QUESTION 20
GS3
15 marks
Why is maritime security vital to protect India's sea trade? Discuss maritime and coastal security challenges and the way forward.
WRITE IN
11 min
250 words
What the examiner wants
Explain why maritime security is vital for India's sea trade, discuss maritime and coastal security challenges, and suggest the way forward.
DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.
Demand-wise check
- 1Why: about 95% of trade by volume and 70% by value moves by sea; energy imports; EEZ resources; island territories≈65 words
- 2Challenges: piracy (Gulf of Aden), Red Sea attacks on shipping (2023–24), China's presence and dual-use ports, illegal fishing, smuggling and terror routes (26/11), climate risks to ports≈65 words
- 3Way forward: SAGAR/MAHASAGAR, IFC-IOR, naval capability, coastal security scheme, port security (ISPS), partnerships (Quad, IORA), shipbuilding≈65 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
ImportanceChallenges (maritime and coastal)Way forwardConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Not separating maritime and coastal challenges
- No recent example
Draw this
- Indian Ocean map with chokepoints and Indian Navy deployments
Value addition
- DataAbout 95% of India's trade by volume and about 70% by value moves by sea.Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
- ExampleIndian Navy's Operation Sankalp deployed warships in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden during the 2023–24 Red Sea crisis.Indian Navy
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 50 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 11 minutes, then get it checked.