UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I
Question 30: Geography
Ships from which of the following countries have to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach out to the Indian Ocean ?
- 1.Bahrain
- 2.Syria
- 3.Qatar
- 4.Egypt
Select the answer using the code given below :
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
The Strait of Hormuz joins the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Bahrain and Qatar are inside the Gulf, so their ships must pass through it to reach the Indian Ocean. Syria lies on the Mediterranean, and Egypt's coasts are on the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, so Egyptian ships reach the Indian Ocean through Suez and Bab-el-Mandeb, not Hormuz.
- 1. Bahrain is inside the Persian Gulf.
- 2. Syria is on the Mediterranean.
- 3. Qatar is inside the Persian Gulf.
- 4. Egypt uses the Red Sea route, not Hormuz.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (c) and (d) go: each of them leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: Bahrain is inside the Persian Gulf.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (a) goes: it includes 2.
What you needed to know: Syria is on the Mediterranean.
Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statements 3 or 4.
This follows UPSC’s provisional key; the final key could change it.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: Syria is on the Mediterranean and does not use Hormuz.
- (b) Right: Bahrain and Qatar are inside the Persian Gulf.
- (c) Wrong: Syria does not need Hormuz.
- (d) Wrong: Egypt reaches the Indian Ocean through the Red Sea, not Hormuz.
Only the provisional key (27 May 2026) was found; the final key replaces it when found.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.