In the context of Indian geography, which state is the smallest by total geographical area among the following options?

Introduction / Context:
Indian geography based questions often test knowledge of superlatives such as the largest and smallest states by area and population. This particular question asks about the smallest state of India in terms of geographical area, not population or economic indicators. Understanding the relative size of states helps candidates build a clear mental map of the country, which is useful for examinations related to civil services, banking and other competitive tests. Among the options given, one state is clearly recognised in standard references as the smallest by area.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on the smallest state of India by physical area.
• The options are Goa, Sikkim, Tripura and Nagaland.
• No union territories are considered in this comparison.
• We assume the current political map of India after state reorganisations.

Concept / Approach:
When comparing Indian states by area, it is important to remember a few key benchmarks. Rajasthan is usually memorised as the largest state by area. At the other extreme, Goa is widely listed in textbooks as the smallest state by area. Sikkim, Tripura and Nagaland are small hill or north eastern states, but each still has a larger land area than Goa. By recalling this standard ranking, aspirants can answer quickly even without exact figures. The method is to identify which option is commonly associated with the fact smallest state by area in India.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Goa is a coastal state on the western coast of India with a very small geographical area. Step 2: Remember that Sikkim, although small and located in the Himalayan region, extends over a larger mountainous territory than Goa. Step 3: Note that Tripura and Nagaland are north eastern states which also cover larger land areas compared to Goa. Step 4: Consult standard school geography facts, which usually state that Goa is the smallest state of India by area. Step 5: Based on this comparison, conclude that the correct answer is Goa.

Verification / Alternative check:
One way to verify is to think of union territories such as Lakshadweep or Chandigarh, which are smaller but classified differently. Among states, the name that repeatedly appears in exam notes and atlases for smallest area is Goa. Checking any reliable state wise area table will show that Goa has less land area than Sikkim, Tripura or Nagaland. This independent confirmation supports the conclusion that Goa is indeed the correct answer for this question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Sikkim is a small Himalayan state but still larger in land area than Goa. Tripura is a north eastern state surrounded by Bangladesh on three sides and has more area than Goa. Nagaland is a hilly state in north eastern India and again covers a larger geographical area than Goa.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners confuse the smallest state by area with the smallest state by population or mix up states with union territories. Another common mistake is to assume that remote or mountainous states like Sikkim must automatically be the smallest. To avoid such confusion, students should memorise a few key extreme values such as largest and smallest states by area and population, and also revise the difference between states and union territories, which often appear in separate lists in exam preparation material.

Final Answer:
Among the given options, the smallest Indian state by geographical area is Goa.