Why is it necessary to distinguish degrees and kilometres in studying India's area and extent?

Correct answer: Degrees show angular position and kilometres show actual distance

The governing concept is the difference between angular measurement and linear measurement. Degrees describe an angle on Earth’s coordinate system: latitude indicates angular distance north or south of the Equator, and longitude indicates angular distance east or west of the Prime Meridian. Kilometres describe actual physical distance measured along the ground or between places. For example, India’s latitudinal and longitudinal limits are written in degrees, while its north-south extent, east-west extent, coastline, and land boundary are expressed in kilometres. Option A is correct because it matches each unit with its proper quantity. Option B is wrong because degrees do not measure area. Option C is wrong because kilometres measure distance, not percentage. Option D ignores the essential difference between angular position and physical length, which can lead to major errors in geographical calculations and MCQs.