How INS Nistar Empowers India’s Navy: 9 Key Highlights Every Aspirant Must Know
📝 Introduction – Want to Stay Ahead in Your Exams? Here’s a Must-Know Defence Update!
If you’re preparing for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, CDS, or Defence Services, this major current affairs update is for you!
India has taken a big leap in strengthening its naval power with the launch and upcoming commissioning of its first indigenously designed Diving Support Vessel (DSV) – INS Nistar.
This advanced warship, built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam, is not just a symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat but a strategic asset that will boost India’s submarine rescue capability. It will play a crucial role in emergency missions and deep-sea diving operations.
Let’s dive deep into this topic and break it down in a simple and exam-friendly manner!
✅ Event Summary – What Happened and When?
- What? India has delivered its first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel (DSV) named INS Nistar to the Indian Navy.
- When? The delivery was done on July 8, 2025, and it will be officially commissioned on July 18, 2025, at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam.
- Who built it? Public sector unit Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL).
- Who will attend the commissioning? Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to attend the commissioning ceremony as a chief guest.
✅ Why It Matters – Why Is INS Nistar Important for India?
- Strengthening Self-Reliance: Nearly 75% of INS Nistar’s components have been developed within the country, with contributions from more than 120 Indian MSMEs. This showcases India’s growing capability in defence manufacturing and reflects the country’s commitment to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India missions.
- Critical Rescue Capability: INS Nistar will act as a ‘mother ship’ for the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV), helping in rescue missions when submarines face underwater emergencies.
- Strategic Asset: This warship enhances India’s preparedness in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), strengthening its naval strategy.
- Global Status: Very few navies in the world possess such advanced Diving Support Vessels. With INS Nistar, India joins that elite group.
✅ Background & Context – A Look Into the Past
- What is a Diving Support Vessel (DSV)?
It is a special type of ship that supports deep-sea diving missions and helps in submarine rescue operations. It carries diving equipment, medical facilities, and underwater robots. - What is a DSRV (Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle)?
This is a mini-submarine that can rescue sailors from sunken submarines. It is launched from the DSV and can dive deep underwater to reach the distressed submarine. - History of INS Nistar Name:
The name “Nistar” has been brought back with this new vessel, paying tribute to an earlier submarine rescue ship acquired from the USSR in 1969 and inducted into service in 1971. That original Nistar served the Indian Navy for almost 20 years.
✅ Key Features of INS Nistar
| Feature | Details |
| 🔷 Length | Approx. 118 metres |
| ⚓ Tonnage | Nearly 10,000 tonnes |
| 🔧 Indigenous Content | Over 75% (Made in India) |
| 🌊 Diving Capability | Up to 300 metres (Saturation Diving) |
| 🤿 Side Diving Stage | Diving support up to 75 metres |
| 🤖 ROV Operations | Salvage and diver monitoring up to 1000 metres |
| 🏥 Medical Facility | Operation theatre, ICU, 8-bed hospital, hyperbaric chamber |
| 🚁 Helicopter Operations | Can support helicopter landing |
| 🔄 Dynamic Positioning System | Maintains exact position during operations |
| 🧳 Endurance | Can stay at sea for over 60 days |
| 🏗️ Subsea Crane | 15-ton capacity |
✅ Key Takeaways for Exams
- Full Form of DSV: Diving Support Vessel
- INS Nistar’s Function: Serves as the primary support vessel for DSRV operations, enabling submarine rescue and deep-sea diving missions.
- Builder: Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam
- Induction Date: July 18, 2025
- The Indian Navy currently operates two Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRVs) acquired from the United Kingdom, stationed at Mumbai and Visakhapatnam respectively
- Indian DSRVs are capable of diving up to a depth of 650 metres and can stay underwater for as long as 10 hours.
- First Nistar Inducted: In 1971, decommissioned after two decades
✅ Impact on Aspirants – Why You Should Remember This?
- Possible GS & Defence Exam Topic:
This topic can be directly asked in Static GK or Current Affairs sections in UPSC, CDS, NDA, CAPF, SSC, Railways, etc. - Essay & Interview Use:
Use this as an example while talking about India’s defence modernization, Make in India, or strategic maritime strength. - Map Questions:
Know Visakhapatnam’s location on India’s map – often asked in map-based questions.
🎯 Pro Tip – Easy Way to Remember
Use this short line:
“Nistar = Naval Rescue Star!”
This will help you recall that INS Nistar is a rescue ship for submarines in exam pressure situations.
❓ Did You Know?
- 🚢 Only a handful of navies in the world have indigenously built DSVs.
- 🛠️ Over 120 small Indian companies (MSMEs) helped in building INS Nistar.
- 💡 The ship proudly carries the motto “Surakshita Yatharthta Shauryam,” which translates to Deliverance with Accuracy and Courage.
- 🧠 “Nistar” is derived from Sanskrit and signifies rescue, deliverance, or freedom.
✅ True or False? Quick Quiz for Practice
- INS Nistar was commissioned in Mumbai.
🔘 True ❌ 🔘 False ✅ - INS Nistar has 100% foreign components.
🔘 True ❌ 🔘 False ✅ - The vessel is equipped to carry out saturation diving operations at depths of up to 300 metres.
🔘 True ✅ 🔘 False ❌ - Nistar will tow a submarine.
🔘 True ❌ 🔘 False ✅ (It tows DSRV, not submarines) - DSRVs are used for oil exploration.
🔘 True ❌ 🔘 False ✅
Score Key:
✅ 5/5 = Excellent!
✅ 4/5 = Good, revise once.
✅ Below 4? Re-read the article above. 😉
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INS Nistar is a proud milestone in India’s journey toward becoming self-reliant in defence manufacturing. As a student or aspirant, staying updated with such important national developments gives you an extra edge in exams and interviews.
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