Maitri-2

15.10.2025

Maitri-2

Context

India is launching Maitri-2, its fourth research station in Antarctica, marking a significant step in polar scientific research and environmental sustainability. The initiative aligns with India’s long-term commitment to the Antarctic Treaty System and global climate research efforts.

Details of Maitri-2

• Status: Fourth Indian research base in Antarctica.
• Location: Planned for the Eastern Antarctic region.
• Timeline & Cost: To be completed by January 2029 over seven years, with a total outlay of ₹2,000 crore approved by the Ministry of Finance.
• Purpose: Designed to replace the aging Maitri-1 (1989) with a modern, eco-sustainable facility focusing on climate, geological, and glaciological research.
• Implementing Agency: National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa, functioning under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Strategic and Scientific Importance

• Climate Research: Enables continuous observation of ice melt, temperature shifts, and sea-level rise, essential for assessing the global impact of climate change on India’s coasts.
• Environmental Monitoring: Supports long-term data collection on ocean currents, atmospheric composition, and polar biodiversity.
• Geopolitical Relevance: Sustains India’s presence and influence in Antarctica, alongside major powers such as China, Russia, the US, and the UK.
• Future Potential: Maintains India’s eligibility for potential resource exploration rights if global Antarctic regulations evolve.

India’s Antarctic Stations

1. Dakshin Gangotri (1983): India’s first station; now buried under ice but serves as a supply base.
2. Maitri-1 (1989): Operational research station to be succeeded by Maitri-2.
3. Bharati (2012): Fully functional, supporting oceanographic and climate studies.
4. Maitri-2 (Upcoming by 2029): Focus on sustainable research infrastructure, enhanced logistics, and renewable energy use.

Conclusion

The Maitri-2 project represents India’s continued commitment to polar science, climate resilience, and global environmental cooperation. It reinforces India’s scientific leadership in Antarctica while ensuring a sustainable and technologically advanced research presence for decades ahead.