Consider the following statements about the seaports in India : 1. T

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 respective State Maritime Board/State Government.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1, 2 and 3
3 only
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
The correct answer is D) 2 and 3 only.
– Statement 1 is incorrect. India has 12 major ports and one corporatized port (Kamarajar Port/Ennore Port), totaling 13 major ports under the central government. The number of non-major (minor/intermediate) ports is much larger, exceeding 200.
– Statement 2 is correct. Major ports in India are under the administrative control of the central government, specifically the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
– Statement 3 is correct. Non-major ports fall under the jurisdiction and administrative control of the respective State Maritime Boards or State Governments.
– The categorization into ‘major’ and ‘non-major’ (minor/intermediate) ports is based on administrative control and, historically, traffic volume. Major ports are governed by the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963, or the Indian Ports Act, 1908 (for Kamarajar Port), while non-major ports are governed by the Indian Ports Act, 1908, under the respective state governments.