India and the Tropic of Cancer Archives

1. The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through which of the following grou

The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through which of the following groups of States?

Gujarat, West Bengal, Nagaland

Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Mizoram

Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Tripura

Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Mizoram

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CBI DSP LDCE – 2023

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The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through the state of Nagaland, which is included in group A.

The Tropic of Cancer is a line of latitude located at approximately 23.5 degrees North of the Equator. In India, it passes through eight states from west to east:
1. Gujarat
2. Rajasthan
3. Madhya Pradesh
4. Chhattisgarh
5. Jharkhand
6. West Bengal
7. Tripura
8. Mizoram

Let’s check the options against this list:
A) Gujarat (Yes), West Bengal (Yes), **Nagaland (No)**. Nagaland is located north of the Tropic of Cancer.
B) Rajasthan (Yes), Jharkhand (Yes), Mizoram (Yes). All three are on the line.
C) Gujarat (Yes), Chhattisgarh (Yes), Tripura (Yes). All three are on the line.
D) Madhya Pradesh (Yes), Jharkhand (Yes), Mizoram (Yes). All three are on the line.

Knowing the list of states the Tropic of Cancer passes through is a frequently tested geographical fact for Indian exams. Visualizing these states on a map helps in remembering them.

2. Which one among the following places in India is nearest to the Tropic

Which one among the following places in India is nearest to the Tropic of Cancer?

Aizawl

Rajkot

Kolkata

Imphal

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2013

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Aizawl is the place nearest to the Tropic of Cancer among the given options.

The Tropic of Cancer is located at approximately 23°30′ North latitude (or 23.5° N). To determine which place is nearest, we need to compare their latitudes with 23.5° N.
Aizawl (Mizoram): ~23.7° N
Rajkot (Gujarat): ~22.3° N
Kolkata (West Bengal): ~22.6° N
Imphal (Manipur): ~24.8° N
Comparing the absolute differences:
|23.7 – 23.5| = 0.2°
|22.3 – 23.5| = 1.2°
|22.6 – 23.5| = 0.9°
|24.8 – 23.5| = 1.3°
Aizawl has the smallest difference (0.2°) and is therefore the nearest to the Tropic of Cancer.

The Tropic of Cancer passes through eight states in India: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram. Aizawl is the capital of Mizoram. Rajkot is in Gujarat, Kolkata is in West Bengal, and Imphal is the capital of Manipur.

3. In which among the following states in India, the Sun rays are never p

In which among the following states in India, the Sun rays are never perpendicular?

1. Bihar
2. Chhattisgarh
3. Manipur
4. Rajasthan

Select the answer using the code given below :

1 and 2

1 and 3

2 and 3

2 and 4

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2024

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The states of India where the Sun rays are never perpendicular are those located entirely north of the Tropic of Cancer. The Tropic of Cancer (approximately 23.5° N latitude) passes through eight Indian states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram. Locations on or south of the Tropic of Cancer experience the Sun directly overhead (perpendicular rays) at least twice a year (during the Sun’s apparent movement between the tropics). Locations north of the Tropic of Cancer never have the Sun directly overhead.

Bihar and Manipur are located entirely north of the Tropic of Cancer. Therefore, the Sun rays are never perpendicular in these states. Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan are among the states through which the Tropic of Cancer passes, so parts of these states (or the states themselves) do experience perpendicular sun rays.

The Sun is directly overhead at noon only for locations between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. This phenomenon occurs when the Sun’s declination is equal to the latitude of the location. The Sun’s declination ranges from 23.5° S (around Dec 21/22, Winter Solstice) to 23.5° N (around June 20/21, Summer Solstice).

4. The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through which one of the following

The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through which one of the following States ?

Manipur

West Bengal

Gujarat

Jharkhand

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2021

Download PDF Attempt Online

The Tropic of Cancer (23.5° North latitude) passes through eight Indian states. These are, from west to east: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram.
Checking the given options:
– Manipur is located to the north-east of Mizoram, but it is south of Arunachal Pradesh and significantly north of the equator. The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through Manipur.
– West Bengal is one of the states through which the Tropic of Cancer passes.
– Gujarat is the westernmost state through which the Tropic of Cancer passes.
– Jharkhand is one of the states through which the Tropic of Cancer passes.
Therefore, the Tropic of Cancer does not pass through Manipur.

– The Tropic of Cancer is an important latitude marker.
– Knowing the states through which it passes is essential for Indian geography.
– The 8 states are Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram.

Agartala (Tripura) and Aizawl (Mizoram) are state capitals located close to the Tropic of Cancer. The Tropic of Cancer also roughly divides India into a tropical zone (south) and a subtropical zone (north).

5. The Tropic of Cancer passes through how many coastal and landlocked St

The Tropic of Cancer passes through how many coastal and landlocked States of India, respectively?

1 and 7

2 and 6

2 and 5

3 and 5

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2023

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The correct answer is B) 2 and 6. The Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N latitude) passes through eight states in India. These are Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram. Among these:
– Coastal States: Gujarat and West Bengal (touching the sea).
– Landlocked States: Rajasthan (only a small southern tip), Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Tripura, and Mizoram.
Thus, the Tropic of Cancer passes through 2 coastal states and 6 landlocked states.

– The 8 states through which the Tropic of Cancer passes in India are Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram.
– Coastal states are those with a coastline. Landlocked states are those completely surrounded by land or other states/countries.
– Gujarat has a long coastline on the Arabian Sea. West Bengal has a coastline on the Bay of Bengal. The other six states do not have a direct coastline on the Indian Ocean.

The Tropic of Cancer is an important imaginary line marking the northernmost latitude where the sun can be directly overhead. Its passage through these states influences their climate and geography.