In September 2025, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD) virtually flagged-off ‘Samudra Pradakshina’, world’s 1st ever tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition from the Gateway of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Key Dignitaries: General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS); General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff (CoAS); Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi (CoNS); and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of Air Force Staff (CAS), were also present at the virtual launch of the voyage.
Exam Hints:
- What? Flagging-off world’s 1st ever tri-service sailing expedition
- Expedition Name: Samudra Pradakshina
- Flagged-off by: Union Minister Rajnath Singh, MoD
- From Where? The Gateway of India (Mumbai, Maharashtra)
- Vessel Name: IASV Triveni
- Distance: Over 21,600 nautical miles
- Crew: 10 members including IA (5), IAF (4) and IN (1)
- 4 Port Calls: Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Canada) and Cape Town (SA).
- Expedition Leader: (Lt.) Colonel Anuja Varudkar
- Expedition Dy-Leader: Squadron Leader Shraddha P. Raju
About Samudra Pradakshina:
Overview: This circumnavigation will follow the strict rules laid out by the World Sailing Speed Record Council. It is required to cross all longitudes, Equators and completion of more than 21,600 nautical miles under sail alone.
Crew: The expedition comprises 10 women officers, including 5 women officers from Indian Army (IA), 1 woman officer from Indian Navy (IN) and remaining 4 women officers from Indian Air Force (IAF).
Sailing Vessel: The expedition will sail onboard the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni, a 50 foot- Class A yacht indigenously-built vessel in Puducherry.
Time Period: The expedition will sail over the next 9 months and will finally culminate at Mumbai in May 2026.
Crossing 3 Great Capes: The team will cross the equator twice and sail around the 3 Great Capes i.e. Cape Leeuwin (in Australia); Cape Horn (in South America) and the Cape of Good Hope (in South Africa, SA).
Port Calls: During the expedition, team will make 4 international port calls at Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Canada) and Cape Town (South Africa, SA).
Leader & Deputy Leader: The 10-member crew will be led by Lieutenant (Lt.) Colonel Anuja Varudkar; while, Squadron Leader Shraddha P. Raju, will be the Deputy (Dy) leader for this sailing expedition.
Scientific Research: The team will conduct scientific research including the study of microplastics, documentation of ocean life, and raising awareness about marine health; in partnership with the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO).
Navika Sagar Parikarma I & II: Navika Sagar Parikarma –I (2017-18) was the 1st ever circumnavigation conducted by the IN with an entirely female crew aboard INSV Tarini.
- Later, IN conducted the 2nd circumnavigation expedition, ‘Navika Sagar Parikarma-II’ from 2024-25 with INSV Tarini.
About Indian Army (IA):
Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) – General Upendra Dwivedi
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established- 1895
Motto- Seva Paramo Dharma (Service Before Self)
