Among the following, which one is not a Union Territory of India but instead the capital city of a full fledged state?

Introduction / Context:
This question deals with the political geography of India, in particular the distinction between Union Territories and states. Many competitive exams ask you to identify whether a given place is a state, a Union Territory or simply a city, so it is important to recognise which of the listed names actually refer to Union Territories and which do not.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question lists Daman and Diu, Puducherry, Shillong, Lakshadweep and Chandigarh.
• You are asked to find the option that is not a Union Territory.
• Shillong is known to be the capital city of Meghalaya, which is a full state.

Concept / Approach:
Union Territories are special administrative regions that are governed directly by the Central Government of India with varying degrees of local representation. Names like Daman and Diu, Puducherry, Lakshadweep and Chandigarh are all widely recognised as Union Territories. Shillong, on the other hand, is a city and the capital of the state of Meghalaya, not a Union Territory. Therefore, the correct approach is to identify which of the options does not correspond to a Union Territory status.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the list of Union Territories in India, which includes names such as Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Chandigarh and the combined territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. Step 2: Match each option with this list. Step 3: Confirm that Daman and Diu has been part of a Union Territory, Puducherry is a Union Territory, Lakshadweep is a Union Territory, and Chandigarh is also a Union Territory. Step 4: Recognise that Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya and is not itself a Union Territory. Step 5: Select Shillong as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done quickly by referring to a civics or political geography chapter that lists all states and Union Territories of India. You will find Meghalaya listed as a state with Shillong as its capital. Separate sections will list Union Territories and you will see Daman and Diu, Puducherry, Lakshadweep and Chandigarh there. This cross check removes any doubt about the status of Shillong.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Daman and Diu has long been part of a Union Territory structure in western India. Puducherry is a well known Union Territory with several enclaves along the southern coast of India. Lakshadweep is a Union Territory consisting of a group of islands in the Arabian Sea. Chandigarh is a Union Territory and serves as the capital of both Punjab and Haryana. Since all these are Union Territories, they do not satisfy the requirement of being a non Union Territory city.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to confuse capital cities and Union Territories simply because some Union Territories also serve as capitals for nearby states. Another pitfall is to assume that any place not clearly remembered as a state must be a Union Territory. To avoid errors, memorise the complete and updated list of Union Territories and also remember key capital cities like Shillong with their corresponding states.

Final Answer:
Shillong