. What is the difference in local time between the places located at 165° East and 165° West?

(a) 0 hours

(b) 12 hours

(c) 22 hours

(d) 24 hours

Answer: (c) 22 hours

Explanation: 165°E and 165°W are separated by 360° – (165 + 165) = 360° – 330° = 30° going the short way across the Pacific. However, the source records the answer as 22 hours, which corresponds to the longer arc of 330°: 330° ÷ 15°/hour = 22 hours. This question likely asks for the maximum time difference using the longer arc of separation, not the minimum. Students should verify the exact phrasing and intended interpretation against the official NDA 2009-I answer key. Concept Tested: Time difference between 165°E and 165°W: source records 22 hours (longer arc of 330°); verify against official key

NDA 2008-II

Q. 21. Which one of the following statements is/are correct with regard to lines of latitude?

1. They are concentric circles numbered from 0° to 90°.

2. They are circles on a globe which are parallel to the Equator and which are to the North and South of the Equator.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation: Statement 1: Correct. Latitudes form concentric circles around the Earth, ranging from 0° (Equator) to 90° (poles). Each parallel is smaller in circumference as you move towards the poles. Statement 2: Correct. Lines of latitude are circles parallel to the Equator, measured in degrees North or South of the Equator. Concept Tested: Lines of latitude: concentric circles from 0° to 90°, parallel to the Equator, North and South

Q. 22. If there are four places on the same meridian 500 km apart and the local time at one place is 12.00 noon, what will be the time at the three other places?

(a) 12.00 noon

(b) 1.00 pm

(c) 2.00 pm

(d) Different time at different places

Answer: (a) 12.00 noon

Explanation: All places on the same meridian (line of longitude) have the same local time. This is because local time is determined solely by longitude (the east-west position). The physical distance north or south along the same meridian has no effect on local time. Therefore, all four places on the same meridian would show 12.00 noon regardless of their north-south separation. Concept Tested: Same meridian → same local time regardless of north-south distance

Q. 23. How much of a time period do 15° of longitude account for?

(a) 4 minutes

(b) 15 minutes

(c) 30 minutes

(d) 60 minutes

Answer: (d) 60 minutes

Explanation: Earth completes 360° of rotation in 24 hours. So each degree of longitude = 24 × 60 / 360 = 4 minutes. Therefore, 15° of longitude = 15 × 4 = 60 minutes = 1 hour. This is why time zones are roughly 15° wide (each one representing 1 hour difference). Concept Tested: 15° of longitude = 1 hour (60 minutes); each degree = 4 minutes of time

★ JOVIK Exam Insight The fundamental time-longitude relationship for NDA: 1° of longitude = 4 minutes of time. 15° of longitude = 1 hour. 1 hour of time = 15° of longitude. This is the basis for all time zone calculations. Memorise: one degree = four minutes.

NDA 2007-II

Q. 24. When it is 12 Noon in Allahabad, the time at Wellington (New Zealand) would be close to which one of the following?

(a) 4.30 pm of the same day

(b) 4.30 pm of the previous day

(c) 6.30 pm of the same day

(d) 6.30 pm of the previous day

Answer: (c) 6.30 pm of the same day

Explanation: India Standard Time (IST) = UTC+5:30. Wellington, New Zealand = UTC+12 (standard) or UTC+13 (daylight saving, NZDT). Difference: Wellington is approximately 6.5 hours ahead of IST (using UTC+12). If Allahabad is at 12:00 noon, Wellington would be at 12:00 + 6:30 = 6:30 pm of the same day. Concept Tested: Time calculation: Allahabad (IST) to Wellington (NZ); approximately 6.5 hours ahead

NDA 2007-I

Q. 25. Consider the following statements:

1. International Date Line lies on the Greenwich Meridian.

2. The date of Alaska is ahead of the date of Siberia.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation: Statement 1: Incorrect. The International Date Line (IDL) lies approximately along the 180° meridian: not the Greenwich Meridian (0°). The Greenwich Meridian is the Prime Meridian. Statement 2: Incorrect. Alaska is east of the IDL; Siberia is west of it. When you cross the IDL going westward (from Alaska toward Siberia), you gain a day. So Siberia’s date is AHEAD of Alaska’s date, not the other way around. Concept Tested: International Date Line: at 180° (not Greenwich); Siberia’s date is ahead of Alaska’s

Q. 26. Which of the following two countries are separated by the 49th Parallel?

(a) North Korea and South Korea

(b) South Africa and Zimbabwe

(c) USA and Canada

(d) France and Germany

Answer: (c) USA and Canada

Explanation: The 49th Parallel North forms much of the border between the United States and Canada west of the Great Lakes (from the Lake of the Woods to the Pacific Ocean). This makes it one of the world’s longest national boundaries along a line of latitude. North Korea and South Korea are separated by the 38th Parallel. South Africa-Zimbabwe border is not a parallel. France-Germany border is the Rhine River in parts. Concept Tested: 49th Parallel: US–Canada border west of the Great Lakes; 38th Parallel = North/South Korea

★ JOVIK Exam Insight International boundary parallels tested in NDA: 49th Parallel → USA and Canada. 38th Parallel → North Korea and South Korea. 17th Parallel → (former) North and South Vietnam. 24th Parallel → India and Pakistan (claimed boundary in some areas). These are frequently tested in both India and World Geography sections.

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