If you travel by road from Kohima to Kottayam, what is the minimum number of States within India through which you can travel, including the origin and the destination ?
- (a) 6
- (b) 7 ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 8
- (d) 9
Why the answer is (b)
• The shortest road route from Kohima (Nagaland) to Kottayam (Kerala) runs: Nagaland → Assam → West Bengal → Odisha → Andhra Pradesh → Tamil Nadu → Kerala.
• That is seven States including origin and destination — option (b).
• Routes via Bihar, Jharkhand or Telangana add States rather than saving any.
• Hence option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 6
- Six is impossible; at least seven States must be crossed.
- (c) 8
- Eight adds an unnecessary State.
- (d) 9
- Nine adds unnecessary States.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2017, held on 18 June 2017. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.