According to Census based measures of urbanisation, which one of the following states of India has the highest percentage of its population living in urban areas and is therefore the most urbanised among the options given?

Introduction / Context:
Urbanisation is an important topic in Indian geography and economy, and exams often ask about which states are more urban or more rural. Urbanisation is usually measured as the percentage of population living in urban areas. This question asks you to identify, from the given options, which state is the most urbanised according to Census data.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Four Indian states are listed as options: Maharashtra, Mizoram, Goa, and Tamil Nadu.
• Urbanisation is measured as the share of people living in areas classified as urban by the Census.
• We use the standard Census based ranking where Goa has one of the highest urban shares among Indian states.

Concept / Approach:
To answer this, one needs to recall approximate urbanisation levels from Census data. While states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have large urban populations in absolute numbers, the percentage of population living in urban areas is highest for some smaller states and union territories. Among the states listed, Goa has a very high proportion of urban population relative to its total population, making it more urbanised in percentage terms than the others in the list.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that the question is about percentage urban, not absolute number of urban residents.Step 2: Note that Maharashtra has large cities like Mumbai and Pune, but also a very large rural population, so its urban share, while high, is not the highest among small states.Step 3: Tamil Nadu is also highly urbanised, but again, Goa has an even higher percentage.Step 4: Mizoram has significant rural areas and does not top the urbanisation chart.Step 5: Recall that Goa is a small coastal state with a very high share of people living in urban areas, making it the most urbanised among the options.

Verification / Alternative check:
Looking at Census tables on urbanisation, union territories like Delhi and Chandigarh are the most urbanised overall, but among states, Goa stands out with a very high urban share. Exam oriented geography books often mention Goa as one of the most urbanised states, which helps confirm this answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Maharashtra: High absolute urban population but lower percentage urban than Goa due to a huge rural base.
Mizoram: A northeastern state with a mix of urban and rural settlements, not the most urbanised among Indian states in percentage terms.
Tamil Nadu: Has a high level of urbanisation, but again, Goa slightly exceeds it in percentage terms according to Census statistics.

Common Pitfalls:
Many students confuse absolute numbers with percentages. They may choose Maharashtra simply because Mumbai is the largest city. The key is to focus on the proportion of population living in urban areas, where smaller states or union territories often have higher percentages. Remembering this distinction helps avoid common mistakes in urbanisation related questions.

Final Answer:
Goa is the most urbanised state among the options given.