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UPSC Prelims 1990 · Indian Geography · Monsoon and Climate
Assertion (A): The southern half of India lies within the tropics and the northern half belongs to the warm temperate zone. Reason (R): The Tropic of Cancer runs almost halfway through India.
- (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
- (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
- (c) A is true but R is false.
- (d) A is false but R is true.
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
The Tropic of Cancer divides India into a tropical south and a subtropical/temperate north.
The idea
The tropics are the latitude belt between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. Only within this belt can the noon Sun be directly overhead. This geometric division explains the question’s broad north–south grouping, but actual climate also depends on altitude and monsoon circulation.
Why the others are wrong
(b) R is exactly why A holds.
(c) R is true.
(d) A is true in the textbook sense.
The trap
The monsoon makes all of India climatically tropical — but by latitude, A holds.
Also know
The Tropic of Cancer crosses Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram. The Himalaya has cold high-altitude climates even at relatively low latitudes. Subtropical describes northern India more precisely than treating every place there as warm temperate.
🔒 Tropic of Cancer crosses 8 States: Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, WB, Tripura, Mizoram.
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