India to Upgrade Maitri Research Station in Antarctica with Maitri II

India’s Maitri research station in Antarctica, established in 1989 at Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica, has been a cornerstone of India’s polar research, contributing to milestones such as the discovery of 30 new bacterial species, studies on ozone depletion, and rare phenomena like shadow bands during solar eclipses. Managed by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Maitri currently accommodates around 25 scientists and serves as the base for expeditions to Queen Maud Land. The upcoming Maitri II, slated for completion by 2029, will provide advanced, greener facilities, increased capacity, renewable energy and automated data collection systems, enabling year-round scientific research. This upgrade underscores India’s continued contribution to Antarctic biodiversity research, climate studies, and the development of a modern polar research infrastructure.