National Deep Water Exploration Mission, Objectives & Significance
UPSC Prelims
Current affairs
Latest Update
Gajendra Singh Godara
Aug 22, 2025
8
mins read
The National Deep Water Exploration Mission is a flagship initiative to explore and harness India’s offshore oil and gas resources beneath the deep ocean floor. Launched as part of India’s broader Deep Ocean Mission (approved Sep 2021), it was described as ‘Samudra Manthan’ by PM Modi and is aimed at bolstering India’s energy security. The mission prioritizes sustainable development – balancing energy production with marine conservation – and contributes to India’s goal of reducing fuel imports and carbon emissions by promoting indigenous resources and renewable energy synergy.Mission Components Development of Technologies for Deep Sea Mining, and Manned Submersible.This oil & gas–focused national deep water exploration mission is anchored to India’s energy strategy; the science-led Deep Ocean Mission (2021–26) continues separately under MoES.
Why in the News?
PM announced the National Deep Water Exploration Mission (“Samudra Manthan”) to find oil and gas beneath the deep sea in mission mode to boost energy security.
He announced the National Deep Water Exploration Mission (codenamed “Samudra Manthan”) on Aug 15, 2025 to enhance India’s energy self-reliance.
The mission, executed in “Mission Mode”, will tap seabed oil and gas reserves under India’s EEZ, targeting areas like the Andaman Sea and deep waters off the Andhra Coast.
The initiative also targets deep-sea biodiversity and mineral resources, with spin-offs in underwater engineering and ocean literacy.
Governance/Nodal ownership
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas(MoPNG) steers offshore oil & gas exploration; Directorate General of Hydrocarbon (DGH,under MoPNG’s administrative control) is the upstream technical regulator mandated to promote sound management of oil and natural gas resources with balanced regard to environment, safety, tech and economic aspects. The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) runs the Deep Ocean Mission.
National Deep Water Exploration Mission’s Objectives and Significance
Energy Security: Tapping deep-sea oil and gas reserves to reduce import dependence and save foreign exchange. Recent data shows India imports ~88% of its crude and ~50% of its natural gas; new reserves would strengthen India’s energy security and free resources for other development.
Technological Self-Reliance: Developing indigenous deep-sea technology (e.g. pressure-resistant materials, submersibles, ROVs) for exploration and asset inspection The mission will incubate new ocean engineering capabilities in line with ‘New India’ and Make-in-India initiatives.
Economic Aspects & Environmental Balance: Ensuring sound management of deep gas resources with careful regard for environment and safety (balanced economic and safety considerations in petroleum activity). By producing more oil and gas domestically, it reduces the carbon footprint of fuel imports (shorter shipping routes) and supports economic growth. As the PM noted, this translates to “less imports, more jobs, and stronger energy security”.
Investment & Job Creation: Opening offshore blocks under production-sharing contracts (PSCs) invites investment in the energy sector. Exploration activities and related services will create new jobs in ocean technology, marine science, and renewable energy (solar, wind, biofuels) industries.
Blue Economy and Sustainability: Aligning with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, the mission promotes sustainable use of ocean resources. It dovetails with initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance to diversify India’s energy mix while protecting marine biodiversity.
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Regional Focus Areas
Andaman & Nicobar (Central Indian Ocean): Recently unlocked ~1 million sq km has opened an ultra-deepwater frontier; 25 new deepwater blocks (~200,000 sq km) position the Andaman Sea as a key underexplored oil–gas basin.
Bay of Bengal (Eastern Offshore): Deepwater plays off Andhra Pradesh—especially the Krishna–Godavari basin—offer significant untapped gas potential, with new seismic and drilling expected to augment domestic supplies.
Arabian Sea (West Coast): Western offshore (Mumbai High, Cambay, KG-West) remains mature yet strategic; ongoing appraisal with step-out into deeper waters off Gujarat–Maharashtra complements shallow-water production.
International Collaboration: India coordinates with the International Seabed Authority for resources beyond the EEZ while leveraging NIOT and IITs under MoES to retain national control and scientific oversight.
Key Features of the Mission
Mission Mode: A time-bound, goal-driven project overseen by the Earth Sciences Ministry. It leverages a full government push and inter-ministerial coordination (MoES, Oil & Gas Ministry, Defence R&D, etc.) to meet targets.
Focus on Biodiversity: Surveys will also catalog deep-sea flora and fauna, maintaining ocean ecosystem health even while extracting resources.
Research & Ocean Literacy: Data from exploration boosts scientific research (oceanography, geology, climatology) and builds skillsets. It also educates the public about the ocean’s potential and fragility.
Climate Change Mitigation: By reducing oil imports and preparing for new energy sources (like subsea methane hydrates), the mission indirectly supports India’s climate goals (fewer carbon emissions from shipping, diversifying into renewables like offshore wind).
Atlantic trial dives: Indian aquanauts completed 4,025 m and 5,002 m dives aboard France’s Nautile as part of Samudrayaan prep.
Timeline: Indigenous Matsya-6000 crewed dive to ~6,000 m is targeted around 2027, following phased trials
Deep Ocean Mission
Launched in 2021 for 5 years, with total outlay of about Rs 4,077 crore; Phase-I (2021–24) ~Rs 2,823 crore, led by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Objectives: Deep-sea mining tech, manned submersible, biodiversity prospecting, ocean climate advisory, deep-ocean survey, and OTEC-powered desalination studies.
India holds ISA-assigned 75,000 sq km in Central Indian Ocean Basin for polymetallic nodules; estimated rich in Mn, Ni, Cu, Co.
Samudrayaan with MATSYA-6000 to 6,000 m, 3 crew, 12h endurance (96h emergency); human-rated tests underway; India to join select nations.
Budgetary push continued; Rs 600 crore allocated in Union Budget 2023–24 for key assets and exploration.
Supports Blue Economy goals, climate services, and strategic mineral security.
UPSC Prelims Previous Year Question
Q. With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements:
1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention.
2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 2 and 3 only
[C] 1 and 3 only
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Conclusion
The National Deep Water Exploration Mission integrates energy security with marine science and sustainability. By combining undersea exploration (oil, gas, minerals) with new technology (submersibles, AI) and environmental stewardship, it aims to make India a leader in the emerging deep-ocean economy Success will mean more domestic energy, high-tech jobs, and alignment with global climate goals – marking another step toward India’s self-reliant and green growth ambitions
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External Linking Suggestions
UPSC Official Website – Syllabus & Notification: https://upsc.gov.in/
Press Information Bureau – Government Announcements: https://pib.gov.in/
NCERT Official Website – Standard Books for UPSC: https://ncert.nic.in
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