With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider the following statements: 1. None of them uses seawater. 2. None of them is set up in water-stressed district. 3. None of them is privately owned. How many of the above statements are correct?

Let's examine each statement with reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India:

1. None of them uses seawater. This statement is incorrect. Several coal-based thermal power plants in India are located along the coastline (e.g., in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh) and use seawater for cooling purposes. Examples include Mundra Thermal Power Plant and Coastal Gujarat Power Ltd (CGPL) in Gujarat.

2. None of them is set up in water-stressed district. This statement is incorrect. India faces significant water stress in many regions, and a considerable number of thermal power plants are indeed located in such districts, leading to competition for water resources with agriculture and human consumption. Many reports and studies highlight this issue.

3. None of them is privately owned. This statement is incorrect. While a large portion of thermal power generation capacity is owned by public sector undertakings (like NTPC), India also has a substantial and growing number of privately-owned coal-based thermal power plants (e.g., those operated by Tata Power, Adani Power, Reliance Power, JSW Energy, etc.).

Since all three statements are incorrect, none of the statements given are correct.