Archive · 10 Dec 2025
India Advances Work on Human Deep-Sea Submersible Matsya6000
India is building a special underwater vehicle called Matsya6000.
It can carry three people and go very deep into the ocean, up to 6,000 metres.
The scientists have been testing it in the water near Chennai.
They did eight dives, some with people inside and some without.
They checked if the vehicle can move safely, stay balanced, and support life.
The tests went well, but they found some things to improve, like talking underwater.
The next step is to try deeper dives.
By 2026, they plan to go 500 metres deep, and by 2027, they aim for 6,000 metres.
This will help India study the deep ocean better.
India's first human deep-sea submersible, Matsya6000, is being developed under the Samudrayan Project by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).
The submersible aims for a 500-metre manned dive by 2026 and a 6,000-metre attempt by 2027.
Harbour trials were conducted from 27 January to 12 February 2025, including eight dives to test power, safety, and handling.
The trials evaluated the submersible's power and control networks, buoyancy, stability, manoeuvrability, and life-support functions.
Successful wet tests have reinforced confidence in Matsya6000's readiness for shallow-water demonstrations, with plans for deeper trials.
- Who
- Union Minister Jitendra Singh, National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT)
- What
- Development and testing of India's first human deep-sea submersible, Matsya6000
- When
- Harbour trials conducted from 27 January to 12 February 2025; 500m dive planned by end of 2025; 6,000m dive planned by 2027
- Where
- L&T Shipbuilding facility, Kattupalli Port, near Chennai
- Why
- To advance India's capabilities in deep-ocean scientific research and exploration
- Project Name
- Samudrayan Project
- Submersible Name
- Matsya6000
- Depth Target
- 6,000 metres
- Target Year for 6,000m Dive
- 2027
- Target Year for 500m Dive
- 2026
- Developers
- National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT)
- Harbour Trials Location
- L&T Shipbuilding facility, Kattupalli Port, near Chennai
- Harbour Trials Dates
- 27 January to 12 February 2025
