UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Hon’ble Vice President of India to launch Letter of Authorisation for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas and Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document

Q1. In the context of the framework launched at Bhubaneswar in July 2026, the 'Letter of Authorisation (LoA)' for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries refers to which one of the following?

  • A. An instrument authorising eligible entities to undertake sustainable fishing operations in the High Seas beyond India's Exclusive Economic Zone
  • B. A fund-release sanction letter transferring PMMSY grants to coastal State governments
  • C. A customs clearance permitting the export of processed marine products from EEZ waters
  • D. A licence permitting construction of fishing harbours under the Sagarmala programme

Q2. With reference to the Access Pass framework for the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the Letter of Authorisation (LoA) for the High Seas, consider the following statements: 1. The Access Pass governs fishing within India's EEZ, whereas the LoA governs Indian-flagged vessels operating in the High Seas beyond the EEZ. 2. Both instruments are administered digitally through the ReALCRaft portal of the Department of Fisheries. 3. The EEZ Access Pass was first launched by the Vice President of India, while the High Seas LoA was launched by the Union Fisheries Minister. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Access Pass governs fishing within India's EEZ, whereas the LoA governs Indian-flagged vessels operating in the High Seas beyond the EEZ.
  2. Both instruments are administered digitally through the ReALCRaft portal of the Department of Fisheries.
  3. The EEZ Access Pass was first launched by the Vice President of India, while the High Seas LoA was launched by the Union Fisheries Minister.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Under the framework for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries, which of the following is identified as accounting for the single largest share (about 49%) of India's Exclusive Economic Zone, and is therefore given special focus?

  • A. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep together
  • B. The Lakshadweep Islands alone
  • C. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands alone
  • D. The Gujarat and Tamil Nadu coasts together

Q4. The Rules for 'Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)', notified in November 2025, were issued by which one of the following?

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

Q5. With reference to the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document, consider the following: 1. It is a State-specific mission document with a ten-year horizon spanning 2026 to 2036. 2. It was launched together with the High Seas Letter of Authorisation at Bhubaneswar. 3. It is implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences under the Deep Ocean Mission. 4. Its nodal implementing department is the Department of Fisheries. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. It is a State-specific mission document with a ten-year horizon spanning 2026 to 2036.
  2. It was launched together with the High Seas Letter of Authorisation at Bhubaneswar.
  3. It is implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences under the Deep Ocean Mission.
  4. Its nodal implementing department is the Department of Fisheries.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q6. The Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document, launched in July 2026, is designed to operate over which one of the following ten-year periods?

  • A. 2026 to 2036
  • B. 2025 to 2035
  • C. 2020 to 2030
  • D. 2026 to 2031

Q7. The national launch of the High Seas Letter of Authorisation, together with a dedicated State Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document, was hosted by which State, making it the lead State of the flagship launch event?

  • A. Odisha
  • B. Gujarat
  • C. Tamil Nadu
  • D. Goa

Q8. With reference to Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) and fisheries cooperatives in India's deep-sea fishing policy, consider the following: 1. 'FFPO' stands for Fish Farmer Producer Organisation. 2. Fishermen Cooperative Societies and FFPOs are given priority for deep-sea fishing operations and technologically advanced vessels. 3. The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) selected primary fisheries cooperative societies across coastal States for development as FFPOs. 4. FFPOs are barred from operating technologically advanced deep-sea vessels, which are reserved exclusively for private companies. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 'FFPO' stands for Fish Farmer Producer Organisation.
  2. Fishermen Cooperative Societies and FFPOs are given priority for deep-sea fishing operations and technologically advanced vessels.
  3. The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) selected primary fisheries cooperative societies across coastal States for development as FFPOs.
  4. FFPOs are barred from operating technologically advanced deep-sea vessels, which are reserved exclusively for private companies.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. Which one of the following is the lead agency that selected primary fisheries cooperative societies in coastal States for development into Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs)?

  • A. National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)
  • B. National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB)
  • C. Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)
  • D. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)

Q10. With reference to India's maritime zones under the Law of the Sea framework, consider the following statements: 1. India's territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles, while its Exclusive Economic Zone extends up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline. 2. The High Seas lie beyond the 200-nautical-mile limit of the EEZ and form the area addressed by the Letter of Authorisation. 3. Within its EEZ, a coastal State enjoys full territorial sovereignty identical to that exercised over its land territory. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. India's territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles, while its Exclusive Economic Zone extends up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline.
  2. The High Seas lie beyond the 200-nautical-mile limit of the EEZ and form the area addressed by the Letter of Authorisation.
  3. Within its EEZ, a coastal State enjoys full territorial sovereignty identical to that exercised over its land territory.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. With reference to the administrative machinery for fisheries in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Department of Fisheries functions under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. 2. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) was launched in 2020 with an investment of about Rs 20,050 crore. 3. Unlike PMMSY, the new EEZ/High Seas framework is the only fisheries programme ever implemented by the Department of Fisheries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Department of Fisheries functions under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
  2. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) was launched in 2020 with an investment of about Rs 20,050 crore.
  3. Unlike PMMSY, the new EEZ/High Seas framework is the only fisheries programme ever implemented by the Department of Fisheries.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3