Geography question from Patwari exam, 2024 by JKSSB
India sovereignty in sea extends up to ______ nautical miles.
Last updated Jun 24, 2026
Correct Answer:
Option C —
12
• According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), a country's sovereignty extends to its territorial sea, which is a belt of coastal waters extending at most 12 nautical miles (approximately 22.2 km) from the baseline (usually the mean low-water mark).
• Within these 12 nautical miles, the coastal state (India) exercises full sovereignty over the air space, the water column, the seabed, and the subsoil. This is treated similarly to the country's land territory, although foreign vessels are allowed "innocent passage" through these waters.
• Other Zones for Comparison:
o Contiguous Zone: Extends up to 24 nautical miles from the baseline (used for customs, fiscal, immigration, or sanitary laws).
o Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): Extends up to 200 nautical miles, where the state has rights over natural resources but does not have full sovereignty.
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
