The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, which trains India's civil service officers, is located in which place?

Introduction / Context:
The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) is the premier training institute for officers of the Indian Administrative Service and other allied civil services. It plays a central role in shaping the country's future administrators. This question checks basic knowledge of where this important national level institution is located, which is a common current affairs and polity related geography question.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The academy name clearly mentions "National Academy of Administration".

- Options list several major Indian cities and one well known hill station: Hyderabad, Mussoorie, Pune, Kolkata, and New Delhi.

- It is assumed that you have basic awareness of civil services training in India.

- No numerical information is required; correct location recall is enough.

Concept / Approach:
The correct approach is to recall that LBSNAA is situated in the hill station of Mussoorie in the state of Uttarakhand. Newly selected civil service officers undergo their foundation course and subsequent phase trainings there. While many government offices and ministries are in New Delhi, this particular training academy is not located in the capital. Large cities like Hyderabad, Pune, and Kolkata host other institutions but not this specific academy.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that LBSNAA is associated with civil service training and is not a typical university or college. Step 2: Recall news images and documentaries often showing trainee officers in a pleasant hill station environment, which is Mussoorie. Step 3: Remember that Mussoorie is in Uttarakhand and that LBSNAA is one of the most important institutions located there. Step 4: Note that Hyderabad, Pune, and Kolkata, while important urban centres, are not identified as the home of LBSNAA. Step 5: Understand that although many national academies and headquarters are in New Delhi, this particular training academy is deliberately located away from the capital. Step 6: Conclude that Mussoorie is the correct location.

Verification / Alternative Check:
You can verify by remembering that aspirants and officers often refer to going "to Mussoorie" for their training after clearing the civil service examination. Official websites and government publications list the address of LBSNAA in Mussoorie. There is no equivalent mention of Hyderabad, Pune, Kolkata, or New Delhi as the training campus for this academy, which confirms that Mussoorie is the right answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Hyderabad hosts other national institutions like certain research institutes and defence establishments but is not the location of LBSNAA. Pune is known for universities and military training establishments but not for the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. Kolkata is a major metropolitan city but does not house this academy. New Delhi contains many government ministries and offices but the civil services training academy is located in Mussoorie rather than in the capital.

Common Pitfalls:
Students who mainly associate top national institutions with New Delhi may instinctively choose the capital without recalling exceptions. Others might confuse LBSNAA with regional administrative training institutes in big cities. It helps to remember a simple phrase: "Officers go up to Mussoorie for training", which fixes the location in your mind and avoids mistakes in similar questions.

Final Answer:
The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration is located in Mussoorie in Uttarakhand.