Tropic of Cancer

States crossed, Climatic Importance, and Exam-Focused Concepts

NDA • Geography • Moderate • 1–2 Questions • Factual + Conceptual

Introduction

The Tropic of Cancer, at 23½° N, runs through the middle of India. It not only divides India into two halves but also divides India into two broad climatic zones. In NDA and CDS exams, the questions are asked from the various states the line crosses and other facts related to the Tropic of Cancer. At the end of the topic, all the previous year’s questions have been added.

Understand the Topic

What is the Tropic of Cancer?

The Tropic of Cancer is an imaginary line of latitude at 23½° N. It is the northernmost point where the Sun can appear directly overhead at noon. This happens around 21 June (Summer Solstice) every year.

Why Does the Tropic of Cancer Exist?

Earth’s Tilt: The Earth is tilted by 23½° on its axis. Because of this tilt, different parts of the Earth receive different amounts of sunlight during the year.

Shifting Position of the Sun: Due to the Earth’s tilt and revolution around the Sun, the Sun’s direct rays shift between the Tropic of Cancer (23½° N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23½° S).

Northernmost Overhead Position: Around 21 June (Summer Solstice), the Sun appears directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer. This is the northernmost point where this happens.

The areas south of the Tropic of Cancer receive the overhead Sun during the year and are considered tropical regions. On the other hand, areas north of the Tropic of Cancer never receive overhead Sun and are subtropical.

Concept Diagram: Summer Solstice and Tropic of Cancer

Summer Solstice on 21 June showing Sun overhead at Tropic of Cancer and Earth's axial tilt
Figure 1: The Sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer on 21 June (Summer Solstice).

Tropic of Cancer in India

The Tropic of Cancer passes through India from the west coast of Gujarat and exits at the northeastern state of Mizoram. So, it passes through eight states of India:

#

State

Important Fact

Type

1.

Gujarat

Coastal

2.

Rajasthan

Shortest Length

Landlocked

3.

Madhya Pradesh

Longest Length

Landlocked

4.

Chattisgarh

Landlocked

5.

Jharkhand

Landlocked

6.

West Bengal

Coastal

7.

Tripura

Landlocked

8.

Mizoram

Landlocked


Remember these states in exact order because the NDA and CDS exams often ask questions about east-to-west or west-to-east arrangements.

Map Reference: Tropic of Cancer Through India

Map showing the 8 Indian states crossed by the Tropic of Cancer from Gujarat to Mizoram
Figure 2: The Tropic of Cancer passes through 8 Indian states from Gujarat to Mizoram.

The Tropic of Cancer runs almost through the middle of India; therefore, India is located in both the tropical and subtropical climatic zones.

Other Important Points

The Bangladesh gap: The Tropic of Cancer does not travel in a straight line throughout India. Between West Bengal and Tripura, it passes through Bangladesh.

Mahi River: The Mahi River originates in Madhya Pradesh. It flows into Rajasthan and then turns to Gujarat and ends its course in the Arabian Sea. It follows an S-shaped path, and due to this, the Tropic of Cancer crosses the Mahi River twice, once in Madhya Pradesh and once in Gujarat.

Ranchi: Ranchi is the capital of the Jharkhand state. It is the only state capital that lies on the Tropic of Cancer.

Memory Trick

G-R-M-C-J-W-T-M

Gujarat-Rajasthan-Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand-W. Bengal-Tripura-Mizoram

G R M C J W T M — “Great Rulers Must Cross Just West To Meet” (any personal phrase using these letters works; the sequence matters most).

Previous Year Questions

Q1. Which one among the following is nearest to the Tropic of Cancer? [NDA 2006-I]

  1. Patna
  2. Ranchi
  3. Rourkela
  4. Varanasi

Answer: (B) Ranchi

Explanation: Ranchi, the capital city of Jharkhand, is located directly on the Tropic of Cancer (23½° N).

Q2. The Tropic of Cancer passes through which one of the following? [NDA 2007-II]

  1. Assam
  2. Manipur
  3. Mizoram
  4. Nagaland

Answer: (C) Mizoram

Explanation: When Northeastern states come in the options, it often creates confusion and looks similar. That’s why it is important to remember the state list carefully. Here, only MIZORAM lies along the Tropic of Cancer, while ASSAM, MANIPUR, and NAGALAND do not fall within the path of the Tropic of Cancer.

Q3. The Tropic of Cancer passes through which one of the following? [NDA 2024]

  1. Assam
  2. Manipur
  3. Mizoram
  4. Nagaland

Answer: (C) Mizoram

Explanation: Among these northeastern states, only Mizoram lies on the Tropic of Cancer.

Q4. The Tropic of Cancer does NOT pass through: [NDA 2009-II]

  1. Odisha (Orissa)
  2. Tripura
  3. Chhattisgarh
  4. Rajasthan

Answer: (A) Odisha

Explanation: UPSC often asks questions with NOT, and students in a hurry often choose incorrect options. Tripura, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan are three of the eight states through which TOC passes, not Odisha.

Q5. Identify the states through which the Tropic of Cancer passes and arrange them from East to West. States given: [NDA 2011-I]

  1. Gujarat
  2. West Bengal
  3. Uttar Pradesh
  4. Jharkhand
  5. Madhya Pradesh
  6. Bihar
  7. Chhattisgarh

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

  1. 2-5-7-4-1 
  2. 2-4-7-5-1
  3. 3-2-6-7-5
  4. 3-7-4-6-2

Answer: (A) 2-5-7-4-1

Explanation: Here, two actions must be taken: the first is to eliminate states that are not on the Tropic of Cancer list. So, Uttar Pradesh (3) and Bihar (6) do not lie on the Tropic of Cancer.
Second, arrange them in the sequence East to West, NOT West to East, because the sequence we remember is generally from West to East. So,
So, the correct east-to-west order among the remaining states will be: West Bengal (2) → Jharkhand (4) → Chhattisgarh (7) → Madhya Pradesh (5) → Gujarat (1), which matches with option (b).

Q1. Which one of the following divides India into northern and southern parts? [CDS 2008-II]

  1. Equator
  2. Tropic of Cancer
  3. Tropic of Capricorn
  4. Arctic Circle

Answer: (B) Tropic of Cancer

Explanation: The Tropic of Cancer (23½° N) passes almost through the middle of India and divides India into almost two equal parts.

Q2. Identify the State on the basis of the following characteristics: [CDS 2021-II]
1. Tropic of Cancer passes through the State.
2. The State has more north-south extension.
3. The State has international border with Bangladesh and Myanmar.

  1. Tripura
  2. Mizoram
  3. Nagaland
  4. Manipur

Answer: (B) 1 June

Explanation: Again, North Eastern states are in all the options. Solve the questions in the following steps:
Step 1 eliminates Nagaland and Manipur, since they don’t lie on the Tropic of Cancer. Now, we have two options left, Tripura and Mizoram.
Step 2 (borders with both Bangladesh and Myanmar) eliminates Tripura, which borders Bangladesh but not Myanmar.
Mizoram satisfies all three: it lies on the TOC, has a greater north-south extent, and shares borders with both Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Q3. The Tropic of Cancer passes through how many coastal and landlocked States of India, respectively? [CDS 2023-I]

  1. 1 and 7
  2. 2 and 6
  3. 2 and 5
  4. 3 and 5

Answer: (B) 2 and 6

Explanation: Check the list provided in the Understand the topic section.
Of the 8 states on the Tropic of Cancer, Gujarat has a coastline on the Arabian Sea, and West Bengal has a coastline on the Bay of Bengal, giving 2 coastal states.
The remaining 6 (Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Tripura, Mizoram) are landlocked. The answer is 2 and 6.
Remember: One coastal state borders India on each side: Gujarat (west) and West Bengal (east). Everything in between the two ends is landlocked.

Common Mistakes

  • Including Assam or Manipur — Both are Northeast states, but they lie outside the Tropic of Cancer Line. In north-eastern states, only Mizoram is on the line. Counting in Nagaland is another commonly committed mistake.
  • Confusing UP and Bihar as Tropic of Cancer states — They are large states, but the Tropic of Cancer does not pass through them. NDA 2011-I included them as incorrect options.
  • Forgetting the Bangladesh gap — The Tropic of Cancer line is not continuous within India. It exists in West Bengal, passes through Bangladesh, and re-enters India in Tripura.
  • Interchanging longest/shortest stretch — Madhya Pradesh has the longest stretch, Rajasthan has the shortest. The order is reversed to confuse the students.
  • Counting 3 coastal states — Some students count Andhra Pradesh or Odisha, which are not on the Tropic of Cancer. Only
  • Gujarat and West Bengal are included in the list. The correct count is 2 coastal, 6 landlocked.

Revise in 30 Seconds

  • Tropic of Cancer = 23° 30’ N (23½° N_
  • Passes through 8 states (W→E): Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, Mizoram
  • Longest stretch (length): Madhya Pradesh | Shortest stretch (length): Rajasthan
  • Ranchi (the capital of Jharkhand) lies directly on the Tropic of Cancer.
  • The Mahi River crosses the Tropic of Cancer twice: once in MP and once in Gujarat.
  • The Tropic of Cancer line passes through Bangladesh between West Bengal and Tripura.
  • It passes through 2 coastal states (Gujarat, West Bengal) and 6 landlocked states.
  • States NOT on TOC line (confusing states): Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, UP, Bihar, Odisha
  • TOC divides India into approximately two halves (northern and southern).
  • Due to the divide, two climatic zones: Sub-Tropical and Tropical.

Related Topics

Indian Standard Meridian India and Its Neighbours India’s Coastal Geography