The Geological Survey of India was set up in 1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the Railways. Over the years, it 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 organization of international repute.
The main function of GSI relate to creation and updation of national geo scientific information and mineral resource assessment. GSI also conducts geo-technical and geo-environmental studies. With its headquarters at Kolkata, GSI has six regional offices at Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong & Kolkata and offices in almost all States of the country.
Milestones and major achievements of GST
1. Coverage of 3.093784 million sq km (98.34%) of the country (out of total mappable area of 3.146 million sq km) by geological mapping on 1: 50,000/63,360 scale. First Geological Map published way back in 1877 and seventh revised edition in 1998.
2. Marine reconnoitre survey of 98.04% of Exclusive Economic Zone (2.02) million sq km) in the surrounding ocean completed.
3. Airborne geophysical survey of 2.077 million sq km and 14,761 line km in Coastal Areas.
4. Coverage of about 154,559 sq km. In geologically critical areas of the country by large scale (1: 25,000) specialised thematic mapping with a view to solve structure, stratigraphy, etc.
5. 6.12% landmass equivalent to 200,714 sq km spreading over about 300 toposheets has been covered systematically under the “National Geochemical Mapping Program”.
6. A total of 153,151.50 sq km area is completed by ground gravity survey and magnetic survey on 1:50,000 scale under the National Geophysical Mapping Program.
7. Vanguard role in the research in Petrology, Palaeontology, Geochronology, Geophysics and Geochemistry.
8. Published 292 Quadrangle geological maps (compiled from the basic geological mapping for each degree sheet)
9. Published a number of important thematic maps including Geological/ Mineral/ Tectonic/ Geotechnical Map of India on various scales, Sea Bed Sediment Maps, District Resources Maps etc.
10. Publication of first Memoir of GSI dates back to 1856; till date 139 Memoirs have been published.
11. Geological mapping of more than 19,000 square kilometer in Antarctica through participation in all the 29 scientific expeditions GSI officers gave leadership in 13 teams.
