Area rank of Maharashtra in India?

Appeared in: RAK Nursing Officer - 2019

Explanation

Maharashtra is the third-largest state in India by geographical area, covering approximately 307,713 km².
The state with the largest area in India is Rajasthan, followed by Madhya Pradesh in the second position.
This ranking is a fundamental and frequently tested fact in Indian geography and general knowledge sections of competitive exams.

Option A: This is Maharashtra's rank by population, not by area. It's a common distractor used in exams.
Option B: The 4th rank by area is held by Uttar Pradesh. Maharashtra is significantly larger than Uttar Pradesh.
Option C: The 5th rank by area is held by Gujarat. Maharashtra is the 3rd largest state.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Indian Geography: State Rankings by Area as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
General knowledge, including geography, is a component of many nursing and other professional entrance exams, assessing a candidate's overall awareness.
For community health nurses, understanding the geography and demographics of a state is crucial for planning and implementing public health programs effectively.
What if the question asked for the population rank? In that case, the answer would be 2nd. It is a common exam tactic to use population rank as a distractor for area rank questions, and vice-versa.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'Area rank' and 'Maharashtra'.
Differentiate this from 'population rank', which is a common distractor. Maharashtra's population rank is 2nd, but the question asks for area.
Recall the top states in India by geographical size: 1. Rajasthan, 2. Madhya Pradesh, 3. Maharashtra.
Based on this factual recall, determine that Maharashtra's rank is 3rd.
Match this rank with the given options to find the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health Nursing for BSc Nursing Students Part 2 — Subpart B (pp 276-535 of 550) p. 4-6

Practise the full RAK Nursing Officer - 2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.