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9 Jan 2026·Source: The Hindu
3 min
Environment & EcologyScience & TechnologyInternational RelationsNEWS

India's Antarctic Journey: Building Maitri II, Remembering Dakshin Gangotri

India plans Maitri II in Antarctica, 40 years after Dakshin Gangotri.

India's Antarctic Journey: Building Maitri II, Remembering Dakshin Gangotri

Photo by henrique setim

India is planning to construct Maitri II in Antarctica, nearly 40 years after establishing its first permanent research station, Dakshin Gangotri. Harsh K Gupta, who led the Third Antarctic Expedition in 1983-84, recalls the challenges of setting up Dakshin Gangotri in a short Antarctic summer. The team faced logistical hurdles, including a helicopter crash, but successfully built a 620-square-metre station with living quarters, laboratories, and communication facilities by February 25, 1984. Gupta highlights the importance of Antarctica for India, noting that it controls the weather of the Indian Ocean, which in turn influences the Indian subcontinent. He also mentions that India has identified more than half the microbes in Antarctica, impacting weather forecasting. India has sent over 40 expeditions to Antarctica and established two more research stations since Dakshin Gangotri.

Key Facts

1.

Dakshin Gangotri established: 1983-84

2.

Maitri II planned nearly 40 years later

3.

Station size: 620 square meters

4.

India sent over 40 expeditions to Antarctica

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

GS Paper I: Geography (Polar Regions)

2.

GS Paper III: Environment & Ecology (Climate Change)

3.

GS Paper II: International Relations (Antarctic Treaty System)

4.

Potential question types: Statement-based, analytical, map-based

Visual Insights

India's Antarctic Research Stations

Map showing the locations of Dakshin Gangotri and Maitri in Antarctica. Dakshin Gangotri was India's first research station, and Maitri is the current operational station. The planned Maitri II will be built near Maitri.

Loading interactive map...

📍Dakshin Gangotri📍Maitri📍Maitri II (Planned)
More Information

Background

The history of Antarctic exploration is marked by international collaboration and scientific endeavor. The first confirmed sighting of Antarctica is attributed to several expeditions in 1820, including those led by Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen and Edward Bransfield. The 'Heroic Age' of Antarctic exploration (late 19th to early 20th century) saw expeditions by explorers like Roald Amundsen, Robert Falcon Scott, and Ernest Shackleton, primarily focused on reaching the South Pole.

The International Geophysical Year (IGY) in 1957-58 spurred significant scientific interest, leading to the Antarctic Treaty System in 1959. This treaty, signed by 12 nations, including the original claimants to Antarctic territory, established Antarctica as a zone of peace and scientific research, prohibiting military activities and mineral exploitation. India acceded to the Antarctic Treaty in 1983 and became a Consultative Party in the same year, granting it decision-making power regarding the continent's future.

Latest Developments

In recent years, Antarctic research has focused on climate change impacts, including ice sheet melting and sea-level rise. International collaborations like the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC) aim to understand the stability of major glaciers. India has been actively involved in Antarctic research, focusing on glaciology, atmospheric sciences, and polar biology.

The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) leads India's Antarctic program. Future developments include enhanced monitoring of Antarctic ecosystems, studying the effects of microplastics, and developing technologies for sustainable operations in the region. The Antarctic Treaty System faces challenges from increasing tourism, potential resource exploitation pressures, and geopolitical interests.

Discussions are ongoing to strengthen the treaty's environmental protocols and ensure Antarctica remains protected for future generations.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Antarctic Treaty System: 1. It prohibits all military activities in Antarctica. 2. It allows for mineral resource exploitation under strict environmental regulations. 3. It promotes international scientific cooperation in Antarctica. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.1 and 3 only
  • C.2 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: B

Statements 1 and 3 are correct. The Antarctic Treaty System prohibits mineral resource exploitation.

2. Which of the following statements accurately describes the significance of Antarctica for India?

  • A.Antarctica's mineral resources are crucial for India's economic growth.
  • B.Antarctica's control over the weather of the Indian Ocean directly influences the Indian subcontinent.
  • C.Antarctica serves as a military base for India to monitor activities in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • D.Antarctica is a major tourist destination for Indian citizens.
Show Answer

Answer: B

The statement highlights the climatic influence of Antarctica on the Indian subcontinent.

3. Assertion (A): Antarctica is considered a crucial region for climate change research. Reason (R): Antarctic ice sheets contain a significant portion of the world's freshwater reserves, and their melting contributes to sea-level rise. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

  • A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
  • B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
  • C.A is true, but R is false.
  • D.A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer

Answer: A

Both the assertion and reason are correct, and the reason correctly explains why Antarctica is crucial for climate change research.

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