The only operational Naval Base exclusively controlled by the Indian Navy is located at

The naval base at Karwar, known as INS Kadamba, is the only operational naval base in India that is exclusively controlled by the Indian Navy. Unlike other major ports such as Kochi, Mumbai, or Visakhapatnam, which are dual-use facilities shared with commercial shipping and civilian port authorities, Karwar was specifically developed under Project Seabird to be a dedicated military deep-water port [1]. While Kochi is a major natural seaport and shipyard serving the Navy, it also handles significant cargo traffic . Similarly, Okha serves as a Forward Operating Base (INS Dwarka) but is not an exclusive naval enclave in the same strategic sense as Karwar [1]. Karwar's strategic importance lies in its exclusive military jurisdiction, providing the Indian Navy with a secure, unhindered environment for its western fleet operations and maintenance away from commercial congestion.

Sources

1. [1] FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 8: International Trade > Types of Port > p. 76