Which one of the following cities will never get the vertical rays of the sun ?

1. Earth's Grid: Understanding Latitudes (basic)

To understand why India has such diverse climates—from the tropical beaches of Kerala to the chilly peaks of Ladakh—we must first master the Earth's Grid. Think of latitudes as the Earth’s horizontal marking system. A latitude is the angular distance of a place north or south of the Equator, measured in degrees from the center of the Earth Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Latitudes and Longitudes, p.250. Because the Earth is a sphere, these lines are circles that get smaller as they move toward the poles, which is why they are also called parallels Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Locating Places on the Earth, p.24.

There are five critical parallels you must memorize to understand climate. The Equator (0°) is the starting point. Moving north, we find the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N) and the Arctic Circle (66.5° N). Moving south, we encounter the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S) and the Antarctic Circle (66.5° S) Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Latitudes and Longitudes, p.240. These aren't just random lines; they represent the limits of the sun's reach. The region between the two Tropics is known as the Torrid Zone. This is the only part of Earth where the mid-day sun is ever exactly overhead (90° vertical) at least once a year Fundamentals of Physical Geography, Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature, p.68.

For an Indian student, the Tropic of Cancer is the most important line because it passes almost exactly through the middle of our country. This creates a fascinating divide: the southern half of India lies in the Tropical Zone, while the northern half lies in the Subtropical Zone Contemporary India-I, Climate, p.27. This means cities like Mumbai or Chennai will see the sun directly overhead twice a year, but a city like Delhi or Srinagar will never experience vertical sun rays, no matter the season. The sun's rays there will always be slanted, leading to cooler average temperatures compared to the south.

Feature	Latitudes (Parallels)	Longitudes (Meridians)
Direction	East-West (Horizontal)	North-South (Vertical)
Length	Varies (Equator is longest)	All are equal in length
Climate Impact	Determines Heat Zones	Determines Time Zones

Sources: Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Latitudes and Longitudes, p.240, 250; Exploring Society: India and Beyond (NCERT VI), Locating Places on the Earth, p.24; Fundamentals of Physical Geography (NCERT XI), Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature, p.68; Contemporary India-I (NCERT IX), Climate, p.27

2. The Tilt and Revolution of Earth (basic)

To understand why India has a unique climate, we must first look at how the Earth carries itself in space. The Earth doesn't sit 'upright' as it circles the Sun; instead, its axis of rotation is tilted at an angle of 23.5° from the vertical. As the Earth performs its annual journey around the Sun (revolution), it maintains this specific tilt in the same direction. This combination of a tilted axis and revolution is the fundamental reason we experience seasons and changes in the length of day and night throughout the year Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025), Earth, Moon, and the Sun, p.177.

The tilt creates a specific 'swing' in how the Sun's rays strike the Earth. Because of this 23.5° angle, the mid-day Sun can only be exactly overhead (90° vertical) for locations sitting between 23.5° North (the Tropic of Cancer) and 23.5° South (the Tropic of Capricorn). This central belt is known as the Torrid Zone. Outside of these boundaries, the Sun's rays always strike the ground at an angle and are never perfectly vertical, no matter the time of year Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Latitudes and Longitudes, p.242.

For a country like India, this is a defining geographic feature. The Tropic of Cancer passes right through the middle of India. This means the southern half of India lies within the Torrid Zone and experiences the vertical rays of the Sun twice a year, contributing to its tropical heat. In contrast, Northern Indian cities like Srinagar are located well above 23.5° N and will never see the Sun directly overhead, leading to a much cooler, sub-tropical or temperate climate profile Contemporary India-I, Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025), Climate, p.27.

Movement	Primary Result
Rotation (24 hours)	Causes Day and Night
Revolution on Tilted Axis (365 days)	Causes Seasons and variable day lengths

Sources: Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025), Earth, Moon, and the Sun, p.177; Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Latitudes and Longitudes, p.242; Contemporary India-I, Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025), Climate, p.27

3. Heat Zones: Torrid, Temperate, and Frigid (intermediate)

To understand why India’s climate varies so drastically from the backwaters of Kerala to the peaks of Ladakh, we must first understand the Latitudinal Heat Zones of the Earth. These zones are determined by the angle of incidence of the sun’s rays. Because the Earth is a sphere and tilted at 23.5°, the sun's energy is not distributed equally. The mid-day sun is exactly overhead at least once a year only on latitudes between the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S). This belt is the Torrid Zone, the hottest region of the Earth because it receives the most direct, vertical radiation Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Chapter 18: Latitudes and Longitudes, p. 242.

As we move poleward from the Tropics, the angle of the sun’s rays becomes increasingly slanted. In the Temperate Zones (lying between the Tropics and the Arctic/Antarctic Circles), the sun is never directly overhead, resulting in moderate temperatures and distinct seasons. Beyond the Arctic Circle (66.5° N) and Antarctic Circle (66.5° S) lie the Frigid Zones. Here, the sun barely rises above the horizon, and its rays are so slanted that they provide very little heat, leading to a permanent 'radiation deficit' where more heat is lost than gained FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI, Chapter 8, p. 70.

For an Indian civil services aspirant, the most critical takeaway is the Tropic of Cancer, which passes through the middle of India. This essentially divides our country into two climatic halves: the Tropical South (within the Torrid Zone) and the Subtropical North (in the North Temperate Zone). This is why a city like Mumbai or Chennai will see the sun directly overhead twice a year, while a city like Delhi or Srinagar never will CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Geography, Class IX, Chapter 4, p. 27.

Heat Zone	Latitudinal Range	Sun Angle & Characteristics
Torrid	23.5° N to 23.5° S	Vertical rays at least once a year; maximum annual heat.
Temperate	23.5° to 66.5° (N & S)	Slanted rays; never overhead; moderate temperatures.
Frigid	66.5° to 90° (N & S)	Extreme slant; very cold; sun may not set/rise for months.

Sources: Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Chapter 18: Latitudes and Longitudes, p.242; FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI, Chapter 8: Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature, p.70; CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Geography, Class IX, Chapter 4: Climate, p.27

4. India's Latitudinal Extent and Tropic of Cancer (intermediate)

To understand India's climate, we must first look at its position on the globe. The Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N) is a critical geographical line that passes almost exactly through the middle of India, stretching from the Rann of Kuchchh in the west to Mizoram in the east CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Chapter 4, p. 27. This line acts as a climatic divide: the land south of this latitude falls within the Tropical Zone, while the land to the north belongs to the Subtropical (or warm temperate) Zone. Because the southern half is closer to the Equator, it typically experiences high temperatures year-round with a very small range between summer and winter. In contrast, northern India, being further from the Equator, experiences an 'extreme' or continental climate with sharp differences between summer heat and winter cold INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Climate, p. 29.
The most fascinating implication of this division is the angle of the sun's rays. Between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn (the Torrid Zone), the sun shines directly overhead (at a 90° angle) at least twice a year. This means cities like Chennai, Mumbai, and even Kolkata (which sits almost on the line) will experience a moment where they have no shadow at noon. However, north of the Tropic of Cancer, the sun’s rays are always slanted. No matter the season, the sun will never be directly overhead in cities like Delhi, Jaipur, or Srinagar. This is why northern latitudes receive less intense solar energy (insolation) compared to the south.
As we observe India’s shape, we notice it begins to taper south of about 22° N latitude, extending into the Indian Ocean CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, India Size and Location, p. 2. This tapering, combined with its latitudinal position, ensures that Peninsular India remains under a strong maritime and tropical influence, while the vast northern plains are subject to the climatic shifts of the subtropics.

Feature	South of Tropic of Cancer	North of Tropic of Cancer
Climate Zone	Tropical Zone (Torrid)	Subtropical / Temperate Zone
Sun's Rays	Vertical (overhead) twice a year	Always slanted; never overhead
Temp. Range	Low annual range (stable)	High annual range (extreme)

Sources: CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Climate, p.27; INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Climate, p.29; CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, India Size and Location, p.2

5. Solar Insolation and Angle of Incidence (exam-level)

To understand India's climate, we must first master Insolation — a portmanteau of 'Incoming Solar Radiation'. It is the solar energy reaching the Earth's surface, typically measured in Watts per square meter. While the Sun radiates energy constantly, the amount received at any specific point on Earth is not uniform. The primary driver of this variation is the Angle of Incidence (or inclination) of the sun's rays FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Chapter 8, p.67. Because the Earth is a sphere, the sun's rays strike the surface at different angles; vertical rays are concentrated over a small area, while slanted rays spread the same energy over a much larger area, reducing its intensity.

The Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of 66½° to its orbital plane, which restricts the 'overhead' or vertical sun to a specific latitudinal belt. The mid-day sun is exactly overhead at least once a year only between the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S) Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Chapter 18, p.240. This region is known as the Torrid Zone. Beyond these latitudes, the sun's rays are always slanted. In slanted rays, the energy must also pass through a thicker layer of the atmosphere, leading to more scattering and absorption by clouds, water vapor, and dust before reaching the ground FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Chapter 8, p.68.

Feature	Vertical Rays (Direct)	Slanted Rays (Oblique)
Area Covered	Small, concentrated area	Large, spread-out area
Atmospheric Path	Shorter path (less loss)	Longer path (more scattering/absorption)
Insolation Intensity	High	Low

Applying this to India, the Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of the country, effectively dividing it into two halves: the Tropical South and the Subtropical North CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Geography, Class IX, Chapter 4, p.27. Cities located south of the Tropic of Cancer, such as Chennai, Mumbai, or Kolkata, experience the sun directly overhead twice a year. However, any city located north of 23.5° N — such as Delhi, Chandigarh, or Srinagar — will never receive vertical rays of the sun, regardless of the season. Even on the Summer Solstice (June 21st), when the sun is at its northernmost point, it only reaches the Tropic of Cancer FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Chapter 8, p.73.

Sources: FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Chapter 8: Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature, p.67, 68, 73; Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Chapter 18: Latitudes and Longitudes, p.240, 242; CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Geography, Class IX, Chapter 4: Climate, p.27

6. Locational Geography: Mapping Major Indian Cities (exam-level)

To understand the climate and sunlight patterns of Indian cities, we must first look at a fundamental rule of solar geometry: the overhead sun. The mid-day sun is exactly vertical (90°) at least once a year only on latitudes between the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S). This belt is known as the Torrid Zone. Beyond these boundaries, the sun's rays always hit the Earth at an angle and are never truly vertical.

In the context of India, the Tropic of Cancer passes almost through the center of the country, effectively dividing it into two distinct thermal halves. The region south of this line falls within the tropical zone, while the region to the north is considered sub-tropical CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I , Geography, Chapter 4, p. 27. This means that cities located in South and Central India will experience the sun directly overhead at some point in the year, whereas cities in the far North will only ever see the sun at a slant.

Let's map this onto specific Indian cities. The mainland of India stretches from approximately 8°4' N (Kanniyakumari) to 37°6' N (Kashmir) INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, India — Location, p. 2. Because of this vast latitudinal spread, cities like Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru (13° N), Mumbai (19° N), and Kolkata (22.5° N) all lie south of or very close to the Tropic of Cancer, allowing them to receive vertical sun rays. However, Srinagar, located deep in the Kashmir Valley at roughly 34° N, is well beyond the 23.5° N limit. Therefore, no matter the season, the sun will never be directly overhead in Srinagar.

City	Approx. Latitude	Vertical Sun Rays?
Thiruvananthapuram	8° N	Yes (Twice a year)
Bengaluru	13° N Exploring Society, Locating Places on the Earth, p. 24	Yes (Twice a year)
Delhi	29° N Exploring Society, Locating Places on the Earth, p. 24	No (Always slanted)
Srinagar	34° N	No (Always slanted)

Sources: CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX, Chapter 4: Climate, p.27; INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI, India — Location, p.2; Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI, Locating Places on the Earth, p.24

7. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

To solve this question, you must synthesize your knowledge of the Earth's 23.5° axial tilt and the resulting Torrid Zone. As you’ve learned, the apparent movement of the sun is strictly confined between the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S). According to Physical Geography by PMF IAS, this is the only belt on Earth where the mid-day sun can be directly overhead at least once a year. Beyond these specific latitudes, the sun's rays are always slanted and never reach a 90° perpendicular angle relative to the ground.

Walking through the reasoning, you need to mentally map the latitudes of these Indian cities relative to the Tropic of Cancer, which passes through the middle of India. Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) is near the Equator, Mumbai (Maharashtra) is well within the tropics, and Kolkata (West Bengal) is located just south of the Tropic of Cancer. However, Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) is situated at approximately 34° N. Because this is far beyond the 23.5° N limit described in FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), the sun can never be vertical there. Therefore, (A) Srinagar is the correct answer.

UPSC often uses cities like Kolkata as a "trap" because it is located very close to the Tropic of Cancer, which might make a student doubt if the sun quite reaches it. But the fundamental rule remains: as long as a city is at or south of 23.5° N, it will experience vertical rays. As highlighted in CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I, Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025), the Tropic of Cancer divides the country into a tropical south and a subtropical north. By identifying Srinagar as the only city in the far northern subtropical zone, you can quickly eliminate the other three options that fall within the sun's overhead path.