UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India Becomes World’s Top Ship Recycling Nation in 2025
Q1. With reference to the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, consider the following statements about the major ship-recycling nations that are Parties to it. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- India is among the major ship-recycling nations that are Parties to the Convention.
- Bangladesh is the only major ship-recycling nation that is a Party to the Convention.
- Pakistan is a Party to the Convention.
- China is one of the four major ship-recycling countries identified as Parties to the Convention.
- A. 1 and 3
- B. 2 and 4
- C. 1, 2 and 4
- D. 3 only
Q2. Which one of the following has been notified as the National Authority for Ship Recycling in India under the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019?
- A. Directorate General of Shipping
- B. Inland Waterways Authority of India
- C. Shipping Corporation of India
- D. Indian Ports Association
Q3. The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (2009) was adopted at a Diplomatic Conference convened under the auspices of which one of the following international organizations?
- A. International Maritime Organization (IMO)
- B. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
- C. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- D. International Labour Organization (ILO)
Q4. With reference to the Hong Kong International Convention (HKC) for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, consider the following statements:
1. It was adopted in 2009 but entered into force only on 26 June 2025.
2. Unlike most ship-recycling instruments, it was adopted under the auspices of UNCTAD rather than the IMO.
3. India acceded to the Convention in 2019, several years before it entered into force.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- It was adopted in 2009 but entered into force only on 26 June 2025.
- Unlike most ship-recycling instruments, it was adopted under the auspices of UNCTAD rather than the IMO.
- India acceded to the Convention in 2019, several years before it entered into force.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q5. The Alang ship-recycling yard owes its viability to the exceptionally high tidal range of the Gulf of Khambhat, which lets ships be beached far up the foreshore. What is the approximate maximum tidal range of the Gulf of Khambhat?
- A. About 4 metres
- B. About 7 metres
- C. About 12 metres
- D. About 17 metres
Q6. The ship-recycling operations at Alang are characterised by the 'beaching method'. Which one of the following best describes this method?
- A. End-of-life ships are run aground on the gently sloping tidal flats at high tide and dismantled directly on the exposed intertidal foreshore
- B. Ships are floated into a sealed dry dock from which water is pumped out before dismantling on the dock floor
- C. Ships are dismantled while still afloat, moored alongside a fixed quay, with sections lowered onto barges
- D. Ships are hauled fully out of the water up an inclined slipway onto dry land before any cutting begins
Q7. India's target to emerge as the world's leading ship recycling nation — a target reported as achieved in 2025, five years ahead of schedule — was specifically set under which one of the following?
- A. Maritime India Vision 2030
- B. Sagarmala Programme
- C. Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047
- D. The Recycling of Ships Act, 2019
Q8. Under which section of the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019 did the Central Government notify the Directorate General of Shipping as the National Authority for Recycling of Ships?
- A. Section 3
- B. Section 5
- C. Section 11
- D. Section 17
Q9. In the context of the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019 and the Hong Kong Convention, what does the 'Ready for Recycling Certificate' signify?
- A. A certificate confirming that a ship and its recycling plan comply with requirements, permitting the vessel to be sent to an authorised facility for dismantling
- B. A licence authorising a yard to operate as a ship recycling facility for a fixed period
- C. A document certifying that recovered steel scrap meets quality standards for resale
- D. A clearance issued after dismantling confirming that the site has been decontaminated of hazardous waste
Q10. In the context of the Hong Kong International Convention, what does the 'Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM)' that a ship is required to carry primarily refer to?
- A. A ship-specific document listing the location and approximate quantity of hazardous materials present in the ship's structure and equipment, used by recycling facilities to plan safe dismantling
- B. A register of the cargo manifest declaring dangerous goods being carried on a particular voyage
- C. A national database maintained by the flag State recording all hazardous-waste shipments exported under the Basel Convention
- D. A certificate issued by the port State confirming that ballast water has been treated to remove invasive species
Q11. In India's ship recycling governance, which body has been designated as the 'National Authority for Ship Recycling'?
- A. Directorate General of Shipping
- B. Gujarat Maritime Board
- C. Shipping Corporation of India
- D. Indian Ports Association
Q12. India's 2025 emergence as the world's top ship recycling nation was announced by the Union Minister heading which is the nodal ministry for the sector — who is that Union Minister?
- A. Sarbananda Sonowal
- B. Nitin Gadkari
- C. Piyush Goyal
- D. Ashwini Vaishnaw