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RAS question

India's largest major port by cargo handling is:

Correct answer: (B) Paradip, Odisha.

Paradip Port in Odisha is India’s largest major port by cargo handling, with 150.41 MMT handled in FY 2024-25.

  1. (A)

    Mumbai Port

  2. (B)

    Paradip, Odisha

  3. (C)

    Deendayal Port (Kandla), Gujarat

  4. (D)

    Visakhapatnam

Explanation

Paradip is the right answer because the official PIB release from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways states that Paradip Port handled a record 150.41 MMT of cargo in FY 2024-25 and ranked as India’s No. 1 Major Port. The question is specifically about major ports by cargo handling, not container traffic or all ports combined. That distinction matters: Jawaharlal Nehru Port is the largest container port, while Mundra is India’s largest port overall but is a private port. Among Central government major ports, Paradip has overtaken earlier leaders and now leads on total cargo volume.

Why the other options are wrong

  • (A) Mumbai Port is a major port, but it is not the largest now, while the PIB release ranks Paradip as India’s No. 1 Major Port by cargo handling.
  • (C) Deendayal Port at Kandla was the largest earlier, but it has been overtaken, and the PIB release identifies Paradip as the current No. 1 Major Port.
  • (D) Visakhapatnam is not the largest by cargo handling because the official PIB data cited for FY 2024-25 places Paradip at the top among major ports.

Concept

This tests India’s transport geography, especially the distinction between major ports, container ports and private ports. RAS repeats such facts because port rankings link location, trade flows and current government infrastructure data.

Source

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