India’s Deep Ocean Mission (DOM)- Explained Pointwise

India, with a coastline of over 7,517 km and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.2 million sq. km, holds immense potential beneath its oceanic expanse. Recognizing the untapped potential, the Government of India launched the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) in June 2021, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), with a total outlay of ₹4,077 crore over 5 years.

As per NITI Aayog and India’s Blue Economy Vision 2030, ocean-based resources could contribute up to 4% of India’s GDP. The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science (2021–2030) also provides a global framework, aligning with India’s efforts.

Why is there a need to focus on deep oceans?

1. 70% of Earth’s surface is covered by oceans, yet less than 20% is explored (UN Ocean Decade Report).

2. NITI Aayog’s Strategy for New India @75 emphasizes marine resource utilization for sustainable growth.

3. Global Precedents: China’s Jiaolong Submersible and USA’s NOAA expeditions showcase deep-sea dominance.

India’s DOM aims to explore mineral wealth, biodiversity, and energy reserves while ensuring ecological balance.

What is the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM)?

The Government of India’s Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) is a multi-institutional initiative led by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) to explore deep-sea resources and develop deep-sea technologies for their sustainable use. It aims to contribute over Rs. 100 billion to India’s Blue Economy through explorations in the Central Indian Ocean Basin. The mission involves collaboration with ISRO, NIOT, VSSC, and the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

Samudrayan

• Samudrayan is India’s first manned ocean mission. It is launched in 2021 as a part of the Deep Ocean Mission. With this, India joined the club of the USA, Russia, Japan, France and China, which have underwater vehicles for subsea activities.
• Samudrayan will carry out deep ocean exploration of the non-living resources, such as polymetallic manganese nodules, gas hydrates, hydro-thermal sulphides and cobalt crusts, located at a depth between 1000-5500 m.
• Under this mission, the manned submersible MATSYA 6000 is indigenously built with the help of ISRO, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and the DRDO.

Difference between Submarine and Submersible

1. Submarine: Submarines are self-sufficient underwater vessels capable of independent travel to and from ports due to their substantial onboard power reserves and has a long operational range.  
2. Submersible: Submersibles are smaller, limited-power vehicles that rely on a support ship for launch and retrieval has a limited operational range.

What is Deep Sea Mining and the Types of Deep-Sea-Minerals?

1. Deep sea mining is the process of retrieving mineral deposits from the deep seabed below 200m depth (covers about 2/3rd of the total seafloor).

2. There is growing interest in the mineral deposits of the deep seabed because of:

• Depleting terrestrial metals deposits like copper, nickel, aluminium, manganese, lithium, cobalt etc.
• Increasing production of technologies like smartphones, wind turbines, solar panels, and batteries.

Types of Deep-Minerals

• Polymetallic Nodules: They are rounded potato-sized lumps of minerals found usually on the seabed across the abyssal plains. They are composed of manganese, iron, nickel, copper, and cobalt.
• Seafloor Massive Sulfides (SMS): They are found around hydrothermal vents (where hot, mineral-rich fluids are released from the seafloor). They are composed of copper, gold, silver, zinc, etc.
• Cobalt-rich Crusts: They are found on seafloor seamounts and other volcanic features. They comprise cobalt, nickel, iron, manganese, and other metals.

What is the significance of Deep Ocean Mission?

1. Strategic Minerals & Resource Security: The CIOB holds ~380 million tonnes of polymetallic nodules containing nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese. India has a contract with the ISA to explore 75,000 sq. km. These minerals are crucial for Atmanirbharta in EVs, batteries, electronics, and India’s energy transition goals. E.g. Gas Hydrates of Krishna-Godavari Basin reserves estimated at 1,894 trillion cubic feet—enough to replace imports for 100+ years (ONGC).

2. Technological Sovereignty: Development of the Samudrayaan Mission, India’s first manned deep-ocean submersible, aims to reach 6,000 meters depth, enabling exploration and extraction. It ensures reduced dependence on foreign tech, akin to ISRO’s indigenisation model.

3. Blue Economy Expansion and Diversification: According to CII & NITI Aayog, the Blue Economy can add $1 trillion to India’s GDP by 2047. Deep sea mining, marine biotechnology, and tourism are future industries for economic resilience and sustainable development.

4. Strategic & Geopolitical Leverage: As China accelerates ocean missions, India’s presence in the IOR via DOM ensures maritime domain awareness and open sea-lane-of-communications and enhances regional influence and supports doctrines like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region). It complements missions like Project Mausam and India’s role in IORA.

5. Scientific Advancement: Research on hydrothermal vents, microbial ecosystems, and carbon sequestration will bolster understanding of climate change impacts on marine biodiversity. DOM supports SDG-14 (Life Below Water) and aligns with UN Ocean Decade targets.

6. Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals: Marine genetic resources may yield anti-cancer, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory compounds for drug discovery. It facilitates bio-prospecting and biotechnological innovation. E.g. Andaman Trench’s undiscovered species may hold cures for cancer & antibiotics (CSIR-NIO).

7. Data Sovereignty & Ocean Mapping: Establishment of a Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure (MSDI) will help in resource planning, disaster management, and navigation. DOM contributes to a “Digital Ocean” platform (INCOIS), improving data-driven policy, ocean data infrastructure and digital mapping of the Indian ocean.

What are the challenges and effects of Deep Ocean Mission?

1. Environmental Degradation: Ecological footprint of deep-sea mining disturbs fragile habitats, with potential irreversible loss of species. WWF warns of sediment plumes, noise pollution, and disruption to carbon sinks. Deep-sea mining could wipe out undiscovered species (IUCN). E.g. Solwara-1 (PNG) halted after protests over coral damage.

2. Regulatory Gaps: India lacks a comprehensive National Deep-Sea Mining Policy. Legal ambiguities can hinder exploitation rights and environmental accountability such as compliances with UNCLOS and ISA frameworks.

3. Technological Limitations: Extreme conditions (6,000m depth, high pressure, low temp) demand precision engineering. India’s ISRO-style innovation needs scaled funding mining robotics R&D for success. India’s Deep Submergence Vehicle (DSV) is still in prototype stages. E.g. OceanGate Titan implosion (2023) shows risks of inadequate engineering.

4. High Financial Cost & Cost-Benefit Concerns: Deep-sea missions are capital-intensive with long gestation periods. Returns from mining remain uncertain vs. ecological and financial risks.

5. Skilled Manpower Shortage: India has limited trained personnel in deep-sea robotics, submersible operations, and ocean mining. Institutes like NIOT and NIO are running at a much lower benchmark capability.

6. Security Risks & Strategic Vulnerability: Sub- Sea operations may be prone to surveillance, espionage, or sabotage, especially amid rising China-India ocean competition. E.g. China’s cable-cutting submersible threatens India’s digital economy ($1 trillion by 2025).

7. Geopolitical Competition: Ocean rivalry, strategic turf cab be seen as
India faces competition from China, which controls 5 deep-sea exploration blocks, backed by massive investments and a powerful navy. CSIS Report (2023), warned of a new ‘Ocean Race’ similar to the 20th-century space race.

8. Unknown Consequences & Knowledge Gaps: Only 5% of the deep oceans are explored; unforeseen effects may arise from mining or ecological interference. Premature intervention could cause non-recoverable damage.

What Should be the Way Forward?

1. Robust Legal Framework: Enact a National Deep Sea Mining Act, aligned with ISA and UNCLOS, ensuring ecological safeguards and local community rights.

2. Blue Economy Integration & Synergized Planning: Integrate DOM with Sagarmala, MATSYA 6000, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules, and Marine Fisheries Policy to create a unified marine vision. E.g. NITI Aayog: Recommends integrating the blue economy into 3-year plans.

3. Invest in R&D: Building an ocean innovation ecosystem, encouraging PPP models in deep-sea robotics, AI in ocean mapping, and underwater drones. Learn from Japan’s JAMSTEC and Norway’s marine research cluster.

4. Sustainable Mining Protocols & Precautionary Principle: Establish marine EIAs, biodiversity offsets, and adaptive management practices before deep-sea operations. E.g. MoES: Should develop India’s own Ocean Impact Index.

5. Capacity Building & Human Capital: Promote marine studies in IITs, IISc, and NIOT. Launch Ocean Science fellowships, targeting youth and tribal coastal communities. E.g. Norway’s “Ocean Space Centre” as a global model.

6. Geostrategic Alliances: Collaborate with ISA, IORA, Indo-Pacific Quad, and countries like France, Japan on marine technology, mapping, and conservation. E.g. Collaborate with Japan and Australia under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).

7. Digital Ocean Infrastructure: Build a national “Digital Ocean India” portal with real-time, AI-driven insights for disaster preparedness, resource allocation, and coastal resilience.