The Indian Navy in October 2016 commissioned the fast attack craft INS Tihayu to be based at which Indian port city?

Introduction / Context:
This question checks awareness of recent developments in the Indian Navy, specifically the commissioning and basing of a fast attack craft. Such questions are common in examinations that test current affairs, defence modernization, and maritime security. INS Tihayu is part of the Navy effort to strengthen coastal security, especially along the eastern seaboard. Knowing where particular ships are based also helps in understanding how India distributes its naval assets across different commands and strategic locations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• INS Tihayu is a highly manoeuvrable fast attack craft of the Indian Navy.
• It was commissioned in October 2016.
• The options are Kochi, Panaji, Visakhapatnam, and Mumbai, all important port cities.
• Only one of these locations is the operational base for INS Tihayu.

Concept / Approach:
The approach is to recall that INS Tihayu belongs to the Eastern Naval Command, which has its headquarters at Visakhapatnam on the east coast of India. Fast attack craft operating in the Bay of Bengal and nearby waters are often based at Visakhapatnam for coastal defence, surveillance, and patrolling roles. The other ports listed are major Indian naval or commercial ports, but they belong to different commands or have different primary roles. Therefore, linking INS Tihayu with its command helps identify the correct base city.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that INS Tihayu is part of the Eastern Naval Command. Step 2: Identify that the headquarters port of the Eastern Naval Command is Visakhapatnam on the east coast. Step 3: Note that Kochi and Mumbai are major bases of the Southern and Western Naval Commands respectively, while Panaji supports operations on the western coast. Step 4: Since the ship is associated with the Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam is the correct base location.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by referring to Indian Navy press releases or reputable news reports from October 2016 describing the commissioning of INS Tihayu. These clearly mention that the vessel is based at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command. Defence yearbooks and compilations of naval assets also cross confirm that INS Tihayu operates from this port as part of coastal security and patrol missions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Kochi is an important port in Kerala and hosts the Southern Naval Command, but INS Tihayu was not assigned there. Mumbai is the principal base of the Western Naval Command and handles many different classes of ships, yet it is not the home port of this particular craft. Panaji in Goa also supports naval operations, especially for the western coast, but again is not the base of INS Tihayu. Only Visakhapatnam is directly linked with the commissioning details of the ship.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes choose Mumbai or Kochi simply because they are widely known naval bases, without matching commands to specific ships. Another mistake is to assume that any new ship might be based at the most famous or largest port instead of the one actually associated with its command. Confusing the roles of different naval commands or not keeping track of defence current affairs can also lead to incorrect answers.

Final Answer:
INS Tihayu is based at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy.