About National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)
- Established in 1998 as an autonomous R&D institute, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
- Formerly known as the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR).
- Location: Vasco da Gama, Goa.
Mandate and Functions
- Nodal agency for Planning and executing polar expeditions in the Antarctic, Arctic, Southern Ocean, and Himalayas.
- Coordinating scientific research and logistics in polar and oceanic domains.
- Also works on strategically vital projects like: Mapping of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Continental shelf surveys, and the Deep Ocean Mission.
- Maintains a Research Advisory Committee (RAC) for scientific guidance.
About Polar Bhavan and Sagar Bhavan
- Polar Bhavan, the largest facility on the NCPOR campus, covers 11,378 sq. m and was built at a cost of ₹55 crore.
- It includes state-of-the-art laboratories, 55 rooms for scientists, conference halls, a library, and the new Science on Sphere (SOS) 3D earth systems visualisation platform.
- It will house India’s first Polar and Ocean Museum for public scientific outreach.
- Sagar Bhavan spans 1,772 sq. m and costs ₹13 crore.
- It includes two -30°C ice core laboratories, +4°C storage units for archiving sediment and biological samples, and a Class 1000 metal-free clean room for trace metal and isotope analysis.
India’s Expanding Polar Footprint
- NCPOR maintains India’s research presence in: Antarctica (Stations: Maitri and Bharati), Arctic (Station: Himadri), and Himalayas (Station: Himansh).
- India’s Arctic Policy (2022) and Indian Antarctic Act (2022) were cited as key legislative frameworks for science-led and environmentally responsible polar engagement, aligned with international obligations.
