ANS:C - 18

The figure may be labelled as shown. The squares composed of two components each are BJMI, CKMJ, DLMK and AIML i.e. 4 in number. The squares composed of three components each are EBMA, BFCM, MCGD and AMDH i.e. 4 in number. The squares composed of four components each are VWBA, XYCB, ZA₁DC and B₁C₁AD i.e. 4 in number. The squares composed of seven components each are NOJL, PQKI, RSLJ and TUIK i.e. 4 in number. There is only one square i.e. ABCD composed of eight components. There is only one square i.e. EFGH composed of twelve components. Total number of squares in the figure = 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 1 + 1 = 18.