UPSC Prelims 2026Question 33Geography

With reference to the climate of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which of the following statements is/are correct ?
1. The climate can be defined as a humid, tropical coastal climate.
2. It receives rainfall from both South-west monsoon and North-east monsoon.
3. Maximum precipitation is between December and May.
Select the answer using the code given below:

Options

(a)1 only
(b)1 and 2
(c)2 and 3
(d)3 only

Correct answer: b

Decision rule

Monsoon rainfall is concentrated, not spread: a claimed maximum spanning six months, half of them dry, is the false statement.

Explanation

Correct Answer

(b) 1 and 2

Explanation of the Correct Answer

Statement 1: The climate can be defined as a humid, tropical coastal climate.

Correct.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a tropical maritime/coastal climate.
The islands experience:
- high humidity,
- moderate temperature variation,
- heavy rainfall,
- strong influence of the surrounding sea.

Hence, the climate may be described as humid, tropical coastal climate.

Statement 2: It receives rainfall from both South-west monsoon and North-east monsoon.

Correct.

The islands receive rainfall from both:
- South-west monsoon: roughly May/June to September
- North-east monsoon: roughly October to December
Their location in the Bay of Bengal makes them exposed to both monsoonal wind systems.

Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Statement 3: Maximum precipitation is between December and May.

Incorrect.

The maximum rainfall is generally during the South-west monsoon period, especially from May/June to September.
December to May is not the period of maximum precipitation.
The period from January to March/April is relatively drier compared to the monsoon months.

Therefore, only statements 1 and 2 are correct.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option	Verdict	Explanation
(a) 1 only	Incorrect	Statement 1 is correct, but statement 2 is also correct because the islands receive rainfall from both South-west and North-east monsoons.
(b) 1 and 2	Correct	The climate is humid tropical coastal, and rainfall is received from both monsoons.
(c) 2 and 3	Incorrect	Statement 2 is correct, but statement 3 is incorrect because maximum rainfall is not between December and May.
(d) 3 only	Incorrect	Statement 3 is incorrect; maximum precipitation occurs mainly during the South-west monsoon months.

Relevant Supplementary Information

Climate of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Feature	Details
Climate type	Tropical maritime / humid tropical coastal
Temperature range	Generally moderate due to surrounding sea
Humidity	High throughout the year
Main rainy season	South-west monsoon
Secondary rainfall source	North-east monsoon
Heaviest rainfall period	Mostly May/June to September
Relatively drier months	January to March/April
Cyclone influence	Affected by Bay of Bengal cyclonic disturbances
Seasonal temperature variation	Low compared to inland India

Monsoonal Influence on Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Monsoon	Approximate Period	Effect on Islands
South-west monsoon	May/June to September	Brings heavy rainfall; main rainy period
North-east monsoon	October to December	Brings additional rainfall, especially due to Bay of Bengal systems
Pre-monsoon period	March to May	Humid, warm, with thunderstorms in some areas
Dryer period	January to March/April	Comparatively lower rainfall

Key Takeaways from the Tables

Andaman and Nicobar = humid tropical maritime climate.
The islands receive rainfall from both South-west and North-east monsoons.
Maximum rainfall is mainly linked with the South-west monsoon, not December to May.
The sea moderates temperature but keeps humidity high throughout the year.

Point	Explanation
Climate type	Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a humid tropical coastal/maritime climate.
Rainfall sources	The islands receive rainfall from both South-west monsoon and North-east monsoon.
Wettest months	Maximum rainfall is generally linked with the South-west monsoon period, not December to May.
Maritime effect	The surrounding sea keeps temperature variation low but humidity high.
Ecological significance	The climate supports evergreen forests, mangroves, coral reefs and rich biodiversity.

Context and Current Relevance

The islands’ climate is shaped by their location in the Bay of Bengal and proximity to the equator.
Their dual monsoonal rainfall pattern makes them ecologically rich but also vulnerable to cyclones, coastal erosion, and extreme rainfall events.
Climate variability is especially important here because of the islands’ sensitive coastal, coral, mangrove and tribal ecosystems.

Table: Climate of Andaman and Nicobar Islands — Key Features

Feature	Details
Climate type	Humid tropical coastal / tropical maritime climate
Location influence	Surrounded by the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea
Temperature pattern	Equable temperature throughout the year
Annual temperature variation	Low, due to maritime influence
Humidity	High throughout the year
Rainfall nature	Heavy rainfall, mostly monsoonal
Main rainfall source	South-west monsoon
Secondary rainfall source	North-east monsoon
Wettest period	Mostly May/June to September
Relatively drier period	January to March/April
Cyclonic influence	Vulnerable to Bay of Bengal cyclonic disturbances
Vegetation impact	Supports evergreen and semi-evergreen tropical forests
Coastal ecosystems	Mangroves, coral reefs, beaches and littoral forests

Table: Monsoonal Rainfall in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Season / Wind System	Approximate Period	Rainfall Contribution	Important Point
South-west monsoon	May/June to September	Major rainfall	Principal rainy season for the islands
Retreating / North-east monsoon	October to December	Additional rainfall	Brings rainfall due to Bay of Bengal systems
Pre-monsoon season	March to May	Moderate rainfall / thunderstorms	Humid and warm period before main monsoon
Post-monsoon transition	October to November	Rainfall continues	Cyclonic disturbances may occur
Comparatively dry season	January to March/April	Lower rainfall	Not completely dry, but rainfall is much less than monsoon months

Table: Comparison with Other Indian Island / Coastal Regions

Region	Climate Type	Main Rainfall Source	Special Feature
Andaman and Nicobar Islands	Humid tropical maritime	Both South-west and North-east monsoons	Heavy rainfall and high humidity; equable temperature
Lakshadweep	Tropical maritime	Mainly South-west monsoon	Coral island ecosystem; less influence of North-east monsoon
Tamil Nadu Coast	Tropical coastal	Mainly North-east monsoon	Receives major rainfall during October–December
Kerala Coast	Tropical humid coastal	Mainly South-west monsoon	One of the first regions to receive SW monsoon in India
Odisha Coast	Tropical coastal	South-west monsoon and cyclonic rainfall	Vulnerable to Bay of Bengal cyclones
West Bengal Coast / Sundarbans	Humid tropical deltaic	South-west monsoon	Mangrove-dominated deltaic ecosystem

Table: Similar Prelims-Trap Facts on Indian Climate

Statement Type	Correct Understanding	Common Trap
Andaman and Nicobar climate	Humid tropical maritime climate	Confusing it with arid or subtropical climate
Rainfall source	Receives rainfall from both SW and NE monsoons	Assuming only SW monsoon affects it
Maximum rainfall	Mostly during SW monsoon months	Saying maximum rainfall is from December to May
Temperature variation	Low annual range	Treating it like interior continental India
Humidity	High throughout the year	Assuming dry season means low humidity
Cyclone vulnerability	Affected by Bay of Bengal systems	Ignoring post-monsoon cyclone influence
Ecological impact	Supports evergreen forests, mangroves and coral ecosystems	Treating it only as a beach/coastal region

Open this in the study app →

Learn this in NCERT

Class 11Climate — NCERT Geography, Chapter 4. India has a monsoon climate — a seasonal reversal of winds — that unites it with South and South-East Asia, but with huge regional variation: 55°C in western Rajasthan…