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UPSC Prelims 2026Question 50Science & Technology

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:

Options

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 2 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
Correct answer: b
Decision rule

Map a mission to its ministry by subject matter: ocean science and exploration sit with Earth Sciences, not with the trade-infrastructure ministry.

Explanation

Correct Answer

(b) 2 and 3 only

Explanation of the Correct Answer

Statement 1: It was launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India.

Incorrect.

  • The Deep Ocean Mission is not under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
  • It was launched by the Government of India in 2021 and is implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
  • The Ministry of Earth Sciences is the relevant ministry because the mission deals with deep-sea exploration, ocean resources, marine biodiversity, climate advisory services and ocean technology. (Press Information Bureau)

Statement 2: Matsya-6000 has been designed to carry 3 people for deep sea exploration.

Correct.

  • Matsya-6000 is India’s flagship human-occupied deep-sea submersible.
  • It is designed to carry three persons to a depth of around 6,000 metres for deep-sea exploration. (Press Information Bureau)
  • It is being developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Statement 3: Samudrayaan is a project under this mission.

Correct.

  • Samudrayaan is a project under the Deep Ocean Mission.
  • It involves the development of Matsya-6000, India’s manned submersible for deep-ocean exploration. ISRO also notes that Samudrayaan is under the Deep Ocean Mission of the Ministry of Earth Sciences. (ISRO)

Therefore, statements 2 and 3 only are correct.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

OptionVerdictExplanation
(a) 1 onlyIncorrectStatement 1 is incorrect because the mission is under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, not the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
(b) 2 and 3 onlyCorrectMatsya-6000 is designed to carry three people, and Samudrayaan is a project under the Deep Ocean Mission.
(c) 1 and 2 onlyIncorrectStatement 2 is correct, but statement 1 is incorrect; statement 3 is also correct.
(d) 1, 2 and 3IncorrectStatement 1 is incorrect.

Relevant Supplementary Information

Deep Ocean Mission: Key Facts

ParameterDetails
MissionDeep Ocean Mission
CountryIndia
Launched2021
Implementing ministryMinistry of Earth Sciences
Main objectiveExplore and sustainably use deep-ocean resources
Key technology projectSamudrayaan
Human submersibleMatsya-6000
Designed capacity of Matsya-60003 persons
Target depth6,000 metres
Developing instituteNational Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai
Broad focus areasDeep-sea mining, ocean climate advisory, marine biodiversity, ocean technology and capacity building

Matsya-6000 and Samudrayaan

AspectMatsya-6000Samudrayaan
NatureHuman-occupied submersibleDeep-ocean exploration project
UnderSamudrayaan ProjectDeep Ocean Mission
Developed byNational Institute of Ocean TechnologyMinistry of Earth Sciences ecosystem
PurposeCarry humans to deep oceanEnable manned deep-sea exploration
Capacity3 personsUses Matsya-6000 for exploration
Target depth6,000 metresDeep-sea exploration up to 6,000 metres
ImportanceIndigenous deep-sea technologyIndia’s manned ocean exploration initiative

Deep Ocean Mission vs Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

BasisDeep Ocean MissionMinistry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Nodal ministryMinistry of Earth SciencesMinistry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Main focusOcean science, deep-sea exploration and marine resourcesPorts, shipping, waterways and maritime logistics
Key projectSamudrayaan / Matsya-6000Sagarmala, inland waterways, port development
Technology focusSubmersibles, deep-sea mining, ocean observationPort infrastructure, vessels, maritime transport
Exam trapConfusing ocean exploration with maritime transportAssuming all ocean-related projects fall under ports ministry

Key Takeaways from the Tables

PointExplanation
Deep Ocean Mission = Ministry of Earth SciencesNot Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Matsya-6000 carries 3 personsIt is designed for manned deep-sea exploration up to 6,000 metres.
Samudrayaan is under Deep Ocean MissionIt is the human deep-ocean exploration project.
NIOT is importantThe National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai, is developing Matsya-6000.
Main trapPorts ministry handles maritime transport; Earth Sciences ministry handles deep-ocean exploration.
PointExplanation
Deep Ocean Mission = Ministry of Earth SciencesThis is the main factual correction in the question.
Matsya-6000 = 3 persons, 6,000 metresIt is India’s human-occupied deep-sea submersible.
Samudrayaan is under Deep Ocean MissionIt is India’s manned deep-sea exploration project.
NIOT is the key instituteNational Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai, is developing Matsya-6000.
Ports ministry is a trapIt deals with ports, shipping and waterways, not deep-sea scientific exploration.
Mission links science and economyIt supports marine biodiversity research, mineral exploration, ocean technology and Blue Economy goals.

Context and Current Relevance

  • Deep Ocean Mission supports India’s Blue Economy by developing deep-sea exploration and ocean-resource capabilities.
  • Matsya-6000 is strategically important because only a few countries possess manned deep-ocean submersible capability.
  • The mission also links ocean science with mineral exploration, biodiversity studies and climate-related ocean observation.

Table: Deep Ocean Mission — Key Facts

ParameterDetails
Mission nameDeep Ocean Mission
CountryIndia
Approved / launched2021
Implementing ministryMinistry of Earth Sciences
Not underMinistry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Main objectiveExplore and sustainably use deep-ocean resources
Major project under missionSamudrayaan
Human submersibleMatsya-6000
Designed capacity of Matsya-60003 persons
Target depth6,000 metres
Developing instituteNational Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai
Broad focus areasDeep-sea mining, marine biodiversity, ocean climate advisory, ocean technology and capacity building
Strategic relevanceBlue Economy, marine resources, deep-sea technology and ocean science

Table: Six Major Components of Deep Ocean Mission

ComponentPurpose
Development of technologies for deep-sea mining and manned submersibleDevelop Matsya-6000 and technology for exploring polymetallic nodules
Development of ocean climate change advisory servicesImprove ocean observations and climate-related predictions
Technological innovations for deep-sea biodiversity exploration and conservationStudy and conserve deep-sea biodiversity
Deep-ocean survey and explorationIdentify potential sites of multi-metal hydrothermal sulphides and other resources
Energy and freshwater from oceanExplore offshore energy and desalination technologies
Advanced marine station for ocean biologySupport research in ocean biology and marine biotechnology

Table: Matsya-6000 vs Samudrayaan

BasisMatsya-6000Samudrayaan
NatureHuman-occupied deep-sea submersibleManned deep-ocean exploration project
Part ofSamudrayaan ProjectDeep Ocean Mission
Designed to carry3 personsUses Matsya-6000 for human exploration
Target depth6,000 metresDeep-sea exploration up to 6,000 metres
Developed byNational Institute of Ocean Technology, ChennaiMinistry of Earth Sciences ecosystem
Main purposeCarry humans into deep oceanEnable India’s manned deep-sea exploration capability
Exam relevanceStatement 2 was correctStatement 3 was correct

Table: Deep Ocean Mission vs Related Maritime / Ocean Programmes

Programme / MissionNodal Ministry / BodyMain FocusKeyword to Remember
Deep Ocean MissionMinistry of Earth SciencesDeep-sea exploration and ocean resourcesDeep ocean
SamudrayaanMinistry of Earth Sciences / NIOTManned deep-sea explorationMatsya-6000
Sagarmala ProgrammeMinistry of Ports, Shipping and WaterwaysPort-led developmentPorts
National Waterways / Inland WaterwaysMinistry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways / IWAIInland water transportRivers and canals
Blue Economy Policy frameworkMultiple ministriesSustainable ocean-based economic growthOcean economy
Sagar Manthan / Maritime India VisionMinistry of Ports, Shipping and WaterwaysMaritime logistics and port sectorShipping and ports
O-SMARTMinistry of Earth SciencesOcean services, modelling, observations and technologyOcean services

Table: Ministry of Earth Sciences vs Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

BasisMinistry of Earth SciencesMinistry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Main domainEarth systems, ocean science, atmosphere, climate and polar sciencePorts, shipping, maritime transport and inland waterways
Ocean-related roleScientific exploration, ocean observation and marine resourcesMaritime infrastructure and logistics
Relevant missionDeep Ocean MissionSagarmala Programme
Relevant projectSamudrayaan / Matsya-6000Port modernization, coastal shipping, inland waterways
Institutes / bodiesNIOT, INCOIS, NCPOR, IMD and othersMajor ports, IWAI, shipping-related bodies
Exam trapDeep-sea exploration is under this ministryNot every ocean-related project belongs here

Table: Important Terms Related to Deep Ocean Mission

TermMeaningRelevance
Matsya-6000India’s human-occupied deep-sea submersibleDesigned to carry 3 persons to 6,000 metres
SamudrayaanIndia’s manned deep-ocean exploration projectProject under Deep Ocean Mission
NIOTNational Institute of Ocean TechnologyDeveloping Matsya-6000
Polymetallic nodulesMineral deposits on deep-sea floor containing metals such as manganese, nickel, cobalt and copperImportant target of deep-sea exploration
Blue EconomySustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth and livelihoodsDeep Ocean Mission supports this objective
Ocean climate advisoryScientific advisory based on ocean data and modellingHelps climate prediction and disaster preparedness
Deep-sea biodiversityLife forms found in deep ocean ecosystemsImportant for conservation and biotechnology
Hydrothermal sulphidesMineral-rich deposits near hydrothermal ventsPotential deep-sea mineral resource

Table: Similar Prelims-Trap Facts on Deep Ocean Mission

Statement / ThemeCorrect UnderstandingCommon Trap
Deep Ocean Mission ministryMinistry of Earth SciencesConfusing it with Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Matsya-6000 capacityDesigned to carry 3 personsAssuming it is unmanned
Matsya-6000 target depth6,000 metresConfusing the number with 600 metres
SamudrayaanProject under Deep Ocean MissionTreating it as a shipping or port project
NIOTDevelops ocean technology such as Matsya-6000Confusing it with ISRO or DRDO
Deep Ocean MissionFocuses on ocean science and resourcesTreating it as only a maritime transport programme
Polymetallic nodulesDeep-sea mineral resourcesConfusing them with coral reefs or petroleum reserves
Blue EconomySustainable ocean-based economic growthTreating it as unrestricted exploitation of oceans
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