UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — 21st Meeting of Maritime State Development Council Concludes Successfully at Mumbai

Q1. With reference to the constitutional distribution of power over ports in India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Parliament may legislate on ports other than major ports, and if such a law conflicts with a State law on the same matter, the Parliamentary law prevails.
  2. A port acquires the status of a 'major port' by being so declared by or under a law made by Parliament or an existing law, and not automatically on crossing a cargo-volume threshold.
  3. Since ports other than major ports are in the Concurrent List, their day-to-day administration vests in the Union government.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 only

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

  1. The Indian Ports Act, 2025, enacted by Parliament, contains provisions that govern non-major ports, such as requiring State governments to set up dispute resolution committees for disputes involving them.
  2. Ports other than major ports are a Concurrent List subject, which makes Parliament competent to legislate on them.
  • 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. With reference to the recognition of the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) under the Indian Ports Act, 2025, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Council's existence and composition now rest on an Act of Parliament, and not merely on an executive decision that the government could alter on its own.
  2. Having become a statutory body, the Council can issue recommendations that are binding on coastal State governments.
  3. The Council first came into existence when the Indian Ports Act, 2025 was enacted.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 only

Q4. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Under the Indian Ports Act, 2025, the Boards of Major Port Authorities and the State Maritime Boards are required to endeavour to adhere to the national perspective plan for the port sector.
  2. The Maritime State Development Council, which advises on the national perspective plan, is a constitutional body set up under Article 263 of the Constitution.
  • 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

Q5. With reference to rule-making under the Indian Ports Act, 2025, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Certain operational details, such as the manner in which ports report pollution threats to coastal waters, are left by the Act to be prescribed by the central government.
  2. Rule-making power under the Act is vested exclusively in the central government, leaving State governments no role in framing subordinate rules.
  3. Subordinate rules notified by a State government under the Act derive their authority from this Act of Parliament rather than from a separate State enactment.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 2 and 3 only