India hosts 8th Annual Contractors' Meeting of International Seabed Authority at CSIR-NIO Goa
The Ministry of Earth Sciences hosted the 8th Annual Contractors' Meeting of the International Seabed Authority at CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, from 18 to 20 September 2025.
Summary
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) hosted the 8th Annual Contractors' Meeting of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) from 18 to 20 September 2025. The meeting was organised locally by CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa, and opened on 18 September. Representatives of 14 ISA exploration contractors from countries including Russia, Japan, China, the Republic of Korea, Germany and France attended, and ISA Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho inaugurated the event. It followed the signing of India's second polymetallic sulphides (PMS) exploration contract with the ISA on 15 September in Delhi, making India the only country to hold two PMS exploration contracts. The ISA was established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to regulate mineral activities in the international seabed area.
Key facts
- Event
- 8th Annual Contractors' Meeting of the ISA
- Dates / venue
- 18–20 September 2025, CSIR-NIO Goa
- Participants
- Representatives of 14 ISA exploration contractors
- ISA Secretary-General
- Leticia Carvalho
- India's distinction
- Only country with two PMS exploration contracts (second signed 15 Sep 2025)
- ISA basis
- Established under UNCLOS
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Which institution locally organised the 8th Annual Contractors' Meeting of the International Seabed Authority held in India in September 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — CSIR-NIO Goa
The meeting, hosted by MoES, was locally organised by CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa, from 18 to 20 September 2025.
Consider the following statements: 1. The International Seabed Authority was established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. 2. India is the only country to hold two polymetallic sulphides (PMS) exploration contracts with the ISA. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The ISA was established under UNCLOS, and the second PMS contract signed on 15 September 2025 made India the only country with two PMS exploration contracts.