Question map
Consider the following statements about the seaports in India: 1. There are 4 major and 25 minor seaports in India. 2. The major ports are under the administrative control of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. 3. The minor ports are under the jurisdiction of the respective State Maritime Board/State Government. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect as India has 12 or 13 major ports (depending on the operational status of Port Blair) and approximately 200 non-major (minor/intermediate) ports, not 4 and 25 [4]. Statement 2 is correct; major ports are under the administrative control of the Central Government through the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways [6]. Statement 3 is also correct; non-major ports fall under the jurisdiction of the respective State Maritime Boards or State Governments [5]. According to the Constitution of India, maritime transport is administered by both Central and State governments, with the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021, governing the major ports while state-level boards manage the minor ones [5]. Therefore, only statements 2 and 3 are accurate.
Sources
- [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Ports > p. 18
- [2] INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 8: International Trade > Can you find out the reasons for the variations in the location of ports along the two coasts? > p. 90
- [4] Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 14: Service Sector > PORT AND SHIPPING SERVICES > p. 433
- [6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ports_in_India
- [5] https://www.shipmin.gov.in/en/division/ports-wing
- [3] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 14: Infrastructure and Investment Models > PPP in Ports > p. 422