Ships from which of the following countries have to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach out to the Indian Ocean ? 1. Bahrain 2. Syria 3. Qatar 4. Egypt Select the answer using the code given below :
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 1 and 3 ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) 3 and 4
Why the answer is (b)
• The Strait of Hormuz is the only sea outlet of the Persian Gulf, connecting it to the Gulf of Oman and thence the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
• Bahrain and Qatar lie entirely on the Persian Gulf, so their ships must pass through Hormuz to reach the Indian Ocean — 1 and 3 are correct.
• Syria's coast is on the Mediterranean; its ships would reach the Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal and Red Sea (Bab-el-Mandeb), not Hormuz.
• Egypt has coasts on both the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, so it too reaches the Indian Ocean through Bab-el-Mandeb, bypassing Hormuz entirely.
• Hence 1 and 3, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2
- Syria is on the Mediterranean and does not use Hormuz.
- (c) 2 and 3
- Syria does not use Hormuz; Qatar does.
- (d) 3 and 4
- Egypt reaches the Indian Ocean via the Red Sea, not Hormuz.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.