UPSC Prelims 2015— Question 6

Correct answer: Option D. Arunachal Pradesh contains India’s easternmost point, while Gujarat contains the westernmost point of mainland India. Assam is farther east than many states but is not the easternmost state. Rajasthan is western but lies east of Gujarat. Hence the pair identifying Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat is correct. Option-wise analysis: Option A: “Assam and Rajasthan” is incorrect. It does not match the specific fact, definition, institutional role, geographical association, or constitutional/economic principle required here. The key distinction is the one identified in the core explanation, so this option can be eliminated. Option B: “Arunachal Pradesh and Rajasthan” is incorrect. It does not match the specific fact, definition, institutional role, geographical association, or constitutional/economic principle required here. The key distinction is the one identified in the core explanation, so this option can be eliminated. Option C: “Assam and Gujarat” is incorrect. It does not match the specific fact, definition, institutional role, geographical association, or constitutional/economic principle required here. The key distinction is the one identified in the core explanation, so this option can be eliminated. Option D: “Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat” is correct. It directly matches the factual or conceptual requirement tested by the question and is supported by the principle explained above. Prelims takeaway: Focus on the precise institutional role, constitutional provision, geographical association, or technical definition being tested. UPSC questions often place a broadly familiar fact beside a narrowly incorrect qualifier; identifying that qualifier is essential for elimination.