National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research

The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) is India’s premier institution dedicated to research and development in polar science, oceanography, and cryospheric studies. It functions as an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, and plays a pivotal role in coordinating India’s scientific activities in the Arctic, Antarctic, and the surrounding oceanic regions. Located in Goa, NCPOR serves as the nodal agency for the management of the nation’s polar expeditions, ocean research programmes, and related logistics.

Establishment and Evolution

The NCPOR was established in 1998 as the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR) with the primary objective of managing India’s Antarctic scientific expeditions and ensuring the nation’s continued presence in the polar regions. In 2018, the institution was renamed the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) to reflect its broadened mandate, encompassing studies in both the Arctic and the Southern Ocean in addition to the Antarctic.
Since its inception, NCPOR has grown into one of the most advanced polar research organisations in the developing world. It has spearheaded India’s contributions to international polar science and has established itself as a leader in cryospheric research, climate studies, and marine geoscience.

Mandate and Objectives

NCPOR’s primary objectives include:

• Conducting and supporting scientific research in the polar regions and the surrounding oceans to understand global climate systems.
• Managing India’s polar research stations, including the coordination of logistics and infrastructure necessary for sustaining year-round operations.
• Promoting multidisciplinary oceanographic research in the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic waters.
• Collecting and archiving polar data through remote sensing, field expeditions, and ocean observation systems.
• Enhancing national capacity in polar and ocean research by developing human resources, laboratory facilities, and technological expertise.
• Contributing to global climate science by examining the interactions among oceans, atmosphere, and cryosphere.

Research Areas and Scientific Focus

The research at NCPOR covers a diverse range of themes, focusing on understanding Earth’s cryosphere and oceans through integrated scientific approaches.
1. Polar ScienceNCPOR coordinates India’s research programmes in both the Antarctic and the Arctic. Studies in these regions include:

• Climate variability and its impact on polar ice sheets and glaciers.
• Atmospheric processes, particularly interactions between aerosols, radiation, and snow chemistry.
• Ice-core drilling and analysis to reconstruct past climatic conditions.
• Marine ecosystem studies to understand biodiversity in extreme environments.
• Assessment of human impacts and environmental monitoring in polar habitats.

2. Cryospheric Research in the HimalayasRecognising the Himalayas as the “Third Pole,” NCPOR has expanded its research to include glaciological studies in the Indian Himalayas. Scientists monitor glacier dynamics, snow accumulation, and meltwater discharge to assess the implications of climate change on regional water resources. The centre manages several field stations in the Himalayas and collaborates with other national institutes for data collection and model development.
3. Oceanographic and Marine ResearchThe centre undertakes extensive studies in physical, chemical, and biological oceanography across the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean.Major areas of focus include:

• Ocean circulation, monsoon dynamics, and energy exchange processes.
• Sea-surface temperature (SST) variability and its relationship to global climate phenomena such as the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
• Marine geology and geophysics, including sediment core analysis for palaeoclimatic reconstruction.
• Studies of biogeochemical cycles and the role of the ocean in carbon sequestration.

4. Climate Change and ModellingNCPOR contributes significantly to India’s understanding of climate change impacts. Its research outputs assist policymakers in developing adaptation and mitigation strategies. By combining field observations with climate models, the centre helps predict trends in sea-level rise, ocean acidification, and the melting of ice sheets.

Indian Research Stations Managed by NCPOR

NCPOR manages and operates India’s scientific research stations in the polar regions:

• Maitri (Antarctica): Established in 1989, this station supports geological, atmospheric, and biological studies and remains operational year-round.
• Bharati (Antarctica): Commissioned in 2012, Bharati is India’s latest and most advanced Antarctic station, equipped with modern laboratories and renewable energy systems. It enables multi-disciplinary research in atmospheric sciences, glaciology, and marine biology.
• Himadri (Arctic): Located in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard (Norway), the Himadri station, operational since 2008, represents India’s permanent presence in the Arctic. Research here focuses on Arctic climate variability, sea-ice monitoring, and the region’s linkages with the Indian monsoon system.
• INDARC Mooring System: The Indian Arctic Mooring (INDARC), deployed in the Kongsfjorden region, continuously monitors oceanographic parameters such as temperature, salinity, and currents to study Arctic climate interactions.

Additionally, NCPOR coordinates seasonal expeditions to the Southern Ocean and manages ocean observation buoys to collect real-time environmental data.

Infrastructure and Facilities

NCPOR possesses state-of-the-art infrastructure for supporting field research, data analysis, and technology development.Key facilities include:

• Cold laboratories and environmental simulation chambers for studying ice cores and cryogenic samples.
• Geospatial data and GIS laboratories for processing remote-sensing and satellite imagery.
• Sediment core repositories and marine sample storage facilities.
• Oceanographic research vessels, such as the ORV Sagar Kanya and ORV Sagar Nidhi, used for deep-sea exploration and scientific cruises.
• Data management centres for archiving and disseminating polar and oceanic research outputs to the global scientific community.

International Collaboration and Global Role

NCPOR actively participates in international research programmes, such as the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), the Arctic Council, and the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP). Through these partnerships, it contributes to the global exchange of knowledge and ensures that India remains a key participant in international climate and polar science dialogues.The centre also collaborates with space agencies, universities, and research institutes from countries including Norway, Germany, Russia, Japan, and the United States.

Achievements and Contributions

Over the years, NCPOR has achieved several milestones:

• Successful completion of more than 40 Antarctic expeditions and over 10 Arctic expeditions.
• Establishment of continuous climate records through ice-core and sediment analyses.
• Mapping of sub-glacial topography and identification of microbial life forms in extreme polar environments.
• Development of national capacity in polar logistics, marine technology, and environmental data analysis.
• Contribution to India’s Blue Economy initiatives by supporting sustainable exploration of marine resources.

Significance and Future Outlook

The work of NCPOR holds immense significance for India’s scientific, strategic, and environmental interests. The polar regions, being sensitive indicators of global climate change, directly affect sea-level rise, monsoon variability, and ocean circulation—all of which are vital for a country heavily dependent on agriculture and coastal resources.