Why in news
- Ministry of Earth Sciences and NIOT hosted an outreach workshop on deep-sea mining to secure India's supply of critical minerals.
Key terms
Polymetallic Nodules
Rock accretions on the deep ocean floor composed mainly of manganese, iron, nickel, copper, and cobalt.
Polymetallic Sulphides
Mineral deposits formed along mid-ocean ridges containing high concentrations of copper, lead, zinc, gold, and silver.
India's Deep Sea Seabed Rights
- India holds an International Seabed Authority (ISA) exploration contract covering 75,000 sq. km in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB).
- The CIOB region contains an estimated 366 to 380 million tonnes of polymetallic nodules rich in nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese.
- India is also the first country to secure two ISA exploration contracts for polymetallic sulphides, including the Carlsberg Ridge.
Technology and Deep Ocean Mission
- Implemented under the ₹4,077 crore Deep Ocean Mission to develop subsea engineering capabilities.
- National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) successfully demonstrated indigenous subsea mining crawler systems at depths exceeding 5,000 meters in the Indian Ocean.
Why it matters
- Reduces import dependence for critical minerals essential in electric mobility, battery manufacturing, and advanced computing.
- Establishes strategic presence and resource rights in the international seabed area regulated by the UNCLOS framework.
Prelims facts
- ISA grants exploration rights under UNCLOS in international waters beyond national jurisdictions.
- Deep Ocean Mission is coordinated by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Mains discussion
- Importance of blue economy and marine mineral sovereignty for India's clean energy transition.
Source: PIB
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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2026 · Q95 · General Studies · 2 marks
Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct? 1. Modern technological innovations including Artificial Intelligence, robotics and space exploration extensively utilise Rare Earth Elements (REEs). 2. China has the highest share in mining of REEs followed by India. 3. The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025 to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector. 4. Rare Earth Elements are a set of 13 metallic elements. Select the answer using the code given below: -
2025 · Q6 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: I. India has joined the Minerals Security Partnership as a member. II. India is a resource-rich country in all the 30 critical minerals that it has identified. III. The Parliament in 2023 has amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 empowering the Central Government to exclusively auction mining lease and composite license for certain critical minerals. Which of the statements given above are correct? -
2025 · Q89 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: Statement I: In India, State Governments have no power for making rules for grant of concessions in respect of extraction of minor minerals even though such minerals are located in their territories. Statement II: In India, the Central Government has the power to notify minor minerals under the relevant law. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? -
2021 · Q56 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: 1. The Global Ocean Commission grants licences for seabed exploration and mining in international waters. 2. India has received licences for seabed mineral exploration in international waters. 3. 'Rare earth minerals' are present on seafloor in international waters. Which of the statements given above are correct? -
2020 · Q92 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following minerals: 1. Bentonite 2. Chromite 3. Kyanite 4. Sillimanite In India, which of the above is/are officially designated as major minerals?