On July 22, 2026, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh flagged-in 'Samudra Pradakshina', India's first-ever tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition. Aboard the indigenously built 50-foot vessel IASV Triveni, nine women officers representing the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force successfully completed a 314-day global voyage. Departing Mumbai on September 11, 2025, the crew covered roughly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans, crossing the Equator twice, traversing the International Date Line, and rounding the Three Great Capes. The mission highlights India's maritime capability, joint military synergy, and women-led development.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh officially flagged-in the historic 'Samudra Pradakshina' expedition via video conferencing. Nine women officers from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force safely returned to Mumbai aboard the 50-foot sailboat IASV Triveni. Over 314 days, the team navigated harsh oceanic environments without external propulsion, relying on wind power and precise navigation.
The expedition began in Mumbai on September 11, 2025, and concluded at the same port on July 22, 2026. The vessel covered 25,500 nautical miles across the Indian, Pacific, Southern, and Atlantic Oceans, stopping at strategic international ports for logistics and diplomacy.
1. Preparation: The officers underwent two years of rigorous theoretical, physical, and tactical navigation training.
2. Execution: Sailing onboard IASV Triveni, the crew navigated using nautical charts and wind power while managing all shipboard emergencies independently.
3. Route Adherence: To fulfill formal global circumnavigation standards, the vessel crossed the Equator twice, crossed all longitudes, and rounded the Three Great Capes.
4. Shore Support: A 24/7 dedicated shore-based tracking unit provided continuous meteorological and navigational support.
📌 [BACKGROUND — verify independently]
📌 [BACKGROUND — verify independently]
Global maritime circumnavigation under sail is one of the rarest human achievements, with fewer than 200 individuals completing solo voyages worldwide. India is among a tiny group of nations whose military forces have organized all-women tri-service circumnavigations on indigenously built sailing vessels.
Core Concept: Maritime Circumnavigation & Ocean Geography
Q1. What was the name of the sailing vessel used in the 'Samudra Pradakshina' tri-service all-women circumnavigation expedition? [Easy]
A) INSV Tarini
B) IASV Triveni
C) INSV Mhadei
D) INSV Vikrant
Answer: B
Explanation: The expedition was completed aboard the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni, an indigenously built 50-foot sailboat.
Q2. On which date was the 'Samudra Pradakshina' expedition officially flagged-in by the Raksha Mantri? [Easy]
A) September 11, 2025
B) January 26, 2026
C) July 22, 2026
D) August 15, 2026
Answer: C
Explanation: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh flagged-in the successful expedition on July 22, 2026.
Q3. Which of the following capes is NOT traditionally included among the 'Three Great Capes' rounded during standard maritime circumnavigations? [Moderate]
A) Cape Horn
B) Cape Leeuwin
C) Cape of Good Hope
D) Cape Comorin
Answer: D
Explanation: The Three Great Capes rounded in circumnavigation are Cape Leeuwin (Australia), Cape Horn (South America), and Cape of Good Hope (Africa). Cape Comorin is the southernmost tip of mainland India.
Q4. The crew members of IASV Triveni gained membership into the prestigious fraternity of 'Cape Horners' after successfully navigating through which hazardous maritime passage? [Moderate]
A) Strait of Malacca
B) Drake Passage
C) Bering Strait
D) Strait of Gibraltar
Answer: B
Explanation: Navigating the severe waters of the Drake Passage and rounding Cape Horn earned the crew membership in the International Fraternity of Cape Horners.
Q5. How many total ocean nautical miles were covered approximately by the crew of IASV Triveni during their 314-day voyage? [Moderate]
A) 12,500 nautical miles
B) 18,000 nautical miles
C) 25,500 nautical miles
D) 35,000 nautical miles
Answer: C
Explanation: The crew traversed approximately 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans during their 314-day voyage.
Q6. Consider the requirements fulfilled by 'Samudra Pradakshina' to qualify as an internationally recognized maritime circumnavigation. Which of the following conditions is/are necessary? [Tricky]
1. Crossing all meridians of longitude.
2. Crossing the Equator at least twice.
3. Rounding all Three Great Capes.
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Explanation: According to international sailing criteria, a recognized circumnavigation must cross all longitudes, cross the Equator twice, and round Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn, and Cape of Good Hope.
Q7. Which structural feature distinguished 'Samudra Pradakshina' from previous Indian ocean sailing missions like Navika Sagar Parikrama I? [Tricky]
A) It was the first mission to use an indigenously built vessel.
B) It was a Tri-Service mission comprising officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
C) It was the first time an Indian vessel crossed the Equator.
D) It was a solo non-stop sailing expedition without any port calls.
Answer: B
Explanation: While Navika Sagar Parikrama I was an all-women Indian Navy mission, 'Samudra Pradakshina' was the first-ever Tri-Service all-women circumnavigation involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force together.
Q8. What was the exact duration and start date of the 'Samudra Pradakshina' voyage? [Tricky]
A) 250 days, starting October 2, 2025
B) 314 days, starting September 11, 2025
C) 365 days, starting July 22, 2025
D) 300 days, starting August 15, 2025
Answer: B
Explanation: The voyage lasted 314 days, having been flagged off on September 11, 2025, from Mumbai.
PYQ 1:
With reference to the Indian military sailing vessel IASV Triveni, consider the following statement: It is an indigenously built sailboat used in India's first tri-service all-women circumnavigation expedition. Which armed forces branch owns this vessel designation?
A) Indian Navy
B) Indian Army
C) Indian Air Force
D) Indian Coast Guard
Answer: B
Explanation: IASV stands for Indian Army Sailing Vessel, reflecting its administrative ownership by the Indian Army while carrying a tri-service crew.
PYQ 2:
Consider the following statements regarding the 'Samudra Pradakshina' expedition:
1. The expedition was conducted aboard the sailboat IASV Triveni.
2. The crew comprised exclusively Indian Navy women officers.
3. The route required crossing the International Date Line and the Equator twice.
Which of the above statements are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C
Explanation: Statement 2 is incorrect because the crew was a tri-service team including officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, not exclusively the Navy. Statements 1 and 3 are correct.
PYQ 3:
Assertion (A): Tri-service expeditions like 'Samudra Pradakshina' serve as practical force multipliers for the Indian Armed Forces.
Reason (R): Living and operating together on extended missions fosters inter-service jointness, operational interoperability, and shared leadership.
A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B) Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
C) A is true, but R is false.
D) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: A
Explanation: Inter-service jointness built during long high-risk joint missions directly enhances joint operational efficiency and acts as a strategic force multiplier.
Question 1 (150 words): Discuss how the 'Samudra Pradakshina' expedition reflects the advancing role of women in the Indian Armed Forces and contributes to inter-service synergy.
The completion of the 314-day 'Samudra Pradakshina' expedition on July 22, 2026, marks a pivotal milestone in India's defence history. Featuring nine women officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force aboard IASV Triveni, the mission covered 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans, navigating extreme environments like the Drake Passage.
From a gender integration perspective, the expedition moves beyond symbolic representation, showcasing women military personnel leading high-risk operational missions demanding peak physical endurance and technical expertise.
Simultaneously, as India transitions toward Integrated Theatre Commands, the tri-service composition of the crew demonstrates practical jointness. By training together for nearly two years and operating seamlessly for ten months at sea, the officers proved that inter-service interoperability functions effectively at tactical levels. 'Samudra Pradakshina' serves as a benchmark for both Nari Shakti and military synergy.
Question 2 (250 words): Analyze the strategic, diplomatic, and technological significance of indigenously executed ocean sailing expeditions for India's maritime posture.
India's maritime strategy relies not only on naval fleet expansion but also on developing a robust maritime consciousness and demonstrating self-reliance. The successful flagging-in of 'Samudra Pradakshina' on July 22, 2026, underlines this multi-dimensional capability.
Technologically, executing a 25,500 nautical mile circumnavigation aboard IASV Triveni—an indigenously built 50-foot vessel—validates India's domestic boatbuilding and marine engineering standards under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Navigating extreme latitudes and rough ocean passages like Cape Horn confirms the structural integrity and design efficiency of Indian sail craft.
Diplomatically, the voyage highlights the utility of naval diplomacy. Port calls across different continents enabled IASV Triveni to act as a "floating ambassador," projecting India's soft power, cultural heritage, and commitment to peaceful maritime order. This soft diplomacy reinforces India's stance as a preferred security partner in the Indian Ocean Region.
Strategically, long-distance ocean sailing builds foundational seamanship, meteorology, and navigation skills among military officers. In an era where multi-domain warfare requires cross-service coordination, deploying a combined Army, Navy, and Air Force crew builds operational jointness necessary for modern military integration.
To maximize these gains, India must continue institutionalizing joint adventurous expeditions, integrating maritime heritage into civil-military outreach, and leveraging indigenous marine technologies for broader economic and security objectives.