UPSC Prelims 2018 Q29: Geography – Cartography & Map Skills
- (a) Bengaluru
- (b) Hyderabad
- (c) Nagpur
- (d) Pune
Answer: (a) Bengaluru
Explanation
Longitudinal Alignment with Delhi
Delhi is at approximately 77 degrees 12 minutes E longitude.
| City | Longitude | Difference from Delhi |
|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru | 77 degrees 35 minutes E | Closest (only ~0.4 degrees east of Delhi) |
| Hyderabad | 78 degrees 29 minutes E | ~1.3 degrees east |
| Nagpur | 79 degrees 06 minutes E | ~1.9 degrees east |
| Pune | 73 degrees 51 minutes E | ~3.3 degrees west |
Answer: (a) Bengaluru.
Geographic Insight: Delhi and Bengaluru sit on nearly the same north-south axis (roughly 77.5 E), which is why direct north-south flights and trains between them follow a near-longitudinal path. Nagpur, though considered India's geographical centre, lies further east.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Bengaluru (77 degrees 35 minutes E) is closest to Delhi's longitude (77 degrees 12 minutes E).
- (b) Incorrect. Hyderabad (78 degrees 29 minutes E) is over one degree east of Delhi.
- (c) Incorrect. Nagpur (79 degrees 06 minutes E) is nearly two degrees east.
- (d) Incorrect. Pune (73 degrees 51 minutes E) is over three degrees WEST of Delhi.
Key point
Longitudinal alignment: Delhi (77.2 E) and Bengaluru (77.6 E) share almost the same north-south axis. Nagpur (~79 E) is geographical centre; Pune is well west (~74 E).
Remember
Bengaluru lies on a longitude (about 77 degrees 35 minutes E) closest to that of Delhi (about 77 degrees 12 minutes E). Although separated by around 1,700 km north-south, Delhi and Bengaluru are on nearly the same meridian, which is why direct north-south connectivity between them is efficient. Nagpur, Hyderabad and Pune are all farther east or west.
Common mistakes
- Assuming Nagpur is closest to Delhi's longitude because it is India's geographical centre - it is actually farther east.
- Confusing longitude with latitude - Delhi and Bengaluru share longitude, but their latitudes differ by ~16 degrees.
- Guessing Hyderabad because both are 'major cities' - longitude difference is over a degree.
Exam tip
Delhi longitude ~77 degrees E. Nearest peer cities: Bengaluru, Ludhiana, Kanpur. Farther east: Nagpur, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar. Farther west: Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur.
Sources
- Survey of India - Physical Atlas of India
- NCERT Class 11 Geography - India Physical Environment (Location and Political Boundaries)