Which of the following statements with regard to India’s Deep Ocean Mission is/are correct ? 1. It was launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India. 2. Matsya-6000 has been designed to carry 3 people for deep sea exploration. 3. Samudrayaan is a project under this mission. Select the answer using the code given below :
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 1 and 2 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (b)
• The Deep Ocean Mission (approved 2021, about ₹4,077 crore) is implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, not the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways — statement 1 is wrong.
• Samudrayaan is the mission's manned-submersible project, run by the National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai — statement 3 is correct.
• Its vehicle Matsya-6000 is a titanium-hulled submersible designed to carry three crew to a depth of 6,000 m for exploring polymetallic nodules, hydrothermal sulphides and deep-sea biodiversity — statement 2 is correct.
• Other components include deep-sea mining technology, ocean climate advisory services, and an offshore ocean thermal energy plant.
• Hence 2 and 3 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 1 is wrong: the Mission belongs to the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- (c) 1 and 2 only
- Statement 1 is wrong; the implementing ministry is Earth Sciences, not Ports and Shipping.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Statement 1 is wrong, so all three cannot be correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.