Arrange the following administrative units from smallest to largest: (a) Nation (b) Village (c) Taluk (d) District (e) State. Choose the correct ascending hierarchy based on typical Indian administrative structure.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests knowledge of the usual administrative hierarchy in India, from the smallest local unit to the largest national unit.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Village (b) is the smallest rural unit.
• Taluk (c) is a subdivision of a district (names vary by state: taluk/tehsil/mandal).
• District (d) contains multiple taluks.
• State (e) contains multiple districts.
• Nation (a) is the union of all states and union territories.

Concept / Approach:
Order from local to national level: Village → Taluk → District → State → Nation.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Map each entity to its parent scale and sort by scale from smallest to largest.Sequence obtained: b → c → d → e → a.

Verification / Alternative check:
Confirm that every step nests inside the next larger unit (village inside taluk, taluk in district, etc.).

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
They either start with nation/state or misplace taluk/district relations.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing district and taluk order, or starting at the top (nation) instead of the bottom (village).

Final Answer:
b, c, d, e, a