Which of the following Indian states is the leading state in the production of paper?

Introduction / Context:
This question is about industrial geography, specifically the paper and paperboard industry in India. Paper production depends on availability of raw materials such as bamboo, wood pulp and agricultural residues, as well as factors like water, transport and market access. Historically, West Bengal has been one of the important centres of the paper industry.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The focus is on leading production of paper, not just number of mills.
- The options include Kerala, Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.
- We assume the traditional exam answer based on long-standing industrial patterns.

Concept / Approach:
West Bengal developed an early base in industries like jute, engineering and paper because of proximity to the Hooghly River, access to forest resources from neighbouring states, and availability of labour and port facilities at Kolkata. Several major paper mills are located in and around West Bengal, making it a historically leading producer. While states like Andhra Pradesh and Kerala have important paper mills, exam-oriented GK often identifies West Bengal as the leading state in this sector.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the general distribution of paper mills in India along forested areas and near large rivers.Step 2: Recognise that West Bengal has a long industrial history and favourable conditions along the Hooghly for paper and jute industries.Step 3: Compare with Kerala and Odisha, which do have mills but mainly serve regional demand and are fewer in number.Step 4: Bihar and Odisha have some capacity but are not usually highlighted as the leading paper producers.Step 5: Andhra Pradesh has developed its industry but older GK sources still widely cite West Bengal as the leading state.Step 6: Therefore, for standard exam purposes, West Bengal is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Industrial geography textbooks and exam compendiums that summarise industries by state often place West Bengal among the top in paper production, citing major mills and historical development. Some newer data may show changing patterns, but in a classic static GK context, West Bengal remains the expected answer. Cross-checking multiple exam-oriented sources helps verify this.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Kerala: Has paper units, often based on bamboo and wood, but is not traditionally cited as the leading state.

Odisha: Developing industrially, but its paper industry has not been dominant in national production tables.
Bihar: Has limited industrial base in this sector compared to eastern coastal states.
Andhra Pradesh: An emerging producer, but the classic GK answer for leading paper production has been West Bengal.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may focus only on current industrial expansion and guess states like Andhra Pradesh or Kerala, ignoring the long-term dominance of West Bengal in many exam books. Another confusion stems from mixing paper production with related industries like newsprint or packaging in other states. To avoid this, it is helpful to memorise traditional industrial centres and their associated products, such as jute and paper in West Bengal.

Final Answer:
West Bengal