Samudra Manthan Scheme
Why in News?
The Union Cabinet approved Samudra Manthan, the National Offshore Exploration Scheme, on 31 July 2026. The Central Sector Scheme has an approved outlay of ₹84,084 crore and will continue through FY 2030–31.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the initiative during his 80th Independence Day address on 15 August 2026. He presented it as part of India’s broader effort to strengthen energy security and utilise its offshore resource potential.
What is the Samudra Manthan Scheme?
Samudra Manthan is a national programme for accelerating offshore oil and natural gas exploration. It covers the exploration value chain from seismic surveys to drilling and common production infrastructure.
The scheme aims to increase domestic hydrocarbon production and reduce India’s dependence on imports. It also seeks to develop domestic technological capabilities in the offshore energy sector.
What are the Major Components?
The scheme provides support for several activities:
- Large-scale acquisition and interpretation of high-quality seismic data.
- Exploratory drilling in deepwater and ultra-deepwater areas.
- Scientific drilling in frontier and underexplored basins.
- Common offshore production and evacuation infrastructure.
- An integrated Oil and Gas Manufacturing and Services Zone.
- Digital programme management and technology adoption.
- Capacity building and international technical cooperation.
The government expects the programme to facilitate reserve accretion of more than 600 Million Metric Tonnes of Oil Equivalent (MMTOE).
Why is Offshore Exploration Important for India?
India has a high dependence on imported crude oil. Crude oil import dependence reached about 88.5% during FY 2025–26. India also imports roughly half of its natural gas requirement.
This dependence creates economic and strategic vulnerabilities. Global price fluctuations and disruptions around important maritime routes can affect India’s energy security.
Samudra Manthan seeks to increase domestic exploration and production. It can therefore support energy security, import reduction, investment, employment, and technological development.
India’s Offshore Exploration Potential
India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covers approximately 2.36 million square kilometres. The government has progressively opened previously restricted offshore areas for exploration.
The former offshore “No-Go” area was reduced from 1,366,708 sq km to 24,832 sq km. This opened approximately 99% of the previously restricted area for exploration activities.
The change is significant because India’s offshore regions include the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean.
Samudra Manthan Scheme: Related Information
The government’s offshore exploration strategy builds on earlier reforms and the National Data Repository, which provides geological and geophysical information to exploration companies.
The National Deepwater Exploration Mission was announced under Samudra Manthan during the Prime Minister’s Independence Day address in 2025. A February 2026 parliamentary response stated that no blocks had yet been allocated under that mission at that time.
The new scheme provides financial support for high-risk deepwater exploration. Reports indicate that government assistance can reach ₹650 crore per exploratory well under the approved programme. About ₹43,200 crore is earmarked over five years for deepwater drilling, while around ₹10,000 crore is allocated for common infrastructure.
Samudra Manthan Scheme: Exam-Oriented Facts
- Scheme: Samudra Manthan.
- Full Name: National Offshore Exploration Scheme.
- Approved: 31 July 2026.
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.
- Type: Central Sector Scheme.
- Approved Outlay: ₹84,084 crore.
- Implementation Period: Up to FY 2030–31.
- Major Focus: Offshore oil and natural gas exploration.
- Key Areas: Deepwater, ultra-deepwater and frontier basins.
- Expected Reserve Accretion: Over 600 MMTOE.
- India’s EEZ: Approximately 2.36 million sq km.
- Remaining No-Go Area: 24,832 sq km.
- Previously Restricted Area: 1,366,708 sq km.
- Area Opened: Approximately 99% of the former No-Go area.
- Major Technologies: Seismic mapping and deepwater drilling.
- Important Infrastructure: Common offshore production and evacuation facilities.
- Strategic Objective: Energy security and reduction of import dependence.
- Related Institution: Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH).
- Key Concept: MMTOE means Million Metric Tonnes of Oil Equivalent, a common unit for comparing energy resources.
