Deep Ocean Mission Discovers 23 New Marine Species
New Delhi: India is poised to make transformative strides in climate and ocean science through a ₹2329.40 crore Polar Research Vessel (PRV) and the pioneering Deep Ocean Mission, initiatives that underscore the nation’s commitment to addressing global environmental challenges. Announced by Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh in the Rajya Sabha reply, these programmes, alongside AI-driven forecasting systems protecting India’s coasts, highlight the country’s growing role in sustainable scientific innovation. From probing polar ice to exploring ocean depths, India is tackling climate change while advancing its Blue Economy.
The PRV, a flagship project for India’s polar research, will be indigenously constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata, in collaboration with Norway’s Kongsberg under a June 2025 MoU. Scheduled for completion between 2025-26 and 2029-30, this advanced vessel will feature ice-breaking capabilities and state-of-the-art tools, including seabed samplers, multibeam sonar, and laboratories for marine biology, geology, and climate research. Operated by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), the PRV will support India’s Antarctic missions at Maitri and Bharati, as well as Arctic research at Himadri, thereby eliminating reliance on chartered ice-class vessels. A previous tender was cancelled due to unacceptable changes proposed by the shipbuilder, but the revised ₹2329.40 crore budget was thoroughly evaluated by the Indian Maritime University (IMU) and endorsed by a 2024 Revised Cost Committee (RCC). The Project Monitoring and Coordination Committee (PMCC), comprising nationwide experts, ensures alignment of technical, financial, and administrative aspects for timely delivery.
The Deep Ocean Mission, launched in 2021 with a ₹4077 crore budget, is unlocking new scientific and economic frontiers. Under contracts with the International Seabed Authority, India is exploring 75,000 sq km in the Central Indian Ocean Basin and 10,000 square kilometre in the Central and Southwest Indian Ridge for minerals critical to the Blue Economy. The Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE) in Kochi has surveyed 19 seamounts in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, collecting approximately 1,300 deep-sea organisms and identifying 23 species new to science. Genomic data from these discoveries, shared through the UN Ocean Biodiversity Information System and the National Institute of Ocean Technology’s (NIOT) Marine Microbial Information Portal, drives collaborative research across government and private institutions, fostering sustainable marine resource utilisation.
India’s coastal regions face escalating climate risks, as detailed in the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ (MoES) “Assessment of Climate Change over the Indian Region” report. Surface air temperatures have risen by 0.7°C from 1901–2018, and Indian Ocean sea surface temperatures have increased by 1°C from 1951–2015, fueling erratic monsoons, extreme rainfall, and intensified tropical cyclones. Central and northern India are seeing more droughts, while coastal areas face heightened cyclone risks. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) counter these threats with AI, machine learning, and advanced ocean-atmosphere modelling, achieving a 40% improvement in forecast accuracy in 2023-24 compared to 2014. INCOIS’s precise multi-hazard warnings for tsunamis, storm surges, and high waves, delivered via SMS, email, WhatsApp, and mobile apps, have facilitated timely evacuations, minimising human casualties. Odisha’s 26 UNESCO-recognised “Tsunami Ready” coastal villages, supported by INCOIS’s workshops and annual tsunami mock drills, exemplify this commitment to coastal resilience.
Together, the PRV’s polar research, the Deep Ocean Mission’s discoveries, and AI-powered coastal defences position India to address climate change while advancing sustainable science. These initiatives support the Paris Agreement’s goal of a 2.5 billion tonne carbon sink by 2030, reinforcing India’s contribution to global environmental resilience and economic growth.
– global bihari bureau
