Among the following states which state has the highest population density?

The correct answer is D) West Bengal. Population density is population divided by geographical area. As per Census 2011, West Bengal has about 1,028 persons per sq km, well above the other options: Tamil Nadu about 555, Punjab about 551, and Maharashtra about 365.

Why the others fall short: Maharashtra has the largest population among these, but its large area (about 3.08 lakh sq km) dilutes its density. Punjab and Tamil Nadu are densely settled but still below Bengal. Note that Bihar (about 1,106 per sq km) is the most densely populated state in India overall. It is not in this list, so the answer here depends on the given options.

Concept: density as population relative to area, a core theme in Indian geography and demography. For Mains, density links to urbanisation pressure, land use and the planning needs of the Gangetic plain.

Trap: aspirants pick Tamil Nadu or Punjab because they look more developed or urbanised, or they confuse total population, where Maharashtra leads, with density. Always check area as well as population.