Which Schedule of the Constitution of India lists the names of the States and the Union Territories of India along with certain details such as their territorial extents?

Introduction / Context:
The Constitution of India contains several Schedules that organise specific information in a compact form. One of the most important Schedules lists the States and Union Territories and describes their territorial extents. This question tests whether you can correctly identify which Schedule performs this function. Knowing the basic contents of each Schedule is a standard requirement in Indian polity for competitive exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks which Schedule lists the States and Union Territories.
• The options include the First, Second, Third and Fourth Schedules.
• We assume that the learner is aware that the Constitution originally had eight Schedules and now has more.
• We are focusing only on the Schedule that names the States and Union Territories.

Concept / Approach:
The First Schedule of the Constitution of India contains the list of States and Union Territories, including information on their territorial areas. The Second Schedule deals with salaries and allowances of high offices, the Third Schedule contains various forms of oaths, and the Fourth Schedule deals with allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha. Therefore, the correct approach is to recall that the list of States and Union Territories belongs to the First Schedule and to choose that option.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the First Schedule is often introduced as the schedule listing the names of States and Union Territories. Step 2: Remember that the Second Schedule is related to emoluments and allowances of constitutional office holders, not to the list of States. Step 3: Note that the Third Schedule contains oaths and affirmations taken by various officials. Step 4: Recognise that the Fourth Schedule deals with allocation of seats to States in the Council of States, that is, the Rajya Sabha. Step 5: Among the options, only the First Schedule matches the description of listing States and Union Territories. Step 6: Therefore, select the First Schedule as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, you can recall that when new States are created or when boundaries change, constitutional amendments often specifically mention changes to the First Schedule. News reports on reorganisation of States often refer to amendments updating the First Schedule to reflect the new list of States and Union Territories. This repeated connection in both textbooks and current affairs between the First Schedule and changes in State boundaries confirms that the First Schedule is the one that lists States and Union Territories.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B: The Second Schedule deals with the salaries, allowances and privileges of the President, judges, and other constitutional functionaries, not with the list of States and Union Territories.

Option C: The Third Schedule contains the forms of oaths and affirmations to be taken by various constitutional office holders.

Option D: The Fourth Schedule specifies how many representatives each State has in the Rajya Sabha, not the basic list of States themselves.

Common Pitfalls:
Because there are many Schedules with different contents, students sometimes confuse the numbering, especially between the First and Fourth Schedules. Another frequent error is to assume that the Second Schedule, being early in the sequence, might deal with basic matters like the list of States, but it actually covers financial provisions for constitutional offices. Learning a simple summary table of the first few Schedules, and repeatedly revising it, greatly reduces the risk of such confusion. For exam purposes, remember clearly that the First Schedule equals States and Union Territories.

Final Answer:
First Schedule.