Which pair of islands are the two volcanic islands located within Indian territory?

Introduction / Context:

Volcanic activity within Indian territory is rare and therefore becomes a very important and frequently tested topic in geography exams. The Andaman and Nicobar region in particular contains two notable volcanic islands. Knowing their names not only helps in answering direct questions but also improves understanding of plate tectonics and the geological setting of the region where these islands lie.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are asked to identify which pair of islands are volcanic islands of India.
• The options include various island pairs such as Kavaratti, New Moor, Bitra, Pamban, Narcondam, and Barren.
• We assume standard geography references that commonly highlight famous Indian volcanoes and volcanic islands.
• We focus on islands in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal region where active and dormant volcanoes are known to occur.

Concept / Approach:

The key concept is that India has two well known volcanic islands in the Andaman and Nicobar region: Barren Island and Narcondam Island. Barren Island contains the only confirmed active volcano in Indian territory, while Narcondam Island is believed to be a dormant or extinct volcanic island. Other listed islands like Kavaratti, Bitra, Pamban, and New Moor are coral, sand, or other types of islands and not volcanic. Therefore, the pair Narcondam and Barren correctly identifies the two volcanic islands.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Verification can be carried out by consulting a physical map or a reliable geography text that marks volcanoes in India. These references consistently show Barren Island as an active volcano and Narcondam as another volcanic island in the same region. There is no mention of volcanic activity associated with Kavaratti, Bitra, Pamban, or New Moor in standard Indian geography sources. This confirms that Narcondam and Barren are the two volcanic islands referred to in exam questions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:

A common mistake is to assume that any island name that is familiar or associated with the sea might be volcanic. Some learners focus only on Barren Island and overlook Narcondam, leading them to incorrectly select an option where Barren is paired with a non volcanic island. To avoid this, remember clearly that India's two important volcanic islands are Barren Island and Narcondam Island, both located in the Andaman and Nicobar region.

Final Answer:

The two volcanic islands in Indian territory are Narcondam and Barren Islands.