Correct Option
The correct option is (c).
Explanation
The Standard Meridian of a country is established to define a uniform Standard Time. The selection is governed by the country's longitudinal extent and international conventions regarding time zone delineation relative to the Prime Meridian.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: By international agreement, the standard meridian of a country is typically chosen as a multiple of 7°30' longitude. This specific interval corresponds to a time difference of 30 minutes. The longitude 82°30' E is a multiple of 7°30', which places Indian Standard Time (IST) exactly 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Standard Meridian (82°30' E) does not pass through the westernmost tip of Gujarat. The westernmost point of India is located at approximately 68°7' E. The Standard Meridian passes through Mirzapur (near Prayagraj) in Uttar Pradesh, traversing the central part of the country.
- Statement 3 is Correct: India has a longitudinal extent of approximately 30 degrees (from 68°7' E to 97°25' E), resulting in a time difference of nearly two hours between the western and eastern extremities. The 82°30' E meridian is selected because it passes roughly through the center of this expanse. This minimizes the time deviation for both the eastern and western regions, facilitating a unified administrative time zone.
Key Takeaway: India's Standard Meridian (82°30' E) is selected based on the international convention of 7°30' multiples and its central geographical position to balance the time lag between the eastern and western borders.