India is pursuing global competitiveness in ocean research and exploration through indigenous capabilities, international cooperation and global co-creation, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh said on 4 November 2026 at the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2026, organised by the National Maritime Foundation under the Ministry of Defence.
At the centre of the minister's address was the Samudrayaan Mission, under which the Matsya submersible is designed to carry three aquanauts to depths of 5,000–6,000 metres. Dr. Jitendra Singh said India is on course to conduct its first human deep-sea mission to a depth of up to 6,000 metres by 2028. He drew a parallel with the country's Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, expressing the vision of an Indian undertaking a deep-sea journey to nearly 6,000 metres while almost simultaneously another Indian travels into space.
The minister highlighted that the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) in Chennai has already developed the capability to conduct trials at depths of 5,000 to 6,000 metres in the Central Indian Ocean Basin. He also referred to the Ocean Mineral Explorer, which enables high-resolution exploration of hydrothermal sulphide deposits, several of which have already been identified. Deep ocean resources, he said, are set to be a major source of economic value addition for achieving Viksit Bharat 2047.
Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has referenced the Deep Ocean Mission twice in his Independence Day addresses, which he said reflects the priority accorded to ocean resources at the highest level. India's ocean research is increasingly supported by space-based assets, including dedicated satellites that observe ocean colour, sea-surface temperature and wind vectors — capabilities that could also support exploration of renewable energy resources such as wind and solar energy from the oceans.
On cross-disciplinary cooperation, the minister cited nuclear technology's role in seawater desalination, pointing to the desalination plant at Kalpakkam established with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre support, and a low-temperature desalination facility in Lakshadweep developed through the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Dr. Jitendra Singh called for joint scientific missions, reciprocal access to research facilities and data sharing to address challenges — such as marine pollution and shifting ocean temperatures — that extend across national jurisdictions. He outlined regional priorities including closing observational gaps, improving extreme-event forecasting, establishing regional climate services partnerships for coasts and islands, and strengthening conservation of ocean resources.
On research funding, the minister referred to the Anusandhan National Research Foundation and a ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund intended to accelerate private-sector participation in research and development. The RDI Fund, he said, operates on a 50:50 equity-based approach, encouraging private-sector stakeholders and investors to participate alongside the government in emerging areas.
This article is based on a primary source and has undergone editorial review prior to publication.
