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UPSC Prelims 1982 · Indian Geography · India’s Land and Borders
Which of the following States has the largest coastal area in India?
- (a) Kerala
- (b) Tamil Nadu
- (c) Karnataka
- (d) Andhra Pradesh
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (d) Andhra Pradesh
Of the four, Andhra Pradesh (~970 km) had the largest coast. (Gujarat, not listed, is first.)
The idea
A comparison among listed States is different from a national ranking. “Coastal area” and coastline length are also not identical measures. For this 1982 question, use the historical comparison intended by the options rather than newer coastline measurements.
Why the others are wrong
(a) Kerala’s coast is ~590 km.
(b) Tamil Nadu has a long coast too (~900–1,000 km).
(c) Karnataka ~300 km.
The trap
Gujarat isn’t an option — choose the best among those given.
Also know
Kerala’s coast is Malabar, Karnataka’s is Kanara, and Andhra Pradesh lies along the Northern Circars coast. Tamil Nadu includes the Coromandel coast. The Godavari and Krishna deltas interrupt the Andhra coastal plain, while Kerala has prominent backwaters.
🔒 Coastline: Gujarat > Andhra > Tamil Nadu (older data).
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