International RelationsSocial Issues
News 16 of 28

Indian Seafarers: Govt Launches Seafarer First Response & Dashboard as 1,125 Abandoned in 2025

Intl. RelationsSocial IssuesSecurity & DefencePolitySUPPORT
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
24 Jul 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:3.2 lakh seafarers1,125 abandoned in 20258 of 14 Indians killed were seafarers366 vessels blacklistedStrait of Hormuz prohibition July 15
Bodies:Directorate General of ShippingInternational Transport Workers’ FederationInternational Maritime OrganizationInternational Labour OrganizationIndian missions
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.India has 3.2 lakh seafarers (2nd globally) but lacks a robust protection mechanism; 1,125 were abandoned in 2025, the highest globally.

2.Government announced Seafarer First response after West Asia strikes: dashboard to track ships/crew, liaison officers for families, and prohibition on deploying seafarers through Strait of Hormuz.

3.The article calls for a standing maritime consular protocol, bilateral agreements on repatriation, and collective action via IMO/ILO to protect seafarers.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

India's 3.2 lakh seafarers (2nd globally) face jurisdictional gaps and abandonment risks. After West Asia strikes killed 8 Indian seafarers, the government announced a Seafarer First response with a dashboard and liaison officers. This op-ed highlights the need for a standing maritime consular protocol, making it crucial for GS2 (diaspora, consular) and GS3 (maritime security) preparation.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Seafarer Workforce (June 2025)3.2 lakh (approx)
Global Rank2nd (after Philippines)
Abandoned in 20251,125 (highest globally)
Indians killed in West Asia conflict (since Feb 28)14 total; at least 8 were seafarers
Vessels blacklisted for abandonment366 (as of May 14)
Strait of Hormuz prohibition dateJuly 15, 2026

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Seafarer Workforce (June 2025): 3.2 lakh (approx)
  • ›Global Rank: 2nd (after Philippines)
  • ›Target this Data: 3.2 lakh seafarers (June 2025); 1,125 abandoned in 2025; 366 vessels blacklisted for abandonment.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Directorate General of Shipping (under Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways).
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (ILO); Strait of Hormuz prohibition (July 15, 2026).

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

The Directorate General of Shipping, which issued the prohibition on deploying Indian seafarers on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, functions under which ministry?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding Indian seafarers:

1. India has the second largest seafarer workforce globally, behind the Philippines.

2. In 2025, 1,125 Indian seafarers were abandoned, the highest from any country.

3. The government's Seafarer First response includes a dashboard to track ships and crew welfare.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, how many Indian seafarers were among the 14 Indians killed in attacks connected to the conflict in West Asia since February 28?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary objective of the Seafarer First response announced by the government after the West Asia strikes?

All 20 MCQs ▸
Read original article from The Hindu
You finished this topic
Practice 3 MCQs from this newsNext Article
Explore Related Topics
Intl. RelationsView Topic MCQs →Social IssuesView Topic MCQs →Security & DefenceView Topic MCQs →PolityView Topic MCQs →
PreviousCentre Sacks 47 NTA Officials, Amends Public Examinations Act for Tougher Penalties on Paper LeaksNext Chhattisgarh to Table UCC Bill in Winter Session; 5-Member Committee Headed by Justice Ranjana Desai
Related Current Affairs
Intl. Relations Current Affairs

UK Arrests Indian Captain Ajay Pant Over Russian Oil Sanctions: Shadow Fleet Risks for Seafarers

The arrest of Indian captain Ajay Pant in the UK for alleged Russian oil sanctions violations marks a significant escalation in Western enforcement against Russia's shadow fleet. This case sets a legal precedent and raises critical questions about the liability of individual seafarers in geopolitical conflicts, directly impacting India's large merchant navy workforce.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

PM Modi Proposes Seafarers' Emergency Support Network at BRICS Summit; India Supplies 12% Global Workforce

PM Modi proposed a 'Seafarers' Emergency Support Network' at the BRICS Summit to ensure safety of maritime workers amid global conflicts. With India providing over 12% of the world's trained seafarers and 15 already killed in West Asia/Black Sea, this proposal has direct implications for India's workforce and trade security.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

US DHS Proposes Ending H-4 Work Permits; 93% Indian Nationals, 94% Women Affected

The US Department of Homeland Security has revived a proposal to remove H-4 dependent spouses from eligibility for employment authorization, directly impacting the spouses of H-1B visa holders. Over 93% of H-4 work permits go to Indian nationals, mostly women, making this a critical issue for thousands of Indian families in the US.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

18th BRICS Summit 2026: Xi Jinping's First India Visit Since 2020 Border Clashes

The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi (Sept 12, 2026) is a landmark event with Chinese President Xi Jinping visiting India for the first time since the 2020 border clashes. The summit features an expanded BRICS with new members like Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and the UAE, alongside ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. For exam purposes, this summit tests your understanding of India's foreign policy balancing, multipolar world order, and the evolving role of BRICS as a platform for the Global South.

Social Issues Current Affairs

Google, Meta Agree to Report Child Abuse Material Directly to Indian Authorities; Break from NCMEC Practice

Google and Meta have agreed to report child sexual abuse material (CSAM) directly to Indian authorities, bypassing the US-based National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). This follows Indian government pressure citing delays in the existing global routing system, which received over 21.3 million reports in 2025. The move signals a shift towards data sovereignty and faster law enforcement action in child protection.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

Ceuta Border Crisis: 67 Dead, 60,000 Migrants Breach Spain-Morocco Frontier in July 2026

A massive migrant influx from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on July 30-31, 2026, resulted in 67 deaths and a severe border crisis. Spain responded by announcing a 500-metre containment barrier along the breakwater. This event highlights EU external border vulnerabilities, migration policy challenges, and Spain-Morocco bilateral tensions.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

Turkey-Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Defence Pact: New Islamic Alliance Reshapes West Asia Security

Israel's war on Gaza and the subsequent conflict with Iran have triggered the formation of a new Turkey-Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defence pact. This trilateral alliance signals a major shift in West Asian geopolitics, challenging the US-led security order and creating new strategic dynamics for India, Iran, and Israel.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

India Joins P4M Alliance, Seeks UN Security Council Seat 2028-29 as UN Authority Fades

India's growing global influence coincides with the UN's declining authority. The article analyses India's strategic dilemma: it must shape international rules while avoiding dependence on rival power blocs. Key development: India co-launched the Partners for Multilateralism (P4M) group with Brazil, Canada, Kenya, EU, Australia, Barbados to counter economic coercion and advance collective interests.

Start Today's Quiz(20 Qs)