About India's Blue Economy

What the Blue Economy Means for India

The Government of India recognises the Blue Economy as one of the ten core dimensions of the national growth vision, "New India by 2030", as articulated by the Government. It spans fisheries and aquaculture, shipping and ports, offshore energy, marine biotechnology, coastal and marine tourism, deep-sea mineral exploration, and ocean-based manufacturing and trade. The concept aligns closely with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) — Life Below Water — which calls on nations to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.

Draft Blue Economy Policy — Seven Thematic Areas

In February 2021, MoES released "India's Blue Economy: A Draft Policy Framework" for public consultation, inviting inputs from industry, academia, NGOs and citizens. The draft document organises the Blue Economy around seven thematic areas: (1) National accounting framework for the Blue Economy and ocean governance; (2) Coastal marine spatial planning and tourism; (3) Marine fisheries, aquaculture and fish processing; (4) Manufacturing, emerging industries, trade, technology, services and skill development; (5) Logistics, infrastructure and shipping, including trans-shipment; (6) Coastal and deep-sea mining and offshore energy; and (7) Security, strategic dimensions and international engagement.

Why It Matters

The Blue Economy is intended to enhance the ocean sector's contribution to India's GDP, generate livelihoods for coastal and fishing communities, attract sustainable investment in port-led development and offshore industries, and safeguard marine biodiversity and national maritime security — while supporting India's climate and ocean-science commitments under the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).

Vision

To harness India's ocean, coastal and marine resources for inclusive, sustainable and secure economic growth — enhancing the Blue Economy's contribution to national GDP, generating livelihoods for coastal and fishing communities, and preserving the long-term health of marine ecosystems — while positioning India as a responsible maritime power in the Indian Ocean Region.

Mission

• Develop a national accounting framework and robust ocean governance structures for the Blue Economy.
• Promote sustainable marine fisheries, aquaculture and fish processing to enhance food and livelihood security.
• Strengthen ports, shipping, logistics and coastal infrastructure for trade competitiveness.
• Advance offshore energy, deep-sea mineral exploration and marine biotechnology through science and technology missions such as the Deep Ocean Mission.
• Safeguard marine biodiversity, coastal ecosystems and national maritime security.
• Deepen international engagement and regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region, guided by the SAGAR doctrine.

Core Objectives

The Government's stated objectives for the Blue Economy are to: enhance the contribution of ocean-based economic activities to national GDP; improve the livelihoods of coastal and fishing communities; preserve marine biodiversity and ecosystem health; and maintain the security of India's marine areas and resources — while building a coherent national accounting and governance framework for the sector.

Sector-wise Objectives (Seven Thematic Pillars)

Objectives are pursued through seven thematic pillars identified in the Draft Blue Economy Policy: national accounting & ocean governance; coastal marine spatial planning & tourism; marine fisheries, aquaculture & fish processing; manufacturing, emerging industries, trade, technology, services & skill development; logistics, infrastructure & shipping (including trans-shipment); coastal & deep-sea mining and offshore energy; and security, strategic dimensions & international engagement.

Structure of the Framework

The framework is built around: (a) a national accounting and governance layer that measures and coordinates Blue Economy activity; (b) sectoral pillars covering fisheries, tourism, manufacturing/trade, logistics/shipping, and offshore mining/energy; and (c) a security and international engagement layer that situates India's Blue Economy within its regional and global maritime strategy.

Enabling Missions and Programmes

The framework is operationalised through flagship missions and programmes, including the Deep Ocean Mission (deep-sea exploration and technology), O-SMART (Ocean Services, Modelling, Application, Resources and Technology — the umbrella scheme for MoES ocean-related schemes), the Sagarmala Programme (port-led development, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways), and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) (Department of Fisheries).

Scientific & Institutional Backbone

The framework relies on MoES's network of autonomous institutions — INCOIS (ocean information services), NIOT (ocean technology), NCESS (earth science studies), CMLRE (marine living resources), IMD (meteorology) and NCPOR (polar and ocean research) — providing the scientific, technological and data foundation for Blue Economy planning and decision-making.

Nodal Ministry

The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is the nodal Ministry for India's Blue Economy, responsible for coordinating the Draft Blue Economy Policy Framework, ocean science missions (including the Deep Ocean Mission), and inter-agency data and governance frameworks through its network of autonomous institutions.

Allied Central Ministries & Departments

• Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways — ports, shipping and Sagarmala port-led development.
• Department of Fisheries (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying) — marine fisheries and aquaculture, including PMMSY.
• Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) — offshore wind and ocean renewable energy.
• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change — coastal regulation and marine biodiversity conservation.
• Ministry of External Affairs — international maritime engagement under the SAGAR doctrine.
• NITI Aayog — policy coordination and strategic planning inputs.

Scientific & Statutory Institutions under MoES

• INCOIS — Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (ocean data, forecasting, early warning).
• NIOT — National Institute of Ocean Technology (ocean technology development, including Deep Ocean Mission submersibles).
• NCESS — National Centre for Earth Science Studies.
• CMLRE — Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology.
• IMD — India Meteorological Department.
• NCPOR — National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research.

State & Union Territory Coordination

Nine coastal States and four Union Territories participate through State nodal departments and Coastal Zone Management Authorities, ensuring that national Blue Economy priorities are implemented in coordination with local planning, coastal regulation and fisheries administration.

Background & Consultation

MoES disseminated the draft policy for public consultation via its website and social media handles, and those of its institutes, inviting suggestions from industry, NGOs, academia and citizens by 27 February 2021. The draft framework was prepared in line with the Government's "Vision of New India by 2030", which identifies the Blue Economy as one of ten core dimensions of national growth.

Seven Thematic Pillars of the Draft Policy

1. National accounting framework for the Blue Economy and ocean governance
2. Coastal marine spatial planning and tourism
3. Marine fisheries, aquaculture and fish processing
4. Manufacturing, emerging industries, trade, technology, services and skill development
5. Logistics, infrastructure and shipping, including trans-shipment
6. Coastal and deep-sea mining and offshore energy
7. Security, strategic dimensions and international engagement

Policy Objectives

The draft policy aims to enhance the Blue Economy's contribution to India's GDP, improve the lives of coastal communities, preserve marine biodiversity, and maintain the security of the nation's marine areas and resources.

Related National Policies & Schemes

• Sagarmala Programme (2015) — port-led development, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) — fisheries sector development, Department of Fisheries.
• O-SMART Scheme — MoES umbrella scheme for ocean services, modelling, applications, resources and technology.
• Deep Ocean Mission (2021) — deep-sea exploration and technology mission.
• National Fisheries Policy — sustainable fisheries management (content to be updated from official sources for the current consolidated policy text).

Phased Implementation — Deep Ocean Mission

The Deep Ocean Mission was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs at an estimated overall cost of ₹4,077 crore over five years (2021–2026), to be implemented in a phase-wise manner. Phase I (2021–2024) was allocated approximately ₹2,823.4 crore. The mission is structured around six major themes, including deep-sea mineral mining technologies, a manned submersible (Matsya 6000) rated to 6,000 m depth developed with NIOT and ISRO/VSSC, ocean climate change advisory services, deep ocean biodiversity exploration, and ocean energy & desalination research.

Milestones

SAGAR Doctrine

SAGAR — Security and Growth for All in the Region — is India's maritime strategic doctrine, articulating a vision of a peaceful, stable and rules-based Indian Ocean Region. It underpins India's approach to regional maritime security cooperation, capacity building, and Blue Economy partnerships with Indian Ocean littoral and island states.

Regional Platforms

• Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) — India is a member state of this regional intergovernmental organisation promoting cooperation on the Blue Economy, maritime safety and security, fisheries management, and disaster risk reduction among Indian Ocean rim countries.
• Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) — an India-led initiative for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, with pillars including marine ecology, maritime security, and Blue Economy cooperation.
• Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) — a regional forum for maritime security cooperation among Indian Ocean littoral navies.

Global Engagement

• UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) — India participates in this global initiative to strengthen ocean science for sustainable development.
• International Seabed Authority (ISA) — India holds an exploration contract for polymetallic nodules in the Central Indian Ocean Basin.
• Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC-UNESCO) — India engages on ocean observation and early-warning systems, including through INCOIS.

Bilateral & Multilateral Blue Economy Cooperation

India has pursued Blue Economy-related dialogues and cooperation frameworks with several partner countries and groupings. A comprehensive, current list of bilateral MoUs and joint working groups is to be updated from official MoES / Ministry of External Affairs sources.