India plans human deep-sea mission to 6,000 metres by 2028
CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News / Agencies, Bhopal:
India is taking significant steps towards sending a human mission into the depths of the ocean. Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh said India’s first manned deep-sea mission aims to reach a depth of 6,000 metres in the ocean by 2028. Under the mission, scientists will study the deep sea through a submersible being developed with indigenous technology.
Addressing the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi, the minister said the Matsya submersible being developed under the Samudrayaan mission will be capable of carrying three aquanauts, or trained experts who go under the sea, at the same time. It has been designed to reach depths of 5,000 to 6,000 metres.
The Chennai-based National Institute of Ocean Technology has developed the capability to conduct tests at such depths in the Central Indian Ocean Basin. In addition, high-level studies of mineral reserves such as hydrothermal sulphides present on the seabed are being carried out through the Ocean Mineral Explorer.
The mission is an important part of the Government of India’s Deep Ocean Mission. Under it, mineral resources, biodiversity and other natural wealth present under the sea will be explored. It is expected to strengthen India’s blue economy in the future.
Referring to the Gaganyaan mission, the minister said India is moving ahead simultaneously towards human missions in space and in the depths of the ocean. He also described international cooperation in marine research, indigenous technology and partnerships among scientific institutions as important.
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