Why in News
The Andaman & Nicobar Administration set two Guinness World Records on consecutive days in May 2026:
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May 2, 2026 — Largest national flag unfurled underwater at Radhanagar Beach (Swaraj Dweep / Havelock Island): A 60×40 metre (2,400 sq m) Tricolour was unfurled by 223 divers including personnel from the Indian Navy, Andaman & Nicobar Police, and other agencies, under the supervision of Lt. Governor D.K. Joshi.
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May 3, 2026 — Tallest underwater human stack: A tower of 22.3 metres formed by 14 people — including Lt. Governor D.K. Joshi himself — was sustained for 3 minutes underwater, setting a new Guinness World Record.
Both records were part of an initiative to promote the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as a world-class maritime and adventure tourism destination and highlight India’s naval and diving capabilities.
Radhanagar Beach — Key Facts
| Item | Fact |
|---|---|
| Original name | Havelock Island (colonial name) |
| Renamed to | Swaraj Dweep (part of renaming initiative by GoI) |
| Location | Andaman Islands, Bay of Bengal |
| Beach certification | Blue Flag — one of India’s 13 Blue Flag beaches (as of 2025) |
| Known for | Pristine white sand, clear waters; ranked among Asia’s best beaches |
| Administration | Andaman & Nicobar Islands UT administration |
Blue Flag Certification
Blue Flag is an international eco-label awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Denmark. It is one of the world’s most recognised ecolabels for beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism. Criteria: water quality (BATHING WATER Directive standards), environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety services.
India’s Blue Flag beaches (2025): 13 certified beaches including Shivrajpur (Gujarat), Ghoghla (Diu), Kasarkod and Padubidri (Karnataka), Kappad (Kerala), Eden (Puducherry), Miri (Odisha), Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh), Golden (Andaman), Radhanagar/Swaraj Dweep (Andaman), and others.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands — Strategic and Geographic Importance
Physical Geography
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total islands | ~572 (Andaman — 325+; Nicobar — ~247) |
| Inhabited islands | ~38 |
| Highest point | Saddle Peak (Andaman) — 732 m |
| Southernmost point | Indira Point (Nicobar) — India’s southernmost point |
| Proximity to Malacca Strait | ~150 km from the northern entrance |
| Distance from mainland India | ~1,200 km from Chennai |
| Distance from Port Blair to Myanmar | ~280 km |
| Distance from Port Blair to Indonesia | ~150 km (Sumatra) |
Strategic Importance
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands command the Malacca Strait approach — the world’s most important shipping chokepoint through which approximately 80% of China’s oil imports pass. The Andaman Sea is a critical transit zone between the Bay of Bengal and the Malacca Strait.
Key strategic installations: INS Baaz (naval air station on Campbell Bay, Great Nicobar Island), INS Jarawa, Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC) — India’s only tri-services theatre command, headquartered at Port Blair.
Great Nicobar Development Project
The Great Nicobar Holistic Development Project — approved by the Government of India — envisages development of a:
- Transshipment Port (to compete with Colombo, Klang, Singapore)
- International airport
- Township for 3.5 lakh people
- Dual-use military facility
Managed by ANIIDCO (Andaman & Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation), the project has attracted environmental controversy due to its location in ecologically sensitive forest areas home to the Shompen tribe (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group — PVTG) and critical leatherback turtle nesting sites.
Guinness World Records — Context
Guinness World Records (GWR) is a reference book published annually by the Guinness World Records Ltd (a subsidiary of Jim Pattison Group), listing world records both human achievements and extremes of the natural world. India has been actively pursuing GWR records as part of national event celebrations — including flag-related records on Republic Day and Independence Day in recent years.
UPSC Relevance
| Paper | Angle |
|---|---|
| GS1 — Geography | Andaman & Nicobar geography, Indira Point, Malacca Strait, Bay of Bengal |
| GS2 — Polity | UT administration, Andaman & Nicobar Command (tri-services command), tribal rights (Shompen) |
| GS3 — Internal Security | Strategic importance, Great Nicobar military base, Maritime security |
| GS3 — Environment | Great Nicobar project controversy, leatherback turtles, forest clearance |
Mains Keywords: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Swaraj Dweep, Radhanagar Beach, Blue Flag, Indira Point, Malacca Strait, ANC (Andaman & Nicobar Command), Great Nicobar Holistic Development Project, Shompen PVTG, strategic chokepoint, Guinness World Record
Prelims Facts Corner
| Item | Fact |
|---|---|
| Largest underwater flag | 60×40m = 2,400 sq m; 223 divers; Radhanagar Beach; May 2, 2026 |
| Tallest underwater human stack | 22.3m; 14 people; 3 minutes; May 3, 2026 |
| LG Andaman | D.K. Joshi (participated in human stack) |
| Radhanagar Beach / Swaraj Dweep | Renamed Havelock Island; Blue Flag certified |
| India’s Blue Flag beaches | 13 (as of 2025) |
| Blue Flag issuing body | Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Denmark |
| Indira Point | India’s southernmost point — Great Nicobar Island |
| Malacca Strait | 80% of China’s oil imports pass through |
| ANC | Only tri-services command in India; Port Blair |
| Shompen tribe | PVTG on Great Nicobar Island |
