Maarg Manthan · Topic 6.13

Deep Ocean Mission

Geography › Oceanography · Topic 6.13

The Deep Ocean Mission is a mission of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, approved by the Union Cabinet on 16 June 2021 at a cost of about Rs 4,077 crore over five years, to explore and use the deep oceans in support of India's blue economy. Its six components cover deep-sea mining technologies and a manned submersible (Matsya 6000), ocean climate advisory services, deep-sea biodiversity, deep ocean survey, energy and fresh water from the ocean, and an advanced marine station. The National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai, is the lead institute.

5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Geography · Oceanography

At a Glance

Ministry Earth Sciences
Approved 16 June 2021
Outlay About Rs 4,077 crore over five years
Manned submersible Matsya 6000, to 6,000 m
Lead institute NIOT, Chennai
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Geography: Oceanography

Where Does It Fit?

This topic follows the topic on ocean resources and gives India’s programme to explore the deep sea. It links the science of the ocean floor to policy for the blue economy, and prepares for the topic on the law of the sea. Previous topic: Resources from the Ocean: Mineral Resources on the Deep Sea Floor, Energy Resources, Biotic Resources. Next topic: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

What Is the Deep Ocean Mission?

In short: the mission aims to build the technology to explore the deep sea and use its resources in a sustainable way.

Nodal body: the Ministry of Earth Sciences, with the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) in Chennai as the lead institute, and other institutes such as INCOIS and the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research taking part.
Approval: the Union Cabinet approved it on 16 June 2021, with an estimated cost of about Rs 4,077 crore over five years, to be implemented in phases. The first phase was planned for 2021 to 2024.
Aim: to use the blue economy for the growth of the country, by exploring minerals, biodiversity and energy in the deep sea in an environment-friendly manner.
Why now: India has a coastline of over 7,500 km, an Exclusive Economic Zone of about 2.3 million sq km, and large exploration areas in the Indian Ocean, but depends on imports for metals such as nickel, cobalt and copper.

The schedules of such missions are revised often, so the latest position should be checked with the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

What Are the Six Components?

Component	Content
1. Deep-sea mining and manned submersible	Technologies for mining polymetallic nodules from depths of about 5,500 m, and Matsya 6000, a submersible to take three people to a depth of 6,000 m (the Samudrayaan project)
2. Ocean climate change advisory services	Models and observations to forecast changes in the ocean climate, sea level and cyclones
3. Deep-sea biodiversity	Technology for the exploration and conservation of deep-sea life, including bio-prospecting
4. Deep ocean survey and exploration	Surveys of polymetallic sulphides and other mineral sites on the Indian Ocean ridges
5. Energy and fresh water from the ocean	Studies of offshore wind and ocean thermal energy conversion, and of desalination
6. Advanced marine station for ocean biology	A research station to develop ocean biology and engineering capacity

What Resources Is India Seeking and Where?

Polymetallic nodules: potato-sized lumps of manganese, nickel, cobalt and copper on the deep sea floor. India was the first country to be registered as a pioneer investor under the law of the sea, and holds an area of about 75,000 sq km in the Central Indian Ocean Basin for exploration under a contract with the International Seabed Authority.
Polymetallic sulphides: metal-rich deposits near hydrothermal vents on the mid-ocean ridges. India has a contract with the International Seabed Authority for exploration of about 10,000 sq km on the Indian Ocean ridges, signed in 2016.
Cobalt-rich crusts and gas hydrates: other possible resources, which are being studied.
Energy and water: India has operated low-temperature thermal desalination plants in Lakshadweep, which use the temperature difference between surface and deep water.

Rights in the seabed beyond national limits are covered in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the types of resources in Resources from the Ocean: Mineral Resources on the Deep Sea Floor, Energy Resources, Biotic Resources. The contract areas and terms change over time, so the current position should be checked on the Seabed Authority’s website.

What Are the Concerns?

Deep-sea mining can destroy the habitat of slow-growing organisms on the sea floor, stir up plumes of sediment, and harm ecosystems that are poorly understood. Scientists and environmental groups have asked for caution or a pause until rules and studies are complete. The International Seabed Authority is still working on its mining code. The technology is costly and unproven at scale, and the economic case depends on metal prices. As an analytical point, the mission combines scientific discovery with strategic aims, and its value for the country depends on balancing resource security with conservation of the deep ocean.

Why Is This Topic Important?

Current affairs Frequent question
Resources Strategic minerals
Policy Blue economy

What Came Next?

The next topic covers the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Next topic: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Key People and Terms

Matsya 6000 Indian manned submersible
Polymetallic nodule Metal-rich lump on the sea floor
NIOT National Institute of Ocean Technology
Blue economy Sustainable use of ocean resources
ISA International Seabed Authority
OTEC Ocean thermal energy conversion

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

Approved on 16 June 2021.
Outlay about Rs 4,077 crore, five years.
Matsya 6000 is to carry three people to 6,000 m.
Six components under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
India’s nodule area: about 75,000 sq km, Central Indian Ocean Basin.

Do Not Confuse With

Deep Ocean Mission and Sagarmala Deep-sea technology versus port-led development
Nodules and sulphides Sea-floor lumps versus vent deposits
EEZ and ISA area National zone versus international seabed

Memory Hook

Six parts, Matsya dives; nodules, sulphides, life and power from the ocean.

Mains Angle

Questions link the mission with the blue economy and environmental risk. These points add depth.

Aim Blue economy and strategic minerals
Components Technology and science
Risks Deep-sea ecosystems

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“What is India’s Deep Ocean Mission? Discuss its objectives and the environmental concerns about deep-sea mining.”

How to Answer

Outline Approval and aim.
Components Six parts.
Resources Nodules and sulphides.
Concerns Ecology and regulation.

GS Relevance

Prelims: Deep Ocean Mission components, Matsya 6000, polymetallic nodules, ISA contracts. GS Paper 3: science and technology, blue economy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Deep Ocean Mission?

The Deep Ocean Mission is a programme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, approved in June 2021, with an outlay of about Rs 4,077 crore over five years. It aims to develop technology for exploring the deep sea, including a manned submersible and deep-sea mining systems, to support India's blue economy.

What are the components of the Deep Ocean Mission?

The six components are deep-sea mining technologies with a manned submersible, ocean climate change advisory services, deep-sea biodiversity exploration and conservation, deep ocean survey and exploration, energy and fresh water from the ocean, and an advanced marine station for ocean biology.

What is Matsya 6000?

Matsya 6000 is India's planned manned submersible, being developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology under the Samudrayaan project. It is designed to carry three people to a depth of 6,000 metres in a titanium personnel sphere, to study the sea floor and its resources.

What are polymetallic nodules?

Polymetallic nodules are potato-sized lumps of manganese, iron, nickel, copper and cobalt that lie on the deep sea floor, mostly at depths of 4,000 to 6,000 metres. India has been allotted an area of about 75,000 square km in the Central Indian Ocean Basin for their exploration.

Which body leads the Deep Ocean Mission?

The Ministry of Earth Sciences is the nodal ministry, and the National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai, is the lead institute for developing the technologies. Other institutions, such as the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services in Hyderabad, support the mission.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 The Deep Ocean Mission is run by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

True

NIOT is the lead institute.

2 Matsya 6000 is designed to go to a depth of 600 metres.

False

It is designed for 6,000 metres.

3 India holds an exploration area for polymetallic nodules in the Central Indian Ocean Basin.