UPSC Prelims 2014— Question 83

Correct answer: Option A. The Ten Degree Channel separates the Andaman Islands from the Nicobar Islands. It is a major geographic feature of India's island territory and lies approximately along the 10° north latitude, hence the name. The other listed pairs are separated by different geographic features. Option A: Correct. This option is consistent with the governing fact or the valid combination identified in the question. The option reads: “Andaman and Nicobar” Option B: Incorrect. This option does not match the verified answer because its proposition, location, institution, sequence, or combination conflicts with the relevant fact tested in the question. The option reads: “Nicobar and Sumatra” Option C: Incorrect. This option does not match the verified answer because its proposition, location, institution, sequence, or combination conflicts with the relevant fact tested in the question. The option reads: “Maldives and Lakshadweep” Option D: Incorrect. This option does not match the verified answer because its proposition, location, institution, sequence, or combination conflicts with the relevant fact tested in the question. The option reads: “Sumatra and Java” The key Prelims lesson is to test each proposition independently before selecting the combination. Where the question uses words such as 'only', 'all', 'none', 'always' or a precise institutional/geographical association, a single inaccurate component is sufficient to eliminate the option. The answer recorded here follows the official answer key for the question-paper series represented by the uploaded source and has been cross-checked against an independent published key. The explanation is intended for conceptual revision rather than as a reproduction of any third-party solution.