UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Union Minister, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD), Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh launches Access Pass for Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) Fishing

Q1. With reference to the maritime zones defined under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976, consider the following: 1. Territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline. 2. The contiguous zone extends up to 24 nautical miles from the baseline. 3. The Exclusive Economic Zone extends up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline. 4. The continental shelf is limited to 100 nautical miles from the baseline. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline.
  2. The contiguous zone extends up to 24 nautical miles from the baseline.
  3. The Exclusive Economic Zone extends up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline.
  4. The continental shelf is limited to 100 nautical miles from the baseline.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. With reference to the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976, consider the following statements: 1. It provides the statutory basis for India's 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone. 2. The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025 were notified under this Act. 3. India's sovereignty extends to its territorial waters and the seabed and subsoil underlying them. 4. The Act designates the high seas beyond 200 nautical miles as a maritime zone of India. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It provides the statutory basis for India's 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone.
  2. The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025 were notified under this Act.
  3. India's sovereignty extends to its territorial waters and the seabed and subsoil underlying them.
  4. The Act designates the high seas beyond 200 nautical miles as a maritime zone of India.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q3. Which one of the following island groups, taken together, accounts for the single largest share (about 49%) of India's Exclusive Economic Zone?

  • A. Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep
  • B. Lakshadweep alone
  • C. Andaman & Nicobar Islands alone
  • D. Diu and Daman islands

Q4. With reference to the spatial extent of India's Exclusive Economic Zone, consider the following statements: 1. India's EEZ covers about 24 lakh square kilometres. 2. Most Indian fishing is currently confined to within 40–50 nautical miles of the coast. 3. The EEZ extends up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline. 4. The EEZ lies entirely within the 12-nautical-mile territorial waters limit. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. India's EEZ covers about 24 lakh square kilometres.
  2. Most Indian fishing is currently confined to within 40–50 nautical miles of the coast.
  3. The EEZ extends up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline.
  4. The EEZ lies entirely within the 12-nautical-mile territorial waters limit.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 3 only

Q5. The Access Pass for fishing in India's EEZ, launched in February 2026, is issued exclusively through which one of the following digital platforms?

  • A. ReALCraft portal
  • B. MPEDA portal
  • C. Export Inspection Council (EIC) portal
  • D. NFDB e-Matsya portal

Q6. With reference to the Access Pass for EEZ fishing launched in February 2026, consider the following statements: 1. The Access Pass is issued free of cost. 2. It is delivered digitally to the fisher's registered mobile number or email. 3. ReALCraft is integrated with the MPEDA portal for Catch Certificates and with EIC for Health Certificates. 4. The Pass is mandatory for all traditional non-motorised fishing crafts. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The Access Pass is issued free of cost.
  2. It is delivered digitally to the fisher's registered mobile number or email.
  3. ReALCraft is integrated with the MPEDA portal for Catch Certificates and with EIC for Health Certificates.
  4. The Pass is mandatory for all traditional non-motorised fishing crafts.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. The Access Pass for EEZ fishing and the ReALCraft portal are operationalised by which one of the following?

  • A. Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
  • B. Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
  • C. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
  • D. Ministry of Earth Sciences

Q8. Which one of the following is the flagship scheme of the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying?

  • A. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
  • B. Blue Revolution (Neeli Kranti Mission)
  • C. Rashtriya Gokul Mission
  • D. National Livestock Mission

Q9. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, launched in 2020, represents the highest-ever investment in India's fisheries sector, with a total outlay of:

  • A. Rs 20,050 crore
  • B. Rs 9,407 crore
  • C. Rs 1,720 crore
  • D. Rs 6,000 crore

Q10. In the context of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, the term 'Blue Revolution' refers to:

  • A. Sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector
  • B. Expansion of desalination capacity for coastal drinking water
  • C. Modernisation of the naval fleet in the Indian Ocean Region
  • D. Development of inland waterways for cargo transport

Q11. Under the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone Rules, 2025, which one of the following fishing methods is expressly prohibited?

  • A. Pair trawling (bull trawling) and use of artificial or LED lights for trawling, purse-seining and gill netting
  • B. Hook-and-line fishing for tuna and tuna-like species
  • C. Obtaining an Access Pass through the ReALCraft portal
  • D. Cage aquaculture in inland freshwater ponds

Q12. Which one of the following correctly describes the jurisdictional basis for regulating fishing in India's Exclusive Economic Zone?

  • A. It is regulated by the Union Government, since fishing beyond territorial waters lies within the Union's legislative competence
  • B. It is a State subject regulated solely by coastal State governments
  • C. It falls under the Concurrent List, shared equally by the Centre and coastal States
  • D. It is administered by coastal municipal and local bodies