UPSC Mains 2025 · GS III · Q20 · 15 marks · 250 words

Why is maritime security vital to protect India’s sea trade ? Discuss maritime and coastal security challenges and the way forward.

हिन्दी में

भारत के समुद्री व्यापार के संरक्षण के लिए समुद्री सुरक्षा क्यों अत्यावश्यक है ? समुद्री तथा तटीय सुरक्षा की चुनौतियों तथा आगे बढ़ने के मार्ग पर चर्चा कीजिए।

Maritime Security

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Maritime security challenges are complex, driven by both conventional and non-conventional threats. In this context, discuss the key maritime security challenges in India. Also, highlight the measures taken by the government in this regard.”

Astha JainAIR 9 · CSE 2025 · 96 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

India has a long coastline of around 15000 km, presenting its own security challenges

Body · points

Diagram

- Sketch map of India - Arrows pointing from sea towards India: - Routes Attack on ships - Piracy in IOR - Terrorist incursions - Natural disasters - Organised crime networks

key challenges

(1) Conventional threats → a) Maritime attacks by adversaries → b) Chinas String of pearls to choke India (Gwadar, Pak; Hambantota, SL) → c) Surveillance by enemies such as chinese fleet in IOR → d) maritime disputes (eg Sir Creek)

(2) Non-conventional

a) Terrorist incursions (eg Mumbai attackers used sea route to enter) b) Drug trafficking (eg Coastal guard caught kilos of drugs) c) Threat to freedom of navigation → chokepoints such as Strait of Hormuz. d) Disasters:- Tsunami, cyclones

Close · no separate close

None written.

2 more toppers’ answers to this question, part by part, and how they all approached it: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025, General Studies Paper III, Q20. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.