Explanations:India is a vast country that spans a significant longitudinal width, which results in a time difference between its easternmost and westernmost points. The longitudinal span of India is approximately 30 degrees, which translates to a time difference of about two hours. This is because the Earth rotates 360 degrees in 24 hours, meaning each degree of longitude corresponds to a time difference of four minutes.
The easternmost state of India is Arunachal Pradesh, and the westernmost state is Gujarat. The time difference between these two states is approximately two hours. This is due to the longitudinal span of India, which is about 30 degrees. The Indian Standard Time (IST) is based on the longitude of 82.5 degrees east, which passes through the city of Allahabad. However, some northeastern states, such as Arunachal Pradesh, follow a time zone that is 30 minutes ahead of IST.
It is important to note that the time difference in India is not based on the latitudinal span of the country. The latitudinal span of India, from Kashmir in the north to Kanyakumari in the south, does not result in a significant time difference. The time difference between Kashmir and Kanyakumari is negligible because they are both located within the same longitudinal band.
Understanding the longitudinal width of India and its impact on time zones is crucial for various competitive examinations, such as the UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, and CLAT. It is essential to recognize that the time difference between the easternmost and westernmost points of India is approximately two hours, which is a direct result of the country's longitudinal span.