According to Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Nation is setting up to deploy its first human-operated underwater submersible as part of the Deep Ocean Mission.

• The submersible, designed for a depth of up to 500 meters, is expected to launch this year, with plans to extend its reach to 6,000 meters by next year.
• The announcement was made during the second meeting of the Mission Steering Committee at Prithvi Bhawan, New Delhi.
• The Deep Ocean Mission aims to explore underwater resources, improve knowledge of deep-sea ecosystems, and advance India’s blue economy.
• The mission’s objectives include identifying critical minerals, rare metals, and undiscovered marine biodiversity, which have economic and environmental implications.