Cabinet approves 'Samudra Manthan' National Offshore Exploration Scheme with Rs 84,084 crore outlay
On 31 July 2026 the Union Cabinet approved 'Samudra Manthan', a Central Sector Scheme of the Petroleum Ministry with an outlay of Rs 84,084 crore up to FY 2030-31 to boost offshore oil and gas exploration.
Summary
The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi approved 'Samudra Manthan' – the National Offshore Exploration Scheme of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas – with an outlay of Rs 84,084 crore for implementation up to FY 2030–31. It covers seismic data acquisition, deepwater and ultra-deepwater exploratory drilling, scientific drilling in frontier basins, common offshore infrastructure and an integrated Oil & Gas Manufacturing and Services Zone. The scheme is expected to add reserves of over 600 million metric tonnes of oil equivalent (MMTOE). It follows the PM's Independence Day 2025 call for a modern-day Samudra Manthan.
Key facts
- Scheme
- Samudra Manthan – National Offshore Exploration Scheme
- Type
- Central Sector Scheme
- Ministry
- Petroleum & Natural Gas
- Outlay
- Rs 84,084 crore
- Period
- Up to FY 2030–31
- Expected reserve accretion
- Over 600 MMTOE
- Origin
- PM's Independence Day 2025 speech from Red Fort
Practice MCQs 4 questions
In July 2026 the Union Cabinet approved 'Samudra Manthan'. What is this scheme about?
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Correct answer: D — National offshore oil and gas exploration
Samudra Manthan is the National Offshore Exploration Scheme of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, approved on 31 July 2026.
What is the approved outlay of the Samudra Manthan scheme approved in July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Rs 84,084 crore
The Cabinet approved Samudra Manthan with an outlay of Rs 84,084 crore for implementation up to FY 2030–31.
Consider the following statements about the Samudra Manthan scheme (July 2026): 1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented through state governments. 2. It is expected to catalyse reserve accretion of over 600 MMTOE. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Samudra Manthan is a Central Sector Scheme (not Centrally Sponsored) of the Petroleum Ministry; it is expected to catalyse reserve accretion of over 600 MMTOE.
The 'Samudra Manthan' scheme approved in July 2026 translates a vision first articulated by the Prime Minister on which occasion?
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Correct answer: D — Independence Day 2025 from the Red Fort
The scheme translates the Prime Minister's vision, articulated from the Red Fort on Independence Day 2025, of a modern-day Samudra Manthan.