UPSC Prelims 2020 Q96: Geography – Indian Physical Geography
- (a) East of Aksai Chin
- (b) East of Leh
- (c) North of Gilgit
- (d) North of Nubra Valley
Answer: (d) North of Nubra Valley
Explanation
Siachen Glacier: Precise Geographic Location
| Reference direction | Is Siachen located this way? | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| East of Aksai Chin | NO | Aksai Chin lies to the east of Ladakh; Siachen is well to the west of Aksai Chin, in the Karakoram range. |
| East of Leh | Not the standard reference | Siachen is to the north-northeast of Leh, over 200 km away. UPSC does not use this framing. |
| North of Gilgit | Not quite | Gilgit lies west of the Karakoram; Siachen is east of Gilgit, not directly north. |
| North of Nubra Valley | YES | The Siachen Glacier lies just north of the Nubra Valley in eastern Karakoram, feeding the Nubra river. This is the standard NCERT and Survey of India reference. |
Official answer: (d) North of Nubra Valley.
Answer: (d) North of Nubra Valley.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Siachen is not east of Aksai Chin. Aksai Chin lies to the east of Ladakh, whereas Siachen sits to its west in the Karakoram.
- (b) Incorrect. Leh is south of Siachen but Siachen is not simply 'east of Leh' - the standard geographic reference is the Nubra Valley.
- (c) Incorrect. Gilgit lies to the west of Siachen. The glacier is not directly north of Gilgit.
- (d) CORRECT. The Siachen Glacier lies just north of the Nubra Valley in the eastern Karakoram range. The Nubra River originates from the meltwaters of Siachen.
Key point
Siachen Glacier = north of Nubra Valley, in the eastern Karakoram. Feeds the Nubra river. World's second-longest non-polar glacier (~76 km). Answer: (d) North of Nubra Valley.
Remember
The Siachen Glacier is situated to the north of the Nubra Valley in the eastern Karakoram range, and feeds the Nubra river. It is the world's second-longest non-polar glacier. Answer: (d) North of Nubra Valley.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Aksai Chin (east of Ladakh, occupied by China) with Siachen (Karakoram, controlled by India).
- Assuming Siachen is 'near Leh' in general terms. UPSC expects the precise reference: north of Nubra Valley.
- Mixing up Gilgit (Pakistan-administered, western Karakoram) with the Nubra Valley (Indian Ladakh, eastern Karakoram).
Exam tip
Ladakh / Karakoram geography: (i) Nubra Valley = north of Leh, drained by Nubra and Shyok rivers; (ii) Siachen Glacier = north of Nubra Valley, source of Nubra river; (iii) Karakoram Pass = north of Siachen, crosses into Xinjiang; (iv) Aksai Chin = east of Ladakh, occupied by China since 1962.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI Geography - India: Physical Environment (Karakoram range)
- Survey of India - Ladakh region topographic sheets