If the latitude and longitudinal extent of an Indian State or Union Territory is 15°48′00″ N to 14°53′15″ N and 74°20′13″ E to 74°40′33″ E, which one of the following is that State or UT?

Introduction / Context:
Latitude and longitude define the exact position and spatial extent of a region on the earth’s surface. Some exam questions give the approximate latitudinal and longitudinal spread of an Indian state or union territory and ask you to identify it from the options. This type of question tests both your understanding of the basic location of each state on the map and your comfort with interpreting latitude and longitude values, especially whether the region lies in the north or south and in the east or west of the country.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Latitude extent: from 15°48′00″ N to 14°53′15″ N.
• Longitude extent: from 74°20′13″ E to 74°40′33″ E.
• The region lies entirely north of the equator and in the eastern hemisphere, which is consistent with all of India.
• Options provided are the Union Territory of Puducherry, Chandigarh, the state of Goa, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
• The latitudinal and longitudinal span suggests a small, compact coastal region in western India.

Concept / Approach:
The approach is to relate the given coordinates to India’s map. Latitudes around 14° to 16° N and longitudes around 74° E typically fall on or near the western coast in the Konkan region. Chandigarh and Delhi lie much farther north, above 28° N latitude, and also near 76° to 77° E longitude, so their coordinates do not match. Puducherry has multiple small enclaves in eastern coastal regions near 79° E longitude, not 74° E. Goa, on the other hand, is a small coastal state on the western coast, located roughly around 15° N and 74° E, which fits the given values well. Thus, the coordinates most closely match Goa.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Observe the latitude range of about 14°53′ N to 15°48′ N, which places the region in the low to mid latitudes of peninsular India, not in the far north. Step 2: Note the longitude range of about 74°20′ E to 74°40′ E, which lies in western India near the Arabian Sea coast. Step 3: Eliminate Chandigarh and Delhi because they are located much farther north, near or above 28° N, and have longitudes closer to 76° to 77° E. Step 4: Consider Puducherry, which lies on the eastern coast near the Bay of Bengal at around 79° E, not near 74° E, making it inconsistent with the given coordinates. Step 5: Recognize that Goa, a small coastal state on the western coast around 15° N and 74° E, matches both the latitude and longitude ranges provided. Therefore, Goa must be the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify by recalling a simple mental map or a standard atlas: Goa is located on the Konkan coast between Maharashtra and Karnataka. Its latitudes are approximately 14°53′ N to 15°48′ N, and its longitudes are close to 74° E, exactly as given in the question. Chandigarh lies far north near the Himalayas' foothills, and Delhi lies near the Yamuna in northern India, both with coordinates unlike those stated. Puducherry is a set of coastal enclaves in eastern India near the Bay of Bengal with a different longitude. Together, these observations confirm that Goa is the only option consistent with the coordinate data.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Puducherry: Puducherry lies on the eastern coast near 79° E longitude and around 11° to 13° N latitude. Its coordinates do not match the 74° E longitude and 14° to 16° N latitude given in the question.

Chandigarh: Chandigarh is located in northern India near 30° N latitude and roughly 76° E longitude, far from the coordinate range provided. It is a landlocked region and not near 15° N.

Delhi: Delhi is also located in northern India near 28° to 29° N and about 77° E longitude, again incompatible with the stated coordinate range of 15° N and 74° E.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates often avoid working with coordinates and instead attempt blind guessing. Another common error is to focus only on latitude and ignore longitude, which can lead to confusion between east and west coast regions. Some students also assume that any small union territory could fit the given range, overlooking the actual positions of Puducherry and Chandigarh. Regular practice with latitude and longitude based questions, along with a rough mental map of India, helps avoid these mistakes and makes such coordinate questions much easier.

Final Answer:
The state or union territory that matches the given latitude and longitude extent is Goa, so Goa is the correct answer.