The Indian Ocean was least explored from scientific point of view until 1960s. One of the main reasons, plausibly, is that none of the leading oceanographic research nations shared or formed close links with coastal areas of the Indian Ocean. Even though many large-scale expeditions investigated this ocean to some detail, the first systematic attempt to study the Indian Ocean was carried out by Unesco during 1962-1965 under the banner International Indian Ocean Expedition (IIOE). About 40 research vessels from 5 nations participated in the exploration of the waters of this area. The data collected during the expedition was focused to have basic knowledge and understanding about the drifting continents, transient currents, monsoons, life in the oceans, etc., – in general, all areas of oceanographic studies. India was one among the five nations participated in the IIOE with a good number of researchers; four ships INS Kistna, a frigate of the Indian Navy, RV Varuna of Indo-Norwegian project, RV Conch of the Kerala University and MFV Bangda of the Deep-sea Fishing Station of Govt. of India; and the centres for data collection, storage and interpretation. At the end of the expedition, the Government of India felt it necessary to formally establish a research institute to continue the studies in this area. The Indian Ocean Biological Centre (IOBC) and Indian Ocean Physical Centre (IOPC) formed during the IIOE were then amalgamated to form National Institute of Oceanography with its headquarters in Goa.