UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Sagarmanthan 2026 Opens as India Charts the Course for a Trusted, Rules-Based Global Maritime Order

Q1. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Under the Bills of Lading Act, 2025, a consignee or endorsee to whom property in the goods passes can sue the carrier as if the contract of carriage had been made with them.
  2. Without a statutory transfer, rights under a contract of carriage would remain with the original shipper, because a person who is not a party to a contract cannot ordinarily sue on it.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Ammonia used as a marine fuel releases no carbon dioxide when it is burnt.
  2. Ammonia is classed as 'green' when its hydrogen is produced from natural gas and the resulting carbon dioxide is captured and stored.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. In the context of decarbonising shipping through 'green shipping corridors' such as the India-EU corridor, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Shipowners hesitate to order vessels using new fuels unless refuelling is assured at ports, while fuel producers hesitate without assured demand; a corridor coordinates both on a defined route.
  2. Liquefied natural gas qualifies as a zero-emission fuel for such corridors because methane produces no carbon dioxide on combustion.
  3. Green methanol qualifies as 'green' because, unlike conventional marine fuels, it releases no carbon dioxide when burnt in a ship's engine.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q4. With reference to the regulation of coastal shipping (cabotage) in India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Cabotage refers to carrying goods or passengers between two ports of the same country, as distinct from carriage between an Indian port and a foreign port.
  2. Under the Coastal Shipping Act, 2025, Indian-flagged vessels need a general trading licence to engage in coastal trade, while foreign-flagged vessels are exempt.
  3. Conditions attached to licences for foreign vessels in coastal trade can be used to promote employment of Indian seafarers or shipbuilding in India.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1 and 3 only