At Barren Island, where is the only active volcano in India located?

Introduction / Context:
Barren Island is an important topic in Indian geography because it contains the only confirmed active volcano within the territory of India. Questions about its location frequently appear in competitive exams since they test both map awareness and understanding of India's island groups in the Bay of Bengal. Knowing whether Barren Island belongs to the Andaman group, the Nicobar group, or other islands like Lakshadweep helps students build a clear mental picture of India's maritime geography and exclusive economic zone.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Barren Island is described as the only active volcano in India.
• The answer choices mention Andaman Islands, Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands, Minicoy Island, and Sri Lanka.
• The question asks specifically about the broad island group or region where this volcanic island is situated.

Concept / Approach:
To answer this question correctly, one must recall the basic classification of India's island territories. India has two major island groups in the Bay of Bengal, namely the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands, and another major coral island group, Lakshadweep, in the Arabian Sea. Barren Island is a small, uninhabited island that lies to the east of the main Andaman group in the Andaman Sea. The key approach is therefore to associate Barren Island with the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago and identify which sub group it belongs to geographically and administratively.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Barren Island is located in the Bay of Bengal region, not in the Arabian Sea, so Lakshadweep Islands and Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep are eliminated. Step 2: Remember that Barren Island is under the Indian Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, situated to the east of the main Andaman group. Step 3: Geographical descriptions in standard atlases and textbooks clearly state that Barren Island lies about 135 km east of Port Blair in the Andaman Islands. Step 4: Since it is part of the Andaman group and not of the more southerly Nicobar group, the correct regional label is Andaman Islands. Step 5: Sri Lanka is a separate sovereign country and has no administrative connection with Barren Island, so that option is also ruled out.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick mental map check confirms that the volcanic island referred to in most Indian geography questions is a small island in the Andaman Sea, east of the main Andaman chain and north of the Nicobar group. The Union Territory itself is officially named Andaman and Nicobar Islands, but Barren Island is specifically noted as part of the Andaman subgroup. Therefore, among the options given, Andaman Islands is the only one that accurately describes its location.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Nicobar Islands: These lie further south and do not contain the active Barren Island volcano.
• Lakshadweep Islands: These coral islands are in the Arabian Sea, far from the Bay of Bengal.
• Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep: Also in the Arabian Sea and unrelated to Barren Island.
• Sri Lanka: This is an independent nation south of India and not the location of India's active volcano.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the overall name Andaman and Nicobar Islands with the two subgroups and may assume that any island in the Union Territory could be linked to either group. Without careful reading, one may guess Nicobar instead of Andaman. Another common confusion is between India's Bay of Bengal islands and the Lakshadweep group in the Arabian Sea. Failing to distinguish between these water bodies can lead to incorrect answers in island location questions.

Final Answer:
The only active volcano of India at Barren Island is located in the Andaman Islands.