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Coastal States of India & Coastline – Detailed UPSC Notes with Maps, Ports, and Features

Also Read Coastal States of India & Coastline – Detailed UPSC Notes with Maps, Ports, and Features in Hindi

The coastal states of India are Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, West Bengal, Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. Along with these states, there are four coastal union territories — Daman & Diu, Puducherry, the Lakshadweep Islands, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

India’s total coastline measures 7,516.6 kilometres in length, out of which 5,422 km is along the mainland, while 2,094 km belongs to the island territories.

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This vast stretch covers nine states and four union territories, with the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean bordering the west coast, and the Bay of Bengal along the east coast. Gujarat has the longest coastline among states, and among union territories, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands have the longest.

This topic of “Coastal States of India” is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS Examination, which falls under General Studies Paper 1 (Mains) and General Studies Paper 1 (Prelims) and particularly in the Geography section. In this article, we shall discuss the Coastal States of India, Their State-wise Coastline Length, Major Characteristics, & Significance of the Coastlines of India & More!

Why in News (2025)

  1. Cyclone Remal & Extreme Weather – Recent cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea have severely affected Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat, highlighting the vulnerability of coastal communities to climate change.
     
  2. Sagarmala & Coastal Development – Major infrastructure upgrades under the Sagarmala Programme are underway in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha, including port modernization and coastal tourism hubs.
     
  3. Marine Biodiversity Protection – New protected zones in Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar aim to safeguard coral reefs and marine species, in line with international ocean conservation agreements.
     
  4. Blue Economy Policy Draft – The government’s Blue Economy 2.0 plan focuses on sustainable fishing, renewable ocean energy, and eco-friendly coastal tourism.
     
  5. Coastal Erosion Report – The National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) has reported that 33% of India’s coastline is eroding, with the most critical losses in West Bengal and Kerala.
     
  6. Strategic Maritime Security – Expansion of coastal radar stations and increased naval exercises in the Indian Ocean Region underline the strategic importance of India’s coastlines.
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Coastal States of India – Overview

India is a country that is surrounded on three sides by large water bodies. The Indian peninsula is surrounded to the East by the Bay of Bengal, to the west by the Arabian Sea, and to the south by the Indian Ocean. The length of the Coastline of the mainland, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep Islands is 7,516.6 km and passes through 13 states and union territories (UTs). Indian mainland coastlines can be divided into two groups based on their location and active geomorphological processes:

  • Eastern Coastal Plains of India
  • Western Coastal Plains of India

Get to know the difference between eastern coastal plain and western coastal plain of India.

East Coast of India

The eastern side of the Indian coastal plains stretches in the western direction of Bengal to Tamil Nadu through Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. The eastern coastal plane houses the deltas of Godavari, Cauveri Mahanadi and Krishna rivers. India-Eastern coast further is divisible as three sub-sections:

  • Utkal Coast: The Utkal coast is significantly wider than the western coastal plains and experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoon season. 
    • It includes the coastal regions of Odisha.
    • It includes the Mahanadi River, Baitarani River, and Brahmani River delta.
    • Known for its famous beaches and turtle nesting sites, such as Gahirmata Beach.
  • Andhra Coast: It is situated south of the Utkal Plain and stretches up to Pulicat Lake. There are two major deltas on the Andhra coast: the Godavari delta and the Krishna delta.
  • Coromandel Coast: It extends between Pulicat Lake and Kanyakumari. During the winter, the Coromandel coast receives rainfall from the Retreating Monsoon.

West Coast of India

The western coast of India, located between the towering Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, forms a narrow stretch of plain that extends from Gujarat in the north down to Kerala in the south. This coastline is divided into distinct sections: the Kachchh famous Gir national park is located in the southern part of the Kathiawar peninsula.and Kathiawar coasts in Gujarat, the Konkan coast in Maharashtra, the Goan coast in Karnataka, and the Malabar coast in Kerala. Geographically, this region is classified as a submerged coastal plain. The width of the western coastal plains becomes narrow in the central part, while it gradually widens toward both the northern and southern ends. In contrast to other coastal regions of India, the rivers flowing through this plain do not create deltas. Owing to its submerged nature, the area offers natural advantages for the growth and development of ports and harbours.  

Eastern Coastal States of India

West Bengal

  • Known for its rich cultural heritage and literary traditions.
  • Shares a 2,217 km border with Bangladesh and has a 158 km coastal stretch along Purba Medinipur and South 24 Parganas.
  • Contains the Sundarbans Delta, the largest mangrove forest in the world, home to the Royal Bengal Tiger and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Major ports: Haldia Dock Complex, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Digha.

Odisha

  • Famous for its temples, including the Jagannath Temple in Puri and Konark’s Sun Temple.
  • Has a 485 km long coastline along the Utkal Plains.
  • Home to Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, and the Bhitarkanika Mangrove Forest, the second largest in India.
  • Known for its ancient Kalinga kingdom history.
  • Major port: Paradip.

Andhra Pradesh

  • Located in southeastern India, famous for its cultural heritage and scenic beauty.
  • Boasts the third-longest coastline in India at 972 km along the Coromandel Coast
  • The Godavari, Krishna, and Penna rivers form fertile deltas that are ideal for rice, pulses, and coconut cultivation.
  • Major ports: Bhavanapadu, Kakinada, Machilipatnam, Krishnapatnam, Gangavaram

Tamil Nadu

  • Situated in southeastern India with a 1,076 km coastline, the second-longest in the country.
  • Fertile coastal plains grow rice, legumes, sugarcane, and coconuts.
  • Attractions include Marina Beach and the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park.
  • Major ports: Chennai Port, Kamarajar Port.

Western Coastal States of India

Kerala

erala has a long coastline of 570 kilometres along the southwestern part of India, called the Malabar Coast.

This coast starts from the southwestern shore of Maharashtra, passes through the coastal areas of Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala, and ends at Kanyakumari.

Kerala’s coast is famous for its calm backwaters, beaches lined with palm trees, and green landscapes.

Popular places like Kovalam, Varkala, and Alleppey attract visitors with their peaceful backwaters, relaxing Ayurvedic resorts, and beautiful houseboat rides.

A special feature of the Malabar Coast in Kerala is its chain of brackish lagoons and lakes, called kayals, which run parallel to the sea.

Every year, the well-known Nehru Trophy Vallamkali (boat race) is held in the Punnamada Kayal, showing Kerala’s rich culture.

The Malabar Coast is also known for its stunning views, tea and coffee plantations, pretty beaches, and brackish water lakes, making it one of the most popular tourist spots in India.

Karnataka

Karnataka also has a coastal belt that is known as Kanara and this belt is approximately 280 kilometres.

On its north side, it shares the Konkan region, its east side is the Western Ghats mountain, the south is the Kerala Plains and its west is Arabian Sea.

The shoreline of Kanara is characterized by rugged rocky cliffs, beautiful beaches lined with palm shading and old ports like Mangalore, and Karwar.

Two of its most well-known locations are the Gokarna and the Udupi both of which have received their great fame due to their extremely beautiful nature as well as their great religious significance.

The coastal area attracts people by its peaceful beaches, rich culture, and dynamic spiritual sites, which is why Kanara is a popular destination of those who want to get not only relaxation but also something special.

Goa

Goa which is the smallest state in India also has the beautiful coastline spanning 101 kilometres.

This is a scenic stretch with aerial mixture of bays and headlands and large estuaries formed by Mandovi and Zuari rivers.

Geographically Goa shares its boundaries with the state of Maharashtra on a northern side, the state of Karnataka on the east and south respectively with the waters of the Arabian Sea on the western side.

This soil is highly fertile with ferric-aluminium oxides that make the region a reddish-coloured region with a significant amount of mainly alluvial and loamy soils in the parts that are located inland and at the riverbank.

The coastline of Goa has received worldwide fame due to its magnificent beaches which is a greatest tourist attraction.

The beaches offer a lot of water activity, partying around the beaches and experiences of the bustling and vibrant culture of the area.

The shoreline of Goa is a great destination that lures tourists to enjoy its beauty made up of natural and cultural attractions along with entertainment yet to forget.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra’s coastline stretches for roughly 650 kilometres and is widely known as the Konkan Coast.

It is bordered on the east by the Western Ghats, on the west by the Arabian Sea, to the north by the Daman Ganga River, and to the south by the Gangavalli River.

The fertile lands of this region support the cultivation of crops such as rice, millets, pulses, coconuts, and several others.

Its shoreline is dotted with famous beaches like Juhu, Marine Drive, and Alibaug, which attract a steady stream of tourists as well as locals.

Extensive mangrove ecosystems flourish here, particularly along Thane Creek and the Malvan coast.

Gujarat

Gujarat is the state that boasts of the longest shoreline in all the states of India and this extends to approximately 1215 kilometers in the Kathiawar area of the state.

This long coast is characterized by a sequence of beaches, rough jagged coastlines as well as busy ports with some notable ones being Kandla and Mundra.

At its length, we get the Gulf of Kutch and the Gulf of Khambhat which emerge as key areas of biodiversity as they have a concentration of many marine species.

There are also some of the most famous beaches of India like the shores of Diu, Dwarka, and Porbandar available on the coastline.

The Islands of India

India has two main groups of islands, located in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, which are very important for the country’s security and environment.

Key island groups:

  • Bay of Bengal Islands: This group has about 572 islands and islets.
  • Arabian Sea Islands: These include the Lakshadweep Islands and Minicoy.

Classification of islands: India’s islands are mainly divided into two groups — the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

  • Located between 6°N and 14°N, with a coastline of 1,962 km.
  • Divided by the Ten-Degree Channel, which separates the Andaman Islands in the north from the Nicobar Islands in the south.
  • Rich in nature, with heavy rainfall and thick equatorial forests.
  • These islands are actually the raised parts of underwater mountain ranges.
  • Home to the Tri-Service Command, which strengthens India’s defence.
  • Famous for clean beaches, colourful coral reefs, and rich biodiversity, making them perfect for eco-tourism and adventure activities.

Lakshadweep Islands

  • Have a total coastline of 132 km, located between 8°N and 12°N.
  • Made up of coral deposits, they are home to special marine life.
  • Divided by the Eleventh-Degree Channel, with Amini Island in the north and Cannanore Island in the south.
  • The largest island is Minicoy Island (453 km²), which is separated from the Maldives by the Eight-Degree Channel.
  • Popular tourist spots include Agatti, Bangaram, and Kavaratti Islands, known for their natural beauty and exciting water sports.

Coastal Regions in India – Geomorphology

The coastal regions of India have many different landforms because of a mix of geography, geology, and climate. The features of the eastern coast and the western coast are quite different from each other.

Physiography of the Indian Coastline (Mainland)

India’s mainland coastline has the following main landforms:

  • Sandy beaches – 43%
  • Muddy flats – 36%
  • Rocky coasts – 11%
  • Marshy coasts – 10%

About 1,821.7 km of the mainland coast (33.6%) is currently facing erosion.

Coastal Statistics

  • Total length of coastline: 7,516.60 km
  • Total land area: 3,287,263 km²
  • Continental shelf area: 372,424 km²
  • Territorial sea area (up to 12 nautical miles): 193,834 km²
  • Population in coastal states and union territories: About 560 million

Difference Between Eastern and Western Coastal States of India

India’s coastal states are divided into two groups:

  • Eastern Coastal States along the Bay of Bengal
  • Western Coastal States along the Arabian Sea

Here is a comparison showing how they differ:

Feature

Eastern Coastal States

Western Coastal States

Location

Along the Bay of Bengal

Along the Arabian Sea

Characteristics

Have longer coastlines with wider plains

Have shorter coastlines with narrower plains

Major rivers inflow

Ganges, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna

Narmada, Tapti, Mandovi, Zuari, Godavari

Deltas

Have prominent and large deltas

Have less prominent deltas

Climatic influence

Influenced mainly by the Bay of Bengal

Influenced by the Arabian Sea and Western Ghats

Biodiversity

Home to Sundarbans mangrove forests and a rich variety of plants and animals

Contains the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot with many unique ecosystems

Coastal States of India UPSC PYQs

Question 1: Comment on the resource potentials of the long coastlines of India and highlight the status of natural hazard preparedness in these areas. (UPSC Mains 2023)

Question 2: With reference to India, consider the following statements: (UPSC Prelims 2022)

  • Monazite is a source of rare earths.
  • Monazite contains thorium.
  • Monazite occurs naturally in the entire Indian coastal sands in India.
  • In India, Government bodies only can process or export monazite.
  • Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1, 2, and 3 only (b) 1, 2, and 4 only (c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3, and 4 Answer: (b)  

Question 3: Consider the following statements: (UPSC Prelims 2018)

  • The Barren Island volcano is an active volcano located in the Indian territory.
  • Barren Island lies about 140 km east of Great Nicobar.
  • The last time the Barren Island volcano erupted was in 1991, and it has remained inactive since then.
  • Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 (c) 3 only (d) 1 and 3 Answer: (a)  

Question 4: Which one of the following pairs of islands is separated from each other by the ‘Ten Degree Channel’? (UPSC Prelims 2014) (a) Andaman and Nicobar (b) Nicobar and Sumatra (c) Maldives and Lakshadweep (d) Sumatra and Java Answer: (a)

Conclusion

India’s extensive coastline, spanning over 7,500 kilometers, is a crucial asset for the nation’s economy, culture, and security. The coastal states and island territories are rich in natural resources, biodiversity, and strategic ports that boost trade, fisheries, and tourism. These regions also face challenges like erosion and natural disasters, making disaster preparedness vital. Sustainable management and conservation of coastal ecosystems will ensure long-term benefits, supporting the livelihoods of millions and contributing to India’s overall development and environmental health.

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