Deep Ocean Mission – India’s Gateway to the Ocean Floor

Deep Ocean Mission – India’s Gateway to the Ocean Floor

Launched: 2021 by ministry of Earth Sciences (MOES)

Outlay : 4077 crore (5 years)

Aim :  Harness deep ocean wealth sustainably and Strengthen Blue Economy.

 

Recent milestone (August 2025)

  • India’s first manned deep-sea dive (5000m) by aquanauts commander Jatindra Pal Singh and Shri Raju Ramesh.
  • Over 100 kg cobalt-rich polymetallic nodules collected (Andaman Sea).

 

Mission Components

* Development of Technologies for Deep Sea Mining, and Manned Submersible

  • MATSYA-6000 : carries 3 people, depth 6000m, 12 hrs endurance (96 hrs in emergencies)
  • Equipped with advanced sensors, manipulator arms, drop-weight escape, acoustic communication.

* Development of Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services

  • Seasonal- decadal forecasts for climate & coastal tourism.

* Technological innovations for exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity:

  • Exploration of deep-sea flora, fauna, microbes for marine pharma & biotech.

* Energy and freshwater from the Ocean: 

  • Pilot OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion) powered desalination plant.

* Deep Ocean Survey and Exploration:

  • Identify multi-metal hydrothermal sulphide sites.

* Advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology

  • Research-industry incubator for marine biotech.

 

→Technological Feats

  • Titanium-alloy spherical hull (2.26m diameter, 80 mm thick) built via Electron Beam Welding (ISRO)
  • Passed 700 trials, tested with Time-of-Flight Diffraction & Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing.
  • Joint Indo-French expedition with IFREMER (the French marine research institute) (Aug 2025)

→ Strategic Significance

  • Positions India among elite few with manned deep-Sea tech.
  • Boosts mineral security (cobalt, nickel, copper, rare earths).
  • Strengthens Blue Economy sectors: shipping, fisheries, biotech, offshore energy.
  • Supports SAMUDRA MANTHAN vision : resilient, resource rich India

 

Possible Questions (MCQ)

Q1. With reference to the Deep Ocean Mission, consider the following:

(1) MATSYA 6000 is designed to carry 3 persons to a depth of 6000m

(2) India collaborated with IFREMER (France) for its first 5000m dive.

(3) The mission includes Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) as one component.

Which of the above statements is / are correct?

  1. A) 1 & 2
  2. B) 2 & 3
  3. C) 1 & 3
  4. D) 1, 2 & 3

 

 

Answer – D

 

  1. Q) The Deep Ocean Mission is often called “India’s Samudra Manthan’. Discuss its significance for India’s Blue Economy and strategic autonomy. (250 words)

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