Cabinet Approves ‘Samudra Manthan’ National Offshore Exploration Scheme with ₹84,084 Crore Outlay

The Union Cabinet chaired by Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi passed ‘Samudra Manthan,’ the National Offshore Exploration Scheme, with an investment of ₹84,084 crore for implementation until FY 2030-31. It was announced on 31st July 2026, this Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas aims to enhance the India’s vast offshore oil and gas resources by utilizing the advanced exploration technologies, infrastructural developments, and scientific research. This initiative is in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enhance India’s energy security, to reduce its import dependence, and to create a globally competitive offshore energy ecosystem under the broader aim of Viksit Bharat.

What Is the Samudra Manthan Scheme?

The Samudra Manthan scheme is major Central Sector Scheme launched by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas for the purpose of stimulating offshore oil and gas exploration activities in all the maritime regions of the country.

With the help of this scheme, which has been inspired by the thoughts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who spoke of it in his speech on the occasion of Independence Day, in January 2025, the potential that India has in offshore hydrocarbons will be tapped and utilized through targeted public funding, advanced technology, and high-level infrastructure.

This method will also help India to increase energy security in the future.

Key Highlights of the Samudra Manthan Scheme

The Samudra Manthan scheme includes all aspects of exploration and production in offshore exploration.

The government has set aside ₹84,084 crore for the success of the scheme. This sizable sum makes it one of the largest investments in offshore exploration in the nation.

The scheme will run until the Fiscal Year 2030 31, ensuring satisfactory amounts of investment in exploration, infrastructure, and technology.

The main objective of the program is to tap India’s potential of offshore energy resources by using cutting-edge technologies and quick drilling operations.

Key Components of the Program

Samudra Manthan incorporates various strategic initiatives to bolster India’s offshore exploration capabilities.

• Massive Seismic Data Acquisition: The program provides for the extensive acquisition, processing, and interpretation of seismic data to locate possible hydrocarbon deposits.
• Deepwater Exploration: The program is tuned to fast-track exploratory drilling work in deep water and ultra-deepwater areas, believed to contain significant untapped energy reserves.
• Scientific Drilling for Exploration in Frontier Basins: Dedicated scientific drilling operation will be used in frontier offshore basins for better geological knowledge and future exploration.
• Infrastructure for Offshore Production: The program also includes establishing common offshore production and evacuation facilities to ensure effective extraction and transportation of hydrocarbons.
• Oil and Gas Industry Production and Services Zone: A manufacturing and service center will be constructed to support the domestic production of offshore equipment, engineering support service, and other related activities under the Make in India Campaign.

Technology and Capacity Building

The emphasis of Samudra Manthan is on new technology adoption and enhancement of institutional capacity.

The program provides for the following,

• E-management of digital programs
• Adoption of technology
• Capacity building
• Involvement of stakeholders
• International collaboration and outreach activities

The intended objective is to establish an integrated ecosystem that can facilitate offshore exploration projects efficiently and sustainably.

Expected Benefits of the Initiative

The expected results of Samudra Manthan by the authorities includes considerable economic and strategic gains.

Discovery of Additional Energy Reserves

This initiative is likely to lead to the discovery of over 600 MMTOE of oil, thus greatly increasing hydrocarbon reserves in India.

The advancement of Energy Security

Increased crude oil and gas output in the country will allow reduce reliance on foreign sources of energy thus contributing to energy security in the long run.

Creation of Jobs

The growth of offshore exploration will result in many job opportunities in the fields of exploration, engineering, production, transportation, etc.

Support for the ‘Make in India’ Initiative

The construction of a cohesive manufacturing e-commerce platform will trigger the development of local technologies and equipment for offshore production thus ensuring the success of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Increase in Investments

It is expected that Samudra Manthan will lead to large scale investment in the exploration and production industry promoting the development of the industry.