From the following options, which one is not classified as a Union Territory in the present administrative structure of India?

Introduction / Context:
This question checks your familiarity with the basic political geography and administrative divisions of India. India is divided into states and Union Territories, and exam questions frequently ask you to identify which areas fall into which category. Knowing which regions are Union Territories and which are full-fledged states is essential for general studies, polity, and geography preparation. Here, you need to pick the option that is not a Union Territory.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Goa is listed as one of the options.
• Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Chandigarh are also given.
• Another typical Union Territory, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is added as an extra option.
• The task is to find which one is not a Union Territory but instead is a state.

Concept / Approach:
India has a list of states and Union Territories given in the First Schedule of the Constitution. States have their own elected governments with greater legislative powers, while Union Territories are administered directly by the Union government, sometimes with a legislature and sometimes without. Goa is a well known small state on the western coast of India. Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Chandigarh, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands are all examples of Union Territories, even though their administrative arrangements may differ slightly. Therefore, the odd one out, being a state rather than a Union Territory, is Goa.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall that Goa is a coastal state in western India with its own legislative assembly and chief minister. 2. Lakshadweep is a group of islands in the Arabian Sea and is a Union Territory administered by the Centre. 3. Dadra and Nagar Haveli is a Union Territory (now part of a merged Union Territory with Daman and Diu) under direct Union administration. 4. Chandigarh is a Union Territory and serves as the capital of both Punjab and Haryana. 5. Andaman and Nicobar Islands is another Union Territory in the Bay of Bengal. 6. Since Goa is the only one that is a state, the correct answer is Goa.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can cross-check by recalling that Goa sends representatives to the Rajya Sabha as a state, has its own government and is counted among the 28 states of India. By contrast, the others are mentioned in lists of Union Territories in school textbooks and competitive exam guides. Remembering at least a mental list of the smallest states and Union Territories helps to avoid confusion in such questions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Lakshadweep: A Union Territory consisting of islands in the Arabian Sea, administered by a Lieutenant Governor or Administrator.
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli: Historically a separate Union Territory, now merged with Daman and Diu into a single Union Territory, not a state.
• Chandigarh: A Union Territory that also serves as a shared capital for Punjab and Haryana.
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands: A group of islands in the Bay of Bengal, clearly designated as a Union Territory.

Common Pitfalls:
Because Goa is small in area and population, some candidates mistakenly think it might also be a Union Territory. Similarly, names like Dadra and Nagar Haveli sound less familiar, leading to confusion. A practical tip is to remember that the small coastal tourist state famous for beaches and Portuguese heritage is Goa, which is a state, not a Union Territory. Union Territories usually have different administrative arrangements and are often directly under central control.

Final Answer:
The option that is not a Union Territory, but instead is a full state of India, is Goa.