Position and Extent of India – NDA Geography PYQs

NDA 2023-I

Q. 1. Which one among the following is the northernmost geographical location?

(a) New Delhi

(b) Kathmandu

(c) Thimphu

(d) Dhaka

Answer: (b) Kathmandu

Explanation: Approximate latitudes: New Delhi ~28.6°N, Kathmandu ~27.7°N, Thimphu ~27.5°N, Dhaka ~23.7°N. By strict latitude, New Delhi is northernmost among the four options. The source answer records Kathmandu as correct. Students should verify this against the official NDA 2023-I answer key before relying on it. Concept Tested: Relative latitudes of South Asian capitals and cities

NDA 2019-I

Q. 2. Which one of the following Union Territory is smallest in terms of geographical area?

(a) Daman and Diu

(b) Chandigarh

(c) Dadra and Nagar Haveli

(d) Lakshadweep

Answer: (d) Lakshadweep

Explanation: Lakshadweep has a total area of approximately 32 km² and is the smallest Union Territory of India by geographical area. Note: Daman and Diu has since been merged with Dadra and Nagar Haveli to form a single UT (Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu). At the time of the 2019 exam, Daman and Diu existed as a separate UT with an area of about 112 km². Concept Tested: Smallest Union Territory of India by geographical area

NDA 2018-II

Q. 3. Consider the following places of India:

1. Itanagar

2. Imphal

3. Agartala

4. Aizawl

Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the above places in terms of sunrise time?

(a) 3-2-1-4

(b) 2-1-4-3

(c) 1-4-3-2

(d) 4-3-2-1

Answer: (c) 1-4-3-2

Explanation: The place with the highest longitude (easternmost) will see the sunrise first. Approximate longitudes: Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) ~93.6°E, Imphal (Manipur) ~93.9°E, Aizawl (Mizoram) ~92.7°E, Agartala (Tripura) ~91.3°E. By strict longitude, Imphal is easternmost, followed closely by Itanagar, then Aizawl, then Agartala. The source answer records the order as 1-4-3-2 (Itanagar, Aizawl, Agartala, Imphal). Students should verify this against the official NDA 2018-II answer key. Concept Tested: Easternmost location and chronological order of sunrise among North-East Indian cities

NDA 2017-II

Q. 4. Arrange the following Indian cities according to their locations from west to east:

1. Bilaspur

2. Jodhpur

3. Bhopal

4. Ranchi

Codes:

(a) 3-2-1-4

(b) 2-3-1-4

(c) 4-1-2-3

(d) 2-1-3-4

Answer: (b) 2-3-1-4

Explanation: The approximate longitudes are: Jodhpur ~73°E, Bhopal ~77.4°E, Bilaspur (CG) ~82°E, Ranchi ~85.3°E. From west to east: Jodhpur (2) → Bhopal (3) → Bilaspur (1) → Ranchi (4) = 2-3-1-4. Concept Tested: West-to-east arrangement of Indian cities by longitude

Q. 5. Which one of the following states in India has the longest coastline?

(a) Odisha

(b) Tamil Nadu

(c) Karnataka

(d) West Bengal

Answer: (b) Tamil Nadu

Explanation: Gujarat has the longest coastline among all Indian states (approximately 1,600 km). Gujarat is not among the options given here. Among the states listed, Tamil Nadu has the longest coastline (approximately 1,076 km). It has coastline along both the Bay of Bengal and the Gulf of Mannar. Concept Tested: Longest coastline among states: distinguishing Gujarat (overall) from states in the options

Q. 6. Sunrise in eastern Arunachal Pradesh would be about how many hours before the sunrise in western Gujarat?

(a) One hour

(b) Two hours

(c) Three Hours

(d) Four Hours

Answer: (b) Two hours

Explanation: India spans from approximately 68°E (western Gujarat) to approximately 97°E (eastern Arunachal Pradesh). This is a difference of about 30°. At 15° per hour, 30° = 2 hours. So sunrise in eastern Arunachal Pradesh occurs approximately 2 hours before sunrise in western Gujarat. Concept Tested: Longitudinal extent of India and the resulting time difference in sunrise

★ JOVIK Exam Insight The “2-hour sunrise difference” between eastern Arunachal Pradesh and western Gujarat is a standard NDA fact. It appears in NDA 2017-II and supports the IST rationale. India needs a single standard time to avoid confusion across its 30° of longitude.

NDA 2015-II

Q. 7. The IST meridian 82.5°E passes through a number of States in India. Which one of the following sets of States is correct in this respect?

(a) Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh

(b) Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha

(c) Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh

(d) Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh

Answer: (d) Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh

Explanation: The 82.5°E meridian (IST meridian) passes through: Uttar Pradesh (through Mirzapur/Prayagraj area), Madhya Pradesh (briefly), Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh before reaching the sea. Option (d) lists Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh: all correct states. Option (b) includes Jharkhand, which the 82.5°E meridian does not pass through. Option (a) includes Uttarakhand incorrectly. Option (c) includes Madhya Pradesh but omits Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Concept Tested: States through which the 82.5°E meridian (IST standard meridian) passes

★ JOVIK Exam Insight IST is one of the most repeated topics in NDA Geography. It has appeared in 2008-I, 2012-I, 2012-II, 2013-II, and 2015-II. Remember three core facts: (1) IST meridian = 82.5°E; (2) reference city = Allahabad/Mirzapur (UP); (3) IST = GMT +5:30.

NDA 2015-I

Q. 8. The newly formed state of Telangana is surrounded by:

(a) 5 states

(b) 4 states

(c) 6 states

(d) 3 states

Answer: (b) 4 states

Explanation: Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh and became India’s 29th state in June 2014. Telangana shares borders with Maharashtra to the north and northwest, Karnataka to the west, Andhra Pradesh to the south and east, Chhattisgarh to the north, and Odisha to the northeast. This gives five bordering states. The source answer records 4 states. Students should verify this against the official NDA 2015-I answer key, as border counting can vary by whether small boundary touchpoints are counted. Concept Tested: States bordering Telangana after its formation in 2014

NDA 2013-II

Q. 9. The Indian Standard Time is ahead of Greenwich Mean Time by:

(a) 3 hrs and 30 minutes

(b) 4 hrs and 30 minutes

(c) 5 hrs and 30 minutes

(d) 6 hrs and 30 minutes

Answer: (c) 5 hrs and 30 minutes

Explanation: IST is based on the 82.5°E meridian. The offset from Greenwich (0°) is 82.5° ÷ 15°/hour = 5.5 hours = 5 hours and 30 minutes. IST = UTC +5:30. This is a fixed offset. India does not follow Daylight Saving Time. Concept Tested: Calculation of IST offset from GMT using the standard meridian

NDA 2012-II

Q. 10. Which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. The local time of Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) is about two hours ahead than Dwarka (Gujarat).

2. The local time at Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) is almost same.

3. The local time of Mumbai (Maharashtra) is one hour ahead than Kolkata (West Bengal).

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 Only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b) 2 only

Explanation: Statement 1: India spans about 30° of longitude (68°E to 97°E). Every 15° difference = 1 hour of time. So the east-to-west difference is about 2 hours. Itanagar (~93.6°E) and Dwarka (~68.9°E) differ by ~24.7°, which is about 1 hour 39 minutes: roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. Statement 1 is approximately correct. Statement 2: Chennai (~80.2°E) and Lucknow (~80.9°E) are at nearly the same longitude. Their local times are almost identical. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3: Mumbai (~72.8°E) is west of Kolkata (~88.4°E). Places to the east have earlier sunrise and hence earlier local time. Mumbai is behind Kolkata, not ahead. Statement 3 is incorrect. Only Statement 2 is fully correct. Concept Tested: Relationship between longitude, local time, and India’s east-west extent

★ JOVIK Exam Insight NDA regularly tests the concept that India has a wide east-west span of about 30°. This creates a local time difference of roughly 2 hours between the easternmost and westernmost points. Statements mixing “ahead” and “behind” are a common trap. Always remember: eastern locations have earlier local time (not “later” or “ahead” in a confusing sense: the sun rises earlier in the east).

NDA 2012-I

Q. 11. The Indian Standard Time (IST) is based on:

(a) 90°E Meridian

(b) 82.5°E Meridian

(c) 75°E Meridian

(d) 0° Meridian

Answer: (b) 82.5°E Meridian

Explanation: Indian Standard Time is calculated from the 82.5°E meridian, which passes through Mirzapur (near Allahabad/Prayagraj) in Uttar Pradesh. IST is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC +5:30). The 0° meridian is the Prime Meridian (Greenwich). The 90°E meridian passes through Bangladesh. The 75°E meridian passes through the western part of India. Concept Tested: The standard meridian of India and its relationship to IST

NDA 2011-II

Q. 12. The Gulf of Mannar is situated along the coast of:

(a) Tamil Nadu

(b) Kerala

(c) Karnataka

(d) Andhra Pradesh

Answer: (a) Tamil Nadu

Explanation: The Gulf of Mannar lies between the southeastern tip of India and the western coast of Sri Lanka. It is bounded on the Indian side by the coastline of Tamil Nadu. The Palk Strait separates it from the Bay of Bengal to the north. Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh lie on different stretches of the Indian coastline. Concept Tested: Location of the Gulf of Mannar along India’s southeastern coast

NDA 2011-I

Q. 13. Identify from the following states of India through which the Tropic of Cancer passes and arrange them from east to west:

1. Gujarat

2. West Bengal

3. Uttar Pradesh

4. Jharkhand

5. Madhya Pradesh

6. Bihar

7. Chhattisgarh

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 2-5-7-4-1

(b) 2-4-7-5-1

(c) 3-2-6-7-5

(d) 3-7-4-6-2

Answer: (b) 2-4-7-5-1

Explanation: From the list, the states through which the Tropic of Cancer actually passes are: West Bengal (2), Jharkhand (4), Chhattisgarh (7), Madhya Pradesh (5), Gujarat (1). Uttar Pradesh (3) and Bihar (6) do not lie on the Tropic of Cancer. They are included as distractors. Arranged from east to west: West Bengal → Jharkhand → Chhattisgarh → Madhya Pradesh → Gujarat = 2-4-7-5-1. Concept Tested: East-to-west arrangement of states along the Tropic of Cancer

NDA 2009-II

Q. 14. The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through:

(a) Orissa

(b) Tripura

(c) Chhattisgarh

(d) Rajasthan

Answer: (a) Orissa

Explanation: The Tropic of Cancer passes through Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram. Orissa (now Odisha) is not on this list. The Tropic of Cancer passes just north of Odisha. So Orissa is the correct answer to the “does not pass through” question. Concept Tested: States excluded from the Tropic of Cancer route

★ JOVIK Exam Insight The Tropic of Cancer is one of the most tested geographical facts in NDA Geography. NDA has tested it in 2006-I, 2007-II, 2009-II, and 2011-I. Know all eight states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, Mizoram. In East-to-West order: Mizoram → Tripura → West Bengal → Jharkhand → Chhattisgarh → Madhya Pradesh → Rajasthan → Gujarat.

NDA 2008-I

Q. 15. Indian Standard Time refers to the local time of which one of the following places in India?

(a) Allahabad

(b) Bhopal

(c) Delhi

(d) Lucknow

Answer: (a) Allahabad

Explanation: IST is based on the 82.5°E meridian, which passes through Mirzapur, a city near Allahabad (now Prayagraj) in Uttar Pradesh. Allahabad is used as the reference city for IST. Bhopal, Delhi, and Lucknow lie at different longitudes and are not on the 82.5°E meridian. Concept Tested: The reference city for Indian Standard Time on the 82.5°E meridian

NDA 2007-II

Q. 16. The Tropic of Cancer passes through which one of the following?

(a) Assam

(b) Manipur

(c) Mizoram

(d) Nagaland

Answer: (c) Mizoram

Explanation: The Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N) passes through eight Indian states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram. Among the North-Eastern states listed, only Mizoram lies on the Tropic of Cancer. Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland lie north of it. Concept Tested: States through which the Tropic of Cancer passes

NDA 2006-I

Q. 17. Which one among the following is nearest to the Tropic of Cancer?

(a) Patna

(b) Ranchi

(c) Rourkela

(d) Varanasi

Answer: (d) Varanasi

Explanation: The Tropic of Cancer lies at 23.5°N latitude. Varanasi is at approximately 25.3°N. Ranchi is at approximately 23.3°N. Rourkela is at approximately 22.3°N. Patna is at approximately 25.6°N. Among the options, Ranchi (23.3°N) is numerically closest to 23.5°N. However, the source answer records Varanasi as correct. Students should verify this question against the official NDA 2006-I answer key before relying on it. Concept Tested: Latitude of Indian cities relative to the Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N)

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