Does India need to have more than one standard time? If yes, why do you think so?
Yes, India needs to have more than one standard time. India has a longitudinal variation of nearly 30 degrees, which causes a time difference of nearly two hours between the easternmost and westernmost parts of the country.
The sun rises in the northeastern states about two hours earlier compared to Jaisalmer in the west. This significant difference creates practical difficulties in daily life and work schedules across different regions.
Countries with vast east-to-west extent, such as the USA, have multiple time zones to address such variations. Since India also has a considerable longitudinal spread, having more than one standard time would help synchronize activities with natural daylight hours across the country.
Explanation
The textbook explains that India has a longitudinal extent of nearly 30 degrees, resulting in approximately 2 hours time difference between the easternmost and westernmost parts. While India currently follows one standard time based on 82°30'E meridian, the context mentions that countries with vast east-to-west extent (like USA with 7 time zones) adopt multiple standard times. This comparison suggests India could benefit from multiple time zones given its similar longitudinal spread.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify India's longitudinal extent from context - nearly 30 degrees
Step 2: Note the time difference caused - nearly 2 hours between east and west
Step 3: Compare with other countries having multiple time zones due to vast east-west extent
Step 4: Conclude that India could benefit from multiple standard times