What is an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)?

An Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a maritime zone prescribed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS, 1982) in which a coastal state has sovereign rights over the exploration, exploitation, conservation, and management of natural resources -- both living (fisheries) and non-living (minerals, oil, gas) -- in the waters, seabed, and subsoil. The EEZ extends from the outer limit of the territorial sea (12 nautical miles) to 200 nautical miles (370 km) from the baseline.

Within the EEZ, the coastal state has exclusive rights to: (1) explore and exploit natural resources of the water column, seabed, and subsoil; (2) establish and regulate artificial islands, installations, and structures; (3) conduct marine scientific research; and (4) protect and preserve the marine environment. However, all states enjoy freedom of navigation, overflight, and laying of submarine cables and pipelines through another country's EEZ -- a balance between sovereignty and freedom of the seas.

India ratified UNCLOS in June 1997 and has the 18th-largest EEZ in the world, covering approximately 2,305,143 sq. km (890,021 sq. miles). India's EEZ spans the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and the Andaman Sea, and includes waters around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. India has also submitted claims for an Extended Continental Shelf (ECS) beyond 200 nm in the Central Arabian Sea, based on data from the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR).

Key Features

# Feature Details
1 Legal Basis UNCLOS Part V (1982); entered into force 1994
2 Extent 12 nm to 200 nm from baseline
3 Sovereign Rights Exploration, exploitation, conservation of resources
4 Freedom Retained Navigation, overflight, submarine cables for all states
5 India's EEZ Area ~2,305,143 sq. km (18th largest globally)
6 India Ratified UNCLOS June 1997
7 Extended Shelf Claim Beyond 200 nm possible (up to 350 nm) via CLCS submission
8 Enforcement Indian Navy and Coast Guard patrol India's EEZ

Current Status / Latest Data

  • India's EEZ covers waters in the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Andaman Sea.
  • India is actively pursuing an Extended Continental Shelf (ECS) claim in the Central Arabian Sea, arguing natural prolongation of its landmass based on updated NCPOR data.
  • Sagarmala Programme and Blue Economy initiatives focus on harnessing EEZ resources -- deep-sea mining, offshore wind energy, mariculture, and marine biotechnology.
  • The Deep Ocean Mission (launched 2021, budget Rs 4,077 crore) aims to explore India's EEZ for polymetallic nodules, gas hydrates, and biodiversity.
  • IUU (Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated) fishing in India's EEZ remains a security and ecological concern; satellite-based Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) are being deployed.

UPSC Exam Corner

Prelims: Key Facts

  • EEZ extends from 12 nm to 200 nm from baseline
  • India's EEZ: ~2.3 million sq. km (18th largest)
  • India ratified UNCLOS in 1997
  • Territorial sea = 12 nm; Contiguous zone = 24 nm; EEZ = 200 nm
  • Within EEZ: sovereign rights over resources; NOT full sovereignty
  • Freedom of navigation preserved for all states in the EEZ

Mains: Probable Themes

  1. India's Blue Economy vision and the economic potential of its EEZ
  2. Maritime security challenges -- IUU fishing, piracy, and strategic chokepoints
  3. ECS claims and the role of CLCS in resolving overlapping maritime boundaries
  4. Deep Ocean Mission and India's strategy for deep-sea mineral exploration
  5. Balancing resource exploitation with marine conservation -- MPAs within the EEZ

Sources: UNCLOS Part V, Wikipedia - EEZ of India, NOAA - What is the EEZ?