India’s 40th Scientific Expedition To Antarctica

Current GK ( Master) International Affairs

India has launched the 40th scientific expedition to Antarctica with a 43-member team embarking upon the Russian ice-class vessel MV Vasiliy Golovnin.
The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), which manages the entire Indian Antarctic program.
The expedition is aimed at supporting the ongoing scientific projects on climate change, geology, ocean observations, electric and magnetic flux measurements, environmental monitoring; resupplying of food, fuel, provisions and spare; and accomplishing the return of the winter crew.
The Indian Antarctic expeditions began in 1981 with the first trip consisting of a team of 21 scientists and support staff led by Dr SZ Qasim.
Today, the Indian Antarctic programme has three permanent research base stations in Antarctica: Dakshin Gangotri, Maitri, and Bharati of which Maitri and Bharati are operational.
Arctic Expedition: For research in Arctic region, India launched its first scientific expedition in 2007. Indian Arctic station ‘Himadri’ is located at Ny Alesund, Spitsbergen Island, Norway and serves as a hub of Indian scientific investigations.