UPSC Prelims 2010 Q111: Geography – Indian Physical Geography

UPSC Prelims 2010, General Studies Paper I · Geography

The latitudes that pass through Sikkim also pass through

Answer: (a) Rajasthan

Explanation

Which state shares Sikkim's latitude

Sikkim lies at a specific latitude band, which also passes through parts of another Indian state.

Option	Verdict	Reason
(a) Rajasthan	Correct	Sikkim's latitude (~27°N) falls within Rajasthan's broad latitudinal span, which extends from around 23°N to 30°N
(b) Punjab	Incorrect	Punjab's latitude band (~29.5-32.5°N) lies further north than Sikkim's
(c) Himachal Pradesh	Incorrect	HP's latitude band (~30-33°N) is also further north
(d) Jammu & Kashmir	Incorrect	J&K's latitude band (~32-37°N) is much further north

Latitude comparison:

Answer: (a) Rajasthan.

(a) CORRECT. Rajasthan's broad latitude span (23-30°N) overlaps with Sikkim's latitude (~27°N).
(b) Incorrect. Punjab lies at a more northern latitude band than Sikkim.
(c) Incorrect. Himachal Pradesh is also further north.
(d) Incorrect. Jammu & Kashmir lies much further north.

Sikkim's latitude (~27°N) falls within RAJASTHAN's broad latitudinal span (~23-30°N) — Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and J&K all lie further north.

The latitude passing through Sikkim also passes through Rajasthan.

Assuming states in the same general northern India region automatically share the same latitude band.
Not visualizing India's north-south latitude gradient across states like Punjab, HP, and J&K (progressively further north).
Missing Rajasthan's surprisingly broad latitudinal span, reaching as far south as Sikkim's latitude.

Sikkim's latitude overlaps with Rajasthan's southern reach — Punjab, HP, and J&K are all further north. A specific map-reading fact.