Maitri II Research Station in Antarctica

• 13 Oct 2025

Source: IE 

Why in News? 

The Ministry of Finance has given in-principle approval for setting up Maitri II, India’s new research station in east Antarctica. 

What is Maitri II?

• About: Maitri II is India's upcoming and fourth research station in Antarctica, scheduled to be completed by January 2029.  
  • It strengthens India’s long-term scientific presence under the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS, 1959). 
• Purpose & Need: It is being built to replace the old Maitri station (1989), which has surpassed its original design life of 10 years and has issues like flawed waste management. 
• Nodal Agency: The project is led by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Goa, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. 
• Key Features: 
  • Larger and Greener: Bigger than the original Maitri, planned as a "green research base." 
  • Renewable Energy: Uses solar power for summer and wind energy to harness Antarctic winds. 
  • Advanced Technology: Equipped with automated instruments to record and relay data to mainland India even when unmanned. 
  • Improved Infrastructure: Features upgraded living conditions and improved toilets. 
• Significance: 
  • Antarctica contains 75% of Earth’s freshwater, and studying its ice sheets is crucial for forecasting sea-level rise. 
  • Critical for understanding untapped mineral deposits, marine biodiversity, and ecological baselines. 
  • Reinforces India’s voice in global climate and polar governance discussions. 

India’s Other Research Stations in Antarctica 

• Dakshin Gangotri (1983): Dakshin Gangotri, established under the Indian Antarctic Program in 1983, was India’s first scientific research base in Antarctica, but it was submerged in ice and decommissioned in 1990.  
  • The Indian Antarctic Programme, led by NCPOR, began in 1981 to conduct scientific research and protect India’s interests in the polar region. 
• Maitri (1989): Maitri is India’s second permanent research station in Antarctica, established in 1989.  
  • It is located in the rocky mountainous Schirmacher Oasis, and India also created a freshwater lake nearby, called Lake Priyadarshini. 
• Bharti (2012): Located about 3,000 km east of Maitri, the ‘Bharati’ research station lies between Thala Fjord and Quilty Bay.  
  • Commissioned in 2012, it has a compact design and supports year-round scientific research under the Indian Antarctic Program.

Did You Know? 

• Antarctica is the fifth-largest continent, located within the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Southern Ocean. It spans about 14 million sq. km, with 98% covered by ice and containing over 75% of Earth’s freshwater reserves. 
• Antarctica has no native human population, and human presence is limited to scientific researchers at about 69 research stations. 
• The Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959, was designed to govern the continent, ensuring it is used for peaceful purposes and scientific cooperation, while suspending territorial claims. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. What is Maitri II?
Maitri II is India’s fourth research station in Antarctica, approved by the Finance Ministry to replace the aging Maitri station. It is designed as a modern, green, and technologically advanced base with completion targeted by January 2029. 

2. What are India’s other Antarctic research stations?
Dakshin Gangotri (1983)-India’s first base, decommissioned in 1990, Maitri (1989)- Located in Schirmacher Oasis, supports seasonal and year-round research and Bharati (2012)- Compact station east of Maitri for continuous scientific research under the Indian Antarctic Program. 

3. Why is Antarctica important for global climate and science?
It covers 14 million sq. km, is 98% ice, holds over 75% of Earth’s freshwater, drives global ocean currents, and regulates climate. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Q. The term ‘IndARC’, sometimes seen in the news, is the name of (2015)

(a) an indigenously developed radar system inducted into Indian Defence 

(b) India’s satellite to provide services to the countries of Indian Ocean Rim 

(c) a scientific establishment set up by India in Antarctic region 

(d) India’s underwater observatory to scientifically study the Arctic region 

Ans: (d)