The longitudes of the mainland of India extend approximately between which of the following ranges?

Introduction / Context:
The geographic extent of India in terms of latitude and longitude is a basic fact in Indian geography. Longitudes determine time zones and the east west spread of a country. This question asks about the approximate east and west longitudes between which the mainland of India lies. Knowing these values helps you understand why India has a single time zone despite its wide east west extent.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The focus is on the longitudes of mainland India, not including distant island territories.

- Options include ranges using east, west, north and south indicators, but only one reflects the correct east west extent.

- Standard geography textbooks state India's mainland longitude extent as about 68 degrees 7 minutes east to 97 degrees 25 minutes east.

- The question assumes you know that India lies entirely in the eastern hemisphere.

Concept / Approach:
India lies to the east of the Greenwich meridian, so its mainland longitudes are all east longitudes. The westernmost point of mainland India is near 68 degrees 7 minutes east in Gujarat, and the easternmost point is near 97 degrees 25 minutes east in Arunachal Pradesh. Longitudes given with W (west) or N and S indicate directions that do not match the standard way of expressing east west position. Therefore, the correct range is 68°7 E to 97°25 E. All other options either use the wrong hemisphere or mix up latitude indicators with longitude values.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that India is located east of the Greenwich meridian, so its longitudes must have the letter E, not W. Step 2: Remember that the commonly quoted longitude extent of mainland India is from roughly 68 degrees 7 minutes east to 97 degrees 25 minutes east. Step 3: Check option A, which exactly states 68°7 E and 97°25 E, matching the standard figures. Step 4: Eliminate option B immediately because it uses W, which is incorrect for India. Step 5: Eliminate options C and D because they indicate N and S, which are used for latitude, not longitude. Step 6: Option E uses east longitudes but gives a very rough and inaccurate range that does not match the standard precise values learned for exams. Step 7: Conclude that option A is correct.

Verification / Alternative Check:
You can verify this by recalling that the westernmost point of mainland India is near the Kutch region in Gujarat and is often noted as around 68°7 E. The easternmost point is near Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh, around 97°25 E. Many exam guides list India's longitude and latitude extents in a table: latitude 8°4 N to 37°6 N and longitude 68°7 E to 97°25 E. Comparing this memory with the options confirms that option A is the only one that precisely matches the accepted longitude values for the mainland.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B gives longitudes in the western hemisphere, which cannot be correct because India lies east of Greenwich. Options C and D use N and S, which denote latitudes rather than longitudes, so they are conceptually wrong for this question. Option E is a rough range that does not match the standard detailed figures and stretches a bit too far both west and east.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the latitude and longitude figures and mix up north with east values. Another common mistake is remembering only rounded numbers like 70 degrees to 95 degrees without the precise minutes, which can cause hesitation when you see more exact options. To avoid this, memorise the standard precise values for India's latitudinal and longitudinal extent and also remember that all Indian longitudes are east, not west. This makes it easy to eliminate obviously wrong choices.

Final Answer:
The longitudes of mainland India extend approximately between 68°7 E and 97°25 E.