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In the northern hemisphere, the longest day of the year normally occurs in the :
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 2.
The longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere occurs during the Summer Solstice. This astronomical event happens when the North Pole is tilted at its maximum toward the Sun, and the Sun's rays fall vertically on the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N latitude).
While the exact timing can vary slightly due to the leap year cycle, the Summer Solstice typically falls on June 20, 21, or 22. These dates consistently fall within the second half of the month of June. On this day, the Northern Hemisphere experiences the maximum duration of sunlight and the shortest night.
- Option 1 is incorrect as the solstice never occurs before June 15th.
- Options 3 and 4 are incorrect because, by July, the Earth has moved further in its orbit, and the subsolar point begins shifting back toward the Equator, resulting in shorter days compared to the June solstice.
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a 'Sitter'—a non-negotiable question found in Class VI NCERT. If you get this wrong, you lose the 'easy marks' buffer that protects you from negative marking in tougher questions. The strategy is simple: Respect the basics of Physical Geography and don't ignore the 'easy' chapters.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The [summer solstice] falls on June 20, 21 or 22 depending on the year."
Why this source?
- Explicitly states the summer solstice (the longest day) falls on June 20, 21 or 22.
- Dates given (20–22 June) are in the second half of June, not June 1–15.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"This year in the Northern Hemisphere it falls on Saturday 21 June."
Why this source?
- Identifies the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.
- Gives a concrete example date: 21 June, which is after June 15.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"2028 | Tuesday, June 20, at 4:01 P.M. EDT |"
Why this source?
- Provides specific solstice dates in late June (example entries show June 20 for 2028 and 2029).
- Reinforces that the solstice commonly occurs around June 20–22, i.e., not in the first half of June.
- Explicitly states the summer solstice (the longest day) falls on June 20, 21 or 22.
- Dates given (20–22 June) are in the second half of June, not June 1–15.
- Identifies the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.
- Gives a concrete example date: 21 June, which is after June 15.
- Provides specific solstice dates in late June (example entries show June 20 for 2028 and 2029).
- Reinforces that the solstice commonly occurs around June 20–22, i.e., not in the first half of June.
Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 12: Earth, Moon, and the Sun > 12.2.2 Seasons on the Earth > p. 179
Strength: 5/5
“In the Northern Hemisphere, the longest day occurs around 21 June—this is known as summer solstice. After the summer solstice, the duration of a day becomes shorter while that of a night becomes longer. The shortest day and longest night in this Hemisphere occur around 22 December known as the winter solstice. Around 21 March and 23 September, the daytime lasts for 12 hours. In the Northern Hemisphere, these days are called the spring and the autumn equinox, respectively.”
Why relevant
States explicitly that in the Northern Hemisphere the longest day occurs around 21 June (summer solstice).
How to extend
A student can compare 'around 21 June' with the first-half window (1–15 June) and note the dates do not overlap, suggesting the statement is unlikely.
Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 19: The Motions of The Earth and Their Effects > Summer Solstice > p. 252
Strength: 5/5
“• On 21st June, the northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, and the rays of the sun fall directly on the Tropic of Cancer. As a result, these areas receive more heat. Since a large portion of the northern hemisphere is getting light from the sun, it is summer in the regions north of the equator. The longest day and the shortest night across the northern hemisphere occur on the 21st of June. This position of the earth is called the summer solstice. During summer solstice the whole Arctic region falls within the 'zone of illumination' all day long.• At this time in the southern hemisphere, all these conditions are reversed.”
Why relevant
Says the longest day and shortest night across the northern hemisphere occur on the 21st of June (summer solstice).
How to extend
Combine this precise date with calendar knowledge to judge whether 21 June falls in the first half (it does not).
Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 19: The Motions of The Earth and Their Effects > UPSC Prelims 2022] In the northern hemisphere, the longest day of the year normally occurs in the: > p. 256
Strength: 4/5
“[UPSC Prelims 2022] In the northern hemisphere, the longest day of the year normally occurs in the:
• a) First half of the month of June• b) Second half of the month of June• c) First half of the month of July• d) Second half of the month of July”
Why relevant
Presents an exam question asking whether the longest day in the northern hemisphere is in the first half or second half of June (implying the month-of-June timing is contested between halves).
How to extend
Use the other snippets that give the solstice date to resolve which half (first vs second) of June is correct.
Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 2: The Earth's Crust > The Earth's Revolution > p. 7
Strength: 4/5
“The Sun never 'rises' and there is darkness for the whole day in mid-winter on 22 December. Beyond the Arctic Circle, the number of days with complete darkness increases, until we reach the North Pole (90° N) when half the year will have darkness. [In the summer (June), conditions are exactly reversed. Daylight increases as we go polewards. At the Arctic Circle, the Sun never 'sets' at mid-summer (21 June) and there is a complete 24-hour period of continuous daylight. In the southern hemisphere, the same process takes place, except that the conditions are reversed. When it is summer in the northern hemisphere, the southern hemisphere will experience winter.”
Why relevant
Notes mid-summer conditions at about 21 June (Arctic has 24-hour daylight at mid-summer/21 June), linking longest-day phenomena to late June.
How to extend
A student can map 'mid-summer / 21 June' onto the calendar to see it lies after June 15, contradicting the first-half claim.
Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 2: The Earth's Crust > Sample Objective Ouestions > p. 16
Strength: 4/5
“The following simplified diagram shows the annual movement of the sun. The important latitudes (Equator, Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn) are indicated. Which position marked shows the summer solstice (21st June) for the northern hemisphere? • 10. Which statement is incorrect? • A The solar system comprises the Sun, the nine planets and their satellites• B The circular horizon of the Earth widens as altitude increases• C The Earth has two movements: it rotates on its own axis and revolves round the sun• D Dawn and twilight is longer in temperate zones as opposed to tropical regions• 11. On 21st March, Alaska (U.S.A)”
Why relevant
Uses 21st June to illustrate the summer solstice for the northern hemisphere in a diagram/exercise, reinforcing that the key date is around June 21.
How to extend
Compare the solstice date used here (21 June) with the 1–15 June range to assess the statement's plausibility.
States explicitly that in the Northern Hemisphere the longest day occurs around 21 June (summer solstice).
A student can compare 'around 21 June' with the first-half window (1–15 June) and note the dates do not overlap, suggesting the statement is unlikely.
Says the longest day and shortest night across the northern hemisphere occur on the 21st of June (summer solstice).
Combine this precise date with calendar knowledge to judge whether 21 June falls in the first half (it does not).
Presents an exam question asking whether the longest day in the northern hemisphere is in the first half or second half of June (implying the month-of-June timing is contested between halves).
Use the other snippets that give the solstice date to resolve which half (first vs second) of June is correct.
Notes mid-summer conditions at about 21 June (Arctic has 24-hour daylight at mid-summer/21 June), linking longest-day phenomena to late June.
A student can map 'mid-summer / 21 June' onto the calendar to see it lies after June 15, contradicting the first-half claim.
Uses 21st June to illustrate the summer solstice for the northern hemisphere in a diagram/exercise, reinforcing that the key date is around June 21.
Compare the solstice date used here (21 June) with the 1–15 June range to assess the statement's plausibility.
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