Which of the following is the largest Union Territory of India in terms of geographical area?

Introduction / Context:
India is divided into states and Union Territories, and questions about their relative sizes and locations are common in competitive exams. This question specifically asks about the largest Union Territory by area, which is a basic fact that can be quickly recalled if you are familiar with India's political geography before the most recent reorganisation creating new Union Territories in the north.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are comparing the geographical area of selected Union Territories.
• Options: Goa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, and Chandigarh.
• Goa is actually a state, not a Union Territory, but appears here as a distractor.
• We consider the standard pre reorganisation classification where Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a Union Territory.

Concept / Approach:
Among the Union Territories listed, Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal cover the largest area, consisting of many islands spread over a long arc. Puducherry is a small Union Territory with non contiguous enclaves along the Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala coasts. Chandigarh is a tiny Union Territory serving as the capital of Punjab and Haryana. Goa, although small, is a full state and not a Union Territory. Thus, the correct choice is clear once we recall these basic facts.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that Andaman and Nicobar Islands form a large archipelago in the Bay of Bengal. Step 2: Recall that this archipelago extends over hundreds of kilometres and has a significantly larger area than other Union Territories. Step 3: Understand that Puducherry consists of small scattered coastal enclaves and is quite small in area. Step 4: Chandigarh is a compact city Union Territory and is much smaller than an island group. Step 5: Goa is incorrectly included as an option because it is a state, not a Union Territory, so it cannot be the correct answer to this specific question. Step 6: Therefore, Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the largest Union Territory among the options.

Verification / Alternative check:
Checking any political map of India or official statistical data shows Andaman and Nicobar Islands with an area of several thousand square kilometres, while Union Territories such as Puducherry and Chandigarh have areas measured only in a few hundred or even tens of square kilometres. This huge difference confirms that Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the largest Union Territory by area in the options provided.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Goa is a small coastal state on the western seaboard and is not a Union Territory at all. Puducherry has multiple non contiguous pockets and is geographically small, although significant historically. Chandigarh is a planned city and one of the smallest Union Territories in terms of area. Therefore, none of these options match the description of the largest Union Territory.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may forget that Goa is a state and not a Union Territory, leading them to incorrectly consider it in this category. Others might underestimate the size of Andaman and Nicobar Islands because they appear as small specks on some maps, even though their combined area is substantial. Always distinguish between the political status of each region and cross check the relative size before answering.

Final Answer:
The largest Union Territory of India in terms of geographical area among the given options is the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.