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UPSC Prelims 2026 GS Paper 1, question 24

Topic: Economy

Q24

In what way(s) does the Vizhinjam International Seaport represent a structural shift in India's maritime trade and logistics policy ?

  1. By functioning exclusively as a domestic cargo hub to reduce reliance on coastal shipping and eliminate the need for foreign collaborations.

  2. By focusing primarily on passenger cruise tourism and heritage shipping to increase Kerala's profile as a maritime heritage destination.

  3. By leveraging its natural deep draft and strategic location to reduce dependence on foreign trans-shipment ports, enhance revenue retention, and reposition India in regional maritime trade.

Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. (a) 1 only
  2. (b) 1 and 2
  3. (c) 2 and 3
  4. (d) 3 onlyCorrect answer

Solution.

Answer: (d) 3 only

  1. Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect: Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala is an international deep-water container trans-shipment port developed under a PPP model, not an exclusively domestic hub or primarily a cruise-tourism port.
  2. Statement 3 is correct: with a natural deep draft of 18 to 20 metres and proximity (10 nautical miles) to the international East-West shipping axis, Vizhinjam recaptures Indian container trans-shipment traffic previously routed through Colombo, Singapore, and Dubai.