Total Area of Maharashtra State?

Appeared in: DHS 2018 shift 1st

Explanation

The total geographical area of Maharashtra is 307,713 km², as confirmed by official census data.
By area, Maharashtra is the third-largest state in India, following Rajasthan (342,239 km²) and Madhya Pradesh (308,252 km²).
It is also the second-most populous state in India, after Uttar Pradesh, making it a significant state both geographically and demographically.

Option B: This value is nearly double the actual area of Maharashtra. The largest state in India, Rajasthan, has an area of approximately 342,239 km², making 607,713 km² an impossibly large figure for any Indian state.
Option C: This area is substantially smaller than Maharashtra's actual size. It is closer in value to the area of Karnataka, which is 191,791 km².
Option D: This value is incorrect and significantly underestimates the size of Maharashtra. It does not correspond to the area of any major Indian state.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Geography of Indian States as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
General knowledge, including the geography and demographics of India, is a component of the syllabus for many nursing and government recruitment examinations.
For community health nurses and public health officials, understanding the geography and population density of a state is crucial for planning and implementing large-scale health programs, managing logistics for outreach camps, and studying epidemiological trends.
What if the question asked for the state with the highest population density? The answer would be Bihar (1,106 people/km²), not Maharashtra (365 people/km²).

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question based on general knowledge, specifically Indian geography.
First, identify the key information requested: the 'Total Area' of 'Maharashtra State'.
Scan the options. Notice the wide range of values, which is common in such questions.
Try to recall the relative sizes of major Indian states. Knowing that Maharashtra is one of the top three largest states helps in eliminating significantly smaller values.
Compare the options with the known fact. The area of Maharashtra is a standard piece of geographical data.
Select the option that precisely matches the correct area, which is 307,713 km².

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 DHS 2018 shift 1st

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