NIOT Announces National Technothon on Innovative Deep-Sea Mining Technology to Engage Young Minds
Chennai:
Port Wings News Network:
The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, on 3 August 2026 announced National Technothon on Innovative Deep-Sea Mining Technology, especially to encourage innovation in deep-ocean technologies, and support Government of India’s vision of building a sustainable Blue Economy under the Deep Ocean Mission. Besides, NIOT also announced two more initiatives, World Ocean Hackathon and Ocean Olympiad India – 2026.
Addressing the gathering during the curtain raiser for these initiatives, Prof. Balaji Ramakrishnan, Director, NIOT, said, “The Deep Sea Mining Technothon has been designed to invite new ideas for innovative, impact-less nodule collection systems. It focuses on two broad problem statements. The first relates to the development of a mining system with an innovative impact-less nodule collection system with vertical riser transport, while the second explores mining systems without vertical riser transport.”
TWO-STAGE CHALLENGE
Technothon has been designed as a two-stage challenge with a cumulative reward pool of up to ₹1.2 crore. In Stage I, participants will develop and demonstrate a Proof of Concept, from which up to four outstanding teams will be selected and awarded ₹5 lakh each. These teams will then advance to Stage II, where they will prepare comprehensive Detailed Project Reports, with up to two teams receiving awards of ₹50 lakh each.
Balaji Ramakrishnan stated: “This is not a conventional competition. It is a national technology challenge. It invites start-ups, MSMEs, industries, academic & research institutions to think beyond incremental improvements. We are asking participants to imagine systems that can operate in one of the most difficult environments on Earth, while also respecting the fragile ecology of the deep sea.
The Technothon is also important because it helps bridge the gap between concept and prototype. By encouraging structured outputs such as engineering designs, feasibility thinking, risk analysis and detailed project reports, it can help convert promising ideas into practical technology pathways. Through this initiative, NIOT seeks to build a larger national innovation ecosystem around deep-sea mining technology.”
WORLD OCEAN HACKATHON 2026
Balaji Ramakrishnan stated: “The second initiative is the World Ocean Hackathon 2026. This is a highly relevant platform in today’s world, where data, digital tools and interdisciplinary collaboration are transforming the way we understand and manage the ocean. The Ocean Hackathon is a global initiative coordinated by Campus Mondial de la Mer. Since its beginning in 2016, it has connected researchers, students, industry professionals and innovators across different countries to work on real-world ocean challenges.”
“The Chennai edition, hosted by NIOT in collaboration with St. Joseph’s College of Engineering, Chennai, will provide Indian participants with a unique opportunity to be part of a globally connected ocean innovation platform. The Hackathon is designed as a 48-hour intensive event, where multidisciplinary teams work on specific challenges using marine and maritime datasets. The aim is to develop concepts, tools, early-stage models and practical approaches that can address real problems in the marine domain,” added Balaji Ramakrishnan.
“The winning team from the Chennai edition will be sponsored to participate in the International Grand Finale in Brest, France. Additionally, the Chennai edition will recognise outstanding teams through cash awards of ₹50,000 for the 1st Runner-up and ₹25,000 for the 2nd Runner-up. The global finale at Brest, France, adds another important dimension. It allows selected teams from local editions to present their ideas on an international platform. For Indian participants, this is a valuable opportunity to showcase talent, creativity and technological confidence before a global audience, he further added.
OCEAN OLYMPIAD INDIA 2026
Elaborating about the third initiative — Ocean Olympiad India 2026, Balaji Ramakrishnan said: “If the Technothon is about technological innovation, and the Hackathon is about data-driven problem-solving, the Ocean Olympiad is about awareness, literacy and inspiration. It speaks directly to students, especially young learners who may become the future scientists, engineers, policy thinkers, entrepreneurs and ocean leaders of India.”
“OCEAN LITERACY IS CENTRAL TO THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT”
Balaji Ramakrishnan said: “Ocean literacy is no longer a peripheral subject. It is central to the future of sustainable development. Young people must understand why the ocean matters, how it supports life, how it influences climate, how marine ecosystems function, and how technology can help us use ocean resources responsibly.”
“Ocean Olympiad India is open to students of Grade 11 and undergraduate students, excluding those in their final year. The Olympiad encourages participants to explore the exciting fields of ocean science, ocean engineering, and allied technologies, while inspiring them to become future contributors to India’s Blue Economy,” added Balaji Ramakrishnan.
The competition follows a multi-stage process. It begins with online registration and a screening examination. This is followed by further selection rounds, including a qualifier stage and a grand finale. The initiative also carries strong incentives. The Top 5 National Winners will be awarded a fully sponsored educational tour of all prestigious Ministry of Earth Sciences research institutes across the country, funded entirely by NIOT.
Besides distinguished scientists, and faculty members & colleagues from NIOT, Dr. M. Ravichandran, Former Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences and Professor, IIT Madras, and Dr. M.V. Ramanamurthy, Mission Director, Deep Ocean Mission, attended the curtain raiser event.
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