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With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements : 1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention. 2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea. 3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. Which of the statements given above are correct ?
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 4 (1, 2 and 3) because all three statements accurately reflect the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
- Statement 1 is correct: According to Article 3 of UNCLOS, every State has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baselines determined in accordance with the Convention.
- Statement 2 is correct: Article 17 grants ships of all States—whether coastal or land-locked—the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea, provided the passage is not prejudicial to the peace, good order, or security of the coastal State.
- Statement 3 is correct: Under Article 57, the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is defined as an area beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea, which shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines.
Since all provisions are standard legal mandates under UNCLOS, Option 4 is the only comprehensive choice.
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewA classic 'Static-Current Hybrid'. While 12nm and 200nm are standard textbook facts (Laxmikanth/NCERT), the 'innocent passage for land-locked states' tests your grasp of the *spirit* of international law rather than rote memory. If you knew the basics of maritime zones, this was a high-accuracy question.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baselines determined in accordance with this Convention."
Why this source?
- Text explicitly states the rule about the territorial sea breadth and the 12 nautical mile limit.
- Specifies measurement is from baselines determined in accordance with the Convention, matching the statement exactly.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, a state’s territorial sea extends up to 12 nautical miles (22 kilometres) including the airspace over it, its seabed and subsoil (UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, 2008)."
Why this source?
- Affirms that under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea a state's territorial sea extends up to 12 nautical miles.
- Mentions territorial sea including airspace, seabed and subsoil, reinforcing the scope of the 12 nautical mile zone.
- Text explicitly states the rule about the territorial sea breadth and the 12 nautical mile limit.
- Specifies measurement is from baselines determined in accordance with the Convention, matching the statement exactly.
- Affirms that under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea a state's territorial sea extends up to 12 nautical miles.
- Mentions territorial sea including airspace, seabed and subsoil, reinforcing the scope of the 12 nautical mile zone.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 75: Rights and Liabilities of the Government > I Sea-Wealth > p. 551
Strength: 5/5
“g I Sea-Wealth
All lands, minerals and other things of value under the waters of the ocean within the territorial waters of India, the continental shelf of India and the exclusive economic zone of India vests in the Union. Hence, a state near the ocean cannot claim jurisdiction over these things.
India's territorial waters extend to a distance of 12 nautical miles from the appropriate baseline. Similarly, India's exclusive economic zone extends upto 200 nautical miles .”
Why relevant
States (India in this text) are described as extending territorial waters to a distance of 12 nautical miles measured from the appropriate baseline — a clear rule about breadth and baseline measurement.
How to extend
A student could take this national practice as an example of an accepted international norm and compare it with UNCLOS text or other states' practice to judge whether 12 nm is the conventional upper limit.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 4: Aquatic Ecosystem > Significant provisions in the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, zort > p. 54
Strength: 4/5
“• (i) The entire water area which includes 12 nautical miles in the sea and the entire water area of a tidal water body such as creek, river, estuary will be regulated by the Notification. • (ii) In order to safeguard livelihood and property of local communities including the infrastructure along the coastal areas, the hazard line has been introduced which will be demarcated by the offices of the Survey of India.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form or by any means, without permission in writing.”
Why relevant
A regulatory notification is said to cover '12 nautical miles in the sea', indicating administrative/regulatory recognition of a 12 nm zone seaward of baselines.
How to extend
Use this as evidence that coastal regulation treats 12 nm as a distinct maritime band; a student could check international law instruments (or other coastal states' regulations) to see if 12 nm is the internationally referenced limit.
Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 2: Indian States and Society in the 18th Century > EXERCISES > p. 46
Strength: 4/5
“© Government of India Copyright 1982
Based upon Survey of India map with the permission of the Surveyor General of India.
The territorial waters of India extend into the sea to a distance of twelve nautical miles measured from the appropriate base line.”
Why relevant
An independent school-level source repeats that territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles from the appropriate baseline — reinforcing the pattern across different texts.
How to extend
Treat repeated national textbook statements as a pattern of state practice; then consult authoritative international sources (UNCLOS or summaries) to test whether 12 nm corresponds to the Convention's limit.
States (India in this text) are described as extending territorial waters to a distance of 12 nautical miles measured from the appropriate baseline — a clear rule about breadth and baseline measurement.
A student could take this national practice as an example of an accepted international norm and compare it with UNCLOS text or other states' practice to judge whether 12 nm is the conventional upper limit.
A regulatory notification is said to cover '12 nautical miles in the sea', indicating administrative/regulatory recognition of a 12 nm zone seaward of baselines.
Use this as evidence that coastal regulation treats 12 nm as a distinct maritime band; a student could check international law instruments (or other coastal states' regulations) to see if 12 nm is the internationally referenced limit.
An independent school-level source repeats that territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles from the appropriate baseline — reinforcing the pattern across different texts.
Treat repeated national textbook statements as a pattern of state practice; then consult authoritative international sources (UNCLOS or summaries) to test whether 12 nm corresponds to the Convention's limit.
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