Which one of the following pairs of islands is separated from each other by the 'Ten Degree Channel'?
Contents12
- AAndman and Nicobar
- BNicobar and Sumatra
- CMaldives and Lakshadweep
- DSumatra and Java
Show answer
Answer: (A) Andman and Nicobar
The Ten Degree Channel (10°N latitude) separates the Andaman Islands (to the north) from the Nicobar Islands (to the south).
Must-know channels in Indian geography:
- Ten Degree Channel → Andaman and Nicobar
- Eight Degree Channel → Minicoy (Lakshadweep) and Maldives
- Nine Degree Channel → within Lakshadweep islands (Aminidivi and Cannanore groups)
- Palk Strait → India and Sri Lanka
- Duncan Passage → South Andaman and Little Andaman
(Ref: NCERT Class 11 Geography, p.19)
The Ten Degree Channel at 10°N latitude is the only major channel that separates two parts of the same Indian island territory - Andaman Islands from Nicobar Islands.
UPSC frequently tests the specific channels and straits around India's islands because students often confuse which channel separates which island groups.
The question tests precise knowledge of India's maritime boundaries - students must memorize that Ten Degree Channel divides Andaman-Nicobar, Eight Degree Channel separates Lakshadweep-Maldives, and Nine Degree Channel runs within Lakshadweep islands.
Ten Degree Channel
Geography Ten Degree Channel
Ten Degree Channel: Location & Significance
Ten Degree Channel separates Andaman Islands (north) from Nicobar Islands (south)
Located at 10°N latitude in the Bay of Bengal
Forms natural boundary between two island groups of same Union Territory
The Ten Degree Channel is a crucial water body that divides India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands into two distinct groups, running along the 10°N latitude.
Key Geographic Facts
Separates Andaman Islands (northern group) from Nicobar Islands (southern group)
Width is approximately 150 km at its narrowest point
Named after its location along the 10°N latitude line
Strategic shipping route in the Bay of Bengal
Channel Location
Source: BYJU'S — AIR Spotlight: Naming 21 Islands of Andaman & Nicobar Islands · byjus.com
Trap: Don't confuse with Eight Degree Channel (between Minicoy and Maldives)
Trap: Both Andaman and Nicobar are part of the same UT, but separated by this channel
Trap: Channel is named after latitude (10°N), not longitude
Major Channels & Straits
Geography
Major Channels & Straits Around India
Ten Degree Channel: Andaman-Nicobar separation
Eight Degree Channel: Minicoy-Maldives separation
Palk Strait: India-Sri Lanka separation
Duncan Passage: South Andaman-Little Andaman
India's maritime boundaries include several important channels and straits that separate island groups and countries. These water bodies are frequently tested in UPSC for their exact locations and what they separate.
Key Water Bodies
Channel/Strait | Separates | Location | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
Ten Degree Channel | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 10°N latitude | Within same UT |
Eight Degree Channel | Minicoy & Maldives | 8°N latitude | International boundary |
Nine Degree Channel | Aminidivi & Cannanore groups | Within Lakshadweep | Intra-archipelago |
Palk Strait | India & Sri Lanka | Between Tamil Nadu & Sri Lanka | Shallow waters |
Duncan Passage | South Andaman & Little Andaman | Within Andaman group | Internal passage |
Indian Ocean Channels
Source: IAS Exam — Important Straits of India UPSC - Iasexam.com · www.iasexam.com
Trap: Eight Degree = Minicoy-Maldives, Ten Degree = Andaman-Nicobar (not reversed)
Trap: Nine Degree Channel is within Lakshadweep, not between different countries
Trap: Palk Strait separates countries, others mostly separate Indian territories
Trap: All channels are named after latitude positions, not random numbers
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Geography Andman and Nicobar Andaman Nicobar
Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Geography & Significance
Union Territory in Bay of Bengal with 572 islands
Andaman (north) and Nicobar (south) separated by Ten Degree Channel
Capital: Port Blair (in South Andaman)
Strategic location near Malacca Strait
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands form India's largest Union Territory by area, strategically located in the Bay of Bengal between India and Southeast Asia.
Island Groups Comparison
Feature | Andaman Islands | Nicobar Islands |
|---|---|---|
Location | Northern group | Southern group |
Major Islands | North, Middle, South Andaman | Car Nicobar, Great Nicobar |
Highest Peak | Saddle Peak (732m) | Mount Thullier (642m) |
Tribal Groups | Jarawa, Sentinalese | Shompen, Nicobarese |
Capital Location | Port Blair (South Andaman) | Not applicable |
Strategic Importance
# Andaman & Nicobar Strategic Value
## Maritime Security
- Guards Malacca Strait
- Naval base at Port Blair
- Shipping route control
## Biodiversity
- Tropical rainforests
- Marine ecosystems
- Endemic species
## Indigenous Tribes
- Protected tribal areas
- Jarawa Reserve
- Sentinalese isolationTrap: Andaman is north, Nicobar is south (not reversed)
Trap: Port Blair is in South Andaman, not North Andaman
Trap: It's one UT with two island groups, not two separate UTs
Other Island Groups in Options
Geography Nicobar and Sumatra Maldives and Lakshadweep Sumatra and Java
Other Island Groups: Quick Reference
Maldives-Lakshadweep: Both coral atolls in Arabian Sea
Nicobar-Sumatra: Separated by channels, both near Malacca Strait
Sumatra-Java: Major Indonesian islands separated by Sunda Strait
Island Pairs Analysis
Island Pair | Countries | Water Body Between | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
Nicobar - Sumatra | India - Indonesia | Various channels | Closest to Malacca Strait |
Maldives - Lakshadweep | Maldives - India | Eight Degree Channel | Both are coral atolls |
Sumatra - Java | Indonesia - Indonesia | Sunda Strait | Major Indonesian islands |
Andaman - Nicobar | India - India | Ten Degree Channel | Same UT, different groups |
Geographic Context
Sumatra is Indonesia's westernmost major island, closest to Indian Ocean
Java contains Indonesia's capital Jakarta and most of its population
Maldives is an independent country of 1,192+ coral islands
All these pairs are in the Indian Ocean region but have different separating channels
Trap: Maldives is a separate country, not part of India like Lakshadweep
Trap: Sumatra and Java are both Indonesian, not separated by Ten Degree Channel
Trap: Only Andaman-Nicobar pair is separated by Ten Degree Channel