Standard time order of countries by GMT — UPSC Prelims PYQ 1995

The standard time of the following countries is ahead or behind Greenwich Mean Time, depending on whether they are east or west of the longitude passing through Greenwich:

1. Cuba
2. Greece
3. Iraq
4. Costa Rica
5. Japan

Which one of the following sequential orders gives the correct arrangement of the countries according to their standard time from ahead to behind GMT?

1. V, III, II, I, IV
2. II, IV, I, III, V
3. IV, I, III, II, V
4. III, V, IV, I, II

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Places east of Greenwich are ahead of GMT, while those to the west are behind it. Based on standard time offsets, Japan (GMT+9) is the most ahead, followed by Iraq (GMT+3) and Greece (GMT+2). Cuba (GMT−5) and Costa Rica (GMT−6) are west of GMT. Thus, from most ahead to most behind: Japan, Iraq, Greece, Cuba, Costa Rica.

Answer: (a) V, III, II, I, IV