UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — “India Sets Course for Atmanirbhar Shipping; Plans 62 Vessels in FY 2026–27 with ₹51,383 Crore Investment:” Sarbananda Sonowal

Q1. With reference to the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, consider the following statements. Which of the above statements are correct?

  1. It aims to place India among the top five shipbuilding nations by 2047.
  2. It was launched by the Prime Minister in 2023.
  3. It envisages an investment envelope of nearly ₹80 lakh crore.
  4. It is funded solely through central government budgetary allocations, with no private participation.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. The Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy (SBFAP), whose guidelines were amended in January 2025, primarily provides for which one of the following?

  • A. Direct financial assistance (subsidy) to Indian shipyards for ships they build and deliver
  • B. Credit guarantees to foreign shipowners who charter Indian-flagged vessels
  • C. Interest subvention to coastal fishermen for purchasing mechanised fishing boats
  • D. Viability gap funding exclusively for greenfield private port terminals

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding India's shipbuilding assistance framework. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. SBFAP guidelines were amended in January 2025 to widen participation in shipbuilding.
  2. The Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SBDS) was approved in September 2025.
  3. The total shipbuilding outlay notified by the government is ₹44,700 crore.
  4. The SBFAP is administered by the Ministry of Finance.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 3

Q4. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit chokepoint, connects which one of the following pairs of water bodies?

  • A. Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
  • B. Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
  • C. Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea
  • D. Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal

Q5. The following statements compare the Strait of Hormuz with the Strait of Malacca. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Strait of Hormuz is the only maritime gateway to the Persian Gulf, whereas the Strait of Malacca has geographically proximate alternative routes.
  2. Roughly one-quarter of global seaborne oil trade transits the Strait of Hormuz.
  3. Unlike the Strait of Hormuz, the Strait of Malacca carries no liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. Under the FY 2026–27 plan to induct 62 new vessels announced by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, which of the following are correctly identified as part of the planned vessel mix?

  1. Specialised ammonia carriers
  2. Green tugs
  3. LPG and crude carriers
  4. Nuclear-powered attack submarines
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. The plan to induct 62 new vessels in FY 2026–27 under the Atmanirbhar Shipping push is expected to add how much gross tonnage (GT) capacity?

  • A. 2.85 million GT
  • B. 4 million GT
  • C. 4.5 million GT
  • D. 1.5 million GT

Q8. The projects under the Sagarmala Programme are organised into how many pillars?

  • A. 3
  • B. 4
  • C. 5
  • D. 6

Q9. In which year was the erstwhile Ministry of Shipping renamed as the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways?

  • A. 2014
  • B. 2019
  • C. 2020
  • D. 2021

Q10. Consider the following statements about the Maritime Development Fund (MDF). Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It has a corpus of ₹25,000 crore.
  2. The government's contribution to the fund is capped at up to 49%.
  3. It includes an Interest Incentivization Fund of ₹5,000 crore.
  4. It was announced in the Union Budget 2023-24.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 3

Q11. The following statements compare India's current shipbuilding standing with its stated targets and the global order. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. India currently ranks around the 20th position globally in shipbuilding, with less than 1% of the world market.
  2. Under the Maritime India Vision 2030, India aims to be among the top ten shipbuilding nations.
  3. As of 2024, South Korea alone held about 70% of the global shipbuilding market by new orders.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3