According to current administrative arrangements, what is the capital city of the Indian state of Uttarakhand?

Introduction / Context:
This question checks your knowledge of the political and administrative geography of India, specifically the capital city of Uttarakhand. Since capitals are important centres of administration, economy and governance, examination papers often test whether candidates can correctly match states to their capitals. Uttarakhand is a Himalayan state created in the year 2000, and its capital is a frequently asked basic fact.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question is specifically about the capital city of Uttarakhand.
• Options given are Almora, Pithoragarh, Chamoli and Dehradun.
• We consider the commonly accepted current capital, not older temporary arrangements.
• We assume standard Indian polity and geography facts.

Concept / Approach:
Uttarakhand, earlier known as Uttaranchal, was carved out of Uttar Pradesh. Dehradun was chosen as its capital city, and it functions as the administrative headquarters of the state. Almora, Pithoragarh and Chamoli are important towns or districts in Uttarakhand but they are not the capital. Therefore, matching the state with its capital is mainly a recall task, not a computation or reasoning problem.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Uttarakhand is a Himalayan state formed in 2000 from parts of Uttar Pradesh. Step 2: Remember that Dehradun is widely known as its capital city and also houses major institutions such as the Indian Military Academy and Forest Research Institute. Step 3: Compare this recollection with the options provided. Step 4: Identify that Almora, Pithoragarh and Chamoli are districts or towns but not the capital. Step 5: Choose Dehradun as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative Check:
A simple verification method is to recall that state capitals are often mentioned in news reports, weather bulletins and government notifications. Dehradun appears routinely as the capital of Uttarakhand in these contexts. School maps and state profile charts also clearly label Dehradun as the capital. Since none of the other options is ever referred to as the capital in official contexts, this strongly confirms our answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a (Almora) is a historically important town and tourist centre in Kumaon but not the capital. Option b (Pithoragarh) is a border district known for its scenic valleys and strategic location but again not the capital city. Option c (Chamoli) is a district famous for places like Badrinath and the Chamoli region, but it has never been the state capital. These options are plausible Uttarakhand locations yet incorrect for this question.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse district headquarters with state capitals, especially in hilly regions where multiple towns are well known. Another pitfall is outdated information from the time just after the state was formed, but Dehradun has consistently remained the capital. Creating a mental map that links each state to its capital is an effective strategy to avoid such confusion in exams.

Final Answer:
The capital city of Uttarakhand is Dehradun.