In order to consolidate the gains accrued from the Antarctic expeditions and to stimulate the research in the frontier area of polar science, the National Centre for Antarctic & Ocean Research (formerly Antarctic Study Centre) (NCAOR) has been established as an autonomous society of the Department of Ocean Development with effect from 25 May,1998.

The Centre has already established the basic infrastructure and computing facilities to cater to establishing the data base repository and modelling work related to the polar region and the southern oceans. The institute has a focused scientific mandate confined to undertaking research in those areas of polar science in the years to come, which otherwise are not being pursued by any institution or laboratory in the country. The scientific infrastructure and expertise will specifically be developed in the areas of palaeo-climate and palaeo-environment studies through analysis of ice and sediment cores; sea-ice atmosphere interaction; climate modelling through polar remote sensing; oceanography of the southern oceans; and cryobiology & environmental physiology. The Goa University and Mangalore University have already recognised NCAOR as a research centre for academic pursuit leading to doctoral degrees in polar science.

The mandate of the NCAOR is, to plan, promote, co-ordinate and execute the entire gamut of polar science and logistic activities of the country in order to ensure a perceptible and influential presence of India in Antarctica and uphold our strategic interests in the global framework of nations in the southern continent and the surrounding oceans.

Aims and Objectives:

The NCAOR, which is primarily an R&D organisation, has been established as an autonomous institution of the Department of Ocean Development, Government of India to discharge the following functions:

Undertake, aid, promote, guide and cooordinate scientific research in the fields of polar science (Antarctic & Arctic) and southern Ocean Oceanography.

Serve as a nodal agency responsible for the overall coordination and implementation of the Indian Antarctic Programme.

Establish and maintain research base in Antarctica and provide all operational and logistic support.

Encourage multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional research both at national and international levels, especially in the frontier areas of science, which are emerging and have application potentials.

Devise, formulate and initiate programs of strategic polar science, which will create knowledge base for future commercial and thematic interests of India in Antarctica, Arctic and Southern Ocean.

Effectively interact and liaison with SCAR, COMNAP, SCALOP and other international bodies in order to keep the Indian Antarctic Program abreast with international scenario and ensure a perceptible presence of India in the global frame work of nations in Antarctica.

Extend a singular research laboratory setup with such facilities which are of specialized nature or otherwise not easily accessible. some of these are: low temperature ultra-clean labs for the preservation and analysis of ice cores; instrument facilities like MS and ICP-MS for isotopic and trace metal analysis; eco- physiology lab for biological and environmental investigations; and application of remote sensing and advanced satellite technology for studies of the polar regions.

Develop predictive models for dynamic processes controlled and driven by Antarctica and the surrounding oceans.

Co-ordinate, address and monitor all environmental issues arising out of the Environmental Protocol.

Develop a complete database inventory and repository (National Antarctic Data Centre) for Antarctic and Arctic science and logistics including a polar museum and a library.

Create a complete warehousing facility and inventory of entire Antarctic logistics and operations.

Provide a fertile platform to generate specialised human resource capabilities for polar science and logistics through training, fellowships, awards, workshops, publications, exchange of scientists etc. both at national and international levels.

Cruise planning and management of the oceanographic research vessels engaged by the Department of Ocean Development and the NCAOR.

Take up scientific and technological projects of the Department of Ocean Development when entrusted.

The institutional framework of NCAOR is a reflection of its mandated responsibility as the nodal agency for planning, promotion, coordination and execution of the entire gamut of polar and southern ocean scientific research in the country as well as for the associated logistics activities.

NCAOR has the Governing Council comprising 11 members representing a cross section of the country's leadership in Polar and Ocean Sciences, research education and administration. Secretary, Department of Ocean Development, is the Chairman (ex-officio) of the Governing Council. The overall responsibility for planning, administration and functioning of the Centre as well as execution of the in-house R&D activities is vested with the Director, who is also the Member-secretary of the Governing Council.

To cater to its mandate as well as to ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of the Centre, the institutional framework of NCAOR has been organized into different scientific, technical and management divisions/services, as follows:

i. Programme Planning and Co-ordination Division:

This division is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the Centre, including planning, monitoring, coordinating and executing the physical and financial targets; all matters related to the Governing Council, Finance Committee and General Body of NCAOR; and formulating and implementing capacity building for self-reliance, organising seminars, symposia, workshop and setting up of a Polar Museum.

ii. National Antarctic Data Centre (NADC):

This is the repository of all National Polar Science and Logistics Database (NADC) of the country and forms a part of the Antarctic Master Directory. In addition, NADC manages the library, documentation and publication of the Centre.

iii. National Antarctic Programme (NAP):

The Programme office of the NAP has two divisions - Antarctic Science Programme and Antarctic Logistics Programme, which together cater to the entire gamut of the Indian Scientific Expeditions to Antarctica.

The division of Antarctic Science Programmes has been vested with the responsibility of formulating, coordinating and executing the multi-disciplinary and multi- institutional scientific programs pertaining to the Expedition, through Standing Committees on Atmospheric Sciences, Earth Sciences, Glaciology, Biology, Human Physiology & Medicine, Oceanography, Global Change, Environmental Affairs & Conservation of Antarctic Environment, and Engineering & Communication. The members of these Standing Committees have been drawn from several national organisations, universities and research laboratories based on their contribution to the development of scientific research in the realms of polar and ocean sciences.

iv. Research and Development Group:

The Research & Development Group (RDG) has at the backdrop of its mandate, the need to understand the relationships of the polar, atmospheric and southern ocean realms vis-a-vis global processes, the importance of this region for our understanding of the global environment, the need to understand these regions as unique entities and the opportunities presented by these realms as research platforms. To this end, the Centre has identified the following three areas of scientific discipline as the thrust areas of research during the current plan period up to 2002.

Polar Remote Sensing

Southern Ocean Oceanography & Paleo-climatology

Antarctic global Change Research.



In addition, the Centre is initiating action for the establishment of state-of-the-art laboratory facilities catering to the needs of the scientific projects to be initiated under the aegis of the RDG.

v. Oceanographic Surveys and Services Group (OSSG):

This Group has been entrusted with the following technical and managerial responsibilities:

Cruise planning and management of ORV Sagar Kanya entrusted to NCAOR by the Department of Ocean Development

Coordination of the CIOB Surveys for mineral resources and for environmental impact studies

Coordination and execution of multi-institutional project on the delineation of the outer limits of our continental shelf, and

Systematic acquisition and processing of geological and geophysical data generated for specific scientific projects;

vi. Management Services:

The administration and Management Services of the Centre are being provided through the following three Divisions:

Administrative Division:

This Division has been entrusted with the general administration of the Centre, including its staff and personnel matters. It also caters to the smooth day-to-day functioning of the Centre and the general upkeep of the Campus.

Finance Division:

This division is responsible for the financial management of the Centre, including preparation of the budget, monitoring of the finances, drawing/disbursing and pay/accounts.

Purchase & Stores Division:

This Division is responsible for all the procurements being made at the Centre, including preparation of inventory, cataloguing and stores management.

vii. Antarctic Logistics & Operations

The Division of Antarctic Logistics Programme constitutes the operational arm of the Antarctic Programme. The logistic and operational support being provided by this Division of NCAOR are broadly catagorised as follows:


Chartering of ship and helicopter

Procurement of food, kit clothing, medicine and rations

All procurements related to convoy support, infrastructure facilities, life support systems and fuel

Procurement of communication equipment and spares

Selection of the logistic team consisting of engineers and technicians from the Indian Army, doctors for medical support and cooks

Organisations of the Pre-Antarctic medical test, trainings and briefings

Provision of welfare measures for the expedition team.