Why in News?
The Ministry of Earth Sciences launched India’s first advanced indigenous Ocean Research Vessel (ORV) Sagar Manthan at the Rishi Bankim Shipyard, Kolkata on September 09, 2026.
Key Points
- ORV Sagar Manthan is India’s first advanced indigenous Ocean Research Vessel, built by GRSE for NCPOR.
- The vessel is being built at about ₹840 crore under Vertical-4 of the Deep Ocean Mission.
- It will carry ROVs and AUVs and use multibeam bathymetry and multichannel seismic systems for ocean research.
- It is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will replace the 43-year-old ORV Sagar Kanya.
Exam Connect
- NCPOR → autonomous R&D institution under Ministry of Earth Sciences → manages Maitri, Bharati and Himadri research stations
- GRSE → Miniratna Category-I Defence PSU → first Indian shipyard to export a warship