Panaji is the capital city of which Indian state?

Introduction / Context:
This question is another capital city mapping problem in Indian political geography. It asks which state has Panaji as its capital. Knowing the capitals of all Indian states and union territories is basic but essential information for many entrance and competitive examinations.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The city name given is Panaji, sometimes also written as Panjim.
• We must choose the state where Panaji serves as the capital city.
• The options are Goa, Maharashtra, Sikkim, and Gujarat.
• We assume present administrative arrangements.

Concept / Approach:
Panaji is the capital of the coastal state of Goa on the western shore of India. Maharashtra has Mumbai as its capital, though Nagpur acts as a second capital during certain legislative sessions. Gujarat has Gandhinagar as its capital, and Sikkim has Gangtok. Therefore, the correct association is between Panaji and Goa.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise Panaji as a city in the small coastal state of Goa. Step 2: Recall that Goa capital functions are performed from Panaji, which hosts the state secretariat and administrative offices. Step 3: Compare options and identify Goa among them. Step 4: Eliminate Maharashtra because its principal capital is Mumbai, not Panaji. Step 5: Eliminate Sikkim and Gujarat since they are associated with Gangtok and Gandhinagar respectively.

Verification / Alternative check:
Checking a map or any basic state profile resource shows Panaji located in Goa, acting as its capital. Government documents and tourist information for Goa also list Panaji as the state capital. Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Sikkim all have well established different capital cities, so there is no conflict here.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Maharashtra: Its capital is Mumbai, and Nagpur is a second capital for some legislative sessions, but Panaji is not in Maharashtra.
Sikkim: The capital is Gangtok, which lies far to the northeast of India.
Gujarat: Its capital is Gandhinagar, near Ahmedabad, not Panaji.

Common Pitfalls:
Sometimes candidates confuse Panaji with nearby larger cities like Mumbai due to being on the western coast. Others may simply guess based on familiarity. To avoid this, one should memorise a complete list of Indian states and their capitals, with Panaji clearly linked to Goa in the western coastal belt.

Final Answer:
The correct choice is Goa, because Panaji is the capital city of that state.