**Summary:**
The Indian government is actively addressing challenges and fostering growth in its Blue Economy through a multi-pronged approach. Key initiatives are aligned with the Draft National Blue Economy Policy, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 (Life Below Water), and the UN Decade of Ocean Science. The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is spearheading efforts through the Deep Ocean Mission, which focuses on advancing marine research, developing deep-sea technologies, and promoting sustainable marine resource exploration. Complementing this, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) is implementing the Sagarmala program to enhance coastal infrastructure and logistics through port-led development. The Department of Fisheries (DoF) is promoting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture via the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
Environmental protection measures, including coastal cleanup campaigns and amended Plastic Waste Management Rules implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), directly tackle marine pollution. India has also strengthened ocean governance by signing the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement and enhancing maritime legal and regulatory frameworks. The MoES and other relevant ministries are actively promoting private sector participation through workshops, investment policies, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). Regional cooperation is being pursued through initiatives like SAGAR, multilateral maritime exercises, and engagement in platforms such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
The formulation of the Draft National Blue Economy Policy involved consultations with diverse stakeholders, including state governments, local communities, scientific institutions, industry representatives, and non-governmental organizations. Targeted programs such as PMMSY directly engage fishing communities, while coastal tourism and environmental conservation initiatives involve local populations in planning and implementation. This information was provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on August 7, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Earth Sciences: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for matters related to earth sciences.
India's Blue Economy: Refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.
Draft National Blue Economy Policy: A policy framework designed to guide the development and management of India's blue economy.
Deep Ocean Mission: An initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences to advance marine research and develop deep-sea technologies.
Sagarmala program: A program by Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways focusing on port-led development to enhance coastal infrastructure.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A scheme by Department of Fisheries designed to promote sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement: An international agreement focused on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA): An inter-governmental organisation aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean region.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Parliament question: Challenges in developing
India’s Blue Economy
Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has identified key
challenges impacting India’s Blue Economy through
the white paper tilted ‘Transforming India’s Blue
Economy: Investment, Innovation and Sustainable
Growth’
Posted On: 07 AUG 2025 4:04PM by PIB Delhi
Several strategic initiatives have been launched in alignment with India’s Draft National Blue Economy
Policy, SDG-14 (Life Below Water) and the UN Decade of Ocean Science. The Deep Ocean Mission of the
Ministry of Earth Sciences aims to advance marine research, developing deep-sea technologies and sustainable
marine resource exploration. Likewise, the Sagarmala program of Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
(MoPSW) focuses on port-led development to enhance coastal infrastructure and logistics. The Pradhan
Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) by Department of Fisheries (DoF) is specifically designed to
promote sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. Additionally, environmental protection efforts including coastal
clean-up campaigns and amended Plastic Waste Management Rules by Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change (MoEF&CC) directly address marine pollution, reflecting a commitment to SDG-14 and the
objectives of the UN Decade of Ocean Science.
India has strengthened ocean governance by signing the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)
Agreement and is actively enhancing its legal and regulatory frameworks for maritime activities. The Ministry
of Earth Sciences (MoES), along with other ministries involved in the Blue Economy domain, has undertaken
several initiatives to promote private sector participation through targeted workshops, investment policies, and
mechanisms such as Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). Further, the government has worked towards regional
cooperation through initiatives like SAGAR, multilateral maritime exercises and active engagement in
platforms such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). The formulation of the Draft National Blue
Economy Policy included consultations, incorporating inputs from state governments, local communities,
scientific institutions, industry representatives and non-governmental organizations. Additionally, targeted
programmes like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) directly engage fishing
communities, while initiatives in coastal tourism and environmental conservation involve local populations in
implementation and planning.
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science
and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of
Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
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NKR/PSM/AV(Release ID: 2153586)