2022 · GS Paper 3 · Q10 · 10 marks
What are the maritime security challenges in India ? Discuss the organisational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve the maritime security.
In short
India's maritime security challenges include sea-borne infiltration, narcotics smuggling, piracy, Chinese presence, disputes and cyber threats to ports. After 26/11 it built a three-tier Navy, Coast Guard and marine police system with coastal radars, the Gurugram Information Fusion Centre and procedures like fishermen's biometric cards.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 275 words
Sea-borne infiltration
Thousands of boats and landing points let terrorists pose as fishermen, as on 26/11.
Narcotics and smuggling
About 3,000 kg of heroin seized at Mundra (2021) and a record methamphetamine haul off the Andamans (2024) show the drug routes.
Piracy and rivalry
Red Sea and Somali attacks threaten shipping, while Chinese research vessels and ports such as Hambantota expand a rival presence.
Disputes and cyber risk
Sir Creek, fishermen's arrests, illegal fishing and the 2017 ransomware hit at JNPT blur military and civilian threats.
Organisational
The Navy leads overall maritime security, the Coast Guard coastal security, with marine police stations, a Cabinet Secretary-led national committee and a National Maritime Security Coordinator (2022).
Technical
Coastal radars, the NC3I network and the Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region at Gurugram (2018) build domain awareness.
Procedural
Biometric cards for fishermen, colour-coded boats, transponders and exercises such as Sea Vigil close gaps.
Legal and diplomatic
The Maritime Anti-Piracy Act (2022) and the SAGAR vision (2015) extend India's reach.
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2022 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.