India to Establish Maitri II, Next-Generation Research Station in Antarctica

India is set to expand its Antarctic research with Maitri II, a next-generation station in East Antarctica, expected to be completed by 2032. Replacing the existing Maitri I, operational since 1989, the station will feature modern laboratories, advanced ice-core storage, and dedicated facilities for biology and climate research. With an estimated cost of ₹2,000 crore, Maitri II aims to strengthen India’s multidisciplinary research in glaciology, atmospheric sciences, environmental monitoring, and global climate studies, reinforcing its role in international polar science.