Kolkata, 15th August 2025: The Geological Survey of India (GSI), a premier geoscientific organisation and an attached office of the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, celebrated the 79th Independence Day with patriotic fervour across all its offices in the country. At the Central Headquarters, Kolkata, Shri Asit Saha, Director General, GSI, unfurled the National Flag in the presence of Dr. Joydeep Guha, ADG & HOD, Shri Pradeep Singh, Dy. DG, Mission-1, Dr. Saibal Ghosh, Dy.DG (P&A), Shri Siladitya Sengupta, Dy.DG, PSS, along with other senior officials and staff members.
In his address, Shri Saha paid homage to the valiant freedom fighters whose sacrifices laid the foundation of an independent India and reflected on the collective journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047. He emphasised the vital role of unity, self-reliance, and innovation in realising this vision. Highlighting GSI’s illustrious 175-year legacy, he reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to advancing geoscientific research in critical mineral exploration, leveraging Al/ML and deep learning technologies, enhancing offshore exploration, mitigating natural hazards, building climate resilience, and contributing to India’s clean energy goals, in alignment with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. He also underscored that in the past year, GSI has undertaken several technological initiatives across diverse domains of its work to enhance both the pace and quality of its operations. Shri Saha urged everyone to work with dedication and explore new arenas to contribute to National development.
Marking the occasion, Shri Saha also released the 175th Year Commemorative Souvenir of GSI showcasing the organisation’s heritage, milestones, and contributions to the nation. The celebrations also featured the ‘Ek Ped, Maa Ke Naam’ plantation drive, with officers and staff planting saplings to honour mother Earth and foster a greener, sustainable future.
The celebrations concluded with a collective commitment to uphold GSI’s objectives and continue serving the nation with integrity, dedication, and scientific excellence.
About Geological Survey of India
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) was set up in 1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the Railways. Over the years, GSI has not only grown into a repository of geo-science information required in various fields in the country but has also attained the status of a geo-scientific organisation of international repute. Its main functions relate to creating and updating of national geoscientific information and mineral resource assessment. These objectives are achieved through ground surveys, air-borne and marine surveys, mineral prospecting and investigations, multi-disciplinary geoscientific, geo-technical,
geo-environmental and natural hazards studies, glaciology, seismo-tectonic study and carrying out fundamental research.
GSI’s chief role includes providing objective, impartial and up-to-date geological expertise and geoscientific information of all kinds, with a focus on policy making decisions, commercial and socio-economic needs. GSI also emphasises on systematic documentation of all geological processes both surface and subsurface, of India and its offshore areas. The organisation carries out this work through geological, geophysical, & geochemical surveys using the latest does so by using the latest and most cost-effective techniques and methodologies.
GSI’s core competence in survey and mapping is continuously enhanced through accretion, management, coordination and utilization of spatial databases (including those acquired through remote sensing). It functions as a ‘Repository’ for the purpose and uses the latest computer-based technologies for dissemination of geoscientific information and spatial data, through cooperation and collaboration with other stakeholders in the Geo-informatics sector.
GSI, headquartered in Kolkata, has six regional offices located in Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong and Kolkata and state unit offices in almost all states of the country. GSI is an attached office to the Ministry of Mines.
