Tags:Science & TechUPSC
For Prelims: Polymetallic nodules, Polymetallic sulphides, International Seabed Authority, Environmental impact assessment
For Mains: Science and Technology: Ocean technology and deep-sea exploration; Environment: Marine ecosystems and impact assessment
Source:
The Hindu
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- The Ministry of Earth Sciences leads the Deep Ocean Mission.
- India’s nodule exploration contract covers approximately 75,000 sq km.
- India’s sulphide exploration contract covers approximately 10,000 sq km.
- The International Seabed Authority was established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
- Polymetallic nodules contain nickel, copper, cobalt and manganese.
The news
Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) Secretary Srinivasa Kumar Tumalla has said that the Deep Ocean Mission is critical for India’s future, even as he sought to allay concerns of coastal communities about the potential impact of deep-sea mining on fishing and livelihoods. Speaking on the sidelines of the 92nd annual meeting of the Indian Academy of Sciences at the National Centre for Earth Science Studies on Friday, he said only exploratory surveys are underway, and these are conducted far from the Indian coast.
The exploration area for polymetallic nodules is in the central Indian Ocean basin at water depths of about 5,000 metres and approximately 2,500 km from the coast, the secretary said. India holds contracts with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for about 75,000 sq km for polymetallic nodules and about 10,000 sq km for polymetallic sulphides, according to information given in Parliament in December 2025. Polymetallic nodules contain nickel, copper, cobalt and manganese, while polymetallic sulphides contain copper, zinc, lead, iron, silver, gold and platinum — metals important for electric vehicles and power grids.
Dr. Tumalla pointed out that actual mining operations will take time because the mining code must become operational and comprehensive environmental impact assessments must be completed. “Right now what is being done is only exploratory activities,” he said. The ISA is an autonomous entity established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Deep Ocean Mission: why in the news?
MoES Secretary Srinivasa Kumar Tumalla publicly addressed coastal community concerns about deep-sea mining and reiterated the strategic importance of the Deep Ocean Mission, clarifying that only exploratory surveys are ongoing far from the coast.
What is the International Seabed Authority and its legal basis?
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an autonomous international organisation established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). UNCLOS defines the seabed and ocean floor and their subsoil beyond national jurisdiction as the 'Area' and declares its resources the common heritage of mankind. The ISA is mandated to organise and control all mineral-related activities in the Area. India signed UNCLOS in 1982 and ratified it in 1995. The ISA's headquarters is located in Kingston, Jamaica.
What is the Deep Ocean Mission?
The Deep Ocean Mission is India’s mission-mode effort to develop capabilities for exploring and using deep-ocean resources. Deep-sea mining for minerals is one component of the mission, not its entirety. The Ministry of Earth Sciences leads the mission.
What metals are sought and why?
Polymetallic nodules contain nickel, copper, cobalt and manganese, while polymetallic sulphides contain copper, zinc, lead, iron, silver, gold and platinum. These metals are critical for technologies such as electric vehicles and power grids. Developing deep-sea technology could improve India’s access to these resources, but exploration contracts do not permit commercial extraction yet.
What must happen before mining begins?
Actual mining requires the ISA mining code to become operational and the completion of comprehensive environmental impact assessments. The secretary emphasised that current activities are only exploratory. Transparent assessment and communication with coastal communities can help address concerns over fishing and livelihoods.
India’s deep-sea exploration contracts
| Mineral deposit | Contracted area | Selected metals |
|---|---|---|
| Polymetallic nodules | Approximately 75,000 sq km | Nickel, cobalt, manganese, copper |
| Polymetallic sulphides | Approximately 10,000 sq km | Copper, zinc, lead, iron |
Deep Ocean Mission: facts and terms for exams
- Polymetallic nodules:
- Mineral deposits on the seafloor containing multiple metals, including manganese, nickel, copper and cobalt.
- Polymetallic sulphides:
- Seafloor mineral deposits containing sulphides and multiple metals, including copper, zinc and lead.
- International Seabed Authority:
- An autonomous international entity established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
- Environmental impact assessment:
- A process for identifying and evaluating potential environmental effects of a proposed activity.
Deep Ocean Mission: why it matters for exams
Exams: UPSC
Syllabus: Science and Technology: Ocean technology and deep-sea exploration; Environment: Marine ecosystems and impact assessment
Common mistake: Examiners may swap exploration with operational mining: India’s current activities are exploratory, while actual mining awaits the mining code and other procedures.
Mains question on Deep Ocean Mission
Examine the strategic significance of the Deep Ocean Mission for India’s mineral security. Discuss the environmental and livelihood concerns associated with deep-sea mining and the regulatory framework governing it.
Stuck? Get it in one tap
The Deep Ocean Mission includes work to develop technology for accessing minerals on the deep seafloor. India is currently surveying contracted areas, not conducting actual mining. Environmental impact assessments evaluate potential effects before mining can proceed.
- Science and Technology: Ocean technology and deep-sea exploration
- Environment: Marine ecosystems and impact assessment
Related concepts: Polymetallic nodules, Polymetallic sulphides, International Seabed Authority, Environmental impact assessment
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Under which convention was the International Seabed Authority established?
Explanation: The International Seabed Authority was established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Deep Ocean Mission is an Indian mission, while the mining code and exploration contract are distinct from the convention.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements about India’s deep-sea exploration:
- 1.India has an International Seabed Authority exploration contract for polymetallic nodules in the central Indian Ocean Basin.
- 2.Commercial mining of those nodules is already underway.
- 3.India has a separate contracted area for exploration of polymetallic sulphides.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct: India has exploration contracts for both categories of minerals. Statement 2 is incorrect because current activities are exploratory and mining awaits further procedures.
- Q3Medium
Approximately how large is India’s contracted polymetallic nodule exploration area in the central Indian Ocean Basin?
Explanation: The nodule exploration contract covers approximately 75,000 sq km. The 10,000 sq km figure relates to sulphide exploration; 50,000 and 1,00,000 sq km are not the contracted nodule area.
- Q4Medium
Why are comprehensive environmental impact assessments relevant before deep-sea mining under the Deep Ocean Mission?
Explanation: Environmental impact assessments evaluate potential environmental effects before mining. They neither establish the International Seabed Authority nor convert mineral deposits or replace exploration contracts.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the Deep Ocean Mission’s role in mineral exploration?
The mission includes developing technology to access deep-sea mineral resources; deep-sea mining is one of its components.
2. How large are India’s contracted deep-sea mineral exploration areas?
India has approximately 75,000 sq km for polymetallic nodules and 10,000 sq km for polymetallic sulphides.
3. Has India begun deep-sea mining under the Deep Ocean Mission?
Current activities are exploratory. Actual mining awaits an operational mining code and other procedures, including comprehensive environmental assessments.
4. Which metals occur in polymetallic nodules?
Polymetallic nodules contain nickel, copper, cobalt and manganese.
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- Original14 November 2026 · Read story
