Which Indian state has the longest coastline along the sea and ocean waters of India?

Introduction / Context:
India has a long coastline along the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. Different states border these water bodies, and their coastline lengths vary significantly. This question tests your understanding of Indian geography by asking which state has the longest coastline, an important fact for trade, fisheries, ports and coastal development.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question is about Indian states only, not Union Territories.
• Options listed are Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
• We consider the officially recognised length of the mainland coastline in each state.

Concept / Approach:
To answer this, we need to recall or compare coastline lengths of the western and eastern coastal states. Gujarat has a highly indented coastline around the Gulf of Kutch and the Gulf of Khambhat, along with several inlets and bays. This makes its coastline longer than other Indian states. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu also have extensive coasts on the Bay of Bengal, and Maharashtra has an important Arabian Sea coastline, but all are shorter than Gujarat's when measured.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: List the candidate states: Gujarat and Maharashtra on the west coast; Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu on the east coast. Step 2: Recall that Gujarat's coastline is often quoted as being over 1,600 kilometres in length, the longest among the Indian states. Step 3: Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu also have long shorelines but do not exceed Gujarat's total coastal length. Step 4: Maharashtra has a significant but comparatively shorter Konkan coastline. Step 5: Therefore, Gujarat is the state with the longest coastline in India.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard Indian geography references and government sources state that Gujarat has the longest coastline among Indian states. The state's coastal length is enhanced by the two large gulfs and many small bays and inlets. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have straight, long coastlines on the Bay of Bengal, but their measured lengths are still less than that of Gujarat. This confirms Gujarat as the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Andhra Pradesh: Has one of the longest east coast shorelines but does not surpass Gujarat in total coastline length.
Tamil Nadu: Also has an extensive coastline but ranks below both Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh in total length.
Maharashtra: Its Arabian Sea coastline is important for ports like Mumbai but is shorter than Gujarat's coast.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners confuse “longest east coast” with “longest coastline overall” and may wrongly pick Andhra Pradesh. Others assume Maharashtra because of the prominence of Mumbai. It is essential to remember that Gujarat's deeply indented coastline and its gulfs give it a significantly longer total shoreline than other Indian states.

Final Answer:
Therefore, the Indian state with the longest coastline is Gujarat.