Samudrayaan Mission: India’s Journey into the Deep Ocean

Indian aquanauts recently completed record deep-sea dives beyond 5,000 metres during training, marking a major milestone towards Samudrayaan Mission and India’s first manned ocean exploration.

• Relevant for UPSC Prelims & Current Affairs.
• Relevant for Mains GS Paper II & III (indigenous innovation, Blue Economy, critical minerals,  marine biodiversity, climate studies).
• Important for Essay and Interview discussions.

India is not only reaching for the stars with Gaganyaan, but also diving into the depths of the oceans with Samudrayaan. This is the country’s first manned deep-ocean mission, an ambitious project under the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM).

Samudrayaan is India’s first manned submersible project, aiming to send humans 6,000 metres below sea level to study and explore the ocean floor.

• Launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• It is being developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai.
• The project will use an indigenously built submersible called Matsya-6000.
• It is designed to carry 3 humans (“aquanauts”) for up to 12 hours (96 hours in emergencies).
• The budget allocated is approximately ₹4,077 crore as part of the Deep Ocean Mission.

The objective of the Sumadrayaan mission is to enable India’s first human exploration of the deep ocean and to harness resources for the Blue Economy in a sustainable way.

• To develop and deploy Matsya-6000, a manned submersible capable of reaching 6,000 m.
• To allow three aquanauts to directly study the deep-sea environment for 12–96 hours.
• To explore and assess polymetallic nodules and other mineral resources.
• To advance research in marine biodiversity, climate, and deep-ocean ecosystems.
• To strengthen India’s capacity in ocean technology, robotics, and subsea engineering.
• To support the Deep Ocean Mission and India’s Blue Economy policy.

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Matsya-6000 is the heart of Samudrayaan, a crewed deep-sea submersible that will take Indian scientists into the ocean depths.

• Built to withstand 600 times the pressure of sea level.
• Has a titanium alloy sphere (2.1 m diameter, 80 mm thick) to house aquanauts.
• Equipped with:

1. Thrusters for navigation.
2. Life support systems (oxygen supply, CO₂ removal).
3. Ocean sensors and cameras.
4. Underwater acoustic telephone for communication.

• Tested at shallow depths (500 m) successfully; further trials towards 6,000 m are ongoing.
• Will enable direct human observation, sample collection, and resource survey.

Also read: Sudhanshu Shukla: First Indian to Pilot Axiom 4 Mission

India’s ocean ambitions go far beyond science. Samudrayaan ties into economic, technological, and strategic goals.

• Critical Minerals: Deep seas contain polymetallic nodules rich in cobalt, nickel, manganese, and rare earths, crucial for EVs, batteries, and electronics.
• Blue Economy: India’s 7,500 km coastline gives it huge potential. The government aims for a Blue Economy worth over $100 billion.
• Global Standing: Only a handful of countries (the US, Russia, China, Japan, France) have manned deep-sea tech. India will join this elite club.
• Science & Research: Deep-ocean studies will enhance knowledge of biodiversity, climate change, and undersea geology.
• Strategic Independence: Reduces dependence on foreign tech. India has already developed indigenous systems like the deep-water acoustic phone.

Exploring the deep ocean is tougher than going to space. Let’s understand why!

• Extreme Pressure: At 6,000 m, pressure is 600 bar. Even a hairline crack can be fatal.
• Material Difficulties: The Titanium alloy sphere needs ultra-precise welding (over 700 trials already conducted by ISRO labs).
• Life Support Risks: Oxygen generation, CO₂ removal, and temperature regulation in a closed sphere are critical.
• Communication Gaps: Radio doesn’t work underwater; acoustic signals are slow and unreliable.
• Rescue Issues: If trapped at a depth of 6 km, rescue operations are challenging.

Also read: Patriot Air Defence Missile System: Features and Capabilities

Samudrayaan is central to India’s Blue Economy vision and long-term strategic interests. The mission:

• Explores critical minerals like cobalt, nickel, copper, and manganese, essential for energy transition and electronics.
• Supports blue economy growth by creating jobs, boosting exports, and contributing to GDP.
• Secures strategic access to 75,000 sq km in the Central Indian Ocean Basin.
• Drives indigenous technology in submersibles, robotics, and deep-ocean systems.
• Positions India as a leader in ocean science, maritime governance, and sustainable marine resource use.

Samudrayaan’s success depends on combining technology, policy, and global cooperation to make India a leader in deep-ocean exploration and a driver of the Blue Economy.

• Complete Matsya-6000 trials to 6,000 m.
• Train aquanauts for deep-sea missions.
• Establish an advanced marine research station.
• Collaborate with the International Seabed Authority.
• Invest in robotics, AI, and sensors.

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