INS Nipun, the Indian Navy’s second indigenous Nistar-class Diving Support Vessel, has been commissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. This note gives the INS Nipun facts and the submarine-rescue background needed for prelims.
Why in News?
The Indian Navy commissioned INS Nipun, a Deep Sea Diving Support Vessel (DSV), at Mumbai.
It is the second ship of the Nistar-class, after INS Nistar (commissioned in 2025 at Visakhapatnam).
INS Nipun: Key Facts for Prelims
- Builder: Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh β a Defence PSU.
- Role: acts as mother ship for Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRVs) for rapid submarine rescue; also supports saturation diving up to about 300 m and salvage operations.
- Around 80% indigenous content; equipped with a remotely operated vehicle, side-scan sonar and a helicopter deck.
- Base: it will serve the Western Naval Command (Mumbai); INS Nistar serves the Eastern Naval Command (Visakhapatnam).
- India acquired two DSRVs from the UK (James Fisher Defence) in 2018β19, making it one of the few navies with integral submarine rescue capability.
Interconnected static points
- Hindustan Shipyard Limited: India’s oldest shipyard (founded 1941 as Scindia Shipyard); transferred to the Ministry of Defence in 2010.
- Naval commands: Western (Mumbai), Eastern (Visakhapatnam), Southern (Kochi β training).
- Navy Day: 4 December (Operation Trident, 1971). Recent inductions: INS Vikrant (indigenous carrier, 2022), INS Arighaat (SSBN, 2024), INS Tamal (last imported frigate, 2025).
- Submarine rescue terminology: DSRV mates with a disabled submarine’s hatch; saturation diving lets divers work at depth for prolonged periods.
Quick Revision Table: INS Nipun
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel | it |
| Class | Nistar-class Diving Support Vessel |
| Order in class | Second (after INS Nistar) |
| Builder | Hindustan Shipyard Ltd, Visakhapatnam |
| Commissioned at | Naval Dockyard, Mumbai |
| Key role | Mother ship for DSRV submarine rescue |
| Indigenous content | About 80% |
Trap / Confusing Points: INS Nipun
| Confusion | Correct Position |
|---|---|
| it was built at Mazagon Dock | No β Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam |
| INS Nipun is a submarine | No β a surface Diving Support Vessel supporting submarine rescue |
| Nistar and Nipun are aircraft carriers | No β DSVs; carriers are Vikrant and Vikramaditya |
| HSL is under the Shipping Ministry | No β under the Ministry of Defence since 2010 |
5 Practice MCQs on it
1. INS Nipun is the second ship of which class?
a. Nilgiri-class
b. Nistar-class
c. Visakhapatnam-class
d. Arnala-class
Ans: B
Explanation: Nistar-class Diving Support Vessels: INS Nistar (2025) and it.
2. INS Nipun was built by:
a. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders
b. Cochin Shipyard
c. Hindustan Shipyard Limited
d. Garden Reach Shipbuilders
Ans: C
Explanation: HSL, Visakhapatnam built both Nistar-class vessels.
3. A Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) is used for:
a. Mine clearance
b. Rescuing crew of a disabled submarine
c. Anti-submarine warfare
d. Oceanographic survey
Ans: B
Explanation: DSRVs mate with a stricken submarine to evacuate its crew.
4. Indian Navy Day is celebrated on 4 December to commemorate:
a. Operation Vijay
b. Operation Trident
c. Operation Cactus
d. Operation Pawan
Ans: B
Explanation: Operation Trident (1971) was the naval attack on Karachi harbour.
5. Hindustan Shipyard Limited is located in:
a. Kochi
b. Kolkata
c. Visakhapatnam
d. Goa
Ans: C
Explanation: HSL is India’s oldest shipyard, at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
Exam tip: Revise it together with the static links above; UPSC and APPSC prelims often frame questions from these interconnections.
To learn current affairs from exam point of view, Click here.
To know more about the commissioning of INS Nipun, Click here.
