Q. Which one of the following pairs of States of India indicates the easternmost and westernmost State? (UPSC Prelims 2015)
Answer:
Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat
Notes: The correct answer is
[D] Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat.In terms of the geographical extremes of the Indian mainland, the longitudinal extent of the country determines the easternmost and westernmost points.
- Easternmost State (Arunachal Pradesh): The easternmost point of India is Kibithu, located in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. It lies at approximately 97°25' E longitude. Because of its position, Arunachal Pradesh is the first state in India to witness the sunrise.
- Westernmost State (Gujarat): The westernmost point of India is Ghuar Mota (near Sir Creek) in the Kutch district of Gujarat. It lies at approximately 68°7' E longitude.
- Assam (Option A & C - Incorrect): While Assam is a prominent North-Eastern state, Arunachal Pradesh extends further east.
- Rajasthan (Option A & B - Incorrect): While Rajasthan is a western state, Gujarat extends further west into the Arabian Sea coastline.
Key Geographical Facts:- The longitudinal difference between the easternmost and westernmost points is nearly 30 degrees, which results in a time lag of approximately 2 hours between Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat.
- The Indian Standard Time (IST) is calculated based on the 82°30' E meridian, which passes through Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, to balance this time difference.