India to Add 100 New Ships Over Five Years to Cut $75 Billion Foreign Freight Expenditure
Distilled Policy Brief
- India plans to add 100 new ships to its fleet over the next five years to reduce the country's 75 billion dollar foreign freight expenditure.
- Union Minister Sarbananda Sononwal highlighted a five-point program focusing on financial reforms, cargo support, competitive financing, and ease of doing business under the National Shipping Board.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
National Shipping Board, Maritime India Vision 2030, and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Discuss the significance of expanding India's domestic merchant shipping fleet to reduce foreign freight dependence and achieve self-reliance in the maritime sector by 2047.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
Consider the following initiatives and policy measures related to India's maritime sector: 1. India plans to add 100 new ships to its national fleet over the next five years to reduce foreign freight expenditure. 2. The National Shipping Board recently organized its first-ever 'Sagar Samvad' event, focusing on a five-point program including financial reforms, cargo support, and ease of doing business. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- [A] 1 only
- [B] 2 only
- [C] Both 1 and 2
- [D] Neither 1 nor 2
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Both statements are correct based on the policy briefing from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. India aims to add 100 new ships in five years to cut down its 75 billion dollar foreign freight expenditure, and the National Shipping Board held its inaugural 'Sagar Samvad' highlighting a five-point program for maritime development.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.