CSIR-IMMT Hosts the First-Ever Celebration of the International Day of the Deep Seabed, Organized by MoES

Bhubaneswar 2 November 2025 :The International Day of the Deep Seabed for the first time marks global observance dedicated to the deep seabed in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The assembly of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) during its 30th session in July 2025 declared the day will be observed first time on 1 November, 2025 and annually thereafter. It highlights the balance between innovation and stewardship, emphasizing the need to manage, protect, and wisely use the deep seabed’s resources for the inter-generational benefit of all humanity.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, as member state and exploration contractor under the aegis of ISA organized the inaugural celebration at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT), Bhubaneswar. The event, held at the Dr. R. P. Das Centre, was supported by the Institute’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Critical Minerals under the National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM). Under the mentorship of Dr M Ravichandran, Secretary, MoES the event was conducted in collaboration with the CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO), Goa, the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, and the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa.
The event brought together scientists, students, government officials, and industry stakeholders from across India’s marine and metallurgical sectors, including participants from IIT Bhubaneswar, KIIT University, SOA University, and CSIR-IMMT.

 The programme featured expert lectures on deep-sea exploration, seabed mining, extractive metallurgy, and marine biodiversity, alongside a documentary showcasing the ocean’s extreme and unexplored ecosystems.
The observance was inaugurated by Dr. Ramanuj Narayan, Director, CSIR-IMMT, followed by a keynote address by Dr. Sandip Kumar Mukhopadhyay, Scientist F and Program Director, MoES. The event was coordinated by Dr. Kali Sanjay, Chief Scientist & Head, Hydro-Bio-Electrometallurgy Department and Business Development, CSIR-IMMT.
Guided by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) under the principle of the “common heritage of humankind,” the deep seabed remains one of Earth’s least explored frontiers and was largely discussed at the event. The importance of the ISA in governing more than half of the world’s ocean floor was highlighted, as it hosts vast deposits of polymetallic nodules, sulphides, and cobalt-rich crusts that contain vital critical minerals such as cobalt, nickel, copper, and manganese, which are essential for clean energy technologies of the future.

Through the Deep Ocean Mission, India, one of the few nations with active exploration contracts under the ISA, advances integrated studies on ocean technology, biodiversity, and mineral resources, with CSIR-IMMT contributing its expertise in extractive metallurgy. The celebration reaffirmed India’s commitment to sustainable deep-sea exploration, responsible innovation, and global collaboration for the collective benefit of humankind.