Airports and Seaports in India MCQs with Answers

This set of 30 exam-oriented MCQs covers India’s important airports, seaports, port locations, coastal geography, airport codes, international airports, major port authorities, maritime trade, and aviation infrastructure. The questions are designed for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, PSC, State Exams, Defence Exams and other competitive examinations in India.

Current-affairs accuracy note: India currently has 12 operational Major Ports under the Government of India. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has also reported Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra and Galathea Bay Port in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as newly notified Major Ports, so questions below distinguish operational Major Ports from newly notified ones.

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1. Which of the following is an important international airport of Delhi?

A) Safdarjung Airport
B) Indira Gandhi International Airport
C) Hindon Airport
D) Palam Air Base

Answer: B) Indira Gandhi International Airport

Explanation:
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) is the principal international airport serving Delhi and the National Capital Region. It is one of India’s major aviation hubs and handles extensive domestic and international passenger traffic.

Recent Airports Authority of India data continues to identify Delhi’s IGI as India’s busiest airport by passenger traffic among the major airports.

Concept:
Delhi → Indira Gandhi International Airport → Major international aviation hub.

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2. Which airport serves Mumbai?

A) Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
B) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
C) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport
D) Kempegowda International Airport

Answer: B) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport

Explanation:
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) serves Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is one of India’s busiest airports and an important gateway for both domestic and international air travel.

Concept:
Mumbai → CSMIA → Maharashtra → Major international airport.

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3. Which airport is the principal international airport serving Bengaluru?

A) Kempegowda International Airport
B) HAL Airport
C) Mysuru Airport
D) Mangaluru International Airport

Answer: A) Kempegowda International Airport

Explanation:
Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) serves Bengaluru, Karnataka. It is a major aviation hub in southern India and handles substantial domestic and international traffic.

Exam Tip:
Bengaluru → Kempegowda International Airport.

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4. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is located in which city?

A) Chennai
B) Hyderabad
C) Bengaluru
D) Vijayawada

Answer: B) Hyderabad

Explanation:
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is located at Shamshabad, near Hyderabad, Telangana. It is one of the major airports serving southern and central India.

Concept:
Hyderabad → Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.

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5. Which airport is located in Guwahati, Assam?

A) Dibrugarh Airport
B) Silchar Airport
C) Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport
D) Tezpur Airport

Answer: C) Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport

Explanation:
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA) is located in Guwahati and serves as an important gateway to Assam and the wider Northeast region of India. The Airports Authority of India identifies it as an international airport serving the region.

Concept:
Guwahati → LGBI Airport → Assam → Gateway to Northeast India.

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6. Which airport is associated with Kolkata?

A) Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport
B) Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport
C) Bagdogra Airport
D) Durgapur Airport

Answer: A) Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport

Explanation:
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport serves Kolkata, West Bengal. It is an important aviation hub in eastern India and provides domestic and international connectivity.

Concept:
Kolkata → Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.

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7. Which airport serves Ahmedabad?

A) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport
B) Surat International Airport
C) Vadodara Airport
D) Rajkot International Airport

Answer: A) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport

Explanation:
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It is an important airport serving Gujarat and surrounding regions.

Concept:
Ahmedabad → Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

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8. Which of the following airports is located in Kerala?

A) Cochin International Airport
B) Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
C) Biju Patnaik International Airport
D) Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport

Answer: A) Cochin International Airport

Explanation:
Cochin International Airport (Kochi Airport) is located in Kerala. It is one of India’s important international airports and is notable for being developed under a public-private partnership model.

Other important international airports in Kerala include Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.

Concept:
Cochin → Kerala → International Airport.

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9. Which airport is located in Jaipur?

A) Jaipur International Airport
B) Jodhpur International Airport
C) Maharana Pratap Airport
D) Kota Airport

Answer: A) Jaipur International Airport

Explanation:
Jaipur International Airport serves Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. It is an important airport for tourism, business and regional connectivity in Rajasthan.

Concept:
Jaipur → Rajasthan → Jaipur International Airport.

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10. Which airport is located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

A) Veer Savarkar International Airport
B) Port Blair Air Base only
C) Car Nicobar International Airport
D) Campbell Bay International Airport

Answer: A) Veer Savarkar International Airport

Explanation:
Veer Savarkar International Airport is located at Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It serves as the principal air gateway to the Union Territory.

The airport continues to be officially identified as Veer Savarkar International Airport by the Airports Authority of India.

Concept:
Andaman & Nicobar Islands → Sri Vijaya Puram → Veer Savarkar International Airport.

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Seaports and Major Ports

11. How many operational Major Ports are currently under the Government of India’s administrative framework?

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

Answer: C) 12

Explanation:
India has 12 operational Major Ports under the Government of India. They are distributed along India’s eastern and western coasts.

The current list includes ports such as Deendayal, Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mormugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, V.O. Chidambaranar, Chennai, Kamarajar, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Syama Prasad Mookerjee.

Concept:
India → 12 operational Major Ports.

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12. Which of the following is a Major Port on India’s western coast?

A) Paradip
B) Chennai
C) Mumbai
D) Visakhapatnam

Answer: C) Mumbai

Explanation:
Mumbai Port is located on the Arabian Sea coast of Maharashtra. It is one of India’s historic major ports.

The eastern coast faces the Bay of Bengal, while the western coast faces the Arabian Sea.

Concept:
Mumbai → Maharashtra → Arabian Sea → Western Coast.

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13. Jawaharlal Nehru Port is located in which state?

A) Gujarat
B) Maharashtra
C) Goa
D) Karnataka

Answer: B) Maharashtra

Explanation:
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is located at Nhava Sheva near Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is one of India’s most important container ports.

Exam Tip:
JNPA → Nhava Sheva → Maharashtra.

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14. Which of the following is a major port of Gujarat?

A) Deendayal Port
B) Cochin Port
C) Paradip Port
D) Mormugao Port

Answer: A) Deendayal Port

Explanation:
Deendayal Port is located in Gujarat. It was formerly known as Kandla Port.

It is situated on the Gulf of Kutch and is an important port for India’s western maritime trade.

Concept:
Deendayal Port → Kandla → Gujarat → Gulf of Kutch.

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15. Mormugao Port is located in which state?

A) Kerala
B) Goa
C) Maharashtra
D) Karnataka

Answer: B) Goa

Explanation:
Mormugao Port Authority is located in Goa on India’s western coast. The port has historically played an important role in the export and handling of iron ore, along with other cargo.

Concept:
Mormugao → Goa → Arabian Sea → Western Coast.

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16. New Mangalore Port is located in which state?

A) Karnataka
B) Kerala
C) Goa
D) Tamil Nadu

Answer: A) Karnataka

Explanation:
New Mangalore Port Authority is located at Mangaluru in Karnataka. It is an important port on India’s western coast and handles commodities such as petroleum products, fertilizers and other cargo.

Concept:
New Mangalore → Karnataka → Arabian Sea.

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17. Cochin Port is located in which state?

A) Tamil Nadu
B) Andhra Pradesh
C) Kerala
D) Odisha

Answer: C) Kerala

Explanation:
Cochin Port Authority is located in Kochi, Kerala. It is an important maritime gateway on the Malabar Coast and has strategic and commercial significance.

Concept:
Cochin → Kerala → Malabar Coast → Arabian Sea.

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18. Which major port is located in Odisha?

A) Paradip Port
B) Kamarajar Port
C) Cochin Port
D) Mormugao Port

Answer: A) Paradip Port

Explanation:
Paradip Port Authority is located in Odisha on the Bay of Bengal. It is an important eastern-coast port and handles substantial bulk cargo.

Concept:
Paradip → Odisha → Bay of Bengal → Eastern Coast.

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19. Visakhapatnam Port is located in which state?

A) Telangana
B) Andhra Pradesh
C) Odisha
D) Tamil Nadu

Answer: B) Andhra Pradesh

Explanation:
Visakhapatnam Port Authority is located in Andhra Pradesh on the eastern coast. Visakhapatnam is an important industrial and maritime centre.

Concept:
Visakhapatnam → Andhra Pradesh → Bay of Bengal.

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20. Which major port is associated with Tamil Nadu?

A) Chennai Port
B) Mumbai Port
C) Mormugao Port
D) Deendayal Port

Answer: A) Chennai Port

Explanation:
Chennai Port Authority is one of India’s major ports and is located on the Coromandel Coast of Tamil Nadu.

It plays an important role in the maritime trade and industrial economy of southern India.

Concept:
Chennai → Tamil Nadu → Coromandel Coast → Bay of Bengal.

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21. Kamarajar Port is located in which state?

A) Kerala
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Andhra Pradesh
D) Odisha

Answer: B) Tamil Nadu

Explanation:
Kamarajar Port Limited, formerly known as Ennore Port, is located in Tamil Nadu near Chennai. It is one of India’s operational Major Ports.

The current official list identifies Kamarajar Port as one of the 12 operational Major Ports.

Concept:
Kamarajar Port → Ennore → Tamil Nadu.

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22. V.O. Chidambaranar Port is located at which place?

A) Tuticorin/Thoothukudi
B) Kochi
C) Mangaluru
D) Visakhapatnam

Answer: A) Tuticorin/Thoothukudi

Explanation:
V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority is located at Thoothukudi (Tuticorin), Tamil Nadu. It is an important port in southern Tamil Nadu.

The port was renamed in honour of V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, an important figure in India’s freedom movement.

Concept:
V.O. Chidambaranar Port → Tuticorin/Thoothukudi → Tamil Nadu.

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23. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port is located in which state?

A) Odisha
B) West Bengal
C) Bihar
D) Assam

Answer: B) West Bengal

Explanation:
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority (SMPA) is the current name of the major port authority associated with Kolkata and Haldia in West Bengal.

It is an important riverine port system connected with the Hooghly River.

Concept:
SMPA → Kolkata/Haldia → West Bengal → Hooghly River.

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24. Which of the following Major Ports is located on the west coast of India?

A) Paradip
B) Visakhapatnam
C) Chennai
D) Cochin

Answer: D) Cochin

Explanation:
Cochin is located on India’s southwestern coast, along the Arabian Sea. Paradip, Visakhapatnam and Chennai are on the eastern coast along the Bay of Bengal.

Quick Rule:

West Coast → Arabian Sea
East Coast → Bay of Bengal

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25. Which of the following correctly matches a port with its state?

A) Paradip — Odisha
B) Mormugao — Kerala
C) Cochin — Goa
D) Deendayal — Maharashtra

Answer: A) Paradip — Odisha

Explanation:
Paradip Port is located in Odisha.

Correct associations include:

• Paradip → Odisha
• Mormugao → Goa
• Cochin → Kerala
• Deendayal → Gujarat

These port-state combinations are frequently asked in competitive examinations.

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26. Which of the following is the correct west coast port–state pair?

A) Mumbai — Maharashtra
B) Paradip — Maharashtra
C) Chennai — Gujarat
D) Visakhapatnam — Goa

Answer: A) Mumbai — Maharashtra

Explanation:
Mumbai Port is located in Maharashtra on India’s western coast.

Other important western-coast Major Ports include:

• Deendayal → Gujarat
• Jawaharlal Nehru → Maharashtra
• Mumbai → Maharashtra
• Mormugao → Goa
• New Mangalore → Karnataka
• Cochin → Kerala

India’s official port data identifies six of the 12 Major Ports on the western coast.

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27. Which of the following is the correct east coast port–state pair?

A) Mormugao — Goa
B) New Mangalore — Karnataka
C) Visakhapatnam — Andhra Pradesh
D) Cochin — Kerala

Answer: C) Visakhapatnam — Andhra Pradesh

Explanation:
Visakhapatnam Port is located in Andhra Pradesh on the Bay of Bengal coast.

Important eastern-coast Major Ports include:

• Syama Prasad Mookerjee → West Bengal
• Paradip → Odisha
• Visakhapatnam → Andhra Pradesh
• Chennai → Tamil Nadu
• Kamarajar → Tamil Nadu
• V.O. Chidambaranar → Tamil Nadu

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28. Which organisation is primarily responsible for airport infrastructure and air navigation services at many airports in India?

A) Airports Authority of India
B) NHAI
C) Indian Ports Association
D) Railway Board

Answer: A) Airports Authority of India

Explanation:
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is a major organisation in India’s civil aviation infrastructure. It manages numerous airports and provides air navigation services.

However, it is important to understand that not every airport in India is operated by AAI. Several major airports are operated under public-private partnership or other arrangements. For example, Guwahati Airport is currently operated and managed through a PPP arrangement.

Concept:
AAI → Airport infrastructure + Air navigation services.

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29. Which of the following statements about India’s Major Ports is correct?

A) All Major Ports are located on the eastern coast
B) All Major Ports are located on the western coast
C) India’s 12 operational Major Ports are distributed between the eastern and western coasts
D) Major Ports are controlled exclusively by State Governments

Answer: C) India’s 12 operational Major Ports are distributed between the eastern and western coasts

Explanation:
India’s 12 operational Major Ports are distributed across both coasts. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways identifies six Major Ports on the eastern coast and six on the western coast.

Major Ports are under the administrative framework of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, while ports other than Major Ports are generally under the jurisdiction of the respective State Governments or State Maritime Boards.

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30. Which of the following statements is correct regarding India’s newly notified Major Ports?

A) Vadhavan Port is in Odisha
B) Galathea Bay Port is in Kerala
C) Vadhavan Port is in Maharashtra and Galathea Bay Port is in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
D) Both are located in Gujarat

Answer: C) Vadhavan Port is in Maharashtra and Galathea Bay Port is in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Explanation:
This is an important current-affairs-linked transport question. In February 2026, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways reported that Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra and Galathea Bay Port in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands had been notified as Major Ports. They are distinct from the 12 operational Major Ports listed by the government.

Exam Tip:
Do not automatically treat every notified Major Port as one of the 12 currently operational Major Ports.

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Quick Revision Table – Airports in India

The Airports Authority of India identifies airports such as Kolkata, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Guwahati, Jaipur and Port Blair among India’s international airports, along with major privately managed airports such as Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi and Nagpur.

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Quick Revision Table – 12 Operational Major Ports

This current list is based on the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways’ official information.

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High-Value Exam Revision Points

✈️ Airports

• Delhi → Indira Gandhi International Airport
• Mumbai → Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
• Bengaluru → Kempegowda International Airport
• Hyderabad → Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
• Chennai → Chennai International Airport
• Kolkata → Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport
• Ahmedabad → Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport
• Guwahati → Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport
• Kochi → Cochin International Airport
• Sri Vijaya Puram → Veer Savarkar International Airport

⚓ Seaports

• Deendayal → Gujarat → Kandla
• JNPA → Maharashtra → Nhava Sheva
• Mumbai → Maharashtra
• Mormugao → Goa
• New Mangalore → Karnataka
• Cochin → Kerala
• V.O. Chidambaranar → Thoothukudi/Tuticorin
• Chennai → Tamil Nadu
• Kamarajar → Ennore → Tamil Nadu
• Visakhapatnam → Andhra Pradesh
• Paradip → Odisha
• Syama Prasad Mookerjee → Kolkata/Haldia → West Bengal

🌊 Geography Rule

Western Coast → Arabian Sea

Eastern Coast → Bay of Bengal

This simple distinction is extremely useful when solving UPSC, SSC, Railway, Banking, PSC and State GK questions involving Indian ports.

⭐ Current-Affairs Point

12 operational Major Ports remain a key examination fact, while Vadhavan Port (Maharashtra) and Galathea Bay Port (Andaman & Nicobar Islands) have been notified as new Major Ports.