**Summary:**
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is actively contributing to global efforts to address plastic pollution and advance ocean exploration through several initiatives. In alignment with the proposed Global Plastics Treaty, which aims to end plastic pollution by 2040 through a circular economy approach, MoES is undertaking projects under the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM). A key project is the Samudrayaan project, executed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai. This project focuses on developing MATSYA 6000, a human-crewed submersible capable of reaching depths of 6000 meters. Wet harbor trials for MATSYA 6000, including both crewed and uncrewed dives, were successfully completed between January 22, 2025, and February 14, 2025, validating its functionality and safety systems.
The Deep Ocean Mission (DOM), with a budget of 4,077 crores over five years, encompasses six key objectives: (1) developing technologies for manned submersibles, deep-sea mining, underwater vehicles, and robotics; (2) developing ocean climate change advisory services; (3) fostering technological innovations for deep-sea biodiversity exploration and conservation; (4) conducting deep ocean surveys and exploration using a dedicated research ship; (5) exploring energy and freshwater extraction from the ocean; and (6) establishing an Advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology.
These activities are designed to augment India's blue economy by supporting deep-sea vehicle development, enhancing access to marine resources, building scientific infrastructure, supporting India's role in international seabed governance, and promoting sustainable marine resource management. The mission is expected to generate spin-offs in underwater engineering, asset inspection, and ocean literacy, further contributing to the blue economy.
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.
Key Entities Referenced
Global Plastics Treaty: A proposed legally binding international agreement aimed at addressing plastic pollution throughout its lifecycle.
UN Environment Programme UNEP: The United Nations Environment Programme, which convened the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee INC to negotiate the Global Plastics Treaty.
Ministry of Earth Sciences MoES: The Indian government ministry responsible for the Samudrayaan project.
National Institute of Ocean NIOT, Chennai: An institute in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, involved in the Samudrayaan project.
Samudrayaan: An Indian project launched under the Deep Ocean Mission DOM.
Deep Ocean Mission DOM: An Indian government mission that includes the Samudrayaan project.
MATSYA 6000: A human submersible being developed by NIOT under the Samudrayaan project.
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
Ministry of Earth Sciences
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: DEEP SEA CLEANING
Posted On: 31 JUL 2025 5:19PM by PIB Delhi
The Global Plastics Treaty is a proposed legally binding international agreement aimed at addressing plastic
pollution throughout its lifecycle, from production to disposal. The treaty is being negotiated by the
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) convened by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The
goal is to end plastic pollution by 2040 by establishing a circular economy for plastics, including reducing
production, improving recycling, and preventing plastic waste from entering ecosystems.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), through the National Institute of Ocean (NIOT), Chennai, launched the
Samudrayaan project under the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) in 2021. Under this project, NIOT is developing a
human submersible, MATSYA 6000, which aims to carry three people to a depth of 6000 meters in the ocean
with a suite of scientific sensors for ocean exploration and observation. The design for the MATSYA 6000 is
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complete, and wet harbor trials (with both crewed and uncrewed dives) were completed from 22 January 2025
th
to 14 February 2025, demonstrating functionality (including flotation, vehicle stability, manoeuvrability,
power, communication, and control devices) and human support and safety systems. The design for 6000 m has
been completed, and components are being realised for the trials.
DOM encompasses six verticals aligned with specific scientific objectives. These are provided below.
1. Development of technologies for manned submersible, deep-sea mining and underwater vehicles
and underwater robotics,
2. Development of ocean climate change advisory services,
3. Technological innovations for exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity,
4. Deep ocean survey and exploration (and research ship),
5. Energy and freshwater from the ocean, and
6. Advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology.
The mission has a budget outlay of 4,077 crores over a five-year period. Activities of the mission augment the
country’s blue economy by supporting deep-sea man-rated vehicle development for exploration, enhancing
strategic access to critical marine resources, building long-term scientific infrastructure, supporting India’s role
in international seabed governance, and laying the foundation for sustainable marine resource exploration,
conservation, and management for both deep-sea living and non-living resources. Apart from the benefits of
scientific research and technological empowerment, this mission is to have immediate spin-offs in underwater
engineering innovations, asset inspection and the promotion of ocean literacy to promote the blue economy.
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: 2150835)