GSI to Host 65th CGPB Meeting on Geoscience Priorities

The Geological Survey of India will host the 65th meeting of the Central Geological Programming Board on January 21 in New Delhi, marking an important forum for shaping India’s geoscience and mineral exploration agenda. Convened under the Ministry of Mines, the meeting will bring together stakeholders from central ministries, state governments, industry, academia and mining bodies to align exploration strategies with national development priorities.

Role of CGPB in National Geoscience Planning

The Central Geological Programming Board serves as a key institutional platform where the Geological Survey of India presents its Annual Field Season Programme for discussion. The process ensures coordination among survey and exploration agencies across the country and avoids duplication of efforts. Inputs and collaboration requests from states, public sector undertakings, private players and mineral exploration agencies are evaluated before finalising the annual programme.

Leadership and Participation

The 65th meeting will be held at the A.P. Shinde Symposium Hall at ICAR, Pusa, and will be chaired by Piyush Goyal, Secretary, Ministry of Mines. Senior officials including GSI Director General Asit Saha and Additional Secretary Sanjay Lohiya will be present, along with representatives from state geological departments, PSUs, industry and academia, reflecting the multi-stakeholder character of the board.

Focus on Critical Minerals and Advanced Technologies

Deliberations are expected to focus on exploration of critical minerals such as lithium, rare earth elements, graphite, scandium and vanadium, which are vital for India’s clean energy transition and self-reliance goals. The meeting will also discuss the adoption of modern exploration tools, including AI and machine learning-based data integration, geophysical surveys, hyperspectral remote sensing, deep drilling and mineral system studies to improve discovery success rates.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• CGPB is the apex coordination body for geoscience programmes in India.
• GSI presents its Annual Field Season Programme before CGPB.
• Critical minerals are essential for clean energy and strategic sectors.
• AI, remote sensing and geophysics are key modern exploration tools.

Annual Field Season 2026–27 and Disaster Risk Reduction

GSI will place its Field Season Programme 2026–27 before the board, comprising 1,068 peer-reviewed projects across earth science disciplines. These include studies on critical minerals, carbon sequestration, offshore exploration and public-good geosciences. Discussions will also cover landslide hazard zonation and slope stability studies in Himalayan and Northeastern regions, alongside pre-competitive data-sharing frameworks to accelerate auction-ready mineral blocks.