During Antarctica Day celebrations on 1 December 2025 in Vasco da Gama, Goa, the Hon’ble Governor noted that the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) has emerged as the cornerstone of India’s polar and ocean exploration efforts. 

About National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)

• Establishment: It was set up on 25 May 1998 as an autonomous Research and Development institution dedicated to polar and ocean studies.
• Former Name: The organisation was earlier known as the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR).
• Nodal Ministry: NCPOR functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.
• Location: Its headquarters is situated in Vasco da Gama, Goa.

Key Responsibilities of NCPOR

• Research Stations Management: The centre has established and operates India’s permanent research stations Maitri and Bharati in Antarctica; Himadri in the Arctic; and Himansh in the Himalayas.
• Facilitating Scientific Research: The organisation provides support and coordination for research activities undertaken by national institutions in Antarctica, the Arctic, and the Southern Ocean sector of the Indian Ocean.
• Research Vessel Operations: It manages the Ministry’s research vessel ORV Sagar Kanya which serves as a versatile ocean-observation platform equipped with advanced scientific instruments.
• Geoscientific Surveys: NCPOR leads geoscientific studies of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and extended continental shelf beyond 200 metres depth.
• Deep-Sea Exploration: It plays a major role in deep-sea drilling projects in the Arabian Sea under the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) and in the exploration of oceanic non-living resources such as gas hydrates and polymetallic sulphides found along mid-ocean ridges.

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Institutional Framework

• Governing Body: 
• • Composition: The Governing Body consists of 13 members representing national leadership across polar and ocean sciences, research, education, and administration.
  • Chairperson: The Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences serves as the ex-officio Chairperson.
  • Administration: The Director is responsible for planning, administration, and execution of R&D activities, while the Head/In-charge of Administration functions as the Member-Secretary.
• Research Advisory Committee (RAC): This committee provides strategic guidance and scientific direction to NCPOR’s research activities.

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