✅ Answer: B) Mirzapur, Uttar PradeshIndia’s Standard Meridian is 82°30’E, which passes through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh. Indian Standard Time (IST) = UTC+5:30. India has a single time zone despite spanning ~29° of longitude (68°7’E to 97°25’E). The sun rises ~2 hours earlier in Arunachal Pradesh than in Gujarat.

✅ Answer: C) Nanda Devi (7,816m)Nanda Devi (7,816m) in Uttarakhand is the highest peak entirely within India. K2 (8,611m) is the highest peak in India but is in the Karakoram range in Ladakh (disputed territory). Kanchenjunga (8,586m) is on the India-Nepal border. Anamudi (2,695m) is the highest peak in South India (Western Ghats, Kerala).

✅ Answer: C) 8 statesThe Tropic of Cancer passes through 8 Indian states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram. A helpful mnemonic: “Gujarat Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh Chhattisgarh Jharkhand West Bengal Tripura Mizoram.”

✅ Answer: B) New alluvium — most fertileKhadar is new alluvium deposited by rivers in flood plains — renewed annually by floods. It is the most fertile zone of the Northern Plains. Bhangar is old alluvium with Kankar (calcium carbonate) nodules. Bhabar is porous gravel where rivers disappear. Terai is the marshy zone where rivers reappear.

✅ Answer: B) Barren Island, Andaman & NicobarBarren Island in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands is the only active volcano in India. It last erupted in 2017. Narcondam Island (also in Andaman & Nicobar) is a dormant volcano. Lakshadweep islands are of coral origin. Indira Point (Great Nicobar) is the southernmost point of India.

✅ Answer: B) Western GhatsThe Palakkad Gap (Palghat Gap) is the only major break in the Western Ghats, located in Kerala. It is about 30 km wide and allows the northeast monsoon to penetrate into Tamil Nadu. It is also used for road and rail connectivity between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The Western Ghats are otherwise a continuous range.

✅ Answer: C) Bangladesh (~4,156 km)India shares its longest land border with Bangladesh (~4,156 km). China has the second longest (~3,488 km), followed by Pakistan (~3,323 km), Nepal (~1,751 km), Myanmar (~1,643 km), and Bhutan (~699 km). Sri Lanka is separated by sea (Palk Strait).

✅ Answer: C) Aravalli RangeThe Aravalli Range is the oldest fold mountain range in India, running in a NE-SW direction through Rajasthan and Gujarat. Guru Shikhar (1,722m) is its highest peak. The Himalayas are the youngest fold mountains. The Aravallis are so old that they have been worn down to low hills by erosion over millions of years.

✅ Answer: B) OdishaChilika Lake is located in Odisha and is the largest coastal lagoon in India (and the second largest in the world). It is a Ramsar site (wetland of international importance). It is famous for migratory birds, Irrawaddy dolphins, and fishing. It is separated from the Bay of Bengal by a narrow sand bar.

✅ Answer: C) SikkimNathu La pass is located in Sikkim and connects India with Tibet (China). It was closed after the 1962 war and reopened for trade in 2006. It was part of the ancient Silk Route. Zoji La is in J&K (Srinagar-Leh). Rohtang Pass is in Himachal Pradesh. Bomdi La is in Arunachal Pradesh.