Out of the four southern States: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, which shares boundaries with the maximum number of Indian States?

Correct Option (c):

At the time the question was asked (2007), both Andhra Pradesh (undivided) and Karnataka shared boundaries with the maximum number of Indian states among the given options. Each of these states bordered 5 other Indian states.

• Andhra Pradesh (undivided) shared borders with: Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
• Karnataka shared borders with: Goa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh (undivided), Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

Incorrect Options:

• Andhra Pradesh only: This is incorrect because Karnataka also shared boundaries with 5 states in 2007, making it an equally maximal state.
• Karnataka only: This is incorrect because Andhra Pradesh (undivided) also shared boundaries with 5 states in 2007, making it an equally maximal state.
• Each of Tamil Nadu and Kerala:
  • Tamil Nadu shared borders with 3 states: Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh (undivided).
  • Kerala shared borders with 2 states: Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
  These states bordered fewer states compared to Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka in 2007.