Which one among the following statements about the International Date Line is not correct ?

The International Date Line (IDL) is an imaginary line of demarcation located approximately at the 180° meridian, opposite the Prime Meridian [5]. It serves to separate two consecutive calendar dates, meaning the time difference between places on either side is almost exactly one day [2]. The IDL is primarily situated in the Pacific Ocean to avoid crossing inhabited landmasses, though it zigzags to accommodate political boundaries [5]. Statement 3 is incorrect because the one-day time difference is a consequence of the Earth's rotation (360° in 24 hours) and the necessity of a designated line to reset the calendar during circumnavigation, not the inclination of the Earth's axis [1]. The axial tilt is responsible for seasonal variations, whereas the date change is a functional requirement of longitudinal timekeeping and Earth's rotation from west to east.

Sources

1. [2] Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 1: Locating Places on the Earth > Before we move on ... > p. 24
2. [5] https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/international-date-line.html
3. [1] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 2: The Earth's Crust > The International Date Line > p. 14
4. [4] Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 1: Locating Places on the Earth > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 22