The Central Sector Scheme, under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, will run through FY 2030-31.
What It Covers
Samudra Manthan is not a single project. It covers the entire offshore exploration value chain — from seismic surveys to commercial production. Specifically, it includes large-scale seismic data acquisition, deepwater and ultra-deepwater exploratory drilling, scientific drilling in frontier basins, common offshore production infrastructure, an integrated Oil and Gas Manufacturing Zone, and digital programme management.
The scheme is projected to unlock over 600 million metric tonnes of oil equivalent (MMTOE) in new reserves.
The Origin
PM Modi first announced the concept from the Red Fort on Independence Day 2025, calling for a modern-day "Samudra Manthan" — churning of the ocean — to find oil and gas reserves beneath India's seas.
Why It Matters
India imports roughly 85% of its crude oil. That dependence costs the country lakhs of crores annually and leaves the economy vulnerable to global price shocks and geopolitical disruptions. Samudra Manthan aims to reduce that dependence by tapping India's own offshore resources at a scale never attempted before.
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