The main headquarters of the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, is located in which city?

Introduction / Context:
Sahitya Akademi is a premier institution dedicated to the promotion of literature in various Indian languages. General knowledge questions often ask about the headquarters of national academies and cultural bodies, because such information reflects awareness of India's institutional framework for arts and letters. This question checks whether you know in which city the central office of Sahitya Akademi is situated.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The organisation mentioned is Sahitya Akademi, the National Academy of Letters.- Several major Indian metropolitan cities are provided as options.- It is understood that the headquarters refers to the main administrative and cultural office of the Akademi.

Concept / Approach:
Sahitya Akademi was established by the Government of India to promote Indian literature and functions as an autonomous body. Its main headquarters is located in New Delhi, which is the capital city of India and the location of many national level academies and councils. While the Akademi organises events and has regional offices or activities in other cities, the central office is based in New Delhi. Therefore, among the options given, New Delhi is the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Identify that the question is asking about the headquarters of Sahitya Akademi, not about any local office.2. Recall that most national academies such as Sahitya Akademi, Sangeet Natak Akademi and Lalit Kala Akademi are headquartered in New Delhi.3. Note that Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru are important cultural centres but do not host the main headquarters of Sahitya Akademi.4. Match this knowledge to the options and select New Delhi.5. Confirm the choice by remembering images or references to Sahitya Akademi Hall and events held in New Delhi.

Verification / Alternative check:
Official information from Sahitya Akademi and standard general knowledge references state that its head office is located in New Delhi. They also describe literary award functions, book releases and seminars organised there. Such consistent references confirm that New Delhi is the correct city for the organisation's headquarters.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Mumbai: a major cultural and financial centre, but not the location of Sahitya Akademi headquarters.- Kolkata: historically important for literature, yet the Akademi's main office is not based here.- Chennai: an important southern city, but again not the headquarters of Sahitya Akademi.- Bengaluru: a major metropolitan city, but not the central location of this national literary institution.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes confuse the cultural importance of cities like Kolkata and Mumbai with the physical location of national headquarters. While many well known authors and publishers are based in these cities, the administrative centres for national academies are usually in New Delhi. To minimise such errors, it is useful to remember a simple rule: when in doubt about the headquarters of a national cultural body in India, consider New Delhi as the first option and then verify with your study material.

Final Answer:
The main headquarters of Sahitya Akademi is located in New Delhi.