India signs second PMS exploration contract with ISA for Carlsberg Ridge
India signed a 15-year contract with the International Seabed Authority in New Delhi on 15 September 2025 to explore polymetallic sulphides in 10,000 sq km of the Carlsberg Ridge, becoming the first country with two PMS contracts.
Summary
India signed a 15-year contract with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in New Delhi on 15 September 2025 for exclusive rights to explore polymetallic sulphides (PMS) in the Carlsberg Ridge in the Indian Ocean. The contract covers an allotted area of 10,000 sq km. With this, India became the first country to hold two ISA contracts for PMS exploration; the earlier one, signed in 2016, covers the Central Indian Ridge and the Southwest Indian Ridge. India now holds the largest area allocated for PMS exploration in the international seabed. Ministry of Earth Sciences Secretary M. Ravichandran said the contract was signed by MoES and its autonomous institute, the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa. The ISA, which regulates mineral exploration in the international seabed, is based in Jamaica.
Key facts
- Signed
- 15 Sep 2025, New Delhi
- Term / area
- 15 years; 10,000 sq km of the Carlsberg Ridge, Indian Ocean
- First
- India is the first country with two ISA PMS exploration contracts
- Earlier PMS contract
- 2016, Central Indian Ridge and Southwest Indian Ridge
- Indian agency
- MoES, through NCPOR Goa
- ISA
- Jamaica-based UN body regulating international seabed minerals
Practice MCQs 3 questions
India's second contract with the International Seabed Authority for polymetallic sulphides exploration, signed on 15 September 2025, covers an area in which feature of the Indian Ocean?
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Correct answer: C — Carlsberg Ridge
The 15-year contract gives India exclusive rights to explore polymetallic sulphides in an allotted 10,000 sq km area of the Carlsberg Ridge.
Consider the following statements about India's PMS exploration contract with the ISA signed in September 2025: 1. India became the first country to hold two ISA contracts for polymetallic sulphides exploration. 2. The contract is valid for 30 years. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: India is the first country with two ISA PMS contracts (the earlier, from 2016, covers the Central and Southwest Indian Ridges). Statement 2 is incorrect: the contract is for 15 years.
The International Seabed Authority, with which India signed its second PMS exploration contract, is based in which country?
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Correct answer: B — Jamaica
The International Seabed Authority, the UN body that regulates mineral exploration in international seabed areas, is based in Jamaica.