Which among the following are India's permanent and operational research stations in Antarctica?

The correct answer is Bharati and Maitri.

Confusion Points 

• As of today, India has two operational research stations in Antarctica named Maitri and Bharati.
• Dakshin Gangotri was the first scientific base station of India situated in Antarctica, part of the Indian Antarctic Programme. It is not operational.

Key Points

• The Indian Antarctic expeditions began in 1981. The first trip comprised a team of 21 scientists and support staff led by Dr. SZ Qasim. After a humble beginning, the Indian Antarctic programme has now been credited to have built three permanent research base stations in Antarctica—named Dakshin Gangotri, Maitri, and Bharati.
• Bharati and Maitri are India's permanent and operational research stations in Antarctica.
• Maitri Research Station:
  • It was built and finished in 1989, shortly before the first station Dakshin Gangotri was buried in ice and got abandoned in 1990–91. It is not operational now.
  • It is currently being used as a supply base and transit camp.
  • The base is named after Dakshin Gangotri Glacier. It was established during the third Indian expedition to Antarctica in 1983–84.
  • Maitri Research Station is in the rocky mountainous region of Antarctica, called Schirmacher Oasis.
  • It is equipped with modern technology and facilities which are used to research in various fields such as earth science, meteorology, glaciology, etc.
• Bharati Research Station:
  • It is India's third Antarctic research facility and one of two active Indian research stations, alongside Maitri.
  • The mandate focuses on oceanographic studies and the phenomenon of continental breakup.
  • It also facilitates research to refine the current understanding of the Indian subcontinent's geological history.