CAPF AC 2022 Q117: Geography – Transport & Infrastructure Geography
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 3 only
- (c) 1 and 2 only
- (d) 2 and 3 only
Answer: (d) 2 and 3 only
Explanation
Major and minor ports
How to think: the first statement gives numbers, and they are far off.
India has 12 major ports (13 counting Port Blair in some older lists) and about 200 non-major ports.
The other two statements describe who controls each kind.
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. 4 major and 25 minor ports | Wrong | 12 major and about 200 minor ports |
| 2. Major ports are under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways | Correct | Major ports are in the Union List |
| 3. Minor ports are under State Maritime Boards or State Governments | Correct | Other ports are in the Concurrent List and are run by States |
The 12 major ports: Deendayal (Kandla), Mumbai, JNPT, Mormugao, New Mangalore, Cochin on the west.
Kolkata (with Haldia), Paradip, Visakhapatnam, Kamarajar (Ennore), Chennai, V. O. Chidambaranar (Tuticorin) on the east.
Answer: (d) 2 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 1 gives the wrong numbers.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2 is also true.
- (c) Incorrect. It includes the false statement 1 and leaves out 3.
- (d) CORRECT. Statements 2 and 3 are true.
Key point
12 major ports under the Union (Major Port Authorities Act, 2021); about 200 non-major ports under States. Kamarajar (Ennore) is the only major port organised as a company. Largest container port: JNPT. Vadhavan (Maharashtra) approved as a new major port.
Remember
12 major ports: Centre. About 200 minor ports: States.
Common mistakes
- Not checking the numbers in statement 1.
- Thinking all ports, big and small, are run by the Centre.
- Mixing up the legislative lists: major ports Union, other ports Concurrent.
Exam tip
Educated guess: you can name more than four major ports yourself (Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, Kandla, Visakhapatnam), so statement 1 is false. Only (b) and (d) leave it out, and the ministry's very name supports statement 2.
Sources
- Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways — Ports in India: major and non-major ports
- NCERT Class XII Geography — India: People and Economy, Chapter 11: International Trade (sea ports)