Top 20 MCQs on Indian Ports Act 2025: Test Your Knowledge on Maritime Reforms & Provisions

MCQ 1: What does the Indian Ports Act, 2025 primarily replace in terms of outdated legislation?

A) Major Port Trusts Act, 1963 B) Indian Ports Act, 1908 C) Multimodal Transportation of Goods Act, 1993 D) Shipping Regulation Act, 1923

Correct Answer: B

The Indian Ports Act, 2025 replaces the century-old Indian Ports Act of 1908 with a modern, integrated framework to address contemporary economic demands.

MCQ 2: When was the Indian Ports Act, 2025 passed by the Parliament?

A) July 2025 B) August 2025 C) September 2025 D) October 2025

Correct Answer: B

The Act was passed by Parliament in August 2025, marking a transformative milestone in India's maritime governance.

MCQ 3: What is the role of ports in India's EXIM trade according to the Act?

A) 50% by volume and 40% by value B) 95% by volume and 70% by value C) 80% by volume and 60% by value D) 70% by volume and 95% by value

Correct Answer: B

Ports handle around 95% of EXIM cargo by volume and 70% by value, underscoring their strategic importance in national logistics.

MCQ 4: How many major ports does India have under the Act's context?

A) 8 B) 10 C) 12 D) 15

Correct Answer: C

India hosts 12 major ports under the administrative purview of the Ministry of Shipping, while over 200 non-major ports fall under state jurisdictions.

MCQ 5: What statutory consultative body is established by the Indian Ports Act, 2025 to coordinate between the Centre and coastal States?

A) National Maritime Authority B) Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) C) Central Port Regulatory Board D) State Shipping Commission

Correct Answer: B

The Act establishes the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) as a statutory body for coordination, data dissemination, and advising on national planning.

MCQ 6: Which global conventions does the Act align with for environmental protections?

A) Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement B) MARPOL and Ballast Water Management C) IMO and SOLAS D) UNCLOS and CBD

Correct Answer: B

The legislation strengthens environmental safeguards by aligning with MARPOL and Ballast Water Management conventions, introducing mandates for pollution control.

MCQ 7: What new responsibilities are added to the Port Officer (Conservator) under the Act?

A) Tariff setting and investment approval B) Disease control, damage assessment, and penalty adjudication C) Vessel construction and crew training D) Port expansion planning and land acquisition

Correct Answer: B

The conservator, as Port Officer, retains powers over vessel movement and adds responsibilities for disease control, damage assessment, and penalty adjudication.

MCQ 8: Under the Act, who oversees the management of non-major ports?

A) Ministry of Shipping B) State Maritime Boards C) Central Port Authority D) National Maritime Council

Correct Answer: B

The Act formally recognizes and empowers State Maritime Boards to manage non-major ports, including planning, infrastructure, licensing, and compliances.

MCQ 9: What mechanism does the Act introduce for resolving disputes at non-major ports?

A) Direct appeals to the Supreme Court B) Dispute Resolution Committees (DRCs) with appeals to High Court C) Arbitration by the Ministry of Shipping D) Civil court litigation only

Correct Answer: B

State governments must set up Dispute Resolution Committees (DRCs) for conflicts among port stakeholders, with appeals to the High Court for speedy resolution.

MCQ 10: How are tariffs determined for major ports under the Indian Ports Act, 2025?

A) By the Central Government directly B) By the Board of the Major Port Authority or Board of Directors C) By State Maritime Boards exclusively D) Through international bidding

Correct Answer: B

Tariffs at major ports are set by the Board of the Major Port Authority or Board of Directors if operating as a company, ensuring transparency via electronic publication.

MCQ 11: What does the Act mandate for enhancing Ease of Doing Business (EODB) in ports?

A) Manual paperwork and physical inspections B) Simplification of procedures and digitalization of operations C) Increased customs duties on cargo D) Restriction on private investments

Correct Answer: B

The legislation simplifies port procedures and digitalizes operations, including initiatives like Maritime Single Window, to boost EODB and efficiency.

MCQ 12: Approximately how many non-major ports in India handle cargo as per the document?

A) 25 B) 65 C) 100 D) 150

Correct Answer: B

Among over 200 non-major ports, around 65 handle cargo, while the rest serve as Port Limits for fishing vessels and small ferries.

MCQ 13: What is the primary vision of the Indian Ports Act, 2025 regarding ports?

A) Merely as transit points B) As engines of growth, employment, and strategic connectivity C) Exclusively for fishing and inland waterways D) Limited to major ports only

Correct Answer: B

The Act positions ports not merely as transit points but as engines of growth, employment generation, and urban renewal along India's coastline.

MCQ 14: Under the Act, what role does the Maritime State Development Council play?

A) Direct port operations management B) Guiding data collection, transparency, and national planning advice C) Tariff enforcement only D) Environmental audits exclusively

Correct Answer: B

The MSDC advises the central government on legislative reforms, port efficiency, connectivity, and ensures data dissemination for transparency.

MCQ 15: Which safety violation does the Act uphold penalties for?

A) Delayed cargo delivery B) Damaging buoys or mishandling combustibles on board C) Excessive paperwork D) Unauthorized port visits by tourists

Correct Answer: B

The Act upholds penalties for safety violations like damaging buoys or mishandling combustibles, strengthening overall port security.

MCQ 16: What does the Act require for tariff and charge publication?

A) Annual printed reports only B) Electronic publication for transparency C) Oral announcements at ports D) Confidential internal memos

Correct Answer: B

The Indian Ports Act, 2025 requires tariffs and charges to be published electronically to enhance transparency across major and non-major ports.

MCQ 17: How does the Act promote cooperative federalism?

A) By centralizing all port control B) Empowering States through State Maritime Boards and MSDC C) Limiting state involvement to minor ports D) Ignoring coastal state inputs

Correct Answer: B

By consolidating port laws and empowering States via dedicated bodies like State Maritime Boards and MSDC, the Act fosters cooperative federalism.

MCQ 18: What audits will the Central Government conduct under the Act?

A) Financial audits of private concessionaires B) Compliance audits for waste handling and emergency response plans C) Cargo volume audits only D) Infrastructure cost audits

Correct Answer: B

The Central Government will conduct audits to ensure compliance with waste handling, pollution control, and disaster readiness plans.

MCQ 19: What is the length of India's coastline unlocked by the Act's potential?

A) 5,000 km B) 7,500 km C) 10,000 km D) 12,000 km

Correct Answer: B

The Act aims to unlock the full potential of India’s 7,500 km coastline through streamlined administration and alignment with global standards.

MCQ 20: By what year does the Act align with India's vision of Viksit Bharat?

A) 2030 B) 2035 C) 2040 D) 2047

Correct Answer: D

As India charts toward Viksit Bharat by 2047, the Act serves as a cornerstone reform for port-led development, innovation, and global maritime leadership.