India's size, extent and standard time
India is the seventh largest country, spanning about 30 degrees of latitude and longitude, with one time zone set at 82.5 degrees east.
What the paper can ask
- Area about 3,287,263 sq km, seventh largest; latitude 8 to 37 N; land borders 15,200 km; coastline 7,516 km (a 2024 recalculation gives about 11,098 km). (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- Six land neighbours: China, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar; 28 states and 8 Union Territories.
- Highest point Kangchenjunga (8,586 m) in Sikkim; lowest Kuttanad (minus 2.2 m) in Kerala.
- The Indian Plate collided with Asia about 50 to 55 million years ago, raising the Himalayas.
Why exams ask
Which states the Tropic crosses, the IST meridian town, the southernmost point and the largest state are standard questions.
The full story
India covers about 3.29 million sq km, the seventh largest country, stretching from roughly 8 to 37 degrees north and 68 to 97 degrees east. It has about 15,200 km of land border with six countries (China, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar) and a 7,516 km coastline on the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean. The Tropic of Cancer cuts the country roughly in half, passing through eight states.
In the news
Test yourself
1.Which is the largest Indian state by area, at about 342,239 sq km?
Correct. Rajasthan is the largest state by area; Goa is the smallest.
Not quite. Rajasthan is the largest state by area; Goa is the smallest. It goes into your error book.
2.Which of the following states is NOT crossed by the Tropic of Cancer?
Correct. The Tropic of Cancer passes through Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram.
Not quite. The Tropic of Cancer passes through Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram. It goes into your error book.
3.The 82 degrees 30 minutes East meridian used for Indian Standard Time passes near which city of Uttar Pradesh?
Correct. The IST reference meridian passes near Mirzapur district (Vindhyachal), close to Prayagraj.
Not quite. The IST reference meridian passes near Mirzapur district (Vindhyachal), close to Prayagraj. It goes into your error book.