Samudrayaan aims to develop a self-propelled manned submersible to carry three people to 6,000 metres for deep-ocean exploration and direct observation.PIB
India has been allocated a 75,000 sq km site in the Central Indian Ocean Basin by the International Seabed Authority for polymetallic nodule exploration and exploitation.Wikipedia
Matsya-6000's 500-metre trial dive is planned for early 2027, towards a 6,000-metre crewed dive.The Hindu
Samudrayaan Project (under the Deep Ocean Mission): quick facts
- Launch date
- Deep Ocean Mission launched w.e.f. 7 September 2021 as a Central Sector Scheme of MoES with Cabinet approval; Samudrayaan is a project under it.
- Target depth and crew
- Crewed submersible to carry 3 humans to 6,000 metres; endurance 12 hours operational and 96 hours in emergency.
- Approved outlay
- Overall estimated cost ₹4,077 crore for two phases over 2021-2026 (PIB); allocated budget so far ₹1,400 crore.
Key facts
| Launch date | Deep Ocean Mission launched w.e.f. 7 September 2021 as a Central Sector Scheme of MoES with Cabinet approval; Samudrayaan is a project under it.PIB |
|---|---|
| Target depth and crew | Crewed submersible to carry 3 humans to 6,000 metres; endurance 12 hours operational and 96 hours in emergency.PIB |
| Approved outlay | Overall estimated cost ₹4,077 crore for two phases over 2021-2026 (PIB); allocated budget so far ₹1,400 crore.PIB |
| Trial dive (2027) | Trial dive: A 500-metre trial in the Bay of Bengal is planned for January-February 2027.The Hindu |
Key features and how it works
- Matsya-6000 is a crewed deep-submergence vehicle with a titanium alloy spherical hull of 2.1 m diameter, rated to withstand about 600 bar pressure at 6,000 m depth.Wikipedia
- The mission's stated plan is to design a self-propelled manned submersible carrying 3 humans, with a suite of scientific sensors and tools for deep-ocean exploration.PIB
- Under the mission, OMe 6000 was used for deep-sea mineral exploration in December 2022 at 5,271 m in the Central Indian Ocean Basin, using the research ship Sagar Nidhi.PIB
- Matsya-6000's crew life-support systems, including oxygen supply and carbon dioxide scrubbing, share design aspects with ISRO's Gaganyaan programme.The Hindu
- Under the wider Deep Ocean Mission, India is the first country to hold contracts with the International Seabed Authority for two separate areas, including a contract to explore the Carlsberg Ridge (2025).Wikipedia
Static GK
- NIOT was established in November 1993 as an autonomous society under MoES to develop indigenous technologies for harvesting living and non-living resources in India's EEZ.Wikipedia
- The International Seabed Authority is a Kingston, Jamaica-based intergovernmental body with jurisdiction over the international seabed area.Wikipedia
- Polymetallic nodules: deep-sea mineral deposits containing manganese, nickel, cobalt, copper and iron hydroxide, which are the main target of India's deep-sea exploration.Wikipedia
- The Deep Ocean Mission is also described in the cited source as the Samudra Manthan Mission.Wikipedia
- Ocean Mineral Explorer (OMe 6000): a deep-water AUV that was deployed for deep-sea mineral exploration under the mission.PIB
Comparison
Samudrayaan vs Gaganyaan (ISRO crewed programme)
| Basis | Samudrayaan (Matsya-6000) | Gaganyaan |
|---|---|---|
| Crew capacity | 3 humans | Crew of 3 (2022 design) |
| Target | 6,000 m depth in the ocean | Orbit of about 400 km |
| Duration | 12 h operational, 96 h emergency | Up to 7 days orbit (Wikipedia); 3 days per ISRO page |
| Implementing body | NIOT under MoES | ISRO |
| Parent scheme | Deep Ocean Mission, approved with ₹4,077 crore for 2021-2026 | Indian Human Spaceflight Programme, approved by Union Cabinet on 28 December 2018 |
Achievements
- The uncrewed trial of the personnel sphere was conducted in October 2021 off Chennai, and the Samudrayaan programme was formally launched after it was certified.Wikipedia
- The OMe 6000 AUV conducted seabed mapping at up to 5,271 m depth in the Central Indian Ocean in December 2022.PIB
- Several wet tests on Matsya-6000 have been conducted, the latest in the week before the November 2026 announcement.The Hindu
Challenges
Way forward
- A 500-metre trial is planned towards the goal of a 6,000-metre crewed dive.The Hindu
- Shared life-support and human-rating work with ISRO's Gaganyaan programme is a model for convergence between agencies, which can cut duplicated effort.The Hindu
- Building a trained pool of pilots and scientists (two NIOT pilots are in training now) is needed for the long-term operation of crewed deep-sea dives. This is an analysis of the staffing need.
Timeline
13 November 2026
MoES Secretary announced Matsya-6000's first trial dive to 500 metres in the Bay of Bengal, planned for January-February 2027, as a step towards the 6,000-metre crewed dive.
Read the story26 July 2023
A Lok Sabha reply confirmed that the Matsya-6000 manned submersible design had been completed.PIB
December 2022
OMe 6000 AUV conducted seabed mapping at up to 5,271 m depth in the Central Indian Ocean Basin.PIB
29 October 2021
Union minister Jitendra Singh formally launched the Samudrayaan project after the trial.Wikipedia
27 October 2021
Uncrewed trial of the personnel sphere conducted off Chennai.Wikipedia
7 September 2021
Deep Ocean Mission launched as a Central Sector Scheme of MoES with Cabinet approval.PIB
16 June 2021
Final government approval was granted for the project, after delays from October 2019.Wikipedia
31 August 2019
NIOT proposed a project to send a three-person submersible to 6,000 m, in line with ISRO's Gaganyaan.Wikipedia
2016
India was allocated a 75,000 sq km site in the Central Indian Ocean Basin by the International Seabed Authority.Wikipedia
November 1993
NIOT was established as an autonomous society under MoES.Wikipedia
Every new story on this subject is added here automatically.
Frequently asked questions
When was the Deep Ocean Mission launched and by whom?
The Deep Ocean Mission was launched w.e.f. 7 September 2021 as a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, with Cabinet approval.PIB
What is the target depth and crew size of Matsya-6000?
Matsya-6000 is designed to carry 3 humans to a water depth of 6,000 metres.PIB
What is the approved cost of the Deep Ocean Mission?
The Cabinet approved an overall estimated cost of ₹4,077 crore for two phases during 2021-2026.PIB
GS paper mapping
- GS-3Science and Technology: indigenous technology development, ocean technology and deep-sea exploration
- GS-3Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, and marine resources
- GS-3Infrastructure: Blue Economy and marine resources
- GS-2Government policies and schemes: Central Sector Schemes of the Ministry of Earth Sciences
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages.
