Antarctic cryosphere has significant impact on the global climate system by influencing the ocean currents, the atmosphere, and the sea level for long term durations. Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) has evolved from temporary to permanent ice sheet during Oligocene (~32 Ma). Throughout its evolution, it witnessed severe climatic conditions leading to several phases of retreat and advancements. Major climatic events were directly associated with the evolution of AIS. Paleocene Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), Early Eocene Climatic Optimum (EECO, ~44.9 Ma), Eocene Oligocene Boundary (Oi1 event, ~34 Ma), Oligocene-Miocene Boundary (Mi1 event ~25Ma), Mid Miocene Climatic Optimum (MMCO; ~15Ma), Miocene-Pliocene Boundary (~3Ma) and Mid-late Pleistocene Transition (MPT, after ~1.25 Ma) are the major reported global climatic events. This work summarises these events and critically reviews the role of various factors in the advancement and retreat of AIS and its coupled response to the global climate change including future global challenges. Existing knowledge gaps and challenges are outlined for each of the climatic events and priorities for future research are suggested.

南极冰冻圈通过长期影响洋流、大气和海平面，对全球气候系统产生重大影响。南极冰盖 (AIS) 在渐新世 (~32 Ma) 期间已从临时冰盖演变为永久冰盖。在它的整个演变过程中，它见证了恶劣的气候条件，导致了几个阶段的退步和进步。主要气候事件与 AIS 的演变直接相关。古新世始新世热最大值 (PETM)、早始新世气候最优 (EECO, ~44.9 Ma)、始新世渐新世边界 (Oi1 事件, ~34 Ma)、渐新世-中新世边界 (Mi1 事件 ~25Ma)、中中新世气候最优 (MMCO; ~15Ma)、中新世-上新世边界 (~3Ma) 和中晚更新世过渡 (MPT, 在 ~1.25 Ma 之后) 是主要报告的全球气候事件。这项工作总结了这些事件，并批判性地回顾了各种因素在 AIS 的进退中的作用及其对包括未来全球挑战在内的全球气候变化的耦合响应。概述了每个气候事件的现有知识差距和挑战，并建议了未来研究的优先事项。