India is located in the south-central part of Asia.
Its location gives it great geographical, climatic, cultural and strategic importance.
The country is surrounded by the Himalayas in the north, the Hindukush and Sulaiman ranges in the north-west, the Purvachal hills in the north-east, and the Indian Ocean in the south.
Because of this location, India has both continental and maritime importance.
Table of Contents
Geographical Extent Of India
The Indian mainland extends:
- From Indira Col in Ladakh in the north.
- To Cape Comorin or Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu in the south.
- From Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh in the east.
- To Guhar Moti in Gujarat in the west.
The Indian Union also includes island territories.
The southernmost point of the Indian Union is Indira Point, also called Pygmalion Point, located on Great Nicobar Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Extreme Points Of India
| Direction | Point | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Northernmost point | Indira Col | Ladakh, near Siachen Glacier |
| Southernmost point of Indian Union | Indira Point / Pygmalion Point | Great Nicobar Island |
| Southernmost point of Indian mainland | Cape Comorin / Kanyakumari | Tamil Nadu |
| Easternmost point | Kibithu | Arunachal Pradesh |
| Westernmost point | Guhar Moti | Kutch district, Gujarat |
Latitudinal And Longitudinal Extent
India lies entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and the Eastern Hemisphere.
The mainland of India extends between:
- 8°4′ N to 37°6′ N latitudes.
- 68°7′ E to 97°25′ E longitudes.
India measures about:
- 3,214 Km from north to south.
- 2,933 Km from east to west.
This wide latitudinal and longitudinal extent affects India’s climate, seasons, time difference, agriculture and regional diversity.
Tropic Of Cancer In India
The Tropic of Cancer, located at 23½° N latitude, passes through the middle of India.
It divides the country into almost two equal halves.
Because of this, India experiences a Tropical Monsoon type climate.
States Through Which Tropic Of Cancer Passes
The Tropic of Cancer passes through 8 states from west to east:
- Gujarat
- Rajasthan
- Madhya Pradesh
- Chhattisgarh
- Jharkhand
- West Bengal
- Tripura
- Mizoram
This is a very important exam fact.
Indian Standard Meridian
The longitude of 82°30′ E is known as the Indian Standard Meridian.
It is used as the reference line for Indian Standard Time, or IST.
Indian Standard Time is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
The Standard Meridian passes through five states from north to south:
- Uttar Pradesh
- Madhya Pradesh
- Chhattisgarh
- Odisha
- Andhra Pradesh
It is also observed as passing through Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, which is used as an important reference point for Indian Standard Time.
Time Difference In India
There is a difference of about 2 hours in local time between the easternmost and westernmost longitudes of India.
This happens because India extends widely from east to west.
For example, sunrise happens much earlier in Arunachal Pradesh than in Gujarat.
However, the whole country follows one standard time zone, based on 82°30′ E longitude.
Size Of India
India is the seventh largest country in the world by land area.
It covers about 3.28 million square Km.
India accounts for approximately 2.4 per cent of the world’s total land area.
Its large size has created huge physical, climatic, cultural, linguistic and economic diversity.
India’s Frontiers
India has a long land boundary and a long coastline.
According to the chapter:
- India has 15,106.7 Km of land border.
- This land border passes through 92 districts in 17 states.
- India has a coastline of about 11,098.91 Km touching 13 states and Union Territories.
Most Indian states either have an international border or a coastline.
The chapter notes that except Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Delhi, Haryana and Telangana, all other states have either an international border or a coastline.
Such states are important from the point of view of border management.
Countries Sharing Land Boundary With India
India shares its land boundary with 7 countries.
In order of border length from longest to shortest, these are:
- Bangladesh – 4,096.7 Km
- China – 3,488 Km
- Pakistan – 3,323 Km
- Nepal – 1,751 Km
- Myanmar – 1,643 Km
- Bhutan – 699 Km
- Afghanistan – 106 Km
India shares its longest land boundary with Bangladesh.
India shares its shortest land boundary with Afghanistan, through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir region.
India-Bangladesh Border
India shares its longest international land boundary with Bangladesh.
The Indian states touching Bangladesh are:
- West Bengal
- Assam
- Meghalaya
- Tripura
- Mizoram
India-China Border
India shares its second-longest land boundary with China.
The Indian regions and states touching China are:
- Ladakh
- Himachal Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
- Sikkim
- Arunachal Pradesh
The Sino-Indian border is divided into three sectors:
- Western Sector
- Middle Sector
- Eastern Sector
Western Sector Of India-China Border
The Western Sector separates Ladakh from the Xinjiang province of China.
The chapter mentions Chinese claims over:
- Aksai Chin district.
- Chang Chenmo Valley.
- Pangong Tso and Spanggur Tso areas of Ladakh.
- A strip of about 5,000 square Km along eastern Ladakh.
- Hunza-Gilgit area, which Pakistan transferred to China in 1963.
Middle Sector Of India-China Border
The Middle Sector touches:
- Himachal Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
This sector is comparatively smaller than the western and eastern sectors.
Eastern Sector Of India-China Border
The Eastern Sector extends from the eastern limit of Bhutan to Diphu Pass.
This boundary is about 1,140 Km long.
This line is called the McMahon Line.
India-Pakistan Border
Pakistan shares a border with:
- Jammu and Kashmir / Ladakh region
- Punjab
- Rajasthan
- Gujarat
The India-Pakistan border dispute mainly relates to:
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Siachen Glacier
- Sir Creek area
After Partition in 1947, the Radcliffe Line was drawn as the international boundary.
However, disputes continued due to issues in demarcation.
Pakistan’s invasion of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947-48 led to the division of the region by the Line of Control, or LoC.
Siachen And Sir Creek Disputes
The Siachen Glacier dispute arose because the boundary beyond point NJ9842 was not clearly defined.
India has controlled the Siachen area since 1984.
The Sir Creek dispute is located in the Rann of Kachchh in Gujarat.
It is related to the maritime boundary.
India claims the eastern bank of the creek, while Pakistan claims the mid-channel.
India-Nepal Border
Nepal shares a border with:
- Sikkim
- West Bengal
- Bihar
- Uttar Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
This border is important for cultural, economic and people-to-people relations.
India-Myanmar Border
Myanmar shares a border with:
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Nagaland
- Manipur
- Mizoram
This border connects India with Southeast Asia and is important for India’s Act East Policy.
India-Bhutan Border
Bhutan shares a border with:
- Sikkim
- West Bengal
- Assam
- Arunachal Pradesh
This border is strategically important because of Bhutan’s location between India and China.
India-Afghanistan Border
India shares its shortest land boundary with Afghanistan.
This boundary lies in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir region.
The chapter mentions this border length as 106 Km.
Important Boundary Lines
| Boundary Line | Between |
|---|---|
| Radcliffe Line | India and Pakistan |
| McMahon Line | India and China |
| Durand Line | Pakistan and Afghanistan |
| Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar | India and Sri Lanka |
These boundary lines are very important for competitive exams.
India’s Coastline
India has a long coastline.
The chapter mentions that India’s coastline length was revised in 2023-24.
According to the chapter:
- Earlier coastline length was 7,516.6 Km.
- Revised coastline length is about 11,098.81 Km.
- This revision marks a 47.7 per cent increase.
- The total island count rose to 1,389 islands.
- These include 1,298 offshore islands and 91 inshore islands.
The revision was led by the Survey of India and the National Hydrographic Office under the coordination of the National Maritime Security Coordinator.
The coastline will now be reviewed every 10 years using advanced geospatial tools.
Coastal States And Union Territories
The coastal stretch passes through 9 states and 4 Union Territories.
Coastal States Of India
- Gujarat
- Maharashtra
- Goa
- Karnataka
- Kerala
- Tamil Nadu
- Andhra Pradesh
- Odisha
- West Bengal
Coastal Union Territories
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Lakshadweep
- Puducherry
- Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
Longest Coastline
The state with the longest coastline in India is Gujarat.
Among Union Territories, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have the longest coastline.
Geological Origin Of India’s Coastline
The formation of India’s coastline is linked to geological events during the Cretaceous period.
It is associated with the faulting of Gondwanaland.
This tectonic activity created India’s comparatively straight and regular coastline.
It was a result of Continental Drift.
The breakup and movement of landmasses also helped form the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
Because of this geological origin, India has a limited number of naturally favourable harbours.
Importance Of India’s Geographical Location
India’s location is important for many reasons.
- It connects South Asia with Central Asia, West Asia and Southeast Asia.
- Its coastline gives access to the Indian Ocean.
- Its northern mountains act as a natural barrier.
- Its position supports monsoon climate.
- Its borders and coastline make it important for trade, defence and diplomacy.
- Its large extent creates diversity in climate, culture, crops and natural resources.
Important Facts At A Glance
| Topic | Fact |
|---|---|
| Continent | Asia |
| Hemisphere | Northern and Eastern Hemisphere |
| Northernmost point | Indira Col |
| Southernmost point of Indian Union | Indira Point |
| Southernmost mainland point | Kanyakumari |
| Easternmost point | Kibithu |
| Westernmost point | Guhar Moti |
| Latitudinal extent | 8°4′ N to 37°6′ N |
| Longitudinal extent | 68°7′ E to 97°25′ E |
| North-south extent | 3,214 Km |
| East-west extent | 2,933 Km |
| Tropic of Cancer | 23½° N |
| Standard Meridian | 82°30′ E |
| IST | GMT + 5 hours 30 minutes |
| Area | 3.28 million square Km |
| World rank by area | 7th |
| Share of world land area | 2.4 per cent |
| Land border | 15,106.7 Km |
| Longest border | Bangladesh |
| Shortest border | Afghanistan |
| Longest coastline state | Gujarat |
| Longest coastline UT | Andaman and Nicobar Islands |
FAQs On Geographical Location And Extension Of India
Where is India located?
India is located in the south-central part of Asia.
In which hemispheres is India located?
India lies entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and the Eastern Hemisphere.
What is the latitudinal extent of India?
The mainland of India extends from 8°4′ N to 37°6′ N latitude.
What is the longitudinal extent of India?
India extends from 68°7′ E to 97°25′ E longitude.
What is the northernmost point of India?
The northernmost point of the Indian Union is Indira Col in Ladakh.
What is the southernmost point of India?
The southernmost point of the Indian Union is Indira Point on Great Nicobar Island.
What is the southernmost point of mainland India?
The southernmost point of mainland India is Cape Comorin, also known as Kanyakumari.
What is the easternmost point of India?
The easternmost point of India is Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh.
What is the westernmost point of India?
The westernmost point of India is Guhar Moti in Kutch district of Gujarat.
Which states does the Tropic of Cancer pass through?
The Tropic of Cancer passes through Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram.
What is the Indian Standard Meridian?
The Indian Standard Meridian is 82°30′ E longitude.
Which states does the Indian Standard Meridian pass through?
It passes through Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
What is the time difference between IST and GMT?
Indian Standard Time is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
What is India’s rank in the world by area?
India is the seventh largest country in the world by land area.
What is India’s total area?
India covers about 3.28 million square Km.
Which country shares the longest border with India?
Bangladesh shares the longest land boundary with India.
Which country shares the shortest border with India?
Afghanistan shares the shortest land boundary with India through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir region.
Which Indian state has the longest coastline?
Gujarat has the longest coastline among Indian states.
Which Union Territory has the longest coastline?
he Andaman and Nicobar Islands have the longest coastline among Union Territories
What is the Radcliffe Line?
The Radcliffe Line is the boundary between India and Pakistan.
What is the McMahon Line?
The McMahon Line is the boundary line between India and China in the eastern sector.
What is the Durand Line?
The Durand Line is the boundary between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Which water bodies separate India and Sri Lanka?
Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar separate India and Sri Lanka.
Last Moment Exam Cheat Sheet – Geographical Location And Extension Of India
- India’s location – South-central Asia.
- India lies in – Northern and Eastern Hemisphere.
- Mainland latitudinal extent – 8°4′ N to 37°6′ N.
- Mainland longitudinal extent – 68°7′ E to 97°25′ E.
- North-south length – 3,214 Km.
- East-west length – 2,933 Km.
- Northernmost point – Indira Col, Ladakh.
- Southernmost point of Indian Union – Indira Point, Great Nicobar Island.
- Southernmost mainland point – Kanyakumari / Cape Comorin.
- Easternmost point – Kibithu, Arunachal Pradesh.
- Westernmost point – Guhar Moti, Gujarat.
- Tropic of Cancer – Passes through 8 states.
- Tropic of Cancer states – Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, Mizoram.
- Standard Meridian – 82°30′ E.
- IST – 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of GMT.
- Standard Meridian passes through – Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh.
- IST reference point – Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh.
- Time difference east-west – About 2 hours.
- India’s area – 3.28 million square Km.
- India’s global rank by area – 7th.
- India’s world land share – 2.4 per cent.
- Land border – 15,106.7 Km.
- Coastline – Revised to about 11,098.81 Km in 2023-24.
- Total islands after revision – 1,389.
- Offshore islands – 1,298.
- Inshore islands – 91.
- Longest border country – Bangladesh.
- Shortest border country – Afghanistan.
- Bangladesh border states – West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram.
- China border states/regions – Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh.
- Pakistan border states/regions – Jammu and Kashmir / Ladakh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat.
- Nepal border states – Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand.
- Myanmar border states – Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram.
- Bhutan border states – Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh.
- Radcliffe Line – India and Pakistan.
- McMahon Line – India and China.
- Durand Line – Pakistan and Afghanistan.
- Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar – India and Sri Lanka.
- Longest coastline state – Gujarat.
- Longest coastline Union Territory – Andaman and Nicobar Islands.