Which Indian state has the longest coastline along the sea among the following options?

Introduction / Context:
India has a long coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, and several states benefit from access to sea ports and coastal resources. Competitive examinations frequently ask which Indian state has the longest coastline, because this affects trade, fisheries, tourism, and coastal management policies. This question restricts the choices to four coastal states and asks you to identify the one with the greatest length of coastline.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are dealing with the total length of coastline along the sea for each state.
• The options are Kerala, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
• We assume standard figures used in Indian geography where Gujarat has the longest coastline among Indian states.
• The presence of island territories such as Andaman and Nicobar is not considered here because the question is about states, not union territories.

Concept / Approach:
The concept is basic coastal geography. While many states have coastlines, their lengths differ. Gujarat juts out into the Arabian Sea, with both the Gulf of Kachchh and the Gulf of Khambhat adding to its total coastline. As a result, Gujarat is consistently listed as the state with the longest coastline. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have long Bay of Bengal coasts, and Kerala has a linear Arabian Sea coast, but all are shorter in total length than Gujarat. The approach is to recall this ranking and select Gujarat from the options.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Gujarat has a highly indented coastline including the Gulf of Kachchh and the Gulf of Khambhat. Step 2: Remember that this extended, irregular coastline gives Gujarat the maximum coastal length among Indian states. Step 3: Compare this with Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, which have long but more uniform coastlines along the Bay of Bengal. Step 4: Note that Kerala has a comparatively shorter but continuous coastline along the Arabian Sea. Step 5: Recognize that Gujarat is the only option that matches the known fact of having the longest coastline among the Indian states.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification comes from standard geography references, which repeatedly state that Gujarat has the longest coastline among Indian states, followed by states like Andhra Pradesh depending on the source. Many exam preparation books also provide approximate coastal lengths, showing Gujarat with a figure that exceeds that of the other states mentioned here. Since no reputable source lists Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, or Tamil Nadu as having a longer coastline than Gujarat, the identification of Gujarat as the correct answer remains robust across materials.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Kerala: Although Kerala is a long, narrow state along the Arabian Sea, its coastline length is smaller than that of Gujarat, so it cannot be the correct answer.

Andhra Pradesh: Andhra Pradesh has a long Bay of Bengal coastline but still does not surpass Gujarat in total coastline length according to official statistics.

Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu has a significant coastline including the Coromandel coast and Gulf of Mannar, yet its total coastal length is less than that of Gujarat, making this option incorrect.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes incorrectly choose Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu because they remember prominent coastal cities like Chennai, Vishakhapatnam, or Kochi and assume those states must have the longest coastlines. Others may overlook the importance of Gujarat s two major gulfs in increasing its total coastline. Confusing coastal superlatives such as largest coastal state, largest coastal population, or biggest port also contributes to errors. Creating a short list of coastal rankings, such as longest coastline, major ports, and most important harbours, reduces such confusion.

Final Answer:
Among the given states, the one with the longest coastline is Gujarat, so Gujarat is the correct answer.