Among the following Union Territories of India, which one has the largest land area?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Puducherry

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Union Territories in India vary widely in size, from very small island groups to scattered enclaves on the mainland. This question narrows the focus to four specific Union Territories and asks which among them has the largest land area. Such comparative questions help you keep track of how Indian territory is organised administratively.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The Union Territories listed are Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu, and Chandigarh.
  • The task is to identify the one that covers the largest geographical area among these four.
  • We assume the standard area figures in which Puducherry is larger than the small island and city territories listed.
  • The question does not ask about the largest Union Territory in the entire country, only among the options given.


Concept / Approach:
Puducherry, although not very large in absolute terms, consists of four separate districts Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam, spread over parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. When these units are combined, the total area is greater than that of Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu or Chandigarh. The correct approach is to recall the approximate size and nature of each Union Territory and compare them.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Lakshadweep is a small group of coral islands in the Arabian Sea with limited land area.Step 2: Remember that Daman and Diu is a coastal Union Territory on the western coast, again small in size compared with many states and larger territories.Step 3: Note that Chandigarh is a planned city that also functions as the capital of two states but has a compact city area, not a large territorial spread.Step 4: Recognise that Puducherry, with four separate districts on the mainland, has the largest combined area among the four, making it the correct choice.


Verification / Alternative check:
Checking an official table of Union Territories by area will confirm that Puducherry has a larger area than Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu and Chandigarh. Even though the districts of Puducherry are non contiguous, their combined land area exceeds that of the very small island and city territories listed in the other options.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Lakshadweep is the smallest Union Territory of India by area, so it clearly cannot be the largest among the four options. Daman and Diu, while including two coastal enclaves, still occupies a relatively small area compared with Puducherry. Chandigarh is essentially a single urban centre with a limited geographic spread and therefore has less area than the multiple districts of Puducherry combined.


Common Pitfalls:
Many students confuse this question with one that asks for the largest Union Territory in the whole country, where Andaman and Nicobar Islands would be relevant, but that option is not even listed. Another pitfall is to underestimate Puducherry because its districts are scattered and appear small individually, even though their combined area is greater than that of the other options. Carefully reading the phrase among the following prevents such misinterpretation.


Final Answer:
Among the given Union Territories, the one with the largest land area is Puducherry.

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