UPSC Prelims 2001 Q7: Geography – World Political Geography & Borders
The above map is the Union Territory of
- (a) Chandigarh
- (b) Daman and Diu
- (c) Dadra and Nagar Haveli
- (d) Pondicherry
Answer: (c) Dadra and Nagar Haveli
Explanation
Identifying the Union Territory shown in the map
| Union Territory (in 2001) | Location and shape |
|---|---|
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli | Landlocked enclave between Gujarat and Maharashtra; capital Silvassa; freed from Portuguese rule in 1954 |
| Daman and Diu | Two separate coastal pieces — Daman on the Gujarat coast and Diu island off Saurashtra |
| Pondicherry | Four separate enclaves — Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam |
| Chandigarh | A single city between Punjab and Haryana |
The map in the paper is not reproduced here. The bank key is the landlocked territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, lying between Gujarat and Maharashtra near the Western Ghats. Since 2020 it is part of the merged UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
Answer: (c) Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Chandigarh is a single small city between Punjab and Haryana.
- (b) Incorrect. Daman and Diu has two separate coastal pieces.
- (c) CORRECT. The map shows the enclave of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
- (d) Incorrect. Pondicherry is made of four widely separated enclaves.
Key point
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu were merged into one Union Territory on 26 January 2020.
Remember
Landlocked enclave between Gujarat and Maharashtra = Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Daman and Diu because it is in the same region.
- Forgetting that Dadra and Nagar Haveli has no coastline.
- Not using the number of separate pieces in the map as a clue.
Exam tip
For a UT map, count the pieces and check for a coastline.
Sources
- Survey of India — Political Map of India
- Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union Territories) Act, 2019