CAPF AC 2022 Q104: Geography – Indian Physical Geography
Arrange the following passes from West to East direction:
1. Bara Lacha La
2. Shipki La
3. Jelep La
4. Bomdi La
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- (a) 1-2-3-4
- (b) 1-3-2-4
- (c) 2-3-4-1
- (d) 2-4-3-1
Answer: (a) 1-2-3-4
Explanation
Himalayan passes from west to east
How to think: place each pass in its state, then read the states from west to east.
| Order | Pass | State | Connects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Bara Lacha La | Himachal Pradesh (Lahaul) | Manali to Leh road |
| 2nd | Shipki La | Himachal Pradesh (Kinnaur) | Himachal with Tibet; the Sutlej enters India here |
| 3rd | Jelep La | Sikkim | Sikkim with Lhasa through the Chumbi valley |
| 4th | Bomdi La | Arunachal Pradesh | Arunachal with Lhasa, near Tawang |
Within Himachal: Bara Lacha La in Lahaul lies to the west of Shipki La in Kinnaur.
So the order is 1-2-3-4.
Answer: (a) 1-2-3-4.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Bara Lacha La → Shipki La → Jelep La → Bomdi La runs west to east.
- (b) Incorrect. It puts Jelep La (Sikkim) before Shipki La (Himachal).
- (c) Incorrect. It puts Bara Lacha La last, though it is the westernmost.
- (d) Incorrect. It runs partly east to west and ends with the westernmost pass.
Key point
Passes west to east: Ladakh (Khardung La, Zoji La is in J&K-Ladakh), Himachal (Rohtang, Bara Lacha La, Shipki La), Uttarakhand (Mana, Niti, Lipulekh), Sikkim (Nathu La, Jelep La), Arunachal (Bomdi La, Diphu).
Remember
Himachal → Sikkim → Arunachal: Bara Lacha, Shipki, Jelep, Bomdi.
Common mistakes
- Placing Shipki La west of Bara Lacha La within Himachal Pradesh.
- Mixing up Jelep La (Sikkim) with passes of Uttarakhand.
- Reading the list east to west instead of west to east.
Exam tip
Educated guess: Sikkim is west of Arunachal, so 3 comes before 4, and both Himachal passes come before them. Only (a) ends with 3-4 after 1 and 2.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI Geography — India: Physical Environment, Chapter 2: Structure and Physiography (the Himalayas)
- Survey of India — Physical Map of India (Himalayan passes)