Jitendra Singh Felicitates Deep Ocean Mission Scientists as Special Guests for Republic Day 2026

NEW DELHI, January 26, 2026 – Union Minister of State for Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh hosted a special ceremony at Prithvi Bhawan today to honor the scientists and researchers behind India’s landmark Deep Ocean Mission (DOM).

These scientific pioneers were invited as “Special Guests” to the Republic Day 2026 parade in recognition of their efforts in positioning India as a global leader in deep-sea exploration. During the event, Singh interacted with the team, praising their dedication to scientific innovation and the development of indigenous technologies like the Matsya-6000 submersible.

The felicitation follows a historic year for the Ministry of Earth Sciences, which was invited to participate as a special guest at the Republic Day ceremony for the first time in its 19-year history. Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences M. Ravichandran congratulated the researchers, noting that their work has been pivotal in advancing India’s capabilities in ocean research, weather forecasting, and geosciences.

The gathering, which included IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra along with experts from the biotechnology and space sectors, highlighted the mission’s goal of conducting a manned 500-meter deep-sea dive by May 2026 as a stepping stone toward a full 6,000-meter exploration by 2027.