**Executive Summary**
The Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines, will host the 65th Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) meeting on January 21, 2026, in New Delhi. The meeting, chaired by Shri Piyush Goyal, aims to align geoscience with national priorities, unveil GSI's upcoming annual program, and chart future geoscientific initiatives. Deliberations will focus on addressing issues in the mineral sector.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Meeting Overview:**
* The 65th CGPB meeting will be held on January 21, 2026, in New Delhi.
* Shri Piyush Goyal, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, will chair the meeting.
* The meeting will discuss the Annual Field Season Program (FSP) of GSI and avoid duplication of work.
* **Objectives:**
* Align geoscience with national priorities and global sustainability goals.
* Unveil the upcoming annual program of the Geological Survey of India (GSI).
* Chart future geoscientific initiatives, focusing on clean energy, geohazards, and sustainable development.
* **Discussion Topics:**
* Exploration of critical minerals (Lithium, REEs, Graphite, PGE, Vanadium, Scandium, Cesium, etc.) aligned with national priorities on energy transition and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
* Adoption of modern exploration tools like AI/ML-based data integration, geophysical surveys, hyperspectral remote sensing, deep drilling, and mineral system studies.
* Pre-competitive data sharing and collaborative exploration models for critical and strategic minerals.
* Landslide Hazard Zonation and slope stability studies, for disaster risk reduction.
* **Annual Program:**
* GSI's Annual Programme for FS 2026-27, with 1,068 peer-reviewed projects, will be presented.
* The program emphasizes mineral exploration, innovation, sustainability, carbon sequestration studies, and offshore exploration.
* **Other Activities:**
* Release of key publications of the Geological Survey of India.
* Exhibition showcasing the activities of GSI, especially in strategic & critical mineral exploration.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Mines, GSI, State geological departments, PSUs, and private exploration/mining companies**
* **Impact:** Key stakeholders will participate in discussions shaping future geoscience initiatives and mineral exploration strategies.
* **Action Required:** Prepare proposals for collaborative work with GSI based on Government priorities and the importance/urgency of their requests.
**Central Ministries, State Governments, Industry, Academia, and mining sectors**
* **Impact:** Stakeholders will contribute to deliberations on geoscientific advancements and solutions to challenges in clean energy, geohazards, and sustainable development.
* **Action Required:** Contribute expertise and perspectives to the discussions, helping to shape the direction of geoscientific initiatives in India.
Key Entities Referenced
Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB): A platform of the Geological Survey of India for discussing and avoiding duplication of work in the Annual Field Season Program (FSP) of GSI and charting future geoscientific initiatives.
Geological Survey of India (GSI): Ministry of Mines agency hosting the 65th Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) meeting and unveiling its upcoming Annual Programme.
Ministry of Mines: The ministry under which GSI operates, and whose Secretary, Shri Piyush Goyal, will address the CGPB meeting.
Annual Field Season Program (FSP): Annual program of GSI which is placed for discussion in CGPB meeting to avoid duplication of work
New Delhi: Location of the 65th Central Geological Programming Board Meeting.
Ministry of Mines
Shri Piyush Goyal, Secretary, Ministry of Mines to
Address 65th Central Geological Programming
Board Meeting in New Delhi on 21st January
2026
Aligning Geoscience with National Priorities- Geological
Survey of India to Unveil its Upcoming Annual Programme at
the 65th CGPB Meeting, Charting Future Geoscientific
Initiatives
प्रव तथ: 20 JAN 2026 11:09AM by PIB Delhi
The Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines, is going to host 65th Central Geological
Programming Board (CGPB) meeting on 21st January 2026 at A. P. Shinde Symposium Hall, ICAR, Pusa,
New Delhi. This pivotal event will bring together key stakeholders from the Central Ministries, State
Governments, Industry, Academia and mining sectors to deliberate on geoscientific advancements,
mineral exploration strategies, and solutions to challenges, including new initiatives in clean energy,
geohazards, and sustainable development.
The Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) is an important platform of the Geological Survey of
India (GSI), Ministry of Mines wherein the Annual Field Season Program (FSP) of GSI is placed for
discussion and to avoid duplication of work. The members of CGPB and other stakeholders like State
Governments, Central/ State Government Mineral Exploration Agencies, PSUs and Private Entrepreneurs
place their requests for collaborative work with GSI. Based on the priorities set by the Government of
India and the importance and urgency of proposals presented by the members and stakeholders, the
Annual Programme of GSI for survey & mapping, exploration, Research and Development,
multidisciplinary catering to societal projects and training & capacity building programmes during the
forthcoming financial year is given a final shape after due discussion and deliberations held at the topmost
level at CGPB meeting.
The 65th CGPB meeting will be held under the Chairmanship of Shri Piyush Goyal, Secretary, Ministry of
Mines in the august presence of Shri Asit Saha, Director General, GSI, and Shri Sanjay Lohiya, Additional
Secretary, Ministry of Mines, along with senior representatives from the Ministry of Mines, GSI, State
geological departments, PSUs, and private exploration/mining companies.
The deliberations in the meeting will focus on the issues faced by the mineral sector in the country that
includes:
Exploration of critical minerals such as Lithium, REEs, Graphite, PGE, Vanadium, Scandium, Cesium,
etc., aligned with national priorities on energy transition and Atmanirbhar Bharat.Adoption of modern exploration tools like AI/ML-based data integration, geophysical surveys,
hyperspectral remote sensing, deep drilling, and mineral system studies.
Pre-competitive data sharing and collaborative exploration models, especially for critical and strategic
minerals, to optimize national resources, reduce duplication, and accelerate transition from exploration to
auction-ready blocks.
Landslide Hazard Zonation and slope stability studies, for disaster risk reduction, especially in Himalayan
and NE states.
In the meeting GSI’s Annual Programme for FS 2026-27, comprising 1,068 rigorously peer-reviewed
projects across various disciplines of earth-sciences with major emphasis on mineral exploration will also
be placed. The programme underscores innovation and sustainability, with expanded thrust on critical
minerals, carbon sequestration studies, offshore exploration, and public good geosciences. The meeting
will also feature the release of key publications of the Geological Survey of India by the dignitaries and an
exhibition showcasing the activities of GSI especially in the sphere of Strategic & Critical mineral
exploration.
The CGPB meeting will serve as a collaborative and coordinating platform to align national geoscientific
priorities with global sustainability goals, advancing India's vision of innovation and resource security.
****
Prajith Kumar
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2216338) आगंतुक पटल : 609
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