Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) India has exclusive rights over 75,000 sq km of international waters, allocated by UN’s International Seabed Authority, for exploration of polymetallic nodules. Merits of Deep-Sea Mission Commerce, important metals (manganese, copper, nickel, cobalt etc) These metals can be extracted and used in electronic devices, smartphones, batteries and even for solar Better understand Underwater robotics and vehicles It can open up new sources for medical drugs and food 10% recovery of ocean resources can meet India’s energy requirement for 100 years Challenges Financial (viable only if 3 million tonnes/year is explored Sediment plumes can harm aquatic animals Noise pollution inside ocean