Which Indian state has the longest coastline along the seas surrounding the Indian subcontinent?

Introduction / Context:
India has a long coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, and several states benefit from coastal trade, fishing, and maritime activities. Exam questions often ask which state has the longest coastline to test map reading skills and knowledge of India's physical geography.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers to the total length of coastline for individual Indian states.
• The options are Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and West Bengal.
• We assume basic awareness of where these states lie and which seas they border.

Concept / Approach:
Gujarat, located on the western side of India, has an extensive and irregular coastline along the Arabian Sea, including the Gulf of Kachchh and the Gulf of Khambhat. The inlets, gulfs, and peninsulas all increase the total length of the shoreline. While Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have long straight coastlines along the Bay of Bengal, and West Bengal has a shorter coastal stretch, Gujarat's complicated coastline makes it the longest among Indian states.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Visualise the map of India and identify which seas each state touches. Step 2: Note that Gujarat borders the Arabian Sea with many bays, gulfs, and peninsulas. Step 3: Recognise that Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have relatively straight coastlines, and West Bengal has a limited coastal area around the Sundarbans. Step 4: Recall that standard exam references state Gujarat as the Indian state with the longest coastline. Step 5: Select Gujarat as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Official statistics on India's coastline show that Gujarat has the maximum coastal length among the states. Maps with scale and measurements, as well as geography handbooks, confirm that Gujarat's indented shoreline along gulfs and peninsulas adds up to the greatest distance compared with other states in the options.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Tamil Nadu: Has a long coastline along the Bay of Bengal but still shorter than Gujarat's total coastal length.
• Andhra Pradesh: Also has a substantial eastern coastline but is not the longest in India.
• West Bengal: Shares a short coastal stretch near the Bay of Bengal and the Sundarbans, far less than Gujarat.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes choose Tamil Nadu or Andhra Pradesh because these states are strongly associated with the Bay of Bengal and frequent coastal cyclones. Another mistake is to ignore the effect of gulfs and irregular coastline shapes that increase total length. Remember the simple rule for exams: the Indian state with the longest coastline is Gujarat along the Arabian Sea.

Final Answer:
Among Indian states, Gujarat has the longest coastline.