The ship was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata,[1] launched in May 1991, and commissioned in 1994.[1] It is similar in design to the Sandhayak-class survey ships, but with the superstructure positioned amidships and a helipad forward. The vessel is designed to facilitate low noise and low vibration while carrying out acoustic programmes. It has floating floors for scientific laboratories, anti-vibration mountings for machinery and equipment, balloon launching container and wind weather radar to carry out those experiments. It is also equipped with VHF sets, marine radio and auto telephone exchange.[2]
Internally, the ship has eight laboratories for various scientific disciplines, and a mini-operating theatre with medical staff. At the stern is handling equipment for mooring and retrieving oceanographic and acoustic buoys. It can accommodate up to 82 persons, including 16 scientists, and a crew of 8 officers and 58 sailors.[3]