SSC
Geographically, the smallest state of India is:
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Answer: Option B — Goa
Detailed Solution
Goa is the smallest state of India by area, covering about 3,702 square kilometres.
About Goa:
- It lies on the western coast of India, in the Konkan region, along the Arabian Sea.
- It is bordered by Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the east and south.
Its capital is Panaji (Panjim). Its largest city is Vasco da Gama, and its largest urban area is Margao.
It has two districts: North Goa and South Goa.
It is the fourth least populous state of India.
It has one of the highest per capita incomes among Indian states.
Its official language is Konkani, which was added to the Eighth Schedule in 1992 (71st Amendment).
History:
The Portuguese, under Afonso de Albuquerque, captured Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate in 1510. It remained a Portuguese colony for about 450 years.
India liberated Goa, Daman and Diu from Portuguese rule through a military action called "Operation Vijay" on 19 December 1961. This day is celebrated as "Goa Liberation Day".
Goa was then part of the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu until it became a separate state.
Famous places include the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which holds the remains of St. Francis Xavier, and the other "Churches and Convents of Goa" (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 1986), Fort Aguada and its many beaches.
Smallest states by area:
- Goa: about 3,702 sq km.
- Sikkim: about 7,096 sq km.
- Tripura: about 10,486 sq km.
- Nagaland: about 16,579 sq km.
- Smallest by population: Sikkim.
- Smallest Union Territory by area: Lakshadweep (about 32 sq km).
Why not the other options?
- ✗Sikkim is the second smallest state by area and the least populous.
- ✗Tripura is the third smallest state by area.
- ✗Nagaland is the fourth smallest state by area.
Quick tip
Remember: smallest state by area = Goa (about 3,702 sq km), then Sikkim and Tripura; least populous = Sikkim; smallest UT = Lakshadweep; Goa liberated by Operation Vijay on 19 December 1961.
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Indian States & Union Territories — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Indian States & Union Territories, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers state-wise GK for India: capitals, formation dates, high courts, state animals, birds and flowers, famous places, and the culture, dances and festivals that identify each state and union territory. Questions commonly ask about the newest state or union territory, the state formed on a particular date, the capitals of states, and which high court serves more than one state. Keep a single table per state with its capital, formation year and key facts. Reorganisations such as that of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 change the answers, so make sure your notes are up to date. Practise the Indian states and union territories questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.