Rajnath Singh flags off 'Samudra Pradakshina', first tri-service all-women circumnavigation
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually flagged off 'Samudra Pradakshina', the world's first tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition, from the Gateway of India, Mumbai on 11 September 2025 aboard IASV Triveni.
Summary
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually flagged off 'Samudra Pradakshina', described as the world's first tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition, from the Gateway of India in Mumbai on 11 September 2025. Ten women officers from the three services will sail aboard the indigenously built Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni on an easterly route of about 26,000 nautical miles over nine months. The crew will cross the Equator twice and round the three great capes, Leeuwin, Horn and Good Hope, passing through the Southern Ocean and the Drake Passage. The team will make four international port calls, including Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand) and Cape Town (South Africa), before returning to Mumbai in May 2026. Rajnath Singh called the voyage a symbol of Nari Shakti, jointness of the three services and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Key facts
- Flag-off
- 11 Sep 2025, Gateway of India, Mumbai (virtually by Rajnath Singh)
- Vessel
- IASV Triveni (indigenous)
- Crew
- 10 women officers from Army, Navy and Air Force
- Route
- Easterly, ~26,000 nautical miles, ~9 months
- Capes
- Leeuwin, Horn, Good Hope
- Return
- Mumbai, May 2026
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Aboard which vessel is the tri-service all-women circumnavigation expedition 'Samudra Pradakshina' being undertaken?
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Correct answer: C — IASV Triveni
Ten women officers are sailing aboard the indigenously built Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni; INSV Tarini was used in the earlier double-handed circumnavigation by two Navy officers.
Which three great capes will the 'Samudra Pradakshina' expedition round?
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Correct answer: A — Leeuwin, Horn and Good Hope
The crew will cross the Equator twice and round the three great Capes: Leeuwin, Horn and Good Hope.
Approximately what distance will the 'Samudra Pradakshina' expedition cover over nine months?
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Correct answer: D — 26,000 nautical miles
The 10 women officers will sail about 26,000 nautical miles on an easterly route over nine months, returning to Mumbai in May 2026.
Consider the following statements about 'Samudra Pradakshina': 1. It was flagged off from Kochi by the Chief of the Naval Staff. 2. The crew comprises women officers from all three services. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged it off virtually from South Block, with the expedition starting from the Gateway of India, Mumbai. Statement 2 is correct: it is a tri-service all-women expedition of 10 officers.