UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh Launches India’s Advanced Ocean Research Vessel ‘ORV Sagar Manthan’ to Drive Indigenous Maritime Research

Q1. With reference to India's new indigenously built ocean research vessel ORV Sagar Manthan, consider the following statements: 1. It is intended for deep-sea scientific surveys and sampling in support of the Deep Ocean Mission. 2. Its length is about 89.5 metres and its breadth about 18.80 metres. 3. It is being constructed for the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. 4. It is designed to accommodate about 34 scientists at a time. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It is intended for deep-sea scientific surveys and sampling in support of the Deep Ocean Mission.
  2. Its length is about 89.5 metres and its breadth about 18.80 metres.
  3. It is being constructed for the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
  4. It is designed to accommodate about 34 scientists at a time.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 3 and 4

Q2. Which one of the following Ministry of Earth Sciences research vessels, of about 5,900 tonnes gross, is described as the largest research vessel ever built in an Indian shipyard?

  • A. ORV Sagar Nidhi, the ice-class multidisciplinary vessel of NIOT, Chennai
  • B. FORV Sagar Sampada, the fishery-oceanographic vessel of CMLRE, Kochi
  • C. ORV Sagar Manthan, the deep-ocean survey vessel built at GRSE, Kolkata
  • D. ORV Sagar Kanya, the oceanographic research vessel of NCPOR, Goa

Q3. Consider the following statements about the components of India's Deep Ocean Mission: 1. Development of technologies for deep-sea mining, including a manned submersible to carry three persons to a depth of 6,000 metres. 2. Technological innovations for exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity, including bio-prospecting of deep-sea flora and fauna. 3. Studies and detailed engineering design for an offshore Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion powered desalination plant. 4. Deep-sea survey and exploration to identify potential sites of multi-metal hydrothermal sulphide mineralisation along the mid-oceanic ridges of the Pacific Ocean. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Development of technologies for deep-sea mining, including a manned submersible to carry three persons to a depth of 6,000 metres.
  2. Technological innovations for exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity, including bio-prospecting of deep-sea flora and fauna.
  3. Studies and detailed engineering design for an offshore Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion powered desalination plant.
  4. Deep-sea survey and exploration to identify potential sites of multi-metal hydrothermal sulphide mineralisation along the mid-oceanic ridges of the Pacific Ocean.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. The Deep Ocean Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet for implementation over five years — in which year, and at approximately what total outlay?

  • A. 2019, at a total outlay of about Rs 8,000 crore
  • B. 2021, at a total outlay of about Rs 4,077 crore
  • C. 2023, at a total outlay of about Rs 4,077 crore
  • D. 2021, at a total outlay of about Rs 2,823 crore

Q5. Consider the following pairs of Ministry of Earth Sciences research vessels and the institutions that operate them: 1. ORV Sagar Kanya — National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Goa 2. FORV Sagar Sampada — Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology, Kochi 3. Sagar Manjusha — Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Hyderabad 4. ORV Sagar Nidhi — National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. ORV Sagar Kanya — National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Goa
  2. FORV Sagar Sampada — Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology, Kochi
  3. Sagar Manjusha — Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Hyderabad
  4. ORV Sagar Nidhi — National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q6. Prior to the induction of the new indigenously built ocean research vessel, how many research ships did the Ministry of Earth Sciences own and operate through NIOT, NCPOR and CMLRE?

  • A. Four
  • B. Eight
  • C. Eleven
  • D. Six

Q7. Consider the following statements comparing India's proposed Polar Research Vessel (PRV) with the new ocean research vessel being built for the Ministry of Earth Sciences: 1. The PRV is to be built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata, under a Memorandum of Understanding with Norway's Kongsberg for design expertise. 2. The PRV is meant for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research for work in the polar and Southern Ocean realms, whereas the new ocean research vessel is meant for deep-sea surveys and sampling under the Deep Ocean Mission. 3. The MoU for the PRV was signed during the Arctic Circle Assembly held at Reykjavik. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The PRV is to be built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata, under a Memorandum of Understanding with Norway's Kongsberg for design expertise.
  2. The PRV is meant for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research for work in the polar and Southern Ocean realms, whereas the new ocean research vessel is meant for deep-sea surveys and sampling under the Deep Ocean Mission.
  3. The MoU for the PRV was signed during the Arctic Circle Assembly held at Reykjavik.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. With reference to Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), consider the following statements: 1. It is a Government of India undertaking functioning under the Ministry of Defence. 2. It is headquartered at Kolkata. 3. It has been contracted to build the new ocean research vessel at a contract value of about Rs 839.55 crore, with a build period of 36 months. 4. It was the shipyard that built ORV Sagar Nidhi, which joined the NIOT fleet in 2008. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It is a Government of India undertaking functioning under the Ministry of Defence.
  2. It is headquartered at Kolkata.
  3. It has been contracted to build the new ocean research vessel at a contract value of about Rs 839.55 crore, with a build period of 36 months.
  4. It was the shipyard that built ORV Sagar Nidhi, which joined the NIOT fleet in 2008.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q9. Consider the following statements about institutions engaged in India's ocean research: 1. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research is headquartered at Goa, whereas the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services is headquartered at Hyderabad. 2. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, while the National Institute of Ocean Technology functions under the Department of Science and Technology. 3. The Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology is located at Kochi, while the National Institute of Ocean Technology is located at Chennai. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research is headquartered at Goa, whereas the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services is headquartered at Hyderabad.
  2. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, while the National Institute of Ocean Technology functions under the Department of Science and Technology.
  3. The Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology is located at Kochi, while the National Institute of Ocean Technology is located at Chennai.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. Consider the following statements about the mandates of India's ocean-science institutions: 1. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services is mandated to provide ocean information and advisory services to user communities. 2. The National Institute of Ocean Technology is mandated to develop application-oriented technology in ocean, coastal and environmental areas. 3. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research is the sole agency authorised to operate every research vessel owned by the Government of India. 4. All of India's deep-sea mineral exploration contracts with the International Seabed Authority are executed exclusively by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services is mandated to provide ocean information and advisory services to user communities.
  2. The National Institute of Ocean Technology is mandated to develop application-oriented technology in ocean, coastal and environmental areas.
  3. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research is the sole agency authorised to operate every research vessel owned by the Government of India.
  4. All of India's deep-sea mineral exploration contracts with the International Seabed Authority are executed exclusively by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q11. The draft Blue Economy Policy framework circulated by the Ministry of Earth Sciences for stakeholder consultation recognises how many thematic areas?

  • A. Five
  • B. Seven
  • C. Ten
  • D. Twelve

Q12. Matsya-6000, the manned submersible of the Samudrayaan project that completed harbour wet testing in 2025, is being designed and developed by which organisation?

  • A. National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai
  • B. National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Goa
  • C. Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Hyderabad
  • D. Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology, Kochi