The National Institute of Oceanography, a premier Indian research institution devoted to ocean studies, is located at which of the following places?

Introduction / Context:
India has several specialised national research institutes devoted to the study of oceans, atmosphere, space and other scientific fields. The National Institute of Oceanography, often abbreviated as NIO, plays a key role in marine science research, including oceanography, marine biology and coastal processes. This question asks you to identify the location of this institute.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The institution mentioned is the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO). • Options list Goa, Mumbai, Cochin and Kandla, all coastal locations. • We assume the main headquarters location, not regional centres. • NIO functions under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.

Concept / Approach:
The headquarters of the National Institute of Oceanography is located at Dona Paula near Panaji in the state of Goa on the west coast of India. Although NIO has regional centres in other coastal cities, Goa is recognised as its main base. Therefore, among the options given, Goa is the correct choice. Mumbai, Cochin and Kandla are important ports and may host various maritime organisations, but they are not the primary headquarters of NIO.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that NIO headquarters are in Dona Paula, a coastal area near the state capital Panaji in Goa. Step 2: Recognise that this location provides direct access to the Arabian Sea for marine research. Step 3: Compare the options: Goa, Mumbai, Cochin and Kandla. Only Goa matches the known principal headquarters site of NIO. Step 4: Understand that while Mumbai, Cochin and other ports are important maritime hubs, the institute named in the question is specifically based in Goa. Step 5: Choose Goa as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Official descriptions of NIO, including its website and scientific publications, state that the National Institute of Oceanography is headquartered at Dona Paula, Goa. Many competitive exam books also pair NIO with Goa in lists of national laboratories and their locations. The persistent repetition of this pairing across sources verifies that Goa is the correct location for the purpose of this question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Mumbai is home to various maritime and shipping organisations, but it is not the headquarters of NIO. Cochin has institutes and naval establishments linked to maritime affairs but is not the main base of the National Institute of Oceanography. Kandla is a major port in Gujarat but does not host the headquarters of NIO.

Common Pitfalls:
Because Mumbai and Cochin are larger and more widely known ports, some students may incorrectly assume that a national institute of oceanography must be located in one of these big cities. Others may confuse NIO with other organisations like the National Institute of Ocean Technology. To avoid such confusion, it is best to memorise concise pairs such as NIO Goa for exams.

Final Answer:
The National Institute of Oceanography is located at Goa.