A series of newly formed Indian states is given with one term missing. Choose the correct alternative from the options that will complete the series. Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, ?

Introduction / Context:
This general knowledge question focuses on the chronology of newly created Indian states. The series names three states that were carved out of existing larger states around the same period. To find the missing fourth term, we must recall which Indian state was formed later in a similar way, thereby continuing the pattern of discussing newly created states in modern Indian history.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Given series: Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, ?
• Chhattisgarh was formed as a separate state in the year 2000.
• Uttarakhand was also formed in the year 2000 (originally named Uttaranchal, later renamed).
• Jharkhand was formed as a separate state in the same period in 2000.
• We are looking for another relatively recent state creation that fits logically after these three.

Concept / Approach:
The key idea is that Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand were all created in November 2000 by reorganising existing states. After these creations, the next major change in the map of India was the formation of Telangana as a separate state. Telangana was created in June 2014 by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh. The series therefore lists states that came into existence relatively recently due to demands for separate statehood, and the logical continuation is Telangana, the next example of such a separation.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Chhattisgarh was created on 1 November 2000 from the southeastern region of Madhya Pradesh. Step 2: Remember that Uttarakhand was established on 9 November 2000 from parts of Uttar Pradesh and was initially called Uttaranchal. Step 3: Jharkhand became a separate state on 15 November 2000, carved out of the southern districts of Bihar. Step 4: Identify the next state created by reorganisation of an existing state. Telangana was formed on 2 June 2014 out of Andhra Pradesh. Thus, Telangana is the next notable newly formed state after the trio of states created in 2000, so it completes the series.

Verification / Alternative check:
A verification method is to list Indian states that have been formed in the modern era: first, the wave in November 2000 created Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand. Much later, in 2014, Telangana became a new state. None of the other options such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, or Goa were newly created states in the same sense during this period. Hence, Telangana naturally fits as the next member in a list of newly carved out Indian states.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan are long established major states, not newly formed states from the reorganisation of recent decades. Goa became a state earlier and was not part of the 2000 or 2014 state creation wave covered by this series. None of these options continues the pattern of listing newly created states that emerged from the division of larger states at the turn of the century or shortly after, unlike Telangana which clearly does.

Common Pitfalls:
A common error is to choose a familiar large state like Uttar Pradesh simply because it is often mentioned in political news, without considering whether it was newly created. Another pitfall is to miss the link between these three states and the specific year 2000. Remembering that Telangana is the most recent major state to be carved out of an existing one helps connect it naturally to this group of states in exam questions.

Final Answer:
The state that logically follows Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand in a sequence of newly created Indian states is Telangana.