About National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research:
- It was established as an autonomous Research and Development Institution on the 25th May 1998.
- It was formerly known as the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR).
- It has been at the forefront of leading India's scientific expeditions and research programmes in the Polar regions and the Southern Ocean.
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences Government of India
- Location: Vasco da Gama, Goa.
- Mandate and Functions of National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research:
- It is designated as the nodal organization for the co-ordination and implementation of the Indian Antarctic Programme, and executing polar expeditions in the Antarctic, Arctic, Southern Ocean, and Himalayas.
- It also works on strategically vital projects like: Mapping of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Continental shelf surveys, and the Deep Ocean Mission.
- It has established and operationalised permanent Indian research stations -- DakshinGangotri, Maitri, and Bharati in Antarctica, and Himadri in the Arctic, along with the Himalayan station Himansh.
