Major Ports in India 2026: Updated List, Old & New Names, Locations, GK Facts & MCQs
Last Updated and Fact-Checked: 29 July 2026
India’s ports connect the country with important international shipping routes and support the movement of petroleum products, coal, iron ore, fertilisers, food grains, automobiles, containers and other cargo. Ports are therefore important not only for the Indian economy but also for examinations such as UPSC, APPSC, SSC, Railways, Banking, State PSCs and other competitive examinations.
The earlier version of this article listed 13 ports and treated Port Blair and Haldia as separate major ports. That information is no longer correct. According to the latest Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways information available in July 2026, India has 14 notified major ports, of which 12 are operational and two are under construction.[1]
- Total notified major ports in India: 14
- Operational major ports: 12
- Major ports under construction: Vadhavan Port and Galathea Bay Port
- Port Blair must not be counted as an operational major port.
- Haldia is not a separate major port. Haldia Dock Complex is part of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata.
What Is a Major Port?
A major port is a port placed under the administrative control of the Union Government and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The expression “major port” is primarily a legal and administrative classification. It does not automatically mean that the port is physically larger than every non-major port.
Major ports are administered by central port authorities or central government-controlled entities. Non-major ports are generally administered by the respective State Government, Union Territory administration, Directorate of Ports or State Maritime Board.
Complete List of 12 Operational Major Ports in India
The following table presents the current official names, former or commonly used names, locations and examination-oriented facts relating to India’s 12 operational major ports.
| S.No. | Current Official Name | Old or Common Name | Location | Coast | Important GK Fact | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deendayal Port | Kandla Port | Kandla, Gujarat | Western Coast | Located in the Gulf of Kachchh region. Kandla Port Trust was renamed Deendayal Port Trust in 2017. | Operational |
| 2 | Mumbai Port | Bombay Port | Mumbai, Maharashtra | Western Coast | A historic port serving the Mumbai metropolitan and western Indian industrial region. | Operational |
| 3 | Jawaharlal Nehru Port | Nhava Sheva or JNPT | Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra | Western Coast | A leading container-handling port among India’s major ports. JNPT is now officially called Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority or JNPA. | Operational |
| 4 | Mormugao Port | Mormugao; sometimes incorrectly written as Marmagao | Mormugao, Goa | Western Coast | Traditionally associated with iron ore and other bulk cargo. The correct spelling is Mormugao. | Operational |
| 5 | New Mangalore Port | New Mangalore Port | Panambur, Mangaluru, Karnataka | Western Coast | The only operational major port in Karnataka. Its official port name continues to use “Mangalore”. | Operational |
| 6 | Cochin Port | Cochin Port; located in Kochi | Kochi, Kerala | Western Coast | The city is officially known as Kochi, but the port’s official name continues to be Cochin Port Authority. | Operational |
| 7 | V.O. Chidambaranar Port | Tuticorin Port | Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu | Eastern Coast | Named after freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaram Pillai. Tuticorin is the older English name of Thoothukudi. | Operational |
| 8 | Chennai Port | Madras Port | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Eastern Coast | One of India’s historic east-coast ports and an important gateway for containers, automobiles and general cargo. | Operational |
| 9 | Kamarajar Port | Ennore Port | Ennore, Tamil Nadu | Eastern Coast | Originally incorporated as Ennore Port Limited and subsequently renamed Kamarajar Port Limited. | Operational |
| 10 | Visakhapatnam Port | Vizag Port, a popular short name | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh | Eastern Coast | The only operational major port in Andhra Pradesh. “Vizag” is a popular short name rather than a formal renaming. | Operational |
| 11 | Paradip Port | Paradip Port | Paradip, Odisha | Eastern Coast | An important bulk-cargo port handling commodities such as coal, iron ore and petroleum products. | Operational |
| 12 | Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata | Kolkata Port Trust or Calcutta Port | Kolkata and Haldia, West Bengal | Eastern or Riverine Port System | Consists of the Kolkata Dock System and the Haldia Dock Complex. Haldia is not a separate major port. | Operational |
Two Major Ports Under Construction
In addition to the 12 operational major ports, Vadhavan Port and Galathea Bay Port have been notified as major ports and are under development.[1]
| S.No. | Port | Location | Notification or Development Detail | Importance | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Vadhavan Port | Near Dahanu, Palghar district, Maharashtra | Notified as a major port on 19 February 2020. The Union Cabinet approved its development in June 2024. | Planned as a greenfield, all-weather, deep-draft port on India’s western coast. | Under Construction |
| 14 | Galathea Bay Port | Great Nicobar Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Notified as a major port on 4 September 2024. It is planned as an International Container Transshipment Port. | Strategically located close to major international east–west shipping routes. | Under Construction |
Old and New Names of Important Ports
| Old or Popular Name | Current Official Name | State | Important Clarification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kandla Port | Deendayal Port | Gujarat | Renamed in 2017. |
| Bombay Port | Mumbai Port | Maharashtra | Bombay was renamed Mumbai. |
| Nhava Sheva or JNPT | Jawaharlal Nehru Port or JNPA | Maharashtra | Nhava Sheva refers to the locality and remains a common trade reference. |
| Tuticorin Port | V.O. Chidambaranar Port | Tamil Nadu | Tuticorin is now officially known as Thoothukudi. |
| Madras Port | Chennai Port | Tamil Nadu | Madras was renamed Chennai. |
| Ennore Port | Kamarajar Port | Tamil Nadu | The port remains situated at Ennore. |
| Kolkata Port Trust | Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata | West Bengal | Includes both Kolkata Dock System and Haldia Dock Complex. |
| Vizag Port | Visakhapatnam Port | Andhra Pradesh | Vizag is a commonly used short name, not an official former port name. |
| Cochin Port | Cochin Port | Kerala | The city is Kochi, but the official port name remains Cochin Port. |
| New Mangalore Port | New Mangalore Port | Karnataka | The city is Mangaluru, but the official port name remains New Mangalore Port. |
Major Ports on the Western and Eastern Coasts
Six Operational Major Ports on the Western Coast
- Deendayal Port – Gujarat
- Mumbai Port – Maharashtra
- Jawaharlal Nehru Port – Maharashtra
- Mormugao Port – Goa
- New Mangalore Port – Karnataka
- Cochin Port – Kerala
Six Operational Major Ports on the Eastern Side
- V.O. Chidambaranar Port – Tamil Nadu
- Chennai Port – Tamil Nadu
- Kamarajar Port – Tamil Nadu
- Visakhapatnam Port – Andhra Pradesh
- Paradip Port – Odisha
- Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port – West Bengal
Easy Memory Tricks
Western Coast, north to south:
Deendayal – Mumbai – Jawaharlal Nehru – Mormugao – New Mangalore – Cochin
Mnemonic: “Dear Monkeys Jump, Making New Caves.”
Initial letters: D – M – J – M – N – C
Eastern Side, south to north:
V.O.C. – Chennai – Kamarajar – Visakhapatnam – Paradip – Syama Prasad Mookerjee
Mnemonic: “Very Clever Kids Visit Ports Safely.”
Initial letters: V – C – K – V – P – S
Current Cargo-Handling Snapshot: FY 2025–26
According to the Ministry’s advance estimates for April 2025 to March 2026:
- The 12 operational major ports handled approximately 914.73 million metric tonnes of cargo.
- Cargo traffic increased by approximately 7% compared with FY 2024–25.
- Overseas cargo accounted for approximately 701.28 MMT.
- Coastal cargo accounted for approximately 213.45 MMT.
| Rank | Major Port | Cargo Handled in FY 2025–26 | Exam Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deendayal Port | Approximately 160.11 MMT | Highest cargo handling among the operational major ports in FY 2025–26. |
| 2 | Paradip Port | Approximately 156.45 MMT | Second-highest cargo handling during the period. |
| 3 | Jawaharlal Nehru Port | Approximately 102.01 MMT | A leading container-oriented major port. |
| 4 | Visakhapatnam Port | Approximately 91.17 MMT | Only operational major port in Andhra Pradesh. |
| 5 | Mumbai Port | Approximately 75.15 MMT | Historic western-coast major port. |
Data Note: FY 2025–26 figures are advance estimates published by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and may be revised in subsequent statistical publications.[2]
Important Static GK Facts
- The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways administers India’s major ports.
- India currently has 14 notified major ports, but only 12 are operational.
- Vadhavan Port and Galathea Bay Port are the two major ports under construction.
- Tamil Nadu has three operational major ports: Chennai, Kamarajar and V.O. Chidambaranar.
- Maharashtra has two operational major ports: Mumbai and Jawaharlal Nehru Port. Vadhavan is an additional major port under construction.
- Visakhapatnam is the only operational major port in Andhra Pradesh.
- New Mangalore is the only operational major port in Karnataka.
- Cochin is the only operational major port in Kerala.
- Mormugao is the major port of Goa.
- Paradip is the major port of Odisha.
- Deendayal Port was formerly known as Kandla Port.
- Kamarajar Port was formerly known as Ennore Port.
- V.O. Chidambaranar Port was formerly known as Tuticorin Port.
- Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port was formerly known as Kolkata Port Trust.
- Haldia Dock Complex forms part of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata.
- Galathea Bay Port is being developed on Great Nicobar Island.
- The Major Port Authorities Act, 2021 provides the principal governance framework for the major port authorities.
Common Mistakes Students Should Avoid
- Do not write that India has only 12 major ports. India has 14 notified major ports, of which 12 are operational.
- Do not count Port Blair as one of the current operational major ports.
- Do not count Haldia as a separate major port.
- Do not use “Marmagao” as the correct official spelling. The correct name is Mormugao Port.
- Do not treat “Vizag Port” as a formally renamed port. Vizag is a popular abbreviation for Visakhapatnam.
- Do not confuse the city name Kochi with the official port name. The official name remains Cochin Port.
- Do not assume that a major port must always handle more cargo than every non-major port.
10 MCQs
1. How many notified major ports are there in India as of July 2026?
Show Answer
Answer: C. 14
India has 14 notified major ports. Twelve are operational, while Vadhavan and Galathea Bay are under construction.
2. How many major ports are operational in India?
Show Answer
Answer: C. 12
Twelve major ports are currently operational. Two additional notified major ports are under development.
3. Kandla Port is presently known as:
Show Answer
Answer: B. Deendayal Port
Kandla Port Trust was renamed Deendayal Port Trust in 2017. It is located in Gujarat.
4. Ennore Port is now called:
Show Answer
Answer: C. Kamarajar Port
Ennore Port Limited was subsequently renamed Kamarajar Port Limited. It is situated in Tamil Nadu.
5. Tuticorin Port is presently known as:
Show Answer
Answer: B. V.O. Chidambaranar Port
The port is located at Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu and is named after freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaram Pillai.
6. Haldia Dock Complex is a part of:
Show Answer
Answer: C. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port consists of the Kolkata Dock System and Haldia Dock Complex. Therefore, Haldia is not a separate major port.
7. Galathea Bay Port is being developed in:
Show Answer
Answer: B. Great Nicobar Island
Galathea Bay Port is a planned international container transshipment port in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
8. Vadhavan Port is being developed in which state?
Show Answer
Answer: B. Maharashtra
Vadhavan Port is being developed near Dahanu in Palghar district of Maharashtra.
9. Which is the only operational major port in Andhra Pradesh?
Show Answer
Answer: C. Visakhapatnam Port
Visakhapatnam is Andhra Pradesh’s only operational major port. Gangavaram, Kakinada and Krishnapatnam are classified as non-major ports.
10. Which major port handled the highest cargo during FY 2025–26 according to advance estimates?
Show Answer
Answer: B. Deendayal Port
Deendayal Port handled approximately 160.11 MMT during FY 2025–26, followed by Paradip Port with approximately 156.45 MMT.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does India have 12 or 14 major ports?
India has 14 notified major ports as of July 2026. Twelve are operational, while Vadhavan Port and Galathea Bay Port are under construction.
2. Is Port Blair a major port?
Port Blair is not included in the current list of India’s 12 operational major ports. Galathea Bay on Great Nicobar Island is a notified major port under development.
3. Is Haldia a separate major port?
No. Haldia Dock Complex is part of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, together with the Kolkata Dock System.
4. Which state has the highest number of operational major ports?
Tamil Nadu has three operational major ports: Chennai Port, Kamarajar Port and V.O. Chidambaranar Port.
5. Which is the major container port near Mumbai?
Jawaharlal Nehru Port at Navi Mumbai, popularly associated with Nhava Sheva, is a leading container-handling port among India’s major ports.
6. What is the new name of Kolkata Port?
Kolkata Port Trust was renamed Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata.
7. What is the difference between Kochi Port and Cochin Port?
Kochi is the present name of the city. However, the official name of the major port continues to be Cochin Port.
8. Which port handled the most cargo in FY 2025–26?
According to the Ministry’s advance estimates, Deendayal Port handled the highest cargo during FY 2025–26.
Related Learning Resources
Official Sources
- Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways – Ports Wing
- Cargo Handled by Major Ports during April–March 2025–26
- Ministry Update on the Indian Ports Sector
- Press Information Bureau – Major and Non-Major Ports
- India Code – Major Port Authorities Act, 2021
- Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata – Official Website
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