The correct answer is: a) Cuttack.
Cuttack is the oldest city in Odisha and is the third most populous city in the state. It is also the headquarters of Cuttack district. The district has a high Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.639, which is higher than the national average of 0.624. The HDI is a composite index of life expectancy, education, and per capita income.
The high HDI of Cuttack is due to a number of factors, including its strong economy, its well-developed infrastructure, and its high literacy rate. The district is home to a number of industries, including steel, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. It is also a major transportation hub, with a number of roads, railways, and airports. The district has a number of educational institutions, including the University of Cuttack and the Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar.
The other options are incorrect because they have a lower HDI than Cuttack. Khordha has an HDI of 0.628, Jharsuguda has an HDI of 0.623, and Ganjam has an HDI of 0.619.