India — Location

India lies in the Northern Hemisphere. The mainland lies between 8°4'N and 37°6'N, while the islands extend beyond the southern limit, starting from 6°45'N. Hence, the true extent of India is between 8°4'N - 37°6'N.

Other options are incorrect.

Bangladesh is bounded by Indian states on 3 sides. Hence, it shares the longest land boundary with India.

The order of decreasing land boundaries is Bangladesh>China>Pakistan>Myanmar.

China, along with Nepal flanks the north-east, and Pakistan flanks the north-west border of India.

Other options are incorrect.

India is the 7^th largest country in the world, in terms of its area. The countries larger than India are Russia, Canada, China, USA, Brazil and Australia.

China is the only country given in the options. Hence, A is correct.

The longitudinal extent of India is 68° 7'E to 97° 24'E. By convention, the longitudes which serve as standard meridians for the country’s times should be multiples of 7°30’. Within the given longitudes, and should lie closest to the central longitude of the country. The central longitude is 83°15’. The only multiple of 7°30’, which fulfils the criteria, is the IST- 82°30’.

Hence, A is correct.

By convention, the number of time zones in the country should be equal its longitudinal extent divided by 15. The longitudinal extent is very close to, but less than 30 degrees. Hence, India should ideally have 1 time-zone.

However, since it is so close to 30 degrees, it is necessary for India to have two time zones, for better administration in its eastern states.

India’s long coastline provides several benefits. It allows for extensive trade with both Western and Eastern countries. The west coast connects us to Europe, Middle East and Africa, whereas the east coast connects to South-East Asia and Australia.

Large coastlines, however, require extensive monitoring and huge coast-guard depositions as well. India is prone to attacks through the sea, as in the case of 2008 terror attacks.

The long latitudinal spread of India provides for diversity in climate, vegetation, land-forms and cultures. Hence, it provides for alternating farming seasons in the north and south, and is conducive to the growth of diverse crops and plants.

This is due to the adoption of IST or Indian Standard Time. According to the government, the time across the country would not be measured by the local longitude; instead it would be governed by the time shown at 82°30’, which is the meridian passing through the centre of the country. Hence, despite the early rising sun in the eastern end of the country, the time shown by the watches in Kohima and Delhi is the same.