PARLIAMENT QUESTION: IMPACT AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE DEEP OCEAN MISSION

The Deep Ocean Mission (DOM), launched by the Government of India in 2021, operates across six verticals covering deep‑sea mining technology, ocean climate advisory services, biodiversity exploration, deep‑ocean surveys, ocean‑based energy and freshwater, and an advanced marine station. Notable achievements include the completed design of the human submersible MATSYA‑6000 and successful trials, collection of over 100 kg of cobalt‑rich nodules from 1,173 m depth, development of ocean models for sea‑level and cyclone forecasts, deployment of 60 wave drifters and 92 Argo floats, isolation of 2,038 deep‑sea microbes, discovery of four hydrothermal vent fields, and procurement of land for an advanced marine station in Chennai. The mission supports India's Blue Economy and aligns with International Seabed Authority safeguards.