It is a diesel-electric attack submarine which was designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS and manufactured at Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai.

[16] The submarine inherits its name and pennant number from INS Khanderi (S22) which served in the Navy from 1968–1989, and was named after Maratha Emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's island fort of Khanderi.

The construction started on 7 April 2009 at Mazagon Dock's Yard number Y11876 with the steel cutting ceremony.

The submarine was launched in the presence of Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba and other dignitaries on 12 January 2017.

During the sortie, Rajnath Singh was showcased the offensive capabilities of the submarine types through a wide range of operational drills with the submarine demonstrating the advanced sensor suite, combat system and weapon capability which provides it a distinct advantage in the subsurface domain.