The Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) of the Geological Survey of India will convene a meeting in New Delhi on January 21. The meeting aims to discuss future geoscientific initiatives, mineral exploration strategies, clean energy, geohazards, and sustainable development. Key topics include the exploration of critical minerals like lithium, graphite, vanadium, scandium, and cesium in alignment with national energy transition priorities and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
Adoption of advanced exploration tools such as AI/ML-based data integration, geophysical surveys, hyperspectral remote sensing, deep drilling, and mineral system studies will be on the agenda. The Ministry of Mines will host the 65th CGPB meeting with participation from central ministries, state governments, industry, academia, and mining sectors.
The meeting will also address the Annual Field Season Programme (FSP) of GSI to prevent work duplication. Stakeholders will present collaborative work requests with GSI based on government priorities and proposal urgency. The Annual Programme of GSI for the forthcoming financial year will be finalized at the CGPB meeting, focusing on survey and mapping, exploration, research and development, societal projects, and capacity building programs.
Pre-competitive data sharing and collaborative exploration models, especially for critical minerals, will be emphasized to optimize national resources and fast-track exploration to auction-ready blocks. Discussions on landslide hazard zonation, slope stability studies, and disaster risk reduction, particularly in the Himalayan and NE states, are scheduled. GSI’s Annual Programme for FS 2026-27, featuring 1,068 peer-reviewed projects across Earth sciences disciplines with a focus on mineral exploration, will also be presented.
