Antractic

Indian Antarctic Program begun on December 6, 1981 with launching of the first Indian Expedition at Goa. Subsequently Indian expeditions have been going to Antarctica every year.

India was admitted to the Antarctic Treaty on the August 19, 1983 and obtained Consultative Status on the September 12, 1983. India was admitted as a member of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) on the October 1, 1984 and of Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) in 1986. India ratified the Environment Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty in 1997.

The National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Goa, was established in 1998 at Goa an autonomous R & D Institution of the Department of Ocean Development. NCAOR is designated as the nodal organization for the co-ordination and implementation of the Indian Antarctic Program, including the maintenance of India's permanent station in Antarctica.

The first and the second Indian Antarctic Expedition were in Antarctica for 10 and 57 days respectively. India built its first permanent station 'Dakshin Gangotri' in 1984 and 12 members of the 3rd Expedition stayed for over four months during winters returning on Jun 6, 1984.

Dakshin Gangotri was decommissioned in 1990 and was converted into a supply base. The second permanent station ‘Maitri’ was built during 1989. The third permanent station will be built in 2006.

A post office was setup at Dakshin Gangotri in 1983 during the 3rd Expedition and 2000 covers were reportedly postmarked.

The information in the listing is presented in following format:
Launch Date at Goa till 18th expedition, and at Cape Town, South Africa from 19th expedition onwards
Date of Landing at Antarctica
Date of return in India
Name of the Ship