President Droupadi Murmu’s Historic Submarine Sea Sortie

President Droupadi Murmu is set to undertake a rare and symbolic submarine sea sortie from Karwar Harbour in Karnataka on December 28. The event forms a key part of her four-day official tour covering Goa, Karnataka, and Jharkhand, and underlines the President’s close engagement with India’s armed forces and strategic institutions.

Submarine Sortie from Karwar Harbour

According to an official statement issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President will embark on the submarine sortie from Karwar Harbour, a major naval base on India’s western coast. With this mission, Murmu will become only the second President of India to undertake a submarine voyage, reflecting the operational confidence and professionalism of the Indian Navy. The last such instance was nearly two decades ago.

Legacy of Presidential Military Engagement

The only other President to have undertaken a submarine sortie was A P J Abdul Kalam, who travelled in a submarine from Visakhapatnam in February 2006. President Murmu has already created history in recent years by becoming the first Indian President to fly in two frontline fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force. She undertook a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet in October 2025 and earlier flew in a Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft in 2023, highlighting her active engagement with the armed forces.

Tour Programme Across Three States

The President will depart for Goa on the evening of December 27 before proceeding to Karnataka for the submarine visit on December 28. After completing her western India engagements, she will travel to Jharkhand. On December 29, Murmu will attend the centenary celebrations of Ol Chiki, the script of the Santhal community, in Jamshedpur. She will also address the 15th convocation ceremony of NIT Jamshedpur on the same day.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• Karwar Harbour hosts one of India’s most strategic naval bases on the west coast.
• A P J Abdul Kalam was the first Indian President to undertake a submarine sortie.
• Droupadi Murmu is the first President to fly both Rafale and Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft.
• Ol Chiki is the script used for the Santhal tribal language.

Cultural and Academic Engagement in Jharkhand

On December 30, the President will attend the Antarrajyiy Jansanskritik Samagam Samaroh and Kartik Jatra in Gumla district, where she is scheduled to address the gathering. The tour reflects a balanced focus on national security, cultural heritage, and higher education, reinforcing the inclusive and representative role of the President across diverse regions of India.