UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Vice President launches national programme for issuance of Letters of Authorisation for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas

Q1. Under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976, the outer limit of India's Contiguous Zone lies at what distance, measured from the baseline?

  • A. 12 nautical miles
  • B. 24 nautical miles
  • C. 100 nautical miles
  • D. 200 nautical miles

Q2. The national programme for issuance of Letters of Authorisation for sustainable harnessing of fisheries in the High Seas is operationalised by which Union Ministry?

  • 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

Q3. The EEZ Access Pass is issued free of cost through the ReALCraft portal, which was developed by the Department of Fisheries in collaboration with which agency?

  • A. National Informatics Centre (NIC)
  • B. Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)
  • C. Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)
  • D. National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB)

Q4. With reference to the two-tier authorisation architecture for offshore fishing, consider the following statements: 1. The Access Pass authorises fishing within India's Exclusive Economic Zone, whereas the Letter of Authorisation covers the High Seas beyond 200 nautical miles. 2. The Access Pass was launched nationally at Veraval, Gujarat, while the Letter of Authorisation programme was launched at Bhubaneswar, Odisha. 3. Both the Access Pass and the Letter of Authorisation were launched by the Vice-President of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Access Pass authorises fishing within India's Exclusive Economic Zone, whereas the Letter of Authorisation covers the High Seas beyond 200 nautical miles.
  2. The Access Pass was launched nationally at Veraval, Gujarat, while the Letter of Authorisation programme was launched at Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
  3. Both the Access Pass and the Letter of Authorisation were launched by the Vice-President of India.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. With reference to the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone Rules, 2025, consider the following statements: 1. The Rules were notified under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, EEZ and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976. 2. The Rules give priority to Fishermen Cooperative Societies and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations for deep-sea fishing operations. 3. The Rules permit all forms of fishing, including LED light fishing and pair trawling. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Rules were notified under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, EEZ and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976.
  2. The Rules give priority to Fishermen Cooperative Societies and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations for deep-sea fishing operations.
  3. The Rules permit all forms of fishing, including LED light fishing and pair trawling.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. The 'Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone Rules, 2025' derive their statutory authority from which of the following Acts?

  • A. Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, EEZ and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976
  • B. Indian Fisheries Act, 1897
  • C. Marine Products Export Development Authority Act, 1972
  • D. Coast Guard Act, 1978

Q7. With reference to the ReALCraft portal used for EEZ fishing authorisations, consider the following statements: 1. ReALCraft stands for Registration and Licensing of Fishing Craft. 2. It was developed by the National Informatics Centre together with the Department of Fisheries. 3. Unlike vessel registration, the Access Pass issued through ReALCraft is levied at a fixed licensing fee per vessel. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. ReALCraft stands for Registration and Licensing of Fishing Craft.
  2. It was developed by the National Informatics Centre together with the Department of Fisheries.
  3. Unlike vessel registration, the Access Pass issued through ReALCraft is levied at a fixed licensing fee per vessel.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. As per Department of Fisheries data on the EEZ Access Pass rollout, which State had received the largest number of Access Passes?

  • A. Gujarat
  • B. Andhra Pradesh
  • C. Kerala
  • D. Tamil Nadu

Q9. For export certification and traceability, the EEZ Access Pass system is integrated with the Export Inspection Council and which other statutory body?

  • A. Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)
  • B. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
  • C. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
  • D. Indian Coast Guard

Q10. With reference to India's policy shift towards deep-sea fishing and the Blue Economy, consider the following statements: 1. Tuna and tuna-like species are a priority target of India's deep-sea fishing push. 2. The Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep island groups together account for about 49% of India's Exclusive Economic Zone. 3. India is the world's largest producer of fish, contributing about 25% of global fish production. 4. The EEZ Rules ban LED light fishing, pair trawling and bull trawling. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Tuna and tuna-like species are a priority target of India's deep-sea fishing push.
  2. The Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep island groups together account for about 49% of India's Exclusive Economic Zone.
  3. India is the world's largest producer of fish, contributing about 25% of global fish production.
  4. The EEZ Rules ban LED light fishing, pair trawling and bull trawling.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 4

Q11. The Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document was launched, alongside the High Seas Letters of Authorisation programme, by which of the following?

  • A. Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan
  • B. President of India
  • C. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh
  • D. Chief Minister of Odisha

Q12. With reference to the office of the Vice-President of India, consider the following statements: 1. The Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. 2. The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament. 3. The Vice-President holds office for a term of five years from the date of entering office. 4. To be eligible for election, a person must have completed thirty years of age. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. The Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
  2. The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament.
  3. The Vice-President holds office for a term of five years from the date of entering office.
  4. To be eligible for election, a person must have completed thirty years of age.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1 and 3
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4