According to recent economic data, which Indian State has the highest Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), that is, the highest overall GDP among all States?

Introduction / Context:

The economic strength of Indian States is often measured by their Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), commonly referred to as the State's GDP. General knowledge and competitive exams frequently ask which State tops this list, because it reflects broader patterns of industrialisation, services growth, and overall economic activity. This question asks you to identify the Indian State with the highest GSDP among the options given.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The concept in focus is Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Indian States.
• We are asked which State has the highest GSDP.
• The options are Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
• We assume up to date general understanding that rankings refer to overall size of the economy, not per capita income.

Concept / Approach:

Maharashtra has consistently been recognised as the State with the largest GSDP in India. It is home to Mumbai, the country's financial capital, and hosts major industries in finance, manufacturing, services, film, and trade. While Gujarat, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh are also economically significant States, their total GSDP figures are lower than Maharashtra's overall output. Therefore, for questions asking about the State with the highest GDP or GSDP in India, Maharashtra is the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

You can verify this by thinking about the major economic centres of India. Maharashtra includes Mumbai and Pune and has a very strong industrial and service base, with major ports, stock exchanges, information technology hubs, and manufacturing clusters. Economic surveys, official statistics, and reputable data compilations consistently rank Maharashtra first in terms of GSDP. Other States like Gujarat and Karnataka rank high, but not at the top. Thus, Maharashtra is confirmed as the richest State in terms of aggregate GDP.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Option A, Gujarat, is an industrially advanced State and often ranks among the top States but usually comes behind Maharashtra in total GSDP. Option C, Karnataka, has a strong information technology and services sector centred in Bengaluru, but its total GSDP is still lower than Maharashtra. Option D, Andhra Pradesh, has made significant strides in agriculture, services, and industry, yet it does not surpass Maharashtra in overall State GDP. Hence, none of these options are at the very top in terms of total GSDP.

Common Pitfalls:

Candidates sometimes confuse highest per capita income with highest total GDP, leading them to pick smaller but richer States in per capita terms. Another error is to rely on outdated or regional impressions and not on overall statistics. It is also common to mix up ranks among the top States, such as placing Gujarat or Tamil Nadu first. For exams, you should remember that in terms of total GSDP, Maharashtra is widely recognised as the largest State economy in India.

Final Answer:

The Indian State with the highest Gross State Domestic Product, that is, the largest overall GDP, is Maharashtra.