In India, which coastal state has the maximum number of Indian Coast Guard stations established along its shoreline?

Introduction / Context:
The Indian Coast Guard is an important maritime force responsible for protecting the long coastline of India. Different states host different numbers of Coast Guard stations, and this distribution reflects strategic and economic priorities. This question checks awareness of which coastal state has the highest concentration of Coast Guard stations, which is useful for exams related to Indian geography, security and infrastructure planning.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The focus is on Indian coastal states with Indian Coast Guard stations. • We are asked to identify the state with the maximum number of such stations. • Options include Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Kerala. • We assume the standard competitive exam reference that counts formally notified Coast Guard stations.

Concept / Approach:
The concept involves understanding strategic coastal length, presence of ports, shipping routes and offshore assets. Gujarat has a very long coastline on the Arabian Sea and hosts major ports like Kandla and Mundra, as well as offshore oil and gas fields in the Gulf of Khambhat and Gulf of Kachchh. Because of this strategic importance, Gujarat has been allotted the maximum number of Indian Coast Guard stations in official listings used in exam material.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall which states have the longest coastlines and most intensive maritime activity. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh all have long coasts. Step 2: Remember that Gujarat has two gulfs, several important ports and significant offshore energy installations that require extensive Coast Guard presence. Step 3: Standard geography and general knowledge references explicitly mention that the maximum Coast Guard stations have been established in Gujarat. Step 4: Compare this with other states like Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, which also have many stations but not as many as Gujarat in the usual exam key. Step 5: On this basis, select Gujarat as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
An alternative check is to consult recent lists or exam preparation notes that discuss distribution of Coast Guard stations along the Indian coastline. Multiple competitive exam sources consistently state that Gujarat hosts the highest number of Coast Guard stations. This matches the strategic logic of protecting busy sea lanes, ports and offshore installations along the Gujarat coast.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Tamil Nadu: Although it has a long coastline on the Bay of Bengal and hosts major ports like Chennai and Tuticorin, it does not have as many Coast Guard stations as Gujarat in standard exam references. Andhra Pradesh: This state also has a sizeable coastline but fewer Coast Guard stations compared with Gujarat. Maharashtra: Mumbai and surrounding waters are important, yet the counted number of Coast Guard stations is still lower than in Gujarat. Kerala: Known for fishing and inland waterways, but not the state with maximum Coast Guard stations.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates often guess Tamil Nadu or Maharashtra because they think of major ports like Chennai or Mumbai first. Another common mistake is to assume that the state with the simple longest coastline automatically has the maximum stations without checking exam specific data. Linking Gujarat with both major ports and offshore resource protection helps fix the correct answer in memory.

Final Answer:
The coastal state with the maximum number of Indian Coast Guard stations is Gujarat.