The Antarctic Study Centre is being set up in Goa to provide a national back-up for the Indian Antarctic Research Programme. The Centre is being organised to accomplish the following objectives:-

- to formulate national scientific programmes in Antarctica, and to provide logistic support for their organisation and implementation including Indian expeditions to Antarctica

- to develop specialised laboratory facilities required to support Antarctic Research Programmes

- to create a repository of Antarctic samples, data and literature

- to catalyse and sustain multi-disciplinary research by providing requisite laboratory and living facilities to scholars from various institutions for short and long term work at the Centre.

Construction of the building has been entrusted to HUDCO. Steps have also been taken to develop an information system for the Centre and acquire scientific equipment for the laboratories.