How many Indian states have a coastline on either the Arabian Sea or the Bay of Bengal, that is, how many states of India are coastal states?

Introduction / Context:
India has a long coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, and several states directly touch the sea. In examinations, candidates are often asked to count or list these coastal states. This question asks for the number of Indian states that have a coastline, excluding union territories, and offers approximate options to choose from.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The focus is on Indian states, not union territories. • A coastal state is one that has a seacoast on either the Arabian Sea or the Bay of Bengal. • Options suggest 7, 8, 9 or 10 coastal states. • We assume the present map of India with existing states along the coastline.

Concept / Approach:
To answer the question, we list the coastal states one by one along the map. On the west coast along the Arabian Sea are Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala. On the east coast along the Bay of Bengal are Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal. Counting these gives a total of nine states. Union territories such as Daman and Diu, Puducherry, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands are not included in this count because the question explicitly refers to states.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: List west coast states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala. This gives five states. Step 2: List east coast states: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal. This adds four more states. Step 3: Add the two totals: 5 west coast states plus 4 east coast states equals 9 coastal states. Step 4: Confirm that no other state has direct sea frontage; for example, Delhi, Haryana and Bihar are inland. Step 5: Compare this count with the options and choose 9 coastal states as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick reference to an outline map of India confirms that the states touching the sea are exactly Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal. Union territories like Lakshadweep, Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar also have coastlines but are not states. Recounting the coastal states from north west to north east along the coast still yields nine, confirming the correctness of the count.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
7 coastal states underestimates the total and would require excluding at least two of the actual coastal states, which does not match the map. 8 coastal states is still one fewer than the actual number and does not match the full list of both west and east coast states. 10 coastal states would overcount and would require adding a non coastal state erroneously to the list.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes forget small states like Goa or miscount Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as two coastal states, even though Telangana is landlocked and only Andhra Pradesh touches the sea. Others may mistakenly include union territories such as Puducherry or Andaman and Nicobar when the question clearly refers to states. To avoid confusion, always mentally run along the coastline and name each coastal state in sequence.

Final Answer:
There are 9 coastal states in India.