30 July 2026·PIB

DELIVERY OF SECOND INDIGENOUS DIVING SUPPORT VESSEL - ‘NIPUN’

In this note

1. At a Glance

‘Nipun’ is the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) built indigenously by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), delivered to the Indian Navy on 30 July 2026 at Visakhapatnam [1].
Specialised for deep-sea diving and rescue operations at sea, including Deep Sea Saturation Diving [1].
Sister ship of INS Nistar — together the two DSVs anchor India's indigenous submarine-rescue and deep-sea diving capability under Aatmanirbhar Bharat [2][3].
Relevant for Prelims (defence indigenisation current affairs) and Mains GS-III (defence production, indigenisation).

‘Nipun’ was delivered to the Indian Navy on 30 July 2026 at Visakhapatnam, built by HSL per Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) classification rules — the immediate trigger for this PIB release [1].

Both DSVs — ‘Nistar’ (Yard 11190) and ‘Nipun’ (Yard 11191) — were launched together on 22 September 2022 at HSL, Visakhapatnam [2].
‘Nistar’, the first indigenous DSV, was delivered to the Navy and subsequently commissioned as INS Nistar in Vizag [3].
‘Nipun’ follows as the second vessel of the class, delivered on 30 July 2026 [1].
Genesis: replacement for ageing diving support/submarine rescue assets, part of the Navy's push for indigenous submarine rescue and deep-sea diving infrastructure.

Vessel name: ‘Nipun’ (Sanskrit — "one who is adept, capable, and well versed in a particular discipline") [1].
Type: Diving Support Vessel (DSV), 2nd of the class [1].
Builder: Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam [1].
Classification: Built per Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) rules [1].
Delivered to: Indian Navy, on 30 July 2026, at Visakhapatnam [1].
Capabilities: State-of-the-art Dive Equipment; Deep Sea Saturation Diving; side diving stage; Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for diver monitoring and salvage [1].
Class specifications (from sister ship Nistar-class launch data): length ~118.4 m, beam ~22.8 m, displacement ~9,350 tonnes; includes Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV) support [2].
Indigenous content: ~75% Indigenous Content, aligned with Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence shipbuilding [1].
Parent ministry: Ministry of Defence [1].

Strategic/Security

Enhances India's independent submarine rescue capability, reducing reliance on foreign DSRV support in emergencies.
Strengthens deep-sea salvage and diving operations across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), supporting India's role as a "net security provider."

Scientific/Technological

Demonstrates indigenous capability in saturation diving systems, ROV integration, and complex naval vessel design — high-end shipbuilding technology previously import-dependent.

Economic

Boosts domestic defence shipbuilding ecosystem (HSL) and ancillary industries; supports "Make in India" in defence manufacturing with ~75% indigenous content [1].

Governance/Administrative

Reflects coordinated execution between Ministry of Defence, Indian Navy, and a public sector shipyard (HSL) from design to delivery.

22 Sep 2022: ‘Nistar’ and ‘Nipun’ launched together at HSL, Vizag [2].
2025: ‘Nistar’ delivered to Indian Navy and later commissioned as INS Nistar [3].
2025-26: INS Nistar participated in international exercises (e.g., Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 at Changi Naval Base, Singapore) — indicating operational deployment of the class.
30 July 2026: ‘Nipun’, the second DSV, delivered to Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam [1].

‘Nipun’ delivered to Indian Navy on 30 July 2026 at Visakhapatnam.
Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL).
‘Nipun’ is the second Diving Support Vessel; first was ‘Nistar’.
Both vessels launched together on 22 September 2022.
Name ‘Nipun’ is Sanskrit for "one who is adept, capable, and well versed in a particular discipline."
Built per Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) classification rules.
Capable of Deep Sea Saturation Diving.
Equipped with Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for diver monitoring/salvage.
Has a side diving stage for diving operations.
Nistar-class DSVs: length ~118.4 m, beam ~22.8 m, displacement ~9,350 tonnes.
Indigenous content of the vessel: ~75%.
Nistar-class DSVs also support Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV) operations.
Administering ministry: Ministry of Defence.

INS Nistar — first vessel of the same class; foundational case for this topic.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence — broader policy framework driving indigenous shipbuilding.
Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV) — associated submarine rescue technology.
Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) — classification body relevant to naval/merchant shipbuilding standards.
Indian Navy's Indigenisation Roadmap / Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy — policy context for such projects.
Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) — PSU shipyard, ownership transfer history (from Ministry of Shipping to Ministry of Defence in 2010).
India's Net Security Provider role in Indian Ocean Region (IOR) — strategic context.
Exercise Pacific Reach — multilateral submarine rescue exercise involving INS Nistar.

Confusing ‘Nistar’ (first) with ‘Nipun’ (second) DSV — remember launch order and delivery sequence.
Assuming HSL is under Ministry of Shipping — it was transferred to Ministry of Defence in 2010.
Conflating "delivery" (handover to Navy) with "commissioning" (formal induction as INS) — these are distinct events/dates.
Assuming DSV is same as a submarine — it's a support/rescue vessel, not a submarine.
Mixing up displacement/dimension figures with other Navy vessels of similar names.