As per the current allocation of parliamentary constituencies, how many Lok Sabha seats does the state of West Bengal have?

Introduction / Context:
Knowledge of how many Lok Sabha constituencies are allotted to each state is a staple of Indian polity and general knowledge questions. West Bengal is a politically significant eastern state with a substantial population and therefore a relatively high number of Lok Sabha seats. This question asks you to recall the exact number of parliamentary constituencies that West Bengal contributes to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question specifically asks about Lok Sabha seats, not Rajya Sabha seats.
• The state in focus is West Bengal.
• Seat allocation is based on past delimitation exercises and is fixed unless changed by law.
• You may be aware of approximate numbers for large states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for comparison.

Concept / Approach:
The Lok Sabha has 543 elected seats distributed among states and union territories according to population and constitutional rules. West Bengal, being a large state with significant population, has a relatively high number of constituencies, but fewer than the very largest state, Uttar Pradesh. Standard seat distribution lists show that West Bengal has forty two Lok Sabha constituencies. This figure has remained consistent in recent elections and is frequently quoted in election related discussions and exam preparation material.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that West Bengal is one of the larger states in eastern India with high population density.Step 2: Remember from state wise tables that West Bengal has forty two Lok Sabha seats.Step 3: Compare this number to the options provided and see that forty two appears as option A.Step 4: Note that two and fourteen would be far too low for a state of this size, and forty is slightly off the known figure.Step 5: Select forty two as the correct number of Lok Sabha constituencies for West Bengal.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify your answer by recalling some famous constituencies from West Bengal such as Kolkata Dakshin, Kolkata Uttar, Howrah, Asansol, and others. When you count them from official lists or election coverage, you will find that the total is forty two. Additionally, comparisons help: Uttar Pradesh has eighty seats, Bihar has forty, and West Bengal is known to have forty two, fitting neatly into the seat distribution pattern. These associations provide a strong cross check for your memory.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The figure two is typical of very small states or union territories, not of a large state like West Bengal. Fourteen could be the number for a medium sized state but does not match West Bengal seat allocation. Forty is close but still incorrect; examiners often include such near misses to confuse guesswork. Therefore, any answer other than forty two would misrepresent the actual representation of West Bengal in the Lok Sabha.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is mixing up the seat counts of West Bengal and Bihar, both being eastern states with significant populations. Another pitfall is to rely on rough approximations and choose a rounded number like forty. In competitive exams, however, such questions demand precise recall. Reviewing a simple table of state wise Lok Sabha seats and associating a few key states with their exact numbers is an effective preparation strategy.

Final Answer:
The state of West Bengal has 42 Lok Sabha seats.