UPSC CSE Prelims
Time Zones Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

Correct Answer: ✅ Option 2 (Only Four)

When counting all official time zones, including overseas territories and external territories, the United Kingdom, Denmark, New Zealand, and Australia each have more than four time zones. Brazil, however, has exactly four time zones, not more than four.

✅ Statement I: United Kingdom – Correct

• The UK has 9 time zones when overseas territories are included.

• Territories such as the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Bermuda, and Pitcairn Islands contribute to multiple time zones.

✅ Statement II: Denmark – Correct

• Denmark has more than four time zones due to Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

• Greenland alone spans several time zones.

✅ Statement III: New Zealand – Correct

• New Zealand has 5 time zones when including territories such as the Chatham Islands, Tokelau, and the Ross Dependency (Antarctica).

✅ Statement IV: Australia – Correct

• Australia has 8–9 time zones when all external territories are counted.

• These include territories such as Norfolk Island, Christmas Island, and Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

❌ Statement V: Brazil – Incorrect

• Brazil officially has 4 time zones, not more than four.

Short Notes: World Time Zones

• The Earth is divided into 24 standard time zones.

• Each time zone generally covers 15° of longitude.

• Countries with large territories often have multiple time zones.

• Russia has the highest number of time zones (11).

• France has the most time zones globally (12) when overseas territories are included.

• Overseas territories significantly increase the number of time zones for some countries.

• India follows a single time zone: IST (UTC +5:30).