The Indian Antarctic Research Programme has been designed to quickly mature into front ranking scientific endeavours which form the basic component of our long-term objectives. These, in turn, have been formulated to enable Indian scientists to take advantage of the unique site and environment of Antarctica towards understanding the key global processes that govern our future well-being. In addition to developing incisive technologies for monitoring and modelling of environmental parameters and processes, a selective expansion of our knowledge base relating to some responsive regions of Antarctica have been accordingly defined. The scientific programmes carried out during the year are essentially part of and rooted in the following long-term programmes:

Ice-ocean-atmosphere system in Antarctica and global environment

Antarctic lithosphere and Gondwanaland reconstruction, framework for delineating plate tectonic processes and assessment of mineral resources and hydrocarbons

Antarctic ecosystems and environmental physiology

Solar terrestrial processes

Innovative technologies for support systems

Environmental impact assessment

Generation and structuring of data bases (geological, topographic, thematic mapping and ecosystem changes, environmental parameters and health care).