Close at hand means very near in time or place. This answer is correct because the expression has a fixed figurative meaning in English. In an SSC idiom question, students should match the whole phrase with its accepted meaning rather than translate each word separately.

• Classroom example: Close at hand can refer to a situation involving very near in time or place.
• Story example: A writer may use Close at hand when describing a situation involving very near in time or place.
• Exam example: When a sentence contains Close at hand, choose the meaning “very near in time or place.”