Railway
The only Indian state that shares its borders with China, Nepal and Bhutan is:
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Answer: Option C — Sikkim
Detailed Solution
Sikkim, a small Himalayan state in north-eastern India, is bordered by China (Tibet) to the north and north-east, Bhutan to the east, Nepal to the west, and the Indian state of West Bengal to the south.
Sikkim's international borders:
- China (Tibet): about 220 km, to the north and north-east.
- Nepal: about 100 km, to the west.
- Bhutan: about 32 km, to the east.
- So, Sikkim is the only Indian state with borders with three countries: China, Nepal and Bhutan.
About Sikkim:
It became the 22nd state of India on 16 May 1975, through the 36th Constitutional Amendment Act. Before that, it was a monarchy ruled by the Chogyals, under Indian protection since 1950.
Its capital is Gangtok.
It is the least populous state of India and the second smallest by area, after Goa.
Kangchenjunga (8,586 metres), the highest peak in India and the third highest in the world, lies on the Sikkim-Nepal border.
The Teesta river is the main river of Sikkim.
Passes and trade:
The Nathu La pass connects Sikkim with Tibet. It was reopened for border trade in 2006 and is also used for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Jelep La is another historic pass on the old trade route to Tibet.
Environment and economy:
- Sikkim became India's first fully organic state in 2016, and later received the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's Future Policy Gold Award.
- It is known for large cardamom, orchids and the Khangchendzonga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (mixed category).
Doklam:
The Doklam plateau, near the Sikkim-Bhutan-China trijunction, was the site of a standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in 2017.
Other states bordering more than one country:
- Arunachal Pradesh: China, Bhutan and Myanmar.
- West Bengal: Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.
- Uttarakhand: China and Nepal.
Why not the other options?
- ✗Arunachal Pradesh borders China, Bhutan and Myanmar, but not Nepal.
- ✗West Bengal borders Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, but not China.
- ✗Uttarakhand borders China and Nepal, but not Bhutan.
Quick tip
Remember: Sikkim = borders China, Nepal and Bhutan; 22nd state (1975); first fully organic state (2016); Kangchenjunga.
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Indian States & Union Territories — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Indian States & Union Territories, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers state-wise GK for India: capitals, formation dates, high courts, state animals, birds and flowers, famous places, and the culture, dances and festivals that identify each state and union territory. Questions commonly ask about the newest state or union territory, the state formed on a particular date, the capitals of states, and which high court serves more than one state. Keep a single table per state with its capital, formation year and key facts. Reorganisations such as that of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 change the answers, so make sure your notes are up to date. Practise the Indian states and union territories questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.