India’s 41st Scientific Expedition to Antarctica

Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica- Relevance for UPSC Exam

• GS Paper 3: Science and Technology- Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica- Context

• India has successfully launched the 41st Scientific Expedition to Antarctica with the arrival of the first batch of its contingent at the southern white continent.
• The first batch comprising of 23 scientists and support staff reached the Indian Antarctic station Maitri, last week.
• Four more batches shall be landing in Antarctica by air using DROMLAN facility and onboard chartered ice-class vessel MV VasiliyGolovnin by mid-January 2022.

India’s 41^st Scientific Expedition to Antarctica- Key Details

• Objective: The 41st scientific expedition to Antarctica has two major programs.
  • The first program encompasses geological exploration of the Amery ice shelf at Bharati station. This will help explore the link between India and Antarctica in the past.
  • The second program involves reconnaissance surveys and preparatory work for drilling of 500 meters of ice core near Maitri.
• Importance:
  • 41^st Scientific Expedition to Antarctica will help in improving the understanding of Antarctic climate, westerly winds, sea-ice and greenhouse gases from a single climate archive for the past 10,000 years.
    • The ice core drilling will be done in collaboration with the British Antarctic Survey and the Norwegian Polar Institute.
  • 41^st Scientific Expedition to Antarctica will replenish the annual supplies of food, fuel, provisions, and spares for operations and maintenance of life support systems at Maitri and Bharati.

Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2021

Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica- Indian Antarctic program

• About: The Indian Antarctic program began in 1981, and has completed 40 scientific expeditions till now.
• Indian research stations in Antarctica: Under the Indian Antarctic program, India has built three permanent research base stations in Antarctica, named Dakshin Gangotri (1983), Maitri (1988), and Bharati (2012).
  • First Indian research station in Antarctica: Dakshin Gangotri (1983) was the first Indian research station in Antarctica.
  • Present Status: As of today, Maitri and Bharati are fully operational.
• Implementing Agency: The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa manages the entire Indian Antarctic program.
  • The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) functions as an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS)

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