Samudra Pradakshina: first Tri-service all-women circumnavigation completed
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 22 July 2026 virtually flagged in 'Samudra Pradakshina', the first-ever Tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition, as nine women officers aboard IASV Triveni returned to Mumbai after a 314-day voyage of nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans.
Summary
Samudra Pradakshina was flagged off from Mumbai on 11 September 2025. The IASV Triveni crew met all international criteria for a circumnavigation â crossing all meridians, crossing the Equator twice, crossing the International Date Line and rounding the Three Great Capes: Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope. Passing through the Drake Passage and rounding Cape Horn earned the nine officers membership of the fraternity of Cape Horners. Rajnath Singh called the voyage a testament to Nari Shakti and Tri-service jointness.
Key facts
- Expedition
- Samudra Pradakshina â first Tri-service all-women circumnavigation
- Vessel
- Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni
- Crew
- Nine women officers of the three Services
- Duration / distance
- 314 days; ~25,500 nautical miles; four oceans
- Flag-off / flag-in
- 11 Sept 2025 / 22 July 2026, Mumbai
- Three Great Capes
- Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn, Cape of Good Hope
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Which vessel carried the 'Samudra Pradakshina' Tri-service all-women circumnavigation expedition that returned to Mumbai in July 2026?
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Correct answer: A â IASV Triveni
Nine women officers sailed aboard the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni.
How long did the Samudra Pradakshina circumnavigation voyage last?
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Correct answer: D â 314 days
The voyage lasted 314 days and covered nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans.
Rounding which cape earned the Samudra Pradakshina crew membership of the 'Cape Horners' fraternity?
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Correct answer: C â Cape Horn
Passing through the Drake Passage and rounding Cape Horn earned the crew membership of the Cape Horners.
Consider the following statements about 'Samudra Pradakshina': 1. The expedition was flagged off from Mumbai on 11 September 2025. 2. The crew consisted of nine women officers from the three Services. 3. The crew crossed the Equator only once during the voyage. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B â 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: meeting the circumnavigation criteria required crossing the Equator twice.