**Executive Summary**
This document is a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, reporting on the 19th Convocation of the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (ICAR-CIFE) held on February 21, 2026. The event highlighted India's increasing prominence in the global fisheries sector and recognized the achievements of Master's and Doctoral graduates. The Chief Guest, Dr. Mangi Lal Jat, emphasized the role of fisheries education in supporting livelihoods and the growth of the sector.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Convocation Event:**
* The ICAR-CIFE celebrated its 19th Convocation on February 21, 2026.
* 94 Master's and 49 Ph.D. scholars were conferred degrees.
* Dr. Mangi Lal Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General, ICAR, was the Chief Guest and delivered the Convocation Address.
* **Fisheries Sector Overview:**
* Fisheries education supports livelihoods for approximately 30 million people in India.
* Capture fisheries and aquaculture contribute almost equally to global fish production.
* India's fish production reached a record 197.75 lakh tonnes in 2025.
* India is the second-largest fish producer globally, contributing about 8% to world production.
* Fisheries and aquaculture account for approximately 1.24% of the national GDP.
* Fisheries exports reached 16.98 lakh tonnes valued at Rs. 62,408 crore during 2023-24.
* The sector has recorded an annual growth rate of over 11% since 2014-15.
* **Government Initiatives:**
* Initiatives such as Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) are strengthening the fisheries sector.
* Extension of Kisan Credit Card facilities to fishers and fish farmers.
* The proposed Bharat-VISTAAR, a multilingual AI tool integrating AgriStack portals with ICAR systems.
* **Call to Action:**
* ICAR-CIFE is urged to continue enhancing its stature and contribute to India's vision of becoming a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.
**Impact Analysis**
**Graduating Students**
* **Impact:** Recognized for their academic achievements with degrees conferred.
* **Action Required:** Contribute to the fisheries sector with their expertise and innovation.
**ICAR-CIFE**
* **Impact:** Its role in producing skilled fisheries professionals is highlighted, contributing to India's growth in the sector.
* **Action Required:** Continue to enhance its stature and support the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047 through education and research.
**Fishers and Fish Farmers**
* **Impact:** Beneficiaries of government schemes and initiatives aimed at strengthening the fisheries sector.
* **Action Required:** Utilize available resources, such as Kisan Credit Cards and government schemes, to improve production and livelihoods.
Key Entities Referenced
ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (ICAR-CIFE), Mumbai: A premier Deemed University under ICAR and a Centre of Excellence in Fisheries Higher Education, hosting its 19th Convocation.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A scheme emphasized for strengthening the fisheries sector.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY): A scheme emphasized for strengthening the fisheries sector.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): The parent organization under which ICAR-CIFE operates.
Mumbai: Location of ICAR-CIFE and the event.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
ICAR-CIFE’s 19th Convocation Highlights India’s
Rise as Global Fisheries Power
Posted On: 23 FEB 2026 5:50PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai: 23 February, 2026
The ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (ICAR-CIFE), Mumbai, a premier
Deemed University under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and a
Centre of Excellence in Fisheries Higher Education, celebrated its 19th Convocation
on Saturday (21st February, 2026). The Institute is recognized for producing
Master’s and Doctoral graduates in 11 highly specialized disciplines of fisheries and
for developing innovative technologies to strengthen the fisheries sector in the
country.
Dr. N. P. Sahu, Director and Vice Chancellor, conferred degrees on 94 Master’s and
49 Ph.D. scholars. The ceremony marked a significant milestone in the academic
journey of the graduating students.
Dr. Mangi Lal Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education
(DARE) and Director General, ICAR, graced the occasion as Chief Guest. He awarded
gold medals to meritorious students and delivered the Convocation Address. Dr.
Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science) and Additional Charge
of Education Division, ICAR, attended as Guest of Honour.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest Dr. Mangi Lal Jat highlighted the
transformative role of fisheries education in supporting a vibrant and rapidly
expanding sector that provides livelihood to nearly 30 million people across India.
He noted that capture fisheries and aquaculture now contribute almost equally toglobal fish production, reflecting a paradigm shift towards advanced aquaculture
systems that conserve water and energy, utilize genetically improved strains, and
adopt efficient feed and health management practices.
The Chief Guest informed that India’s fish production reached a record 197.75 lakh
tonnes in 2025. India currently ranks as the second-largest fish producer globally,
contributing about 8 per cent to world fish production. Fisheries and aquaculture
account for nearly 1.24 per cent of the national GDP. During 2023–24, fisheries
exports reached 16.98 lakh tonnes valued at Rs. 62,408 crore. The sector has
recorded an annual growth rate of over 11 per cent since 2014–15.
The Chief Guest emphasized that initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya
Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-
Yojana (PM-MKSSY), along with extension of Kisan Credit Card facilities to fishers
and fish farmers, are strengthening the sector. He also referred to the proposed
Bharat-VISTAAR, a multilingual AI tool integrating AgriStack portals with ICAR
systems. Congratulating the graduates and medal winners, he urged ICAR-CIFE to
continue enhancing its stature and contribute to India’s vision of becoming a ‘Viksit
Bharat’ by 2047.
PIB Mumbai | Sriyanka Chatterjee/Robin Singh/Priti Malandkar
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