Consider the following statements : 1. The Global Ocean Commission grants licences for seabed exploration and mining in international waters. 2. India has received licences for seabed mineral exploration in international waters. 3. 'Rare earth minerals' are present on seafloor in international waters. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (b)
• Statement 1 is wrong: licences for seabed exploration in international waters are granted by the International Seabed Authority (ISA, Kingston, Jamaica) under UNCLOS; the Global Ocean Commission was an advocacy body (2013–16), not a licensing authority.
• Statement 2 is correct: India holds ISA contracts for polymetallic nodules in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (since 2002) and for polymetallic sulphides in the Indian Ocean Ridge (2016).
• Statement 3 is correct: polymetallic nodules and crusts on the seafloor contain rare earth elements along with cobalt, nickel and manganese.
• India's Deep Ocean Mission (2021) targets these resources.
• Hence 2 and 3 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- Statement 1 is wrong: the ISA, not the Global Ocean Commission, grants licences.
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- Statement 1 is wrong; statement 2 is correct.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Statement 1 is wrong, so all three cannot be correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2021, held on 10 October 2021. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.