Published: 10 September 2025PIBGeneral
Rajnath Singh Flags Off 'Samudra Pradakshina' — First All-Women Tri-Service Circumnavigation
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually flagged off 'Samudra Pradakshina', the world's first Tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition, from Mumbai's Gateway of India on September 11, 2025. Ten women officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force will sail aboard the indigenous 50-foot yacht IASV Triveni, built in Puducherry.
Led by Lt Col Anuja Varudkar and Squadron Leader Shraddha P. Raju, the crew will cover 26,000+ nautical miles over 9 months, crossing the Equator twice and rounding Capes Leeuwin, Horn, and Good Hope, with port calls at Fremantle, Lyttelton, Port Stanley, and Cape Town before returning to Mumbai in May 2026. Singh described it as 'a glowing symbol of Nari Shakti'.
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Q: Discuss the significance of 'Samudra Pradakshina', the first tri-service all-women circumnavigation flagged off by Rajnath Singh, for Nari Shakti and India's maritime outreach.
Answer (50 words):
On September 11, 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually flagged off Samudra Pradakshina from Mumbai's Gateway of India—the world's first tri-service all-women circumnavigation. Ten officers from Army, Navy and Air Force sail the indigenous 50-foot yacht IASV Triveni, covering 26,000-plus nautical miles in nine months, returning May 2026.
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Linked questionMedium
ICGS Samudra Pratap, commissioned in December 2025, is India's first indigenously built what?
Explanation · Correct answer DICGS Samudra Pratap is India's first indigenously designed and built Pollution Control Vessel, commissioned at Goa Shipyard Limited.
Frequently asked questions
What is 'Samudra Pradakshina' flagged off by Rajnath Singh?
**Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off 'Samudra Pradakshina' — world's first Tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition — from Mumbai's Gatew**. 'Samudra Pradakshina' is the **first all-women tri-service circumnavigation** of the globe, flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Why is Samudra Pradakshina a historic mission for the Indian armed forces?
**Ten women officers from Army, Navy, and Air Force will sail aboard indigenous 50-foot yacht IASV Triveni, built in Puducherry**. It is the first time all three services — Army, Navy, and Air Force — have sent an all-women team for a global circumnavigation.
Who comprises the crew of the Samudra Pradakshina circumnavigation?
**Led by Lt Col Anuja Varudkar and Squadron Leader Shraddha P. Raju**. The all-women tri-service crew represents the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force in this historic global voyage.
What is the significance of India's first all-women tri-service circumnavigation?
**Crew will cover 26,000+ nautical miles over 9 months, crossing the Equator twice and rounding Capes Leeuwin, Horn, and Good Hope**. The mission demonstrates gender inclusion in India's armed forces and showcases women's capability in demanding military expeditions.
Who flagged off Samudra Pradakshina and from where did it start?
**Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off Samudra Pradakshina**. **Port calls at Fremantle, Lyttelton, Port Stanley, and Cape Town before returning to Mumbai in May 2026**.
