Two scientists from a top ocean institute will pilot a 28-tonne indigenously built manned submersible up to 500 metres deep off Chennai coast early next year, marking India's entry in the coveted group of select countries with such capabilities.

India's own aquanauts – Ramesh Raju and Jatinder Pal Singh – from the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) will pilot the Matsya-6000 to unravel the mysteries of the ocean as part of India's Deep Ocean Mission.

"We have explored the ocean bed at greater depths using remotely operated vehicles. This is for the first time we will be sending humans at a depth of 6,000 metres and safety is paramount for this mission," Balaji Ramakrishnan, Director, NIOT, said.

India's Samudrayaan project, spearheaded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is al

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