UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper 1 · Question 50
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 :
Correct answer: Option B
Science & Technology
Options
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 2 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Detailed solution
Answer
Option (B) — 2 and 3 only
Explanation
- India's Deep Ocean Mission was launched by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), not the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. It was approved in June 2021 with a budget of Rs 4,077 crore for a 5-year period.
- Matsya-6000 is a manned submersible designed to carry 3 crew members to a depth of 6,000 metres for deep-sea exploration, mineral resource assessment, and biodiversity studies.
- Samudrayaan is the flagship project under the Deep Ocean Mission, involving the development of a manned submersible (Matsya-6000) for deep ocean exploration.
Statement Analysis
- 1. It was launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India: Incorrect. The Deep Ocean Mission was launched by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), not the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
- 2. Matsya-6000 has been designed to carry 3 people for deep sea exploration: Correct. Matsya-6000 is designed as a manned submersible capable of carrying a crew of 3 persons to depths of 6,000 metres.
- 3. Samudrayaan is a project under this mission: Correct. Samudrayaan is a key component of the Deep Ocean Mission, focused on developing manned deep-ocean submersible capabilities.