Sri Vijaya Puram | January 19, 2026
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, on January 17 visited the Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands (ACOSTI) at Dollygunj.
Dr Singh, who is also MoS Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, launched and reviewed key marine science and technology initiatives aiming to strengthen the Blue Economy and boost livelihoods in the islands.
Addressing scientists, officials and stakeholders, the Minister emphasised that India’s future economic value addition will increasingly come from under-explored marine resources as the nation advances toward becoming one of the world’s top economies. He said the government’s strong focus on the Blue Economy reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that national development must include island and coastal regions, not just the mainland.
Dr Singh highlighted the Deep Ocean Mission, noting it was a matter of pride that the Prime Minister announced the mission twice from the Red Fort, underlining the government’s commitment to harnessing marine resources. He said the Blue Economy will play a decisive role in employment generation, exports, environmental sustainability and overall economic resilience.
During the programme, the Minister showcased key initiatives including the pilot-scale open sea cage culture of marine fish and large-scale seaweed cultivation — with technology transfer already completed under a “whole-of-government, whole-of-society” approach. He said certain marine species and coastal conditions unique to the Andaman & Nicobar region make it ideal for these projects.
Dr Singh spoke at length about integrating biotechnology with ocean sciences, pointing to India’s dedicated biotechnology policy, BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment). He said marine bio-resources can provide biodegradable alternatives to plastic, new medicinal compounds and high-value bio-products, which will generate employment, protect the environment and strengthen the bioeconomy simultaneously.
The Minister also highlighted emerging sectors such as non-animal food products, alternative marine-based nutrition, waste-to-wealth technologies and export-oriented marine produce, noting growing global demand, particularly in Europe. He stressed the importance of enhancing participation by Self-Help Groups and women so that these initiatives supplement household incomes and contribute to the government’s “Vocal for Local” and “Local for Global” vision.
Concluding his address, Dr Singh appreciated the enthusiasm of scientists and local stakeholders and said that with strong institutional collaboration — including potential involvement of the CSIR and biotechnology research centres — the islands can emerge as a major hub for India’s Blue Economy. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to sustained engagement with the region, confident that these initiatives will yield long-term scientific, environmental and socio-economic benefits for the islands.
The event at ACOSTI — a unit of the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences — was attended by Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands; Dr M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences; senior officials of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration; scientists; and representatives of local departments and Self-Help Groups.
