1996 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 1996 · General Studies
Question 84: Geography
The Palk Bay lies between
aGulf of Kachchh and Gulf of Khambhat
bGulf of Mannar and Bay of Bengal
cLakshadweep and Maldives’ Islands
dAndaman and Nicobar Islands
AnswerThe answer is (b).
Palk Bay lies between the Tamil Nadu coast and Sri Lanka, in the northern part of the Palk Strait, which links the Gulf of Mannar to the south-west with the Bay of Bengal to the north-east. So the Gulf of Mannar and the Bay of Bengal are the waters on either side of it. Adam's Bridge lies at the southern end of the Strait, between Rameswaram and Mannar island.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) The Gulfs of Kachchh and Khambhat are off Gujarat, far from Palk Bay.
- (b) Right: Palk Bay lies between the Gulf of Mannar and the Bay of Bengal.
- (c) Lakshadweep and the Maldives are separated by channels in the Arabian Sea, not Palk Bay.
- (d) The Ten Degree Channel separates the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1996, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.