UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India, EU Advance Cooperation on Sustainable Ship Recycling; Three Indian Yards Ready for EU Recognition

Q1. Under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (Regulation (EU) 1257/2013), the 'European List' of approved ship recycling facilities — which EU-flagged vessels are obliged to use — is adopted and maintained by which one of the following?

• A. European Commission
• B. European Maritime Safety Agency
• C. European Environment Agency
• D. European Parliament

Q2. With reference to the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EUSRR), consider the following statements: 1. It applies to ships flying the flag of an EU Member State. 2. The roster of approved recycling facilities under it is called the European List. 3. It was adopted as Regulation (EU) 1257/2013. 4. Only recycling facilities physically located within EU territory can be placed on the approved list. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

1. It applies to ships flying the flag of an EU Member State.
2. The roster of approved recycling facilities under it is called the European List.
3. It was adopted as Regulation (EU) 1257/2013.
4. Only recycling facilities physically located within EU territory can be placed on the approved list.

• A. 1 and 2
• B. 2 and 3
• C. 4 only
• D. 1 and 4

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the Hong Kong International Convention (HKC) and related instruments: 1. The HKC was adopted under the International Maritime Organization in 2009, whereas the Basel Convention (1989) was the earlier framework applying to trans-boundary movement of hazardous waste, including end-of-life ships. 2. The HKC entered into force on 26 June 2025, more than a decade after its adoption. 3. Unlike the EU Ship Recycling Regulation, which binds only EU-flagged ships, the HKC is a global instrument open to all IMO member states. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The HKC was adopted under the International Maritime Organization in 2009, whereas the Basel Convention (1989) was the earlier framework applying to trans-boundary movement of hazardous waste, including end-of-life ships.
2. The HKC entered into force on 26 June 2025, more than a decade after its adoption.
3. Unlike the EU Ship Recycling Regulation, which binds only EU-flagged ships, the HKC is a global instrument open to all IMO member states.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. The IMO identifies four major ship-recycling countries that are Contracting Parties to the Hong Kong Convention. Which of the following are correctly identified as being among these four? 1. India 2. Bangladesh 3. China 4. Türkiye Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. India
2. Bangladesh
3. China
4. Türkiye

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 1, 2 and 4
• C. 2, 3 and 4
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. With reference to the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019, consider the following statements: 1. It designates the Directorate General of Shipping as the National Authority for Ship Recycling. 2. Every covered ship must carry a certified Inventory of Hazardous Materials, renewable every five years. 3. Ships may be recycled only in authorized facilities and in accordance with a ship-specific recycling plan. 4. The Act applies to every ship, including warships and non-commercial ships operated by the Government. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

1. It designates the Directorate General of Shipping as the National Authority for Ship Recycling.
2. Every covered ship must carry a certified Inventory of Hazardous Materials, renewable every five years.
3. Ships may be recycled only in authorized facilities and in accordance with a ship-specific recycling plan.
4. The Act applies to every ship, including warships and non-commercial ships operated by the Government.

• A. 1 and 2
• B. 2 and 3
• C. 3 only
• D. 4 only

Q6. Under the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019, existing ships were given a compliance window of how many years to meet the restriction on hazardous materials and obtain the Inventory of Hazardous Materials certificate?

• A. 2 years
• B. 3 years
• C. 5 years
• D. 7 years

Q7. Consider the following statements comparing India's ship recycling performance between 2024 and 2025: 1. India's share in global ship recycling rose from 30.1% in 2024 to 35.4% in 2025. 2. India's ship recycling volume increased from 1.86 million GT in 2024 to 2.29 million GT in 2025. 3. India achieved the Maritime India Vision 2030 ship-recycling target five years ahead of schedule. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. India's share in global ship recycling rose from 30.1% in 2024 to 35.4% in 2025.
2. India's ship recycling volume increased from 1.86 million GT in 2024 to 2.29 million GT in 2025.
3. India achieved the Maritime India Vision 2030 ship-recycling target five years ahead of schedule.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 3 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. As reported when India became the world's top ship-recycling nation in 2025, how many Indian ship recycling facilities had achieved Hong Kong Convention compliance?

• A. 95
• B. 105
• C. 115
• D. 125

Q9. In the India–EU ship recycling discussions of July 2026, how many Indian yards had completed all compliance procedures and were declared ready for formal recognition under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation?

• A. 3
• B. 6
• C. 30
• D. 115

Q10. The technical guidelines operationalising the Hong Kong Convention's requirements — including the Inventory of Hazardous Materials — were developed by which organ of the International Maritime Organization?

• A. Maritime Safety Committee
• B. Marine Environment Protection Committee
• C. Legal Committee
• D. Technical Cooperation Committee

Q11. In the context of India–EU relations, the 'Trade and Technology Council (TTC)' is best described as which one of the following?

• A. A strategic bilateral platform, set up in 2022, for high-level coordination on trade, trusted technology and security
• B. A free-trade agreement eliminating tariffs on all goods traded between India and the EU
• C. A dispute-settlement tribunal established under the WTO for India–EU trade disputes
• D. A customs union integrating India into the EU single market

Q12. Within the International Maritime Organization framework — the same authority under which the Hong Kong Convention was adopted — the prevention of pollution from ships is primarily governed by which of the following instruments?

• A. MARPOL
• B. SOLAS
• C. UNCLOS
• D. Basel Convention