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UPSC Prelims 2003 · Indian Geography · India’s Land and Borders
Which one among the following states is smallest in area?
- (a) Andhra Pradesh
- (b) Gujarat
- (c) Karnataka
- (d) Tamil Nadu
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (d) Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu (~1.3 lakh km²) is the smallest of the four.
The idea
Area measures the land within an administrative boundary, not population or economic importance. A State split changes the area assigned to the resulting States. Read this comparison using the undivided Andhra Pradesh of 2003.
Why the others are wrong
(a) Andhra (pre-2014) was larger.
(b) Gujarat is larger.
(c) Karnataka is larger.
Also know
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana became separate States in 2014. Goa is the smallest Indian State by area as of the 2003 administrative map, while Lakshadweep is a Union Territory. Area, population and population density can produce three different rankings.
🔒 Largest States: Rajasthan > MP > Maharashtra > UP > Gujarat.
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