Correct Option (D)
The first sunrise of the new millennium for India occurred along the 92° 30’ E meridian. This meridian passes through the easternmost parts of India, specifically the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the northeastern states. Due to the Earth's rotation from west to east, locations further east experience sunrise earlier than those to their west. Therefore, the easternmost longitudes of India would be the first to witness the sunrise.
Incorrect Options:
Options A (2° 30’ W) and C (92° 30’ W) are incorrect as they represent longitudes in the Western Hemisphere. India is located entirely in the Eastern Hemisphere, between approximately 68° 7’ E and 97° 25’ E longitude. Therefore, sunrise in India cannot occur along a western longitude.
Option B (82° 30’ E) is incorrect. While 82° 30’ E is the standard meridian of India, used for calculating Indian Standard Time (IST), it is not the easternmost longitude of the country. The 82° 30’ E meridian passes through the central part of India, approximately 2.5 hours ahead of GMT. However, locations further east, such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and parts of Arunachal Pradesh, lie to the east of 82° 30’ E and would experience sunrise earlier than locations on this meridian.