In which year did the Union Cabinet approve the Deep Ocean Mission?

2021. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the mission on 16 June 2021. The estimated cost was Rs 4,077 crore over five years. MoES then launched it on 7 September 2021, so the approval year is 2021. Read more: SciTech0034 — The Deep Ocean Mission and Samudrayaan.

Which of the following statements with regard to India's Deep Ocean Mission is/are correct ? 1. It was launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India. 2. Matsya-6000 has been designed to carry 3 people for deep sea exploration. 3. Samudrayaan is a project under this mission. Select the answer using the code given below :

2 and 3 only. Statement 1 is wrong. The Ministry of Earth Sciences is the nodal ministry. Statement 2 is correct. Matsya 6000 carries three people. Statement 3 is correct. Samudrayaan is the mission's submersible project. This is UPSC Prelims 2026, GS Paper I, Q50. UPSC's provisional key gives (b). Read more: SciTech0034 — The Deep Ocean Mission and Samudrayaan.

Matsya 6000 is designed with an emergency endurance of up to how many hours?

96 hours. PIB says Matsya 6000 has an operational endurance of 12 hours. Its emergency endurance is up to 96 hours. The 12-hour figure is the distractor here, because it is the normal working time. Read more: SciTech0034 — The Deep Ocean Mission and Samudrayaan.

Which institution has been entrusted with developing the Matsya 6000 submersible?

National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai. MoES entrusted NIOT, Chennai, with developing Matsya 6000 under the Samudrayaan project. ISRO's VSSC designed the crew sphere. NCPOR, INCOIS and CMLRE are different institutes. Read more: SciTech0034 — The Deep Ocean Mission and Samudrayaan.

Consider the following statements: 1. The Global Ocean Commission grants licences for seabed exploration and mining in international waters. 2. India has received licences for seabed mineral exploration in international waters. 3. 'Rare earth minerals' are present on seafloor in international waters. Which of the statements given above are correct?

2 and 3 only. Statement 1 is wrong. The International Seabed Authority grants these licences. Statement 2 is correct. India holds ISA contracts signed in 2002, 2016 and 2025. Statement 3 is correct. Cobalt crusts hold rare earth elements. This is UPSC Prelims 2021, GS Paper I, Q56. UPSC's official key gives (b). Read more: SciTech0034 — The Deep Ocean Mission and Samudrayaan.

A 15-year exploration contract signed in September 2025 covers 10,000 sq km of the Carlsberg Ridge. Which type of deposit is to be explored?

Polymetallic sulphides. The contract was signed on 15 September 2025 for 10,000 sq km of the Carlsberg Ridge. It covers polymetallic sulphides found near hydrothermal vents. India's older nodule contract, from 2002, is in the Central Indian Ocean Basin. Read more: SciTech0034 — The Deep Ocean Mission and Samudrayaan.

MCQ QuestionsMy progress

Consider the following statements about the Deep Ocean Mission: 1. Its six components include a study of an offshore OTEC-powered desalination plant. 2. The International Seabed Authority is the nodal agency for the mission in India. 3. Its estimated cost was Rs 4,077 crore over five years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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