Official UPSC Format

Which of the following with reference to Indian States is/are not correct?
1. Uttar Pradesh shares its boundary with the highest number of other Indian States.
2. Rajasthan shares the longest international border among all Indian States.
3. Sikkim is the only State that shares its boundary with just one other Indian State.
Select the answer using the code given below:

1. Uttar Pradesh shares its boundary with the highest number of other Indian States.

2. Rajasthan shares the longest international border among all Indian States.

3. Sikkim is the only State that shares its boundary with just one other Indian State.

⚡ Quick Recall Snippet

In India's political geography, Uttar Pradesh holds the record for bordering the highest number of other jurisdictions (8 states and 1 UT). West Bengal, not Rajasthan, holds the longest international boundary, primarily due to its massive, winding border with Bangladesh. Furthermore, both Sikkim and Meghalaya are unique as they each border only one other Indian state.

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Detailed Solution & Authority Citations

Correct Answer is Option C
Let us scrutinize the political map of India:
  • Statement 1 is a Correct fact: Uttar Pradesh is the central anchor of North India. It borders an unparalleled 8 States (Uttarakhand, HP, Haryana, Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar) plus 1 Union Territory (Delhi).

  • Statement 2 is an Incorrect fact: While Rajasthan's border with Pakistan (approx. 1,070 km) is visually prominent, the state of West Bengal possesses the longest international border. Driven primarily by its highly jagged, winding, and complex boundary with Bangladesh (over 2,216 km alone), combined with its borders with Bhutan and Nepal, West Bengal's total length exceeds 2,500 km.

  • Statement 3 is an Incorrect fact: Sikkim does indeed share a border with only one Indian state (West Bengal). However, it is not the only state with this trait. Meghalaya is landlocked domestically by just one state: Assam.
    • Conclusion: The prompt specifically asks which statements are not correct. Since statements 2 and 3 are factually flawed, Option C is the correct answer.

    🚨 The Examiner's Trap

    The examiner uses 'Not Correct' framing combined with absolute terms ('only State'). Statement 2 preys on visual intuition (Rajasthan looks huge). Statement 3 preys on tunnel vision (students remember Sikkim borders only West Bengal, but forget that Meghalaya borders only Assam).

    Active Recall Flashcard

    Tap to Flip

    Which Indian state shares the longest total international border?

    West Bengal (primarily due to its heavily winding border with Bangladesh).

    Concept Flow Mapping

    Uttar Pradesh
    Borders
    Highest Number of States
    West Bengal
    Has Longest
    International Border
    Meghalaya
    Borders Only
    Assam

    Logic Quest

    "Why do people mistakenly assume Rajasthan has the longest international border?"

    Not analyzing core concepts like Political Topography and Cartographic Nuance through the lens of Previous Year Questions is a serious miss-out. This PYQ engine is specifically designed to help you decode the examiner's mindset and master highly probable Indian Geography questions for your upcoming Prelims.