Status: The government launched the Deep Ocean Mission in September 2021 to explore deep ocean resources and develop technologies for the sustainable use of these resources. On the outcome front, promising locations of sulphide mineralization zones and hydrothermal activity have been identified after exploring the Central Indian Ocean Basin and South West Indian ridges. Additionally, under the Samudrayaan project, the government is developing a manned submersible capable of carrying three people to a depth of 6000 meters in the Indian Ocean for exploration of deep-sea resources. The submersible ‘Matsya 6000’ is currently under testing and is expected to have its first manned dive in the next 2-3 years. i ii iii