Question

Assertion [A]: The northeastern states in India have put forth the demand for a separate time zone.

Reason [R]: The spread of around 29° between the longitudinal extremes of India leads to a two-hour time difference between the northeastern states and some of the more central parts of the country.

Read the statements carefully and select the option that is true.

• A. Both A and R are true, but R is the incorrect explanation of A
• B. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
• C. A is true, but R is false
• D. Both A and R are false

Answer 1

The correct option is B Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

India extends from 68° 7’E to 97° 25’E, with a spread of around 29°. This amounts roughly to a two-hour time differential. This time differential between the northeastern states and some other parts of India not only leads to the loss of daylight hours but can also have an adverse effect on the biological clock of citizens. Thus, legislators, activists, industrialists, and ordinary citizens from India’s Northeast have complained about the effect of the IST on their lives in the past. However, the central government has denied their demand for a separate time zone due to strategic reasons.