64th Central Geological Programming Board meeting in Bhubaneswar reviews GSI's 1,065 programmes for 2025-26
The 64th meeting of the Central Geological Programming Board was held in Bhubaneswar on 19 January 2025, where GSI placed about 1,065 scientific programmes for 2025-26, including 227 critical mineral projects.
Summary
The 64th meeting of the Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) was held at the State Convention Centre, Lokseva Bhavan, Bhubaneswar, on 19 January 2025, chaired by Mines Secretary and CGPB Chairman V.L. Kantha Rao. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) placed its proposed annual programme for field season 2025-26 with about 1,065 scientific programmes, including 402 mineral development projects and 167 mineral discovery projects. GSI plans 227 critical mineral projects, 16% more than the previous year, covering REE, graphite, lithium, vanadium and PGE, and about ₹300 crore of its budget will go to critical mineral exploration. Winners of the Mineral Hunt Techniques Hackathon were announced.
Key facts
- Meeting
- 64th CGPB, 19 January 2025
- Venue
- State Convention Centre, Lokseva Bhavan, Bhubaneswar
- Chair
- V.L. Kantha Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Mines
- GSI programmes 2025-26
- About 1,065
- Mineral development
- 402 projects
- Mineral discovery
- 167 projects
- Critical minerals
- 227 projects (+16%); about ₹300 crore
- Other
- 141 hazard/public good/fundamental geoscience projects
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Where was the 64th meeting of the Central Geological Programming Board held on 19 January 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Bhubaneswar
PIB 2094300: the 64th CGPB meeting was held at the State Convention Centre, Lokseva Bhavan, Bhubaneswar.
How many critical mineral projects has GSI planned for field season 2025-26, as placed before the 64th CGPB?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 227
PIB 2094300: 227 dedicated critical mineral projects, a 16% increase over the previous year.