India planning to send humans into deep sea & space in early 2026: Jitendra Singh

Singh, while commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami at Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, in Hyderabad on Thursday, underlined the growing significance of oceanic exploration in India’s journey toward becoming 'Viksit Bharat'.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh on Thursday said that India is planning to send a human into the deep sea with the mission likely to coincide with the human space mission in early 2026.

Dr Jitendra Singh, while commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami at Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), in Hyderabad on Thursday, underlined the growing significance of oceanic exploration in India’s journey toward becoming "Viksit Bharat".

With a 7,500-km coastline and abundant marine resources, he advocated for their sustainable exploration and conservation.

“Our deep-sea mission and initiatives like Biotechnology for Environment, Employment, and Economy (BioE3) are creating an ecosystem that will not only enhance biodiversity but also contribute to national prosperity,” he said.

Looking ahead, he expressed optimism about concurrent breakthroughs in space and marine missions, envisioning an India that leads globally in both realms.

“We are planning to deploy an Indian in the deep sea and another in space, possibly by 2026, marking a historic milestone,” he announced.

Singh’s remarks also celebrated the synergy between policy and science, attributing the rapid advancements in sectors like space and oceanography to the government’s proactive support.

The minister recalled that the INCOIS was conceptualised following the tragic Tsunami of 2004 and after 2014, with an unflinching support and priority received from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it made rapid strides to be recognised as the world's most state -of-the - art institute of its kind.

Singh lauded PM Modi's pathbreaking ocean initiatives including the 'Deep Sea Mission' which he had announced in his Independence Day address. He also highlighted India’s quantum progress in ocean research and disaster preparedness.

The minister emphasised the nation’s emergence as a global leader in providing world-class disaster warning systems, underscoring the pivotal role of scientific advancements in fostering safety and sustainability.

Reflecting on the catastrophic tsunami that claimed over 2,30,000 lives worldwide, including 10,749 in India, Dr Jitendra Singh remarked on the invaluable lessons learned and the transformative policies that followed.

“The tragedy served as a catalyst for establishing institutions like INCOIS, which now stands as a testament to India’s commitment to safeguarding lives and livelihoods,” he said.

India’s Tsunami Early Warning System, lauded internationally, was showcased as a cornerstone of the nation’s disaster preparedness.

The minister also noted ongoing collaborations with UNESCO and the Tsunami Ready Initiative, which aims to bolster community resilience across vulnerable regions.

He cited the recognition of 24 Indian communities under this program as evidence of a community-centric approach.

Singh also highlighted India’s proactive role in international collaboration through INCOIS, which hosts a UNESCO Category 2 Training Centre. This center acts as a hub for capacity building and knowledge sharing on ocean-based disaster management.

He noted INCOIS’s active involvement in the Ocean Decade Tsunami Programme, which aims to achieve 100 per cent tsunami-ready communities globally by 2030.

“Through initiatives like these, we are not only strengthening global partnerships but also paving the way for resilient coastal communities worldwide,” he remarked.

Additionally, the minister underscored the need to integrate tsunami warnings with other ocean-related hazards, such as storm surges and high waves, into a comprehensive multi-hazard early warning system.

He emphasised that such advancements would sustain India’s tsunami warning capabilities while addressing the growing complexity of oceanic risks.

“This forward-looking approach will ensure that we continue to safeguard lives and livelihoods against a wide spectrum of potential disasters,” he added.