History · 26 Sep 2026

Durand Line

Match List I with List II:

  1. List I (Boundary line) - List II (Origin)
  2. A. Durand Line - 1. Simla Agreement, 1972
  3. B. McMahon Line - 2. Agreement between British India and Amir Abdur Rahman Khan, 1893
  4. C. Radcliffe Line - 3. Boundary Commission award, 1947
  5. D. Line of Control - 4. Simla Convention, 1914

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

AA-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
BA-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
CA-2, B-4, C-3, D-1
DA-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
This question is based on: A Line Drawn in 1893, Crossed by Drones in 2026: The Durand Line's Unfinished Business
Take this in full test mode → Instructions for 26 Sep 2026
About this question

Why in news

On September 24, 2026, Pakistan carried out air strikes on 10 sites in Afghanistan's Kandahar, Paktia and Khost provinces, citing drone attacks from across the Durand Line. Kabul reported four civilian deaths. Afghanistan has never recognised this 1893 colonial boundary.

Why for UPSC

UPSC often tests colonial-era boundaries as a set and the Simla Convention (1914) and Simla Agreement (1972) are a standing confusion trap. Today's Af-Pak escalation brings the Durand Line back into that cluster.

Prelims summary

Durand Line: 1893, Mortimer Durand and Amir Abdur Rahman Khan, about 2,640 km, Afghanistan-Pakistan, never accepted by Kabul.
McMahon Line: Simla Convention, 1914, India-China. Radcliffe Line: 1947 Partition award. LoC: Simla Agreement, 1972.

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