Rajya Sabha passes Indian Ports Bill, 2025 replacing the Indian Ports Act, 1908
The Rajya Sabha passed the Indian Ports Bill, 2025 on 18 August 2025, completing parliamentary approval of the law that replaces the colonial-era Indian Ports Act, 1908.
Summary
The Rajya Sabha passed the Indian Ports Bill, 2025 on 18 August 2025, moved by Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal; the Bill had already been cleared by the Lok Sabha and is to replace the Indian Ports Act, 1908. The Bill establishes the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) as a statutory consultative body to coordinate between the Centre and coastal States and to prepare a National Perspective Plan for integrated port development. It also creates Dispute Resolution Committees and mandates compliance with international environmental conventions such as MARPOL and Ballast Water Management, along with emergency preparedness at ports. According to the Ministry, cargo handling at major ports reached a record 855 million tonnes in FY 2024–25, up from 581 million tonnes in FY 2014–15.
Key facts
- Passed
- Rajya Sabha, 18 Aug 2025 (Lok Sabha earlier)
- Replaces
- Indian Ports Act, 1908
- Minister
- Sarbananda Sonowal, MoPSW
- MSDC
- Statutory consultative body for Centre–coastal States coordination
- Plan
- MSDC to prepare National Perspective Plan
- Disputes
- Dispute Resolution Committees
- Environment
- MARPOL and Ballast Water Management compliance
- Cargo (major ports)
- 855 MT in FY25 vs 581 MT in FY15
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The Indian Ports Bill, 2025, passed by the Rajya Sabha on 18 August 2025, replaces which Act?
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Correct answer: B — Indian Ports Act, 1908
The Indian Ports Bill, 2025 is designed to replace the Indian Ports Act, 1908, ending more than a century of colonial-era regulation.
Which statutory consultative body does the Indian Ports Bill, 2025 establish to coordinate between the Centre and coastal States?
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Correct answer: C — Maritime State Development Council
The Bill establishes the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) as a statutory consultative body to coordinate between the Centre and coastal States; it will prepare a National Perspective Plan.
Consider the following statements about the Indian Ports Bill, 2025: 1. It mandates compliance with international conventions such as MARPOL and Ballast Water Management. 2. It creates Dispute Resolution Committees for sector-specific redressal. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct: the legislation mandates compliance with conventions such as MARPOL and Ballast Water Management and creates Dispute Resolution Committees for timely sector-specific redressal.