Why in NEWS
India’s GRSE has signed an MoU with Norway’s Kongsberg to develop India’s first indigenously built Polar Research Vessel (PRV), marking a significant step in oceanic research and indigenous shipbuilding under the Make in India initiative.
Key Concepts You Should Know
| Key Term / Concept | Explanation |
|---|---|
| GRSE (Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd.) | A premier Indian shipyard under the Ministry of Defence, specializing in building warships and other vessels for Indian Navy and Coast Guard. |
| Kongsberg | A Norwegian defense and marine technology firm with expertise in advanced maritime systems. |
| Polar Research Vessel (PRV) | A specialized ship designed for conducting scientific research in polar regions (Arctic and Antarctica). It withstands extreme weather and ice conditions and supports ocean, climate, and biodiversity studies. |
| National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) | India’s premier research institute responsible for managing polar research, based in Goa under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. |
| MAHASAGAR Initiative | India’s vision for promoting mutual and holistic maritime cooperation and security across regions. |
| Sagarmala 2.0 | An updated version of India’s port-led development initiative aiming to modernize ports, reduce logistics costs, and enhance shipbuilding capabilities. |
| Make in India & Atmanirbhar Bharat | Government initiatives promoting self-reliance and indigenous production in all sectors, including defense and maritime. |
What’s Happening?
India has signed a landmark agreement through GRSE and Norway’s Kongsberg to develop its first indigenous Polar Research Vessel (PRV). This vessel will play a critical role in India’s polar research missions by supporting operations at Antarctica’s Bharati & Maitri stations and Himadri station in the Arctic.
The vessel will be equipped with state-of-the-art scientific instruments for exploring:
- Marine biodiversity
- Polar climate systems
- Deep-sea ecosystems
This project aims to:
- Strengthen India’s position in global polar research
- Boost local shipbuilding under Make in India
- Align with MAHASAGAR and Sagarmala 2.0 strategies
Flowchart: Strategic Importance of India’s Indigenous PRV
pgsqlCopyEditNeed for PRV
↓
Boost to Polar Research → Strengthen Antarctic & Arctic Missions
↓
Use of Indigenous Technology → Collaboration with Norway (Kongsberg)
↓
Align with MAHASAGAR + Sagarmala 2.0 + Atmanirbhar Bharat
↓
Enhance India’s Role in Maritime Security & Science
In a Nutshell (Mnemonic)
Mnemonic: “PRV-BIG MOVE”
- P – Polar Region Exploration
- R – Research Station Support (Bharati, Maitri, Himadri)
- V – Vessel with Indigenous Technology
- B – Biodiversity Research
- I – International Collaboration (Norway)
- G – Goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat
- M – MAHASAGAR Vision
- O – Oceanic Scientific Missions
- V – Vessel for Arctic & Antarctic Operations
- E – Enhance Global Standing
Prelims Practice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. Consider the following statements about Polar Research Vessels (PRVs):
- PRVs are designed only for Arctic region studies.
- India’s first PRV is being developed through a collaboration with Norway.
- PRVs are equipped to carry heavy cargo but not scientific equipment.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1 and 3 only
Q2. Which of the following stations are supported by India’s Polar Research initiatives?
- Maitri
- Himadri
- Sagarika
- Bharati
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A. 1, 2, and 4 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3, and 4
Q3. The Mahasagar initiative of India primarily aims to:
A. Regulate inland waterways.
B. Promote holistic maritime security and cooperation.
C. Develop space technologies for marine navigation.
D. Fund undersea mining projects in Indian Ocean Region.
Answers to Prelims Questions
| Question No. | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | B | Statement 1 is incorrect as PRVs are for both Arctic and Antarctic; Statement 2 is correct; Statement 3 is wrong as PRVs are equipped with advanced scientific instruments. |
| Q2 | A | Sagarika is not an Indian polar research station. Maitri, Himadri, and Bharati are India’s official stations. |
| Q3 | B | MAHASAGAR promotes regional maritime cooperation and security, not inland waterways or space tech. |
