NCERT Class 10 Geography — Chapter 5: Lifelines of National Economy

mcqeasy

Which port is India’s first tidal port?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AChennai
BMumbai
CKochi
DKandla

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is Kandla.

Explanation

A tidal port is a port where the water levels within the harbor fluctuate significantly with the ocean tides. In such ports, the timing of vessel entry and exit is often dependent on high tide conditions to ensure sufficient water depth.

Analysis of Options:

Kandla (Correct): Located at the eastern end of the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat, Kandla is India’s first tidal port. It was constructed in the 1950s as the first major port of independent India. Its primary objective was to offset the loss of the Karachi port to Pakistan following Partition and to decongest the Mumbai port. It has been renamed Deendayal Port.
Chennai: This is an artificial harbor and one of the oldest major ports on the east coast, but it is not characterized as a tidal port.
Mumbai: This is a natural deep-water harbor and the largest port in India.
Kochi: This is a natural harbor located on the southwest coast, situated in the Vembanad Lake.

Key Takeaway:
Kandla (Deendayal Port) is India's first tidal port and a designated Free Trade Zone, developed to serve the northern and western hinterlands of India after the loss of Karachi.

Your note

More from Chapter 5: Lifelines of National Economy

Consider the following statements: 1. India’s major ports handle both international and domestic trade. 2. All major ports are administered by the Central Government. 3. Ports act as gateways for the country’s foreign trade. 4. Every major port in India is located on the eastern coast.

hard

Which of the following is India’s largest inland waterway used for freight movement?

medium

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below: List I (Port) | List II (Specialisation) A. Nhava Sheva | 1. Riverine port handling jute and oil B. Kandla | 2. Handling crude oil and petroleum C. Mormugao | 3. Premier iron ore exporting port D. Haldia | 4. Largest container port

medium

Which of the following is the cheapest mode of transport for carrying heavy and bulky goods over long distances?

easy

Which port is India’s premier iron-ore exporting port?

medium

Keep practising Chapter 5: Lifelines of National Economy

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The correct option is Kandla.

Explanation

Analysis of Options:

Kandla (Correct): Located at the eastern end of the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat, Kandla is India’s first tidal port. It was constructed in the 1950s as the first major port of independent India. Its primary objective was to offset the loss of the Karachi port to Pakistan following Partition and to decongest the Mumbai port. It has been renamed Deendayal Port.
Chennai: This is an artificial harbor and one of the oldest major ports on the east coast, but it is not characterized as a tidal port.
Mumbai: This is a natural deep-water harbor and the largest port in India.
Kochi: This is a natural harbor located on the southwest coast, situated in the Vembanad Lake.

Key Takeaway:
Kandla (Deendayal Port) is India's first tidal port and a designated Free Trade Zone, developed to serve the northern and western hinterlands of India after the loss of Karachi.