Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Earth Sciences is implementing the Deep Ocean Mission, which includes exploration of polymetallic nodules (PMN) and polymetallic sulphides (PMS) in the Central Indian Ocean Basin and other ridge areas. The mission aims to enhance the country's knowledge of metal deposits and deep-sea biodiversity, including scientific surveys, technological developments, and collaborations under a contract with the International Seabed Authority (ISA). Findings include technology development, nodule collection, vent identification, and biodiversity studies.
Key Points / Main Content:
Deep Ocean Mission Overview:
* Launched by the Government of India, to be implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
* Comprises six verticals, with verticals 1 and 4 focusing on the exploration of deep-sea polymetallic nodules (PMN) and polymetallic sulphides (PMS), respectively.
Exploration Activities:
* PMN contain metals like nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese.
* PMS contain precious metals like copper, zinc, lead, iron, and silver.
* India, under contract with the International Seabed Authority (ISA), will conduct scientific surveys and exploration within:
* A 75,000 square km region in the Central Indian Ocean Basin for PMN.
* A 10,000 square km area in the Central Indian Ridge and Southwest Indian Ridge for PMS.
Latest Findings:
* Developed technologies for manned submersible.
* Collected over 100 kg of Cobalt-rich deep-sea polymetallic nodules from a depth of 1173m in the Andaman Sea in 2024.
* Identified two active hydrothermal vent fields in the Central Indian Ocean.
* Developed vulnerability maps for coastal areas due to climate change.
Biodiversity Research:
* Vertical 3 focuses on technological innovations for exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity.
* The Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), Kochi, has conducted six cruises, surveying biodiversity across 19 seamounts in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
* Collected, studied, and vouchered approximately 1300 deep-sea organisms.
* Conducted in-depth genomic analysis for select organisms, discovering nearly 23 species new to science.
International Collaboration:
* India has a contract with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for scientific surveys and exploration in allotted areas.
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Earth Sciences:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing the Deep Ocean Mission and achieving its objectives.
* Action Required: Oversee and manage the various verticals of the mission, including exploration, technology development, and biodiversity research.
Scientists and Researchers:
* Impact: Involved in conducting surveys, developing technologies, analyzing data, and discovering new species.
* Action Required: Continue research and development efforts in deep-sea exploration and biodiversity conservation.
International Seabed Authority (ISA):
* Impact: Oversees India's exploration activities in the Central Indian Ocean Basin and ridge areas.
* Action Required: Monitor India's compliance with the contract terms and regulations.
Key Entities Referenced
Deep Ocean Mission: A program launched by the Government of India, implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, focused on exploring and utilizing deep-sea resources and biodiversity.
Ministry of Earth Sciences: The Indian government ministry responsible for the Deep Ocean Mission and related activities.
International Seabed Authority: An international organization with which India has a contract to conduct scientific surveys and exploration in specific ocean regions.
Central Indian Ocean Basin: A 75,000 square km region where India is authorized to explore for polymetallic nodules (PMN) under its contract with the International Seabed Authority.
Central Indian Ridge: A 10,000 square km area where India is authorized to explore for polymetallic sulphides (PMS) under its contract with the International Seabed Authority.
Southwest Indian Ridge: An area where India is authorized to explore for polymetallic sulphides (PMS) under its contract with the International Seabed Authority.
Andaman Sea: A location where polymetallic nodules were collected from a depth of 1173m as part of the Deep Ocean Mission.
Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology Kochi, Kerala: An attached office of the Ministry of Earth Sciences that conducts biodiversity surveys in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2815
TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 6TH AUGUST, 2025
ADVANTAGES OF DEEP OCEAN MISSION
2815. DR. K SUDHAKAR:
Will the Minister of Earth Sciences be pleased to state:
(a) the details of strategic advantages that our country can obtain through deep ocean mission
such as in exploring deep sea minerals;
(b) the details and current status of the mission including the latest findings of the mission;
(c) the details of scientific missions currently in place to understand the biodiversity in
country's exclusive economic zone; and
(d) the details of research, development and scientific collaborations carried out with other
countries in the exploration of critical minerals including those from the oceans?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) The Government of India launched the Deep Ocean Mission to be implemented by the
Ministry of Earth Sciences. The Deep Ocean Mission encompasses six verticals, of which
activities under verticals 1 and 4 aid the exploration of deep-sea polymetallic nodules
(PMN) and polymetallic sulphides (PMS), respectively. PMN occur on abyssal plains of
the sea floor and contain metals like nickel, copper, cobalt and manganese. PMS are
deposits in the hydrothermal vent areas and contain precious metals like copper, zinc,
lead, iron, silver, etc. As part of India’s contract with the International Seabed Authority,
the country aims to conduct scientific survey and exploration activities within the 75,000
square km region in the Central Indian Ocean Basin for PMN and the 10,000 square km
area in the Central Indian Ridge and Southwest Indian Ridge for PMS. Exploration of
precious metals in PMN and PMS through deep ocean surveys strategically aligns with
the country’s contract with the ISA and augments the country’s know-how of the
collective metal deposits, in addition to its land resources.
(b) The latest findings include the development of technologies for manned submersible,
demonstration of the collection of over 100 kg of Cobalt-rich deep-sea polymetallic
nodules from a depth of 1173m in the Andaman Sea in 2024, identification of two active
hydrothermal vent fields in the Central Indian Ocean, and development of vulnerability
maps for coastal areas to due to climate change.(c) Vertical 3 of the Deep Ocean Mission is aimed at technological innovations for
exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity. The Centre for Marine Living
Resources and Ecology (Kochi), an attached office of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has
conducted six cruises surveying biodiversity across 19 seamounts in the Arabian Sea and
Bay of Bengal. Several (~1300) deep-sea organisms have been collected, studied, and
vouchered, including conducting in-depth genomic analysis for select organisms and the
discovery of nearly 23 species that are new to science.
(d) India has signed a contract with the International Seabed Authority, as part of which the
country aims to conduct scientific survey and exploration activities in allotted areas in the
Central Indian Ocean Basin, the Central Indian Ridge and the Southwest Indian Ridge.
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