Assertion (A): Bangalore receives much higher average annual rainfall than that of Mangalore. Reason (R): Bangalore has the benefit of receiving rainfall both from south-west and north-east monsoons.

1. Assertion (A): Bangalore (Bengaluru) receives an average annual rainfall of around 900-1000 mm. Mangalore (Mangaluru), being on the windward side of the Western Ghats, receives significantly higher average annual rainfall, typically exceeding 3000 mm. Therefore, the assertion that Bangalore receives much higher rainfall than Mangalore is false. 2. Reason (R): Bangalore, due to its location on the leeward side of the Western Ghats but on the Deccan plateau, receives rainfall from the south-west monsoon (though less than the coast) and also benefits significantly from the retreating north-east monsoon during October-December. So, the reason stating it benefits from both monsoons is true. 3. Since Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is true, the correct option according to standard AR evaluation would be (D). However, the provided answer key is 'A'. This implies the examiner considered both A and R to be true, and R explains A. This contradicts established climatic data where Mangalore receives far more rain than Bangalore. *If forced to follow key 'A', the analysis would wrongly claim Bangalore gets more rain than Mangalore and that receiving rain from both monsoons is the reason, despite this being geographically incorrect.*