UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I
Question 24: Economy and Social Development
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 :
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
Vizhinjam in Kerala is India's first deep-water international container transhipment port, with a natural draft of around 20 metres and a position close to the main east-west shipping route. By handling mother vessels itself, India can cut the transhipment of its cargo through foreign hubs such as Colombo, keep the port revenue at home and gain a larger place in regional maritime trade. It is not an exclusively domestic hub, and not mainly a cruise or heritage port.
- 1. It is an international trans-shipment hub, not exclusively domestic.
- 2. Cruise tourism is incidental; the port is built for container trans-shipment.
- 3. Natural depth and location cut reliance on foreign trans-shipment ports.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (b) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: It is an international trans-shipment hub, not exclusively domestic.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (c) goes: it includes 2.
What you needed to know: Cruise tourism is incidental; the port is built for container trans-shipment.
Only (d) is left. You didn’t need statement 3.
This follows UPSC’s provisional key; the final key could change it.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: it is built for international trans-shipment and involves foreign collaboration, not an exclusively domestic role.
- (b) Wrong: its main role is cargo trans-shipment, not cruise tourism.
- (c) Wrong: statement 2 is wrong.
- (d) Right: deep draft and location reduce dependence on foreign hubs.
Only the provisional key (27 May 2026) was found; the final key replaces it when found.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.