The Antarctic Study Centre is being set up in Goa to provide a national backup for Indian Antarctic research programme. Plans and estimates for the construction of the Centre have been finalised and submitted to the Goa State Committee on Environment and also the municipal authorities. Necessary environmental clearance has also been obtained. The question of removal of garbage from the present construction site is being pursued with the Goa administration. Earlier it was proposed to entrust the construction of the building to HUDCO. It has now been decided to entrust the construction work to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research authorities and for this purpose a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed, An officer of the rank of Principal Scientific Officer has been put in charge of the Centre.

The objective of the Centre will be to formulate national scientific programmes in Antarctica, cohere the Indian Antarctic endeavours and provide logistic support for Indian expeditions. It will also develop specialised laboratory facilities and provide multi- disciplinary research support to Indian scientists, It will also develop Information System to serve as a repository of Antarctic data and literature.