UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India’s Seafood Exports Hit All-Time High of ₹72,000 Crore

Q1. With reference to the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), consider the following functions: 1. Registration of seafood exporters, processors and fishing vessels. 2. Prescribing quality standards for and inspection of marine products meant for export. 3. Promotion of Indian marine products in overseas markets and dissemination of trade information. 4. Registration and regulation of coastal aquaculture farms to check their environmental impact. Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a statutory function of MPEDA?

  1. Registration of seafood exporters, processors and fishing vessels.
  2. Prescribing quality standards for and inspection of marine products meant for export.
  3. Promotion of Indian marine products in overseas markets and dissemination of trade information.
  4. Registration and regulation of coastal aquaculture farms to check their environmental impact.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q2. How many Quality Control Laboratories are operated by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) to test marine products for export?

  • A. Three
  • B. Five
  • C. Seven
  • D. Nine

Q3. In FY 2025-26, which one of the following was the single largest destination (by value) for India's marine product exports?

  • A. China
  • B. United States
  • C. European Union
  • D. Japan

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding India's record marine product exports in FY 2025-26: 1. Total exports were valued at ₹72,325.82 crore (about US$8.28 billion). 2. The total export volume was 19.32 lakh metric tonnes. 3. Frozen shrimp exports were valued at ₹47,973.13 crore (about US$5.51 billion). 4. Frozen shrimp shipments grew 6.35% in volume and 4.6% in value. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. Total exports were valued at ₹72,325.82 crore (about US$8.28 billion).
  2. The total export volume was 19.32 lakh metric tonnes.
  3. Frozen shrimp exports were valued at ₹47,973.13 crore (about US$5.51 billion).
  4. Frozen shrimp shipments grew 6.35% in volume and 4.6% in value.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. Which one of the following shrimp species is the dominant variety in India's aquaculture and frozen-shrimp exports, making India the world's largest shrimp exporter?

  • A. Penaeus monodon (Black Tiger shrimp)
  • B. Litopenaeus vannamei (Whiteleg shrimp)
  • C. Macrobrachium rosenbergii (Giant freshwater prawn/Scampi)
  • D. Fenneropenaeus indicus (Indian white shrimp)

Q6. Consider the following markets said to be major import destinations for India's frozen shrimp in FY 2025-26: 1. United States 2. China 3. European Union 4. Brazil Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a major import destination for Indian frozen shrimp in that year?

  1. United States
  2. China
  3. European Union
  4. Brazil
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q7. In FY 2025-26 India's seafood exporters diversified away from the tariff-hit US market. Consider the following markets: 1. China 2. European Union 3. Southeast Asia 4. United States Which of the above is/are correctly identified as markets that recorded GROWTH in India's seafood exports during FY 2025-26?

  1. China
  2. European Union
  3. Southeast Asia
  4. United States
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q8. Comparing India's two leading seafood markets in FY 2025-26, consider the following statements: 1. Exports to the United States declined in both volume and value, while exports to China rose in both. 2. In volume terms, India's exports to China grew by 22.7% during the year. 3. The contraction of India's exports to the United States is attributed mainly to US reciprocal tariffs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Exports to the United States declined in both volume and value, while exports to China rose in both.
  2. In volume terms, India's exports to China grew by 22.7% during the year.
  3. The contraction of India's exports to the United States is attributed mainly to US reciprocal tariffs.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. Which one of the following is the flagship scheme of the Government of India for the holistic development of the fisheries sector, implemented with a total outlay of ₹20,050 crore?

  • A. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY)
  • B. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
  • C. Blue Revolution (integrated development of fisheries)
  • D. Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)

Q10. In India, the registration and regulation of coastal aquaculture farms is carried out under which one of the following Acts?

  • A. The MPEDA Act, 1972
  • B. The Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, 2005
  • C. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
  • D. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

Q11. India's marine fisheries and seafood exports are drawn from its coastal (maritime) States such as Andhra Pradesh, the country's largest seafood exporter. How many States of India have a sea coast?

  • A. Seven
  • B. Eight
  • C. Nine
  • D. Eleven

Q12. Which one of the following is the nodal agency responsible for promoting and developing the export of marine products from India?

  • A. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
  • B. The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry
  • C. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
  • D. The Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA)