India Plans First Human Deep-Sea Mission to 6,000 m by 2028

India will send its first crewed deep-sea mission to a depth of as much as 6,000 metres by 2028, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh said while addressing the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2026 on 4 November 2026. The dialogue is organised by the National Maritime Foundation under the Ministry of Defence. The Minister said the country is aiming at global competitiveness in ocean research through indigenous capability, international cooperation and global co-creation.

Samudrayaan and the Matsya submersible

The crewed dive comes under the Samudrayaan Mission, whose submersible Matsya is built to carry three aquanauts to depths between 5,000 and 6,000 metres. The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, has already developed the ability to run trials at that depth range in the Central Indian Ocean Basin. The Minister also mentioned the Ocean Mineral Explorer, which allows high-resolution survey of hydrothermal sulphide deposits, several of which have been located. He drew a parallel with the human spaceflight programme and spoke of a day when one Indian descends to nearly 6,000 metres while another travels into space at almost the same time.

Science across departments

Scientific work in recent years, he said, has moved to a mission-mode design in which ocean science, space technology, nuclear science, geology, electronics and robotics converge instead of staying inside single ministries. Satellites now feed ocean research with readings of ocean colour, sea-surface temperature and wind vectors, and the same data could later help tap renewable energy from the sea. Nuclear technology contributes through seawater desalination, including the plant at Kalpakkam set up with support from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, which helps supply drinking water in coastal and island areas. The Minister noted that the Prime Minister has referred to the Deep Ocean Mission twice in Independence Day addresses, which he read as a sign of the priority given to ocean resources.

Funding and cooperation

On research funding, the Minister pointed to the Anusandhan National Research Foundation and the Research, Development and Innovation Fund of one lakh crore rupees, which follows a 50:50 equity-based approach so that private investors come in alongside the government. Answering a question on nuclear-powered vessels, he recalled the opening of the nuclear sector to private participation under the SHANTI Act and the target of 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047. He said the guiding principle for the region should be One Ocean, Shared Knowledge and Equitable Prosperity, since pollution and warming water do not stop at national borders, and he listed priorities such as closing observation gaps, better forecasting of extreme events, regional climate services for coasts and islands, and fair use of ocean resources. An annual ocean-cleanliness campaign, begun during the commemoration of 75 years of Independence, now draws in coastal district administrations, the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard and voluntary bodies.