UPSC Prelims 2015 Q6: Geography – Cartography & Map Skills
Which one of the following pairs of States of India indicates the easternmost and
westernmost State?
- (a) Assam and Rajasthan
- (b) Arunachal Pradesh and Rajasthan
- (c) Assam and Gujarat
- (d) Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat
Answer: (d) Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat
Explanation
Easternmost and westernmost States of India
| Direction | State | Extreme point |
|---|---|---|
| Easternmost | Arunachal Pradesh | Kibithu, Anjaw district |
| Westernmost | Gujarat | Guhar Moti, Kutch district |
| Northernmost | Ladakh (Union Territory) | Near Indira Col |
| Southernmost (mainland) | Tamil Nadu | Kanyakumari |
| Southernmost (overall) | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Indira Point |
Why the others fail:
| State | Reason |
|---|---|
| Assam | Arunachal Pradesh extends further east |
| Rajasthan | Gujarat's Kutch extends further west |
The east-west spread of about 30 degrees of longitude gives a time gap of nearly two hours between the two ends.
Answer: (d) Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Neither fits: Assam is not easternmost and Rajasthan is not westernmost.
- (b) Incorrect. Rajasthan is not the westernmost State; Gujarat is.
- (c) Incorrect. Assam is not the easternmost State; Arunachal Pradesh is.
- (d) CORRECT. Arunachal Pradesh is easternmost and Gujarat is westernmost.
Key point
Easternmost State: Arunachal Pradesh (Kibithu). Westernmost State: Gujarat (Guhar Moti, Kutch). The gap is about 30 degrees of longitude, or two hours.
Remember
East: Arunachal Pradesh. West: Gujarat.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Rajasthan because it looks far west on a small map.
- Choosing Assam as the best-known north-eastern State.
- Forgetting the two-hour sunrise gap between the two ends.
Exam tip
The sun rises first in Arunachal Pradesh and sets last in Gujarat.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI — India: Physical Environment, Ch 1 (India: Location)
- Survey of India — Political Map of India