UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Andaman & Nicobar Islands to be developed as a hub of India’s Blue Economy: Dr Jitendra Singh

Q1. The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) and the Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands (ACOSTI) are often confused. Consider the following statements: 1. NIOT is headquartered at Chennai, while ACOSTI, its island unit, is located at Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair). 2. Both NIOT and ACOSTI function under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. 3. While NIOT developed the MATSYA-6000 submersible, ACOSTI is the nodal body coordinating the Deep Ocean Mission. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. NIOT is headquartered at Chennai, while ACOSTI, its island unit, is located at Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair).
  2. Both NIOT and ACOSTI function under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
  3. While NIOT developed the MATSYA-6000 submersible, ACOSTI is the nodal body coordinating the Deep Ocean Mission.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. In which year was the Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands (ACOSTI) at Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) inaugurated?

  • A. 2016
  • B. 2018
  • C. 2021
  • D. 2024

Q3. Which one of the following institutes serves as the principal implementing (technical) arm developing the manned submersible and mining systems under the Deep Ocean Mission?

  • A. National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa
  • B. National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa
  • C. National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai
  • D. Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad

Q4. With reference to the deep-ocean submersible MATSYA-6000, consider the following features: 1. It is designed to carry three persons. 2. Its target operating depth is 6,000 metres. 3. It is being developed by NIOT, Chennai. 4. Its personnel sphere is made of stainless steel. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It is designed to carry three persons.
  2. Its target operating depth is 6,000 metres.
  3. It is being developed by NIOT, Chennai.
  4. Its personnel sphere is made of stainless steel.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q5. Which one of the following statements correctly describes MATSYA-6000 under the Samudrayaan project?

  • A. It is India's first crewed submersible designed to carry three persons to a depth of 6,000 m.
  • B. It is a remotely operable, uncrewed vehicle already tested at a depth of 5,289 m.
  • C. It is designed to carry six persons to a depth of 6,000 m.
  • D. It is a deep-space-analog habitat developed by ISRO.

Q6. How many thematic areas (pillars) does India's Draft Blue Economy Policy, released by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, recognise?

  • A. Five
  • B. Six
  • C. Seven
  • D. Eight

Q7. During his January 2026 visit to ACOSTI, Dr Jitendra Singh underlined the strategic priority of the Deep Ocean Mission by noting that the Prime Minister had announced it from the Red Fort. How many times, per his statement, had the Prime Minister announced the Deep Ocean Mission from the Red Fort?

  • A. Once
  • B. Twice
  • C. Thrice
  • D. Four times

Q8. Consider the following statements about the Andaman & Nicobar Islands: 1. The capital, formerly Port Blair, has been renamed Sri Vijaya Puram. 2. ACOSTI, the island ocean-science centre, is located at Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair). 3. The Great Nicobar Project aims to strengthen India's presence in the Andaman Sea and Southeast Asia. 4. The islands lie in the Arabian Sea and are separated from the mainland by the Nine Degree Channel. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The capital, formerly Port Blair, has been renamed Sri Vijaya Puram.
  2. ACOSTI, the island ocean-science centre, is located at Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair).
  3. The Great Nicobar Project aims to strengthen India's presence in the Andaman Sea and Southeast Asia.
  4. The islands lie in the Arabian Sea and are separated from the mainland by the Nine Degree Channel.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q9. In the context of India's deep-sea mineral exploration in the Central Indian Ocean Basin, what are 'polymetallic nodules'?

  • A. Potato-shaped mineral concretions on the deep seabed rich in manganese, nickel, copper and cobalt
  • B. Hydrothermal sulphide deposits formed along mid-ocean ridges
  • C. Frozen methane-and-water crystals found in ocean-floor sediments
  • D. Phosphate-rich mineral crusts coating the slopes of seamounts