Quick Links
Quick Links
UPSC Exams
Latest Update
Rajasthan Police SI Vacancy 2025 REET Notification 2025 UPPSC RO ARO Admit Card 2025 Bihar Police Driver Vacancy 2025 UP GIC Lecturer and Assistant Professor Notification 2025 RPSC Senior Teacher 2025 Notification RPSC School Lecturer 2025 Notification UPSC Mains Exam Schedule 2025 UGC NET June 2025 Result Date Bihar Sakshamta Pariksha Admit Card 2025 UP LT Grade Teacher Notification 2025 in Hindi UP LT Grade Teacher 2025 Notification UPSC CMS Admit Card 2025 Out HTET New Exam Date 2025 OTET Admit Card 2025 RRB Railway Teacher Application Status 2025 CSIR NET Exam Date 2025 UPSC DAF 1 2025 UPSC Prelims Result 2025 UPSC IFS Result 2025 8th Pay Commission Salary Hike News UPSC 2024 Prelims Answer Key UPSC 2026 Calendar UPSC Admit Card 2025 UPSC Prelims Result Date 2025 UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 UPSC Prelims 2025 Expected Cut Off UPSC Prelims Exam Analysis 2025 UPSC Final Result 2025 UPSC Topper Shakti Dubey UPSC Application Rejected List 2025 UPSC Application Date Re-Extended UPSC Notification 2025 UPSC Admit Card 2025 for Prelims UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC IFS Notification 2025
Coaching
UPSC Current Affairs
Syllabus
UPSC Notes
Previous Year Papers
UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers Last 25 Years UPSC Prelims Question Papers Last 10 Years UPSC Question Papers UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC Mains 2024 Model Answers UPSC 2024 Question Papers UPSC 2023 Question Papers UPSC 2022 Question Papers UPSC 2021 Question Papers UPSC 2020 Question Papers UPSC 2019 Question Papers UPSC 2018 Question Papers UPSC 2017 Question Papers UPSC 2016 Question Papers UPSC 2015 Question Papers UPSC 2014 Question Papers UPSC CSAT Question Papers UPSC IFS Previous Year Paper UPSC Assistant Labour Commissioner Previous Question Year Papers UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Previous Year Paper UPSC APFC Previous Year Question Papers UPSC CMS Previous Year Question Paper UPSC EPFO Previous Year Paper UPSC Air Safety Officer Previous Year Papers UPSC SO Steno Previous Year Paper UPSC IES ISS Previous Year Question Papers
Mock Tests
UPSC Editorial
Bilateral Ties
Albania India Relations India Algeria Relations Andorra India Relations India Angola Relations India Antigua Barbuda Relations India Argentina Relations Austria India Relations India Azerbaijan Relations Bahamas India Relations India Bahrain Relations Barbados India Relations India Belarus Relations Belgium India Relations Belize India Relations Benin India Relations Bolivia India Relations India Bosnia Herzegovina Relations India Botswana Relations Brazil India Relations Brunei India Relations Bulgaria India Relations Burundi India Relations Cabo Verde India Relations India Cambodia Relations India Cameroon Relations Canada India Relations India Cayman Islands Relations India Central African Republic Relations India Chad Relations Chile India Relations India Colombia Relations India Comoros Relations India Democratic Republic Of The Congo Relations India Republic Of The Congo Relations India Cook Islands Relations India Costa Rica Relations India Ivory Coast Relations India Croatia Relations India Cyprus Relations India Czech Republic Relations India Djibouti Relations India Dominica Relations India Dominican Republic Relations India Ecuador Relations India El Salvador Relations India Equatorial Guinea Relations India Eritrea Relations Estonia India Relations India Ethiopia Relations India Fiji Relations India Finland Relations India Gabon Relations India Gambia Relations India Georgia Relations Germany India Relations India Ghana Relations India Greece Relations India Grenada Relations India Guatemala Relations India Guinea Relations India Guinea Bissau Relations India Guyana Relations India Haiti Relations India Holy See Relations India Honduras Relations India Hong Kong Relations India Hungary Relations India Iceland Relations India Indonesia Relations India Iran Relations India Iraq Relations India Ireland Relations India Jamaica Relations India Kazakhstan Relations India Kenya Relations India Kingdom Of Eswatini Relations India Kiribati Relations India Kuwait Relations India Kyrgyzstan Relations India Laos Relations Latvia India Relations India Lebanon Relations India Lesotho Relations India Liberia Relations Libya India Relations Liechtenstein India Relations India Lithuania Relations India Luxembourg Relations India Macao Relations Madagascar India Relations India Malawi Relations India Mali Relations India Malta Relations India Marshall Islands Relations India Mauritania Relations India Micronesia Relations India Moldova Relations Monaco India Relations India Montenegro Relations India Montserrat Relations India Morocco Relations Mozambique India Relations India Namibia Relations India Nauru Relations Netherlands India Relations India Nicaragua Relations India Niger Relations India Nigeria Relations India Niue Relations India North Macedonia Relations Norway India Relations India Palau Relations India Panama Relations India Papua New Guinea Relations India Paraguay Relations Peru India Relations India Philippines Relations Qatar India Relations India Romania Relations Rwanda India Relations India Saint Kitts And Nevis Relations India Saint Lucia Relations India Saint Vincent And Grenadines Relations India Samoa Relations India Sao Tome And Principe Relations Saudi Arabia India Relations India Senegal Relations Serbia India Relations India Sierra Leone Relations India Singapore Relations India Slovak Republic Relations India Slovenia Relations India Solomon Islands Relations Somalia India Relations India South Sudan Relations India Spain Relations India Sudan Relations Suriname India Relations India Sweden Relations India Syria Relations India Tajikistan Relations Tanzania India Relations India Togo Relations India Tonga Islands Relations India Trinidad And Tobago Relations India Tunisia Relations India Turkmenistan Relations India Turks And Caicos Islands Relations India Tuvalu Relations India Uganda Relations India Ukraine Relations India Uae Relations India Uruguay Relations India Uzbekistan Relations India Vanuatu Relations India Venezuela Relations India British Virgin Islands Relations Yemen India Relations India Zambia Relations India Zimbabwe Relations
Books
Government Schemes
Production Linked Incentive Scheme Integrated Processing Development Scheme Rodtep Scheme Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme Saathi Scheme Uday Scheme Hriday Scheme Samagra Shiksha Scheme India Nishta Scheme Stand Up India Scheme Sahakar Mitra Scheme Mdms Mid Day Meal Scheme Integrated Child Protection Scheme Vatsalya Scheme Operation Green Scheme Nai Roshni Scheme Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme Kalia Scheme Ayushman Sahakar Scheme Nirvik Scheme Fame India Scheme Kusum Scheme Pm Svanidhi Scheme Pmvvy Scheme Pm Aasha Scheme Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme Pradhan Mantri Lpg Panjayat Scheme Mplads Scheme Svamitva Scheme Pat Scheme Udan Scheme Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat Scheme National Pension Scheme Ujala Scheme Operation Greens Scheme Gold Monetisation Scheme Family Planning Insurance Scheme Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Topics
NASA Space Missions
NASA Mercury-Redstone 3 (Freedom 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Redstone 4 (Liberty Bell 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 7 (Aurora 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) Mission NASA Gemini 3 Mission NASA Gemini 4 Mission NASA Gemini 5 Mission NASA Gemini 7 Mission NASA Gemini 8 Mission NASA Gemini 9 Mission NASA Gemini 10 Mission NASA Gemini 11 Mission NASA Gemini 12 Mission NASA Apollo 1 (AS‑204) Mission NASA Apollo 7 Mission NASA Apollo 8 Mission NASA Apollo 9 Mission NASA Apollo 10 Mission NASA Apollo 11 Mission NASA Apollo 12 Mission NASA Apollo 13 Mission NASA Apollo 14 Mission NASA Apollo 15 Mission NASA Apollo 16 Mission NASA Apollo 17 Mission NASA Skylab Orbital Workshop Mission NASA Skylab 2 Mission NASA Skylab 3 Mission NASA Skylab 4 Mission NASA Apollo–Soyuz Test Project Mission NASA STS‑1 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑3 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑7 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑8 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41B Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41G Discovery (1st female EVA) Mission NASA STS‑51L Challenger (accident) Mission NASA STS‑26 Discovery (Return‑to‑Flight) Mission NASA STS‑31 Discovery (Hubble Launch) Mission NASA STS‑49 Endeavour (first capture EVA) Mission NASA STS‑61 Endeavour (Hubble Servicing 1) Mission NASA STS‑73 Columbia (microgravity) Mission NASA STS‑95 Discovery (John Glenn returns) Mission NASA STS‑107 Columbia (accident) Mission NASA STS‑114 Discovery (RTF‑2) Mission NASA STS‑120 Discovery (Node 2) Mission NASA STS‑125 Atlantis (Final Hubble Service) Mission NASA STS‑132 Atlantis Mission NASA STS‑135 Atlantis (Final Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Artemis I (Orion/ SLS‑1) Mission NASA Artemis II (Planned) Mission NASA Artemis III (Planned lunar landing) Mission NASA Mariner 4 Mission NASA Mariner 6 Mission NASA Mariner 7 Mission NASA Mariner 9 Mission NASA Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Viking 2 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Mars Pathfinder & Sojourner Mission NASA Mars Global Surveyor Mission NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Spirit Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Opportunity Mission NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission NASA Phoenix Mars Lander Mission NASA InSight Mars Lander Mission NASA Mars 2020 (Perseverance & Ingenuity) Mission NASA Mars Sample Return – SRL (planned) Mission NASA Pioneer 10 Mission NASA Pioneer 11 Mission NASA Voyager 1 Mission NASA Voyager 2 Mission NASA Galileo Jupiter Orbiter/Probe Mission NASA Cassini–Huygens Mission NASA New Horizons (Pluto & KBO) Mission NASA Juno Mission NASA Europa Clipper (planned) Mission NASA Parker Solar Probe Mission NASA Solar Orbiter (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Surveyor 1 Mission NASA Lunar Orbiter 1 Mission NASA Lunar Prospector Mission NASA LCROSS Mission NASA LADEE Mission NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA VIPER Rover (planned) Mission NASA NEAR Shoemaker Mission NASA Deep Space 1 Mission NASA Stardust Mission NASA Genesis Mission NASA Deep Impact Mission NASA Dawn (Vesta/Ceres) Mission NASA OSIRIS‑REx Mission NASA Lucy Mission NASA DART Mission NASA Landsat‑1 (ERTS‑1) Mission NASA Landsat‑5 Mission NASA Landsat‑9 Mission NASA Terra Mission NASA Aqua Mission NASA Aura Mission NASA Suomi NPP Mission NASA Sentinel‑6 Michael Freilich Mission NASA ICESat‑2 Mission NASA GRACE‑FO Mission NASA SMAP Mission NASA GPM Core Observatory Mission NASA CALIPSO Mission NASA CloudSat Mission NASA NISAR (NASA‑ISRO) Mission NASA Explorer 1 Mission NASA COBE Mission NASA Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Mission NASA Hubble Space Telescope Mission NASA Chandra X‑ray Observatory Mission NASA Spitzer Space Telescope Mission NASA WISE Mission NASA Kepler Mission NASA TESS Mission NASA Fermi Gamma‑ray Space Telescope Mission NASA NICER Mission NASA IXPE Mission NASA Roman Space Telescope (planned) Mission NASA NuSTAR Mission NASA GALEX Mission NASA Swift Mission NASA SOHO (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Cluster II (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA TIMED Mission NASA STEREO‑A/B Mission NASA MMS Mission NASA IRIS Mission NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory Mission NASA X‑37B OTV‑1 (USAF/NASA liaison) Mission NASA X‑59 QueSST Mission NASA Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Mission NASA Valkyrie R5 Robot Mission NASA Low‑Boom Flight Demo Mission NASA CRS‑1 Dragon Mission NASA CRS‑1 Cygnus Mission NASA Crew Dragon Demo‑2 Mission NASA Starliner OFT‑2 Mission NASA STS-2 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-4 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-5 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-6 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41D (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-51A (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-61C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-26 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-27 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-29 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-30 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-32 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-34 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-38 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-45 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-60 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-70 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-71 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-73 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-88 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-92 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-97 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-99 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-100 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-104 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-106 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-110 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-112 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-115 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-116 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-117 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-118 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-120 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-122 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-123 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-126 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-130 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Vanguard 1 Mission NASA Transit 1B Mission NASA Echo 1 Mission NASA Telstar 1 Mission NASA Syncom 3 Mission NASA ATS‑6 Mission NASA Skynet Mission NASA Nimbus‑1 Mission NASA Nimbus‑7 Mission NASA ERS-1 Mission NASA SeaSat Mission NASA QuikSCAT Mission NASA Jason‑1 Mission NASA Jason‑3 Mission NASA ICESat Mission NASA Earth Observing‑1 Mission NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory‑2 Mission NASA CYGNSS Mission NASA PACE Mission NASA TRMM Mission NASA Terrestrial Planet Finder (cxl) Mission NASA Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Mission NASA Explorer 33 Mission NASA Voyager Interstellar Mission Mission NASA Helios‑A Mission NASA Helios‑B Mission NASA ISEE‑3 (ICE) Mission NASA ACE Mission NASA DSCOVR Mission NASA IBEX Mission NASA Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager Mission NASA SAGE‑III ISS Mission NASA SPACE Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Mission NASA ARIEL (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA OSAM‑1 (Restore‑L) Mission NASA Dragonfly (Titan rotorcraft) Mission NASA VERITAS (Venus orbiter) Mission NASA DAVINCI (Venus probe) Mission NASA SPHEREx Mission NASA MAGGIE (Mars Geophysical) Mission NASA CLPS – Peregrine Mission NASA CLPS – VIPER Delivery Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA Gateway (HALO / PPE) Mission NASA Mars Telecommunication Orbiter (cxl) Mission NASA Mars Polar Lander (MPL) Mission NASA Mars Climate Orbiter Mission NASA Pathfinder Mission Mission NASA SLS Block 1B (Exploration Upper Stage) Mission NASA Orion Crew Module Mission NASA Commercial LEO Destinations – Axiom Station Mission NASA ISS Expedition 1 Mission NASA ISS Expedition 70 Mission NASA CRS‑11 (Dragon) Mission NASA CRS‑21 (Dragon 2) Mission NASA Snoopy CubeSat Mission
ISRO Space Missions
NVS-02 ISRO Space Mission SPADEX-A ISRO Space Mission SPADEX-B ISRO Space Mission Proba-3 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-N2 ISRO Space Mission EOS-08 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3DS ISRO Space Mission XPoSat ISRO Space Mission Aditya-L1 ISRO Space Mission Chandrayaan-3 ISRO Space Mission NVS-01 ISRO Space Mission EOS-07 ISRO Space Mission INS-2B ISRO Space Mission EOS-06 ISRO Space Mission EOS-02 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-24 ISRO Space Mission INS-2TD ISRO Space Mission EOS-04 ISRO Space Mission EOS-03 ISRO Space Mission CMS-01 ISRO Space Mission EOS-01 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-30 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-2BR1 ISRO Space Mission Chandrayaan 2 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-2B ISRO Space Mission EMISAT ISRO Space Mission GSAT-31 ISRO Space Mission Microsat-R ISRO Space Mission GSAT-7A ISRO Space Mission GSAT-11 ISRO Space Mission HysIS ISRO Space Mission GSAT-29 ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1I ISRO Space Mission GSAT-6A ISRO Space Mission INS-1C ISRO Space Mission Microsat ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1H ISRO Space Mission GSAT-17 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-19 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-9 ISRO Space Mission Cartosat-2 Series Satellite INS-1A ISRO Space Mission INS-1B ISRO Space Mission RESOURCESAT-2A ISRO Space Mission GSAT-18 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3DR ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1G ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1F ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1E ISRO Space Mission GSAT-15 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-6 ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1D ISRO Space Mission Crew module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE) ISRO Space Mission GSAT-16 ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1C ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1B ISRO Space Mission GSAT-14 ISRO Space Mission Mars Orbiter Mission Spacecraft GSAT-7 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3D ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1A ISRO Space Mission SARAL ISRO Space Mission GSAT-10 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-1 ISRO Space Mission Megha-Tropiques ISRO Space Mission GSAT-12 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-8 ISRO Space Mission RESOURCESAT-2 ISRO Space Mission YOUTHSAT ISRO Space Mission GSAT-5P ISRO Space Mission GSAT-4 ISRO Space Mission Oceansat-2 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-2 ISRO Space Mission Chandrayaan-1 ISRO Space Mission IMS-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4CR ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4B ISRO Space Mission SRE-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4C ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4A ISRO Space Mission HAMSAT ISRO Space Mission EDUSAT ISRO Space Mission IRS-P6 / RESOURCESAT-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3E ISRO Space Mission GSAT-2 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3A ISRO Space Mission KALPANA-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3C ISRO Space Mission GSAT-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3B ISRO Space Mission Oceansat(IRS-P4) ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2E ISRO Space Mission IRS-1D ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2D ISRO Space Mission IRS-P3 ISRO Space Mission IRS-1C ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2C ISRO Space Mission IRS-P2 ISRO Space Mission SROSS-C2 ISRO Space Mission IRS-1E ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2B ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2A ISRO Space Mission SROSS-C ISRO Space Mission IRS-1B ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1D ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1C ISRO Space Mission SROSS-2 ISRO Space Mission IRS-1A ISRO Space Mission SROSS-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1B ISRO Space Mission Rohini Satellite RS-D2 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1A ISRO Space Mission Bhaskara-II ISRO Space Mission Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment (APPLE) ISRO Rohini Satellite RS-D1 ISRO Space Mission Rohini Satellite RS-1 ISRO Space Mission Rohini Technology Payload (RTP) ISRO Space Mission Bhaskara-I ISRO Space Mission Aryabhata ISRO Space Mission
Home / IAS Preparation / Geography UPSC Notes / Spratly Islands

Spratly Islands- History, Location, Claims, Disputes & UPSC Notes

Last Updated on Jul 02, 2025
Also Read Spratly Islands in Hindi
Download As PDF
IMPORTANT LINKS
Geography UPSC Notes
Environment UPSC Notes Polity UPSC Notes Art and Culture UPSC Notes Modern History UPSC Notes Indian Society UPSC Notes Disaster Management UPSC Notes Ancient History UPSC Notes Governance UPSC Notes Ethics UPSC Notes Medieval History UPSC Notes Economy UPSC Notes
Agriculture Notes For UPSC Public Administration UPSC Notes Modern History Books For UPSC Overseas Citizen Of India Caste System & Panchayati Raj Godavari River Federalism In India Indira Point New Development Bank Battle Of Sinhagad Sankalp And Strive Schemes Digital India High Yielding Varieties Economic Growth Development League Of Nations Ease Of Doing Business Mid Day Meal Scheme Wildlife Protection Act 1972 UPSC Notes International Union Conservation Nature

The Spratly Islands cluster over 100 islets, reefs, and atolls in the South China Sea. Multiple countries claim it, including China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. The Spratly Islands are strategically significant due to essential shipping routes and suspected oil and gas resources. The region is heavily disputed, leading to growing pressures and military presence. Despite being mostly uninhabited, the Spratly Islands play a pivotal role in provincial security and geopolitics.

The Spratly Islands is a topic relevant to the UPSC context under General Studies Paper I & II (Geography & International Relations) for UPSC mains and Paper I for UPSC prelims. It is a basic topic for aspirants to understand the dynamic aspect of the Spratly Islands. The Spratly Islands is an essential topic for UPSC Civil Services because it highlights the role of the location, features, and significance of the Spratly Islands, maritime geography, and The dispute over Spratly Islands involves territorial claims and disputes between China Sea, directly impacting international relations and regional security, which is frequently discussed in the exam. Join UPSC Coaching today to boost your preparation. 

- www.amglogisticsinc.net
📚 Exclusive Free UPSC Notes Created by Our Experts

Syllabus

General Studies Paper II and General Studies Paper I

Topics for Prelims

Spratly Islands, Sandy Cay Reef, South-China Sea Disputes. Location, Tropical Part, Topographical Facts, Paracel Islands, Pratas, the Natuna Islands and Scarborough Shoal, ASEAN, UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Topics for Mains

GS Paper I - Understanding the location, features, and significance of Spratly Island as part of the Spratly Islands, maritime geography. 

 

GS Paper II - Spratly Islands, The dispute over Sandy Cay Reef involves territorial claims and disputes between China and the Philippines, directly impacting international relations and regional security.
Subjects PDF Link
Download Free Ancient History Notes PDF Created by UPSC Experts Download Link
Grab the Free Economy Notes PDF used by UPSC Aspirants Download Link
Get your hands on the most trusted Free UPSC Environmental Notes PDF Download Link
Exclusive Free Indian Geography PDF crafted by top mentors Download Link
UPSC Toppers’ trusted notes, Now FREE for you. Download the Polity Notes PDF today! Download Link
Thousands of UPSC aspirants are already using our FREE UPSC notes. Get World Geography Notes PDF Here Download Link

Geography Previous Year Questions Download Free PDF

FREEMentorship Program by
Ravi Kapoor, Ex-IRS
UPSC Exam-Hacker, Author, Super Mentor, MA
100+ Success Stories
Key Highlights
Achieve your Goal with our mentorship program, offering regular guidance and effective exam strategies.
Cultivate a focused mindset for exam success through our mentorship program.
2 Lakh+ Students Mentored Get
Get Free Mentorship Now
UPSC Beginners Program

Get UPSC Beginners Program SuperCoaching @ just

₹50000

Claim for free
Want to know more about this pass ?
Explore SuperCoaching

About Spratly Islands

The Spratly Islands are a disputed group of islands in the South China Sea. These islands lie off the Malaysia, Philippines, and southern Vietnam coasts. Taiwan, China, and Vietnam claim it, while Malaysia and the Philippines claim parts. The northeast part of the Spratly Islands is known as Dangerous Ground and is described by many low islands, sunken reefs, and degraded, sunken atolls with coral. Economic activity has included commercial shipping, fishing, guano mining, oil and gas exploitation, and, more lately, tourism.

History

France held the Spratly Islands between 1933 and 1939. Japan occupied the archipelago during World War II and formed it as a submarine base. After the war, the Chinese Nationalist government established a garrison on Itu Aba, which the Nationalists carried after exiting Taiwan in 1949. When Japan renounced its claim to the islands in 1951, Taiwan, mainland China, and Vietnam voiced themselves as the rightful owners and the Philippines added a claim based on proximity in 1955.

Download the Daily Current Affairs for UPSC here!

Location

The Spratly Islands include over 100 small islands or reefs in the South China Sea. They are located north of insular Malaysia and are approximately midway between Vietnam and the Philippines. 

China and Taiwan border the South China Sea to the north, the Indo-Chinese peninsula (including Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore) to the west, Indonesia and Brunei to the south, and the Philippines to the east (directed to the West Philippine Sea). The Taiwan Strait links it with the East China Sea, and the Luzon Strait with the Philippine Sea (both marginal seas of the Pacific Ocean).

Claims

China, Taiwan, and Vietnam claim them, while Malaysia and the Philippines claim portions. Although Brunei did not claim any territory in the Spratlys, it claims an exclusive economic zone over this area that contained a Spratly reef.

Get Free Materials for UPSC Preparation by Testbook!

Climate

The Spratly Islands share a tropical marine climate. High humidity, warm temperatures, and seasonal monsoons mark the tropical marine climate of these islands. Temperatures commonly range between 25°C to 32°C throughout the year over these islands. The islands receive substantial rainfall, particularly during the southwest monsoon from May to October. It brings heavy rains and strong winds. 

The northeast monsoon from November to March brings drier and barely cooler conditions. Due to their location in the South China Sea, the Spratly Islands are also prone to typhoons, mainly during the rainy season. These weather patterns greatly influence the area's marine navigation and military operations, influencing the geopolitical activities of the islands.

Islands

A significant number of them are submerged. Of the 12 primary naturally occurring islets, 90-acre (36-hectare) Itu Aba is the largest. Another, Spratly Island or Storm Island, measures 900 by 1,500 feet (275 by 450 meters). Turtles and seabirds are the only wildlife in these islands. There is no permanent human habitation.

Trade Importance

Around USD 3.37 trillion worth of trade passed through the South China Sea in 2016. causing it to be a vital global trade route. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), 80% of global trade by volume and 70% by value is transported by sea, with 60% passing through Asia and one-third of global shipping moving through the South China Sea.

China, the world's second-largest economy, depends heavily on the South China Sea, with an estimated 64% of its trade passing through the area. In disparity, only 14% of U.S. trade traverses these waters. India depends on the area for roughly 55% of its trade.

Know more about the Temperature of the oceans!

Fishing Ground

The South China Sea is also a rich fishing ground, providing a vital livelihood and food security for millions of people in the region. The Spratly Islands are discovered in one of the world's richest fishing grounds. The area is economically beneficial to surrounding countries. The waters around the islands overflow with marine life, including tuna, sardines, mackerel, and shellfish. These resources help the livelihoods of fishermen from countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, and China.

Illegal fishing, overfishing, and territorial conflicts have heightened provincial competition. Many nations have built networks or stationed patrols to maintain fishing rights. The ample fish stocks make the Spratly Islands important for regional economies and food security.

Coral reefs

Coral reefs are the dominant structures of these islands. The Spratly group includes over 600 coral reefs in total. In April 2015, The New York Times reported that China was using "scores of dredgers" to convert Fiery Cross Reef and several other reefs into military facilities. 

Vegetation

Little vegetation grows on these islands, which are subject to intense monsoons. Larger islands can support tropical forests, scrub forests, coastal scrub, and grasses. It is difficult to determine which species humans have introduced or cultivated. Taiping Island (Itu Aba) was reportedly covered with shrubs, coconut, and mangroves in 1938; pineapple was also cultivated there when it was profitable. Other accounts mention papaya, banana, palm, and even white peach trees growing on one island. A few islands developed as small tourist resorts had soil and trees brought in and planted where none existed.

Wildlife

A total of 2,927 marine species have been recorded in the Spratly Sea, including 776 benthic species, 382 species of hard coral, 524 species of marine fish, 262 species of algae and sea grass, 35 species of seabirds, and 20 species of marine mammals and sea turtles.

The islands with vegetation provide essential habitats for many seabirds and sea turtles. Both the green turtle and the hawksbill turtle previously occurred in numbers adequate to help commercial exploitation. 

Know more about the Distribution of Temperature!

Spratly Islands Dispute

The Spratly Islands dispute involves countries like Vietnam, China, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan, each claiming parts or all of the islands. The dispute centers around sovereignty, driven by the region's strategic location and rich resources, including fisheries and potential oil and gas reserves. 

The Spratly Islands dispute is an ongoing territorial dispute among China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam concerning "ownership" of the Spratly Islands. It is a group of islands and associated "maritime features" (reefs, banks, cays, etc.) located in the South China Sea. The dispute is depicted by diplomatic stalemate and the employment of military force techniques, such as the occupation of disputed territory to advance national territorial claims. All except Brunei occupy some of the maritime features.

China asserts its claims through the "nine-dash line," while others depend on historical usage and international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Pressures have escalated due to land reclamation, military buildup, and conflicts at sea, making the Spratly Islands one of Asia's most complicated and sensitive territorial disputes.

Know more about the Wind and Wind Types!

Key Takeaways On Spratly Islands For UPSC Aspirants!

 
  • Strategic Location: The Spratly Islands are in the South China Sea, a critical maritime area with vital shipping lanes, rich fishing grounds, and potential oil and gas reserves.
  • Claimants: Multiple countries claim sovereignty over the Spratlys, including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, leading to overlapping claims.
  • China's Assertive Claims: China claims almost the entire South China Sea under its "Nine-Dash Line," which is not recognized by international law.
  • Artificial Islands and Militarization: China has constructed artificial islands and military installations in the Spratlys, escalating tensions and drawing international criticism.

Download Spratly Island Key Takeaways PDF 

After reading this article, we hope all your doubts about the Spratly Islands and Spratly Islands have been addressed. The textbook provides comprehensive notes on civil services and various other competitive examinations. It has always ensured the quality of its products, such as content pages, live tests, GK and current affairs, mocks, and so on. Ace your UPSC preparation with the Testbook. Download the Testbook App now!

Subject-wise Prelims Previous Year Questions

Geography PYQ UPSC Prelims

Download Free PDF

Environment PYQ UPSC Prelims

Download Free PDF

Modern History PYQ UPSC Prelims

Download Free PDF

Polity PYQ UPSC Prelims

Download Free PDF

Ancient History PYQ UPSC Prelims

Download Free PDF

Art and Culture PYQ UPSC Prelims

Download Free PDF

Medieval History PYQ UPSC Prelims

Download Free PDF

More Articles for IAS Preparation

Spratly Island UPSC FAQs

Taiwan and China own most of the Spratly Islands.

The old name of Spratly Island was Storm Island.

The Spratly Islands are situated in the South China Sea, one of the largest continental shelves in the world, which is abundant in resources such as oil, natural gas, minerals, and seafood. It is the seaway everyday passed by many ships trading across the region and continent.

Vietnam and the Philippines are closest to the Spratly Islands.

Taiping Island, also known as Itu Aba is the largest of the Spratly Islands.
Report An Error
Exams Tests Super Practice