GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1697
TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 10th DECEMBER, 2025
MAITRI-2 STATION
1697. SHRI RAJA A:
Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:
(a) whether India is planning to replace Maitri research station by a new Maitri-2 station;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the funds sanctioned for preparing...
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1697 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 10th DECEMBER, 2025 MAITRI-2 STATION
1697. SHRI RAJA A:
Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:
(a) whether India is planning to replace Maitri research station by a new Maitri-2 station;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the funds sanctioned for preparing design and Detailed Project Report;
(c) whether it would facilitate research in various fields like biology, earth science, glaciology etc.,
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the time, by which it is proposed to be operational? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) Yes Sir. India is planning to replace the existing Maitri Research Station with a newly designed Maitri-II Station in Antarctica.
(b) The Ministry of Earth Sciences has approved ₹29.2 crore for pre-investment activities, including architectural design and preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR).
(c) Yes Sir. The new station will significantly enhance India’s ability to conduct multidisciplinary scientific research in Antarctica.
(d) The new Maitri-II Station is conceived as a state-of-the-art, year-round research hub that will significantly elevate India’s scientific capability in biology, earth sciences, glaciology, atmospheric sciences, climate studies and long-term environmental monitoring.
The upgraded station will feature modern laboratories, advanced ice-core storage and processing systems, a dedicated biological and microbial research suite and expanded atmospheric observation facilities. A stronger and more dependable logistic backbone will ensure uninterrupted scientific operations throughout the year. These enhancements will greatly expand the scope, precision, continuity and international relevance of India’s Antarctic research, enabling the country to contribute high-quality data and cutting-edge findings to global polar science for decades to come.
(e) The projected timeline for Maitri-II to become operational is estimated as seven years with expected completion by 2032. *****