GRSE launches ‘Sagar Manthan’, an indigenous ocean research vessel for NCPOR
Key facts
- On 9 September 2026, GRSE launched the ocean research vessel 'Sagar Manthan' in Kolkata.
- It is being built for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa, under the Deep Ocean Mission.
- The ₹840-crore ship is 89.5 metres long and is due to be ready by early 2028.
- It can work in the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Southern Ocean near Antarctica.
Why it matters
[First] India relies on few large research ships for deep-sea and polar science. Sagar Manthan adds a home-built vessel for seabed surveys and weather study. It supports the Deep Ocean Mission and India's Antarctic research.
Asked before: UPSC Prelims 2026 asked which statements about India's Deep Ocean Mission are correct.
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