Consider the following countries : 1. Azerbaijan 2. Kyrgyzstan 3. Tajikistan 4. Turkmenistan 5. Uzbekistan Which of the above have borders with Afghanistan ?

(a) 1, 2 and 5 only
(b) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 3, 4 and 5 only ✓ UPSC's answer
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Why the answer is (c)

• Afghanistan borders six countries: Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China (via the Wakhan corridor).

• Of the listed countries, Tajikistan (longest border, along the Amu Darya/Panj), Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan (across the Amu Darya at Termez) share borders — items 3, 4 and 5.

• Azerbaijan lies in the Caucasus, separated by Iran and the Caspian Sea; Kyrgyzstan is separated from Afghanistan by Tajikistan.

• Hence 3, 4 and 5 only, option (c).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) 1, 2 and 5 only: Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan do not border Afghanistan.
(b) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only: Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan do not touch Afghanistan; Uzbekistan does.
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5: Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan are not Afghan neighbours.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2022, held on 5 June 2022. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.