Maitri is India’s second permanent research station in Antarctica, serving as the cornerstone of the Indian Antarctic Programme since the late 1980s. As of 2026, the station remains operational but is transitioning into a new era as the Indian government has officially approved its successor, Maitri-II.
- Region : Schirmacher Oasis, Queen Maud Land, East Antarctica.
- Coordinates : 70°46’S, 11°43’E.
- Terrain : It is built on an ice-free, rocky plateau, which makes it more stable than India’s first station, Dakshin Gangotri (now submerged in ice).
- Freshwater Source : The station is located beside Lake Priyadarshini, a freshwater lake created/identified by the Indian team.
Current Infrastructure
- Established : 1989.
- Capacity : Accommodates ~25 people in winter and up to 40–60 during the summer.
- Facilities : Includes a main building, fuel farm, pump house, and specialized laboratories for biology, earth sciences, and glaciology.
- Operational Status : Currently active, but many components have outlived their original 10-year design life, leading to the push for a replacement.
Postmark Date : March 27, 2025
Postmark Location : Maitri B.O.
Pincode: 403001 (It uses the Pincode of Panaji, Goa, as it falls under the Goa Postal Division).