About NCPOR (Hq: Goa)

• Genesis: 1998, an autonomous Institution of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• Governing Body: Comprises of 13 members representing a cross section of the country's leadership in Polar and Ocean Sciences. 
  • Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences is the ex-officio chairman.

Key Roles of NCOPR

• Research in the Polar and Southern Ocean realms: Plays a role in the maintenance of India’s research stations in Antarctica (Maitri and Bharati), the Arctic (Himadri), and the Himalayas (Himansh).
• Leads Deep Ocean Mission: Flagship initiative focused on exploring deep-sea mineral resources and hydrothermal systems in the Indian Ocean.
• Aids in the Implementation of India’s Arctic Policy (2022) and Indian Antarctica Act (2022)
  • Indian Antarctic Act: Legal foundation for India’s activities in the continent, provides for the Committee on Antarctic Governance and Environmental Protection (CAG-EP) to monitor international laws. 
  • Arctic Policy: Rests on six pillars of Science and Research; Climate and Environmental Protection; Economic and Human Development; Transportation and Connectivity; Governance and International Cooperation; National Capacity Building.