Science and Technology › IPR and science policy

Ocean, polar and earth science missions

Deep sea exploration, seabed minerals and who may mine them, ocean observation, India's Arctic and Antarctic research, and seismology. Prelims has asked about India's Deep Ocean Mission and who licenses exploration of the international seabed.

Foundation notes: UNCLOS: the zones from the coast to the Area · Deep sea minerals

Showing 2 of 5 articles, those that changed from 1 to 31 July 2026.Show all

Ocean observation and tsunami warning

Prelims and Mains

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services runs India's ocean observing network of buoys, current profilers, tide gauges and Argo floats.

Its tsunami warning system issues an advisory within ten minutes of an undersea earthquake.

What changed

30 Jul 2026BriefThe Centre runs wave rider buoys, current profilers and tide gauges along the coast, and Argo floats were deployed in the deep sea between 2014 and 2025. The tsunami warning system rests on seismic stations, deep ocean buoys and tide gauges, and issues an advisory within 10 minutes of an undersea earthquake capable of causing a tsunami. PIB, 30 Jul 2026: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: OCEAN OBSERVATION NETWORK AND FORECASTING (opens in a new tab) · PIB, 29 Jul 2026: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: EXPANSION OF OCEAN OBSERVATION NETWORK (opens in a new tab)

India's Arctic policy

Mains

India's Arctic Policy of 2022 frames its work in the Arctic, where it runs the Himadri research station at Svalbard.

India has been an observer at the Arctic Council since 2013, a status that gives no part in decisions.

What changed

31 Jul 2026BriefThe parliamentary Committee on External Affairs recommended a dedicated ambassador for polar and Arctic affairs. It also recommended that India seek to move from observer to member of the Arctic Council. The Hindu, 31 Jul 2026: House panel calls for dedicated polar and Arctic affairs official (opens in a new tab)

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion: Making power from the temperature difference between warm surface water and cold deep water.

Seamount: An underwater mountain rising from the seafloor without reaching the surface.

Hydrothermal vent: An opening on a mid-ocean ridge that releases mineral rich hot water, around which metal sulphides settle and dense communities of life gather.

Polymetallic nodules: Potato sized lumps lying on the deep seabed, rich in manganese, nickel, cobalt and copper.

Exploration contract: An ISA contract giving exclusive rights to survey and test mine a seabed area, but not to mine it commercially.

The Area: The seabed beyond national jurisdiction, whose mineral resources UNCLOS declares the common heritage of mankind.

Seismic doublet: Two earthquakes of roughly the same magnitude, close in time and place, from distinct ruptures.

Also filed elsewhere

National report on deep-sea fishery resources · on Marine and coastal ecosystems
The national report on deep sea fishery resources is the Ministry of Earth Sciences' account of the fish in India's deep water, below the reach of light.
The UN declaration on sea level rise and statehood · on Cryosphere, oceans and sea level
The United Nations General Assembly's declaration on sea level rise affirms that a State remains a State even if the sea takes its land, and that its maritime boundaries stay where they were fixed.