UPSC Notes

International Maritime Law & Freedom of Navigation

PYQs

13

Articles

2

Momentum

30

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Fundamental to global trade, energy security, and preventing conflicts in international waters. Understanding its principles is crucial for analyzing geopolitical events involving maritime disputes and strategic waterways.

International Maritime Law, primarily codified by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), governs the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the world's oceans, including principles like freedom of navigation through international waters and straits.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

UNCLOS

The primary international treaty governing maritime activities, defining territorial waters, exclusive economic zones (EEZs), and international straits.

Freedom of Navigation

A fundamental principle allowing vessels of all states to navigate freely through international waters and certain straits, subject to specific regulations.

Naval Blockades

Acts of war that can restrict freedom of navigation, subject to strict conditions under international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict.

Exclusion Zones

Areas declared by a state to restrict access, often for security or environmental reasons, but their legality in international waters can be contested under UNCLOS.

Innocent Passage

Right of foreign vessels to pass through a state's territorial waters, provided it is not prejudicial to the peace, good order or security of the coastal state.

Transit Passage

Specific right for ships and aircraft to navigate through international straits used for international navigation, without impediment.

Related topics

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 13 linked questions on International Maritime Law & Freedom of Navigation in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

UPSC Prelims PYQs on International Maritime Law & Freedom of Navigation

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements: 1. A coastal state has the right to establish the bread...

2022·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following in respect of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): 1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indi...

2017·International Relations
Solve

With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, Consider the following statements: 1. It was established very recently i...

2015·International Relations
Solve

With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-mem...

2022·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

2023·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following statements: Statement-I : Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe. Statement-II ...

2024·Geography
Solve

Consider the following pairs : Regions : often Reason for being in news 1. North Kivu and Ituri : War between Armenia and Azerbaijan 2. Nagorno-Karabakh : In...

2023·International Relations
Solve

India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect

2025·International Relations
Solve

Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue which Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news?

2022·International Relations
Solve

Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’?

2016·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following statements regarding the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS): 1. The summit held in 2015 marked the third edition of the IAFS. 2. The IAF...

2016·International Relations
Solve

With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements: 1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and w...

2022·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following statements : Statement-I : There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region. Statement-II: There have been m...

2024·International Relations
Solve

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