Andaman & Nicobar Islands to be developed as a hub of India’s Blue Economy: Dr Jitendra Singh

1. At a Glance

• Union MoS (IC) Dr Jitendra Singh declared A&N Islands will be developed as a hub of India's Blue Economy, during a visit to ACOSTI, Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) on 17 Jan 2026 [1].
• ACOSTI = Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands, a unit of NIOT under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) [1][2].
• Relevance: links Deep Ocean Mission (DOM), marine biotech, strategic A&N location, and India's Blue Economy policy — touches GS-III (economy, environment, S&T) and GS-II (governance of UTs).

2. Why in the News

• 17 Jan 2026: Dr Jitendra Singh visited ACOSTI and launched pilot projects to boost the Blue Economy in A&N [1].
• He invoked the PM's Red Fort (Independence Day) announcement on Deep Ocean Mission as marking national priority to marine resources [1].
• Follow-up PIB note (PRID 2216000) reiterated A&N biodiversity is "crucial for environmental and economic security" [2].

3. Background & Evolution

• 15 Sept 2018: ACOSTI inaugurated at Dollygunj, Port Blair by then Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan [2].
• 07 Sept 2021: Union Cabinet approved Deep Ocean Mission under MoES; ₹4,077 crore over 5 years [3][4].
• Samudrayaan Project launched under DOM — manned submersible MATSYA-6000 to carry 3 persons to 6,000 m depth [3][4].
• Port Blair renamed Sri Vijaya Puram (2024) — context for A&N's civilisational-strategic framing [1].

4. Core Static Facts

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences (NOT MoEFCC) [1][4].
• Implementing institute: National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai; ACOSTI is its island unit [2].
• Location of ACOSTI: Dollygunj, Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), A&N [2].
• Deep Ocean Mission outlay: ₹4,077 crore (5 years, from 2021) [3][4].
• Samudrayaan target depth: 6,000 m; capacity 3 persons [3][4].
• Mineral target: polymetallic nodules in Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB); regulator: International Seabed Authority (ISA) [4].
• ACOSTI research thrust: offshore open-sea cage culture; deep-sea microbial biotech (actinobacteria bioactives); macro-algae bio-molecules; seawater quality monitoring [2].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic

• A&N's EEZ share is ~30% of India's 2.2 million sq km EEZ, making it pivotal to Blue Economy GDP [1].
• Pilot projects target mariculture, marine biotech, and livelihoods of islanders [1][2].

Scientific / Technological

• Integration of ocean science + biotechnology — Singh stressed CSIR and biotech research centre tie-ups [1].
• DOM technologies: deep-sea mining systems, manned submersible (MATSYA-6000), ocean-climate advisory, marine biology station [4].

Environmental

• A&N hosts globally significant coral, mangrove, and endemic species (Nicobar megapode, leatherback turtle nesting) — biodiversity flagged as essential to economic security [2].
• Deep-sea mining tempered by ISA rule-making, sustainability caveats [4].

Geopolitical / Strategic

• A&N commands the Malacca Strait approach; Blue Economy push complements SAGAR doctrine and Indo-Pacific posture [1].
• Indigenous deep-ocean tech reduces import dependence on strategic minerals (Co, Ni, Mn, REEs) [4].

Administrative

• A&N is a Union Territory — Centre directly drives development; reduces federal friction [1].

6. Recent Developments (last 12–18 months)

• 17 Jan 2026: Pilot Blue Economy projects launched at ACOSTI by Dr Jitendra Singh [1].
• 15 Aug 2025: PM's Red Fort speech highlighted Deep Ocean Mission [1][4].
• 2025: DOM document — first manned mission to 6,000 m targeted by end-2026 [3].
• PIB PRID 2216000: follow-up on A&N biodiversity-economy linkage [2].

7. Prelims Hooks

• ACOSTI stands for Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands [2].
• ACOSTI is a unit of NIOT under MoES — not under DBT or MoEFCC [2].
• ACOSTI located at Dollygunj, Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) [2].
• Inaugurated 15 September 2018 by Dr Harsh Vardhan [2].
• Deep Ocean Mission approved by Cabinet on 7 September 2021 [4].
• DOM outlay = ₹4,077 crore over 5 years [4].
• Samudrayaan uses MATSYA-6000 submersible — 3 crew, 6,000 m depth [3][4].
• Polymetallic nodule mining targeted in Central Indian Ocean Basin [4].
• Regulator for international seabed mining: International Seabed Authority (ISA) under UNCLOS [4].
• ACOSTI research includes actinobacteria-derived bioactives from deep-sea microbes [2].
• A&N's capital is officially Sri Vijaya Puram (renamed from Port Blair) [1].
• Nodal ministry for Blue Economy ocean S&T: Ministry of Earth Sciences [1].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III: Indian Economy (Blue Economy), Science & Technology (Deep Ocean Mission), Environment (marine biodiversity, sustainable use).
• GS-II: Governance of UTs; international institutions (ISA, UNCLOS).
• GS-I: Geography — Indian Ocean, EEZ, A&N location.

Probable stems:

1. "Discuss how the Deep Ocean Mission can transform A&N Islands into a hub of India's Blue Economy. What environmental safeguards are necessary?"
2. "Examine the strategic and economic significance of the A&N archipelago in India's Indo-Pacific vision."
3. "India's Blue Economy potential remains under-realised. Critically evaluate the institutional architecture supporting it."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• Deep Ocean Mission & Samudrayaan / MATSYA-6000 — direct parent programme.
• SAGAR doctrine & Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) — strategic framing of Blue Economy.
• UNCLOS & International Seabed Authority — legal regime for deep-sea mining.
• National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), INCOIS, NCPOR — MoES institutes.
• O-SMART scheme — umbrella ocean S&T scheme.
• Polymetallic nodules / Critical minerals strategy — supply-chain link.
• Mission Mausam, PRITHvi scheme — sibling MoES initiatives.
• Coastal Regulation Zone & Marine Protected Areas in A&N — environmental flank.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• ACOSTI is under MoES via NIOT, NOT under DBT or MoEFCC.
• Samudrayaan ≠ Gaganyaan; depth target 6,000 m, crew 3 (not 4 like Gaganyaan-OFT).
• DOM is a MoES mission, not Ministry of Ports/Shipping (which runs Sagarmala).
• Sagarmala (MoPSW) ≠ Deep Ocean Mission (MoES) — both serve Blue Economy but distinct.
• A&N is a UT, not a state; capital is Sri Vijaya Puram (renamed 2024).
• Polymetallic nodule site is Central Indian Ocean Basin, not Arabian Sea or Bay of Bengal.