UPSC Prelims 2020— Question 56

This question tests siachen glacier. The key concept is: The Siachen Glacier lies in the eastern Karakoram, north of the Nubra Valley. Its location is important strategically because the glacier lies between major passes and routes connecting the Karakoram region. The other directional descriptions do not correctly identify its position. The verified answer for the uploaded Set-B paper is option D. Option A — East of Aksai chin: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: The Siachen Glacier lies in the eastern Karakoram, north of the Nubra Valley. Its location is important strategically because the glacier lies between major passes and routes connecting the Karakoram region. The other directional descriptions do not correctly identify its position. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option B — East of Leh: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: The Siachen Glacier lies in the eastern Karakoram, north of the Nubra Valley. Its location is important strategically because the glacier lies between major passes and routes connecting the Karakoram region. The other directional descriptions do not correctly identify its position. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option C — North of Gilgit: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: The Siachen Glacier lies in the eastern Karakoram, north of the Nubra Valley. Its location is important strategically because the glacier lies between major passes and routes connecting the Karakoram region. The other directional descriptions do not correctly identify its position. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option D — North of Nubra Valley: This is the correct option. It matches the verified conclusion because The Siachen Glacier lies in the eastern Karakoram, north of the Nubra Valley. Its location is important strategically because the glacier lies between major passes and routes connecting the Karakoram region. The other directional descriptions do not correctly identify its position. The wording of the option is consistent with the governing concept tested by the question. For UPSC-style elimination, first identify the exact proposition being tested, then evaluate each statement independently before comparing the answer codes. Avoid treating a broad or absolute statement as correct merely because its general theme is familiar. The precise qualifiers in the question—such as 'all', 'only', 'cannot', 'largest', 'always' or a specific institutional role—often determine the answer. On that basis, option D is the verified answer.