National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research
A commemorative postage stamp on the 25 years of National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), an Indian institution dedicated to polar and ocean research, operating under the Ministry of Earth Sciences :
Issued by India
Issued on Dec 1, 2025
Issued for : Over the past 25 years, NCPOR has established itself as a pivotal player, contributing critical insights to global climate change and marine ecosystem research, fostering international collaborations, and advancing scientific knowledge. Department of Posts is releasing a commemorative postage stamp on NCPOR’s remarkable 25-year journey.
Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Vinita Sinha
Type : Stamp, Mint Condition
Colour : Multi Colour
Denomination : 500 Paise
Stamps Printed : 303875
Printing Process : Wet Offset
Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad
About :
- The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) is a leading Indian institution dedicated to polar and ocean research, operating under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). Established in 1992 in Vasco-Da-Gama, Goa, as the Antarctic Study Centre to support the Indian Antarctic Expeditions. This early focus on Antarctic logistics laid the foundation for its evolution into a prominent scientific research hub.
- Since its inception, NCPOR has undergone significant transformation. Initially a logistics support base, it expanded its focus to encompass polar, oceanic, and Himalayan environments, with core expertise in cryosphere studies and polar operations. The centre moved to a new, dedicated campus in Goa in 1996, a facility dedicated to the nation on April 5, 2000. This milestone marked the beginning of an expanded research mandate. Over time, NCPOR broadened its research portfolio to include Oceanography, Arctic studies, and Himalayan research. This growth led to its rebranding as the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), and eventually in 2018, it was renamed the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research to better reflect its comprehensive scope.
- NCPOR’s multi-dimensional mandate encompasses the management of all scientific and logistical aspects of India’s annual expeditions to the Antarctic, Arctic, and Southern Ocean. This includes overseeing the operations and maintenance of the Indian research bases – Maitri and Bharati in Antarctica, Himadri in the Arctic, and Himansh in the Himalayas – which serve as vital centres for extensive research on climate change and environmental dynamics. Adding to the significance of these stations, the Department of Posts established a post office at the Maitri research station on 26 January 1990, and more recently opened a second branch at the Bharati research station on 5 April 2024, where members of the 43rd Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA) nominated as Branch Postmasters. Beyond polar and high-altitude operations, NCPOR is heavily involved in geoscientific research within India‘s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and extended continental shelf. The centre conducts comprehensive surveys and is engaged in deep-sea drilling through the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP), exploring non-living oceanic resources like gas hydrates and multi-metal sulphides. These activities are integral to the Government of India‘s Deep Ocean Mission.
- Text : Based on information received from the proponent.
