Recent developments and achievements of the Deep Ocean Mission showcase India’s scientific and strategic capabilities in unlocking the potential of the ocean floor.
India has achieved a milestone in marine exploration with two Indian aquanauts, Cdr. Jatinder Pal Singh and Sh. Raju Ramesh, diving to depths of 4,025 meters and 5,002 meters in the Atlantic Ocean. This feat, accomplished through collaboration with France's marine research institute IFREMER aboard the French submersible Nautile. This dive represents a preparatory step for India's Samudrayaan Project under the Deep Ocean Mission.
This achievement is also significant in the context of the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Samudra Manthan’ (churning of the seas), that highlights the significance of deep-sea exploration— not only unlocking vast reserves of minerals, biodiversity, and energy, but also positioning itself among the few nations with advanced deep-sea exploration technology.
As the country pursues its vision of a Blue Economy, the Deep Ocean Mission serves as a gateway to ocean floor and technological self-reliance.
Foundation of Deep Ocean Mission
Launched in 2021 as a Mission mode project by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) received Cabinet approval with a budget of ₹4,077 crore for implementation over five years (2021-2026).
The Mission includes the Samudrayaan Project which aims to deploy the indigenously developed MATSYA-6000 submersible by 2027. The project’s core objective is to develop and deploy a self-propelled manned submersible capable of carrying 3 crew members to a depth of 6,000 meters.
This initiative aligns with the United Nations' declaration of 2021-2030 as the "Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development." The DOM's core objectives, such as developing technology for deep-sea mining, surveying marine biodiversity, and advancing ocean climate change research, directly contribute to the UN's goals for a healthy and productive ocean.
The mission forms a cornerstone of India's 'New India by 2030' vision, which identifies the Blue Economy as one of ten core dimensions of growth. With over 70% of the globe covered by oceans and 95% of the deep ocean remaining unexplored, India's three-sided oceanic boundaries and 11098.81 kms coastline present opportunities for development.
Economic Potential and Blue Economy Integration
Critical Mineral Security
The Deep Ocean Mission addresses India's strategic imperative for critical mineral security by focusing on polymetallic nodules in the Central Indian Ocean Basin. India holds exclusive exploration rights over a 75,000 sq. km area granted by the UN International Seabed Authority, containing an estimated 380 million metric tonnes of polymetallic manganese nodules.
These ocean floor resources contain essential metals including cobalt, nickel, copper, and manganese—critical for India's transition to renewable energy and electric vehicle manufacturing. Projections suggest that just 10% of recoverable reserves could meet India's energy requirements for the next century.
The Deep Ocean Mission has achieved tangible results with the collection of over 100 kg of cobalt-rich polymetallic nodules from 1,173 meters depth in the Andaman Sea, demonstrating India's capacity to extract valuable ocean floor resources.
Sustainable Development and Job Creation
The mission's comprehensive approach extends beyond mineral extraction to encompass sustainable energy solutions, marine biotechnology, and capacity building. The planned offshore Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) powered desalination plant represents innovative thinking in addressing freshwater scarcity for coastal communities like the Lakshadweep Islands.
The Advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology (AMSOB) component is designed to transform research into commercially viable products, fostering innovation and creating employment opportunities, particularly for MSMEs and startups. This multi-pronged strategy aligns with the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative, ensuring that India doesn't merely extract raw materials but develops high-value intellectual property and technologies.
Environmental Stewardship and International Collaboration
Balancing Exploration with Conservation
The Deep Ocean Mission emphasizes "sustainable utilization" of ocean resources while acknowledging the environmental challenges associated with deep-sea exploration. The mission incorporates environmental monitoring and impact assessment protocols in collaboration with the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO).
Deep-sea ecosystems are fragile and slow to recover, requiring careful balance between resource exploration and conservation. The mission's focus on bio-prospecting and biodiversity studies demonstrates commitment to understanding and protecting these unique environments.
Global Partnerships and Compliance
India's approach combines indigenous development with strategic international collaboration. The recent Indo-French dive exemplifies this balanced strategy, allowing knowledge transfer while maintaining sovereignty over critical technologies. India operates within the established international framework, holding exploration contracts with the UN International Seabed Authority for both polymetallic nodules and sulphides in the Indian Ocean.
Future Milestones and Strategic Outlook
Phase-wise Implementation
The Deep Ocean Mission follows a two-phase approach. Phase I (2021-2024) focused on foundational research and technology development with ₹2,823.4 crore allocation. Phase II (2024-2026) emphasizes demonstration and deployment of developed technologies.
Key upcoming milestones include shallow water demonstration up to 500 meters by early 2026, integration and deep-water tests by mid-2027, and the first manned deep-sea trials targeted for 2027-28. The timeline includes research vessel augmentation with Launch and Recovery System (LARS) and scientific explorations using MATSYA-6000 during 2027-28.
Integration with National Missions
Prime Minister of India’s announcement on August 15, 2025, of the National Deep Water Exploration Mission for oil and gas reserves demonstrates the government's approach to marine resource exploration. As he stated, "Taking forward our Samudra Manthan, we want to work in a mission mode towards finding oil reserves, gas reserves under the sea." This integration ensures development across various ocean-based initiatives, with the maritime economy targeted to surpass ₹100 billion.
Conclusion
The Deep Ocean Mission represents India's ambitious journey toward sustainable Blue Economy development. By successfully demonstrating deep-sea exploration capabilities through the Atlantic Ocean dive, India has positioned itself as a serious contender in global marine technology.
The mission's success lies not merely in technological achievements but in its holistic approach combining resource exploration, environmental conservation, and capacity building. As India prepares to deploy its indigenous MATSYA-6000 submersible and explore the vast potential of the ocean floor, the Deep Ocean Mission serves as a testament to the nation's commitment to technological self-reliance and sustainable development.
This achievement in deep-sea exploration marks the beginning of India's journey to unlock the ocean's immense potential while maintaining environmental stewardship and international cooperation. The Deep Ocean Mission truly represents India's gateway to the ocean floor and a sustainable maritime future.
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Deep Ocean Mission FAQs
1. What is India's Deep Ocean Mission launch year?
Ans. 2021
2. What is the Deep Ocean Mission budget allocation in crores?
Ans. ₹4,077 crore
3. Which ministry launched India's Deep Ocean Mission?
Ans. Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
4. What are polymetallic nodules found in the Indian Ocean Basin?
Ans. Cobalt, nickel, copper, and manganese
5. Which Indian institute developed MATSYA-6000 submersible technology?
Ans. National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai.