Question
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.
A1 only
B1 and 2
C2 and 3
D3 only
Each Statement — Verified Against Official Sources
1
“The climate can be defined as a humid, tropical coastal climate” — TRUE
The official government description of the islands’ climate states verbatim: “The climate of the islands can be defined as humid, tropical coastal climate.”
“Humid, tropical coastal climate”
✓ Correct
Why all three descriptors are accurate:
• Humid — Relative humidity is 70–90% throughout the year due to the island’s oceanic location in the Bay of Bengal
• Tropical — Located between ~6°N and ~14°N latitude; temperatures range from 23°C to 31°C year-round with no distinct hot or cold seasons
• Coastal — Surrounded by the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea; sea breezes moderate temperature extremes
Köppen classification: Am (Tropical Monsoon) — moderate rainfall even in the driest months prevents classification as Aw (savanna).
✓ Verbatim from official government source
“The climate of the islands can be defined as humid, tropical coastal climate” — globalsecurity.org Andaman & Nicobar Islands climate page
2
“Receives rainfall from both South-west monsoon and North-east monsoon” — TRUE
The official description confirms: “The islands receive rainfall from both the south west and north east monsoons.”
Rainfall from BOTH South-west and North-east monsoon
✓ Correct
How both monsoons contribute:
• South-west Monsoon (May–September): Sets in around end of May; primary rainfall contributor — brings approximately 2,250 mm during this period. Represented by southwesterly gale from May to October.
• North-east Monsoon (October–December): Sets in around November; secondary contributor — brings approximately 685 mm. Represented by north-easterly gale from November to December.
This makes A&N unique: Most of peninsular India receives rainfall from only one primary monsoon. The A&N Islands receive significant rainfall from both — a characteristic of their strategic position in the Bay of Bengal between the two monsoon systems.
✓ Confirmed — both monsoons contribute
SW Monsoon (May–Sep): ~2,250 mm · NE Monsoon (Oct–Dec): ~685 mm · Total annual: ~2,935 mm (318 cm)
3
“Maximum precipitation is between December and May” — FALSE — months are reversed
The official source states: “maximum precipitation is between May & December“ — NOT December to May as Statement 3 claims.
“Maximum precipitation December to May”
✗ Months exactly reversed
The actual rainfall calendar:
• May to December = WET PERIOD (maximum precipitation) — both monsoons
• January to April = DRY PERIOD (minimum precipitation) — calm weather
Statement 3 says “December to May” — this is the period that actually spans the dry season (Jan–Apr) and the transition into the SW monsoon onset (May). The statement’s months are essentially the reverse of what is correct.
From the official Agriculture Department (agri.and.nic.in): “Normally the average rainfall is received during May to December (2,250 mm in May–September during SW monsoon and 685 mm in October–December during NE monsoon) and remaining occurs during January–April. This is the dry period.”
✗ Months reversed — the critical trap
CORRECT: Max precipitation = May to December · Statement 3 says “December to May” = REVERSED · Jan–Apr is the dry period (NOT the peak)
Annual Rainfall Calendar — Andaman & Nicobar Islands
JanDry
FebDry
MarDry
AprDry
MaySW↑
JunSW
JulSW
AugSW
SepSW
OctNE↑
NovNE
DecNE↓
SW Monsoon (May–Sep) ~2,250 mm
NE Monsoon (Oct–Dec) ~685 mm
Dry period (Jan–Apr) — what Statement 3 confuses as maximum
Andaman & Nicobar Climate — Key Facts for UPSC
| Parameter | Detail |
| Climate type | Humid, tropical coastal climate · Köppen: Am (Tropical Monsoon) |
| Temperature range | 23°C to 31°C year-round · No hot summer, no chilling winter |
| Humidity | 70–90% relative humidity throughout the year |
| SW Monsoon | Sets in end of May · May–September · ~2,250 mm rainfall |
| NE Monsoon | Sets in November · October–December · ~685 mm rainfall |
| Annual rainfall | ~3,180 mm (318 cm) total · Well distributed but peaks May–December |
| Wet season | May to December — MAXIMUM PRECIPITATION (SW + NE monsoons) |
| Dry season | January to April — calm weather · Statement 3 confuses this with wet season |
| Best time to visit | October to May (outside SW monsoon) · Winters (Dec–Feb) ideal for sightseeing |
| Statement 3 error | Statement says “December to May” — this is the period ENDING WITH the dry season. Correct answer is “May to December” — the opposite direction. |
Memory Trick — Never Forget This
🧠 Remember It This Way
Statement 3 has the months exactly backwards: May to December = WET (correct). December to May = Statement 3’s claim = WRONG. It is the exact reversal. The SW monsoon sets in at the END OF MAY — that is when the rains begin, not end.
The dry season = January to April: These 4 months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr) are the quiet months — no monsoon, calm weather. That is why December to May (which INCLUDES these dry months) is the wrong answer for “maximum precipitation.”
Both monsoons = A&N’s special character: Unlike most of India (which gets primarily SW monsoon), A&N gets BOTH SW (2,250 mm) + NE (685 mm). This is because of its unique position in the Bay of Bengal between the two monsoon systems. Tamil Nadu’s east coast is similar but even more dominated by NE monsoon.
The climate type: Humid + Tropical + Coastal = all three adjectives are important. Never drop one. UPSC may test whether students say “tropical coastal” (missing humid) or “humid tropical” (missing coastal). The full description is all three.
