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Geological Survey of India: 175 Years and Core Functions

22 November 20251 min read
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYGeological Surveyof India: 175 Yearsand CoreFunctions22 November 2025safalsetu.com

Why in the news

GSI is marking 175 years with a year-long programme; a Jaipur seminar is to be opened by G Kishan Reddy.

About GSI

  • India’s premier geoscientific organisation, an attached office of the Ministry of Mines.
  • Set up in 1851 to find coal for expanding Indian Railways.

Functions

FunctionScope
MappingSurface and subsurface geology
Mineral explorationMinerals, energy, water
GeohazardsSeismotectonics, glaciology, climate geoscience
Geotechnical workInfrastructure, land stability, groundwater
RepositorySpatial data, archives, museums

Exam angle

  • Founded 1851; parent: Ministry of Mines.

Test yourself

1. Under which ministry does the Geological Survey of India function as an attached office?

GSI is an attached office under the Ministry of Mines.

2. In which year was the Geological Survey of India established?

GSI was founded in 1851, initially to find coal for railways.

3. Where is GSI's international seminar marking its 175 years being held?

The seminar is in Jaipur, inaugurated by G Kishan Reddy.