For Prelims: Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Blue Economy, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Nodal Ministry, Scheme, Allocation for Andaman & Nicobar, Allocation for Lakshadweep, India's EEZ
For Mains: Blue Economy, PMMSY, Island territories, Sustainable fisheries, Tuna value chain, Seaweed cultivation, Export-led growth
Source:
PIB
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- PMMSY allocated ₹218 crore for Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- PMMSY allocated ₹175 crore for Lakshadweep.
- India's seafood exports in FY 2025-26: ₹73,890 crore.
- Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar cover 40% of India's EEZ.
- Nodal ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
Why in the news?
India is prioritising fisheries development in Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands under the Blue Economy push, with PMMSY allocations of ₹218 crore and ₹175 crore respectively. The strategy focuses on tuna, seaweed and ornamental fisheries to boost seafood exports (₹73,890 crore in FY 2025-26) and create sustainable livelihoods for island communities.
Summary
- PMMSY allocates ₹218 crore to Andaman & Nicobar Islands and ₹175 crore to Lakshadweep for fisheries infrastructure and value chain development.
- Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar together account for nearly 40% of India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
- India's seafood exports stood at ₹73,890 crore in FY 2025-26; marine fisheries potential is 58.6 lakh MT within the EEZ.
Highlights
Island-Led Blue Economy
Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, covering 40% of India's EEZ, are central to the government's strategy for sustainable marine fisheries development under PMMSY.
Tuna as High-Value Focus
Tuna fisheries (Yellowfin, Skipjack, Bigeye) are the centrepiece, with Lakshadweep targeting doubling production to 50,000 tonnes and a dedicated Tuna Cluster in Andaman & Nicobar.
Seaweed and Ornamental Fisheries
Lakshadweep is notified as a Seaweed Cluster, and its coral reefs host over 300 ornamental fish species, creating new livelihood opportunities beyond capture fisheries.
Background
India has a coastline of ~11,099 km and an EEZ of ~24 lakh sq. km with a marine fisheries potential of 58.6 lakh MT. The fisheries sector supports nearly 50 lakh fishers. Since 2015, the government has invested ₹39,272 crore in the sector. PMMSY is the flagship scheme for holistic fisheries development.
Key Analysis and Impact
The focus on Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands is strategic: they account for 40% of India's EEZ and provide access to underutilised tuna stocks and rich marine biodiversity. The ₹218 crore and ₹175 crore allocations target infrastructure (landing centres, cold chains, boats) and value chains (tuna processing, seaweed cultivation, ornamental fish rearing). This aligns with the Blue Economy vision and the target to boost seafood exports, which stood at ₹73,890 crore in FY 2025-26.
Way Forward
Success depends on balancing production growth with ecological safeguards (coral reefs, sustainable fishing methods like pole and line). The strategy integrates science-based management, modern deep-sea vessels, cold-chain expansion and export facilitation through MPEDA. The Lakshadweep tuna target of 50,000 tonnes and the Seaweed Cluster will be key milestones.
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
- A sea zone prescribed by UNCLOS over which a state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources, extending up to 200 nautical miles from its baseline.
- Blue Economy
- The sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems.
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
- A flagship scheme of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying for sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector in India.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: ₹218 crore for Andaman & Nicobar, ₹175 crore for Lakshadweep under PMMSY.
- Nodal Body: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
Don't make this mistake!
Examiners may swap the allocations (₹218 cr for Lakshadweep, ₹175 cr for Andaman) or confuse PMMSY with other schemes like PM Kisan Sampada Yojana. Also, the EEZ percentage (40%) may be asked as a standalone fact.
Write these in mains answers
- Blue Economy, PMMSY, Island territories, Sustainable fisheries, Tuna value chain, Seaweed cultivation, Export-led growth
Stuck? Get it in one tap
The government has allocated funds under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana to develop fisheries in Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. These islands cover 40% of India's Exclusive Economic Zone. The focus is on tuna fishing, seaweed farming and ornamental fish to increase seafood exports, which were worth ₹73,890 crore last year.
- PMMSY allocated ₹218 crore for Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- PMMSY allocated ₹175 crore for Lakshadweep.
- India's seafood exports in FY 2025-26: ₹73,890 crore.
- Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar cover 40% of India's EEZ.
- Nodal ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
- Economy: Blue Economy and Fisheries
- Geography: Islands of India
Related concepts: Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Blue Economy, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which ministry is the nodal ministry for the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)?
Explanation: PMMSY is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying for sustainable development of the fisheries sector. The Ministry of Commerce handles exports, while Environment and Agriculture have no direct role in PMMSY.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding India's Blue Economy push in island territories:
- 1.Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands together account for nearly 40% of India's Exclusive Economic Zone.
- 2.The government has allocated ₹218 crore for Lakshadweep and ₹175 crore for Andaman & Nicobar Islands under PMMSY.
- 3.India's seafood exports in FY 2025-26 were valued at approximately ₹73,890 crore.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: the two island groups account for nearly 40% of India's EEZ. Statement 2 is incorrect: the allocation is ₹218 crore for Andaman & Nicobar and ₹175 crore for Lakshadweep. Statement 3 is correct: seafood exports were ₹73,890 crore in FY 2025-26. Hence option C is correct.
- Q3Medium
What is the target for doubling tuna production in Lakshadweep under the government's five-year plan?
Explanation: The five-year plan in Lakshadweep aims to double tuna production to 50,000 tonnes. The figure 50,000 tonnes is explicitly.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary objective of the PMMSY allocations for Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands?
Explanation: The allocations aim to strengthen fisheries infrastructure, tuna value chains, seaweed cultivation and ornamental fisheries, all part of the Blue Economy strategy. Tourism, defence and oil exploration are not the objectives of PMMSY.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the total investment allocated to Andaman & Nicobar Islands under PMMSY?
Andaman & Nicobar Islands have been allocated ₹218 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for fisheries development.
2. What is the target for tuna production in Lakshadweep under the five-year plan?
The five-year plan aims to double tuna production in Lakshadweep to 50,000 tonnes.
3. What percentage of India's Exclusive Economic Zone is covered by Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands?
Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands together account for nearly 40% of India's Exclusive Economic Zone.
4. What was the value of India's seafood exports in FY 2025-26?
India's seafood exports in FY 2025-26 were valued at around ₹73,890 crore.
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- Original10 November 2026 · Read story
