GSI plans 1,068 projects for Field Season 2026-27 with critical-mineral focus
At the 65th Central Geological Programming Board meeting on 21 January 2026, the Geological Survey of India presented a 1,068-project annual programme for Field Season 2026-27, including 236 critical-mineral projects.
Summary
The 65th meeting of the Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) was held at ICAR, Pusa, New Delhi, chaired by Mines Secretary Piyush Goyal, who is CGPB Chairman; GSI Director General Asit Saha was present. GSI's programme for Field Season 2026-27 has 1,068 scientific projects, about 55% of them exploration-related. It includes 236 critical-mineral projects, about 37 projects in international border regions (16 of them mineral exploration), 144 projects on natural hazards and public-good and fundamental geoscience, and 58 geoinformatics projects. G3-stage exploration projects rise by about 46%.
Key facts
- Meeting
- 65th CGPB, 21 January 2026, ICAR Pusa
- Chair
- Mines Secretary Piyush Goyal
- Total projects
- 1,068 (about 55% exploration)
- Critical minerals
- 236 projects
- Border regions
- ~37 projects; 16 mineral exploration
- G3-stage projects
- Up about 46%
Practice MCQs 2 questions
How many scientific projects did the Geological Survey of India place before the 65th CGPB meeting for Field Season 2026-27?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1,068
PIB (Mines): GSI's Annual Programme for Field Season 2026-27 comprises 1,068 scientific projects.
Consider the following statements about GSI's Field Season 2026-27 programme: 1. It includes 236 projects on critical mineral exploration. 2. G3-stage exploration projects have increased by about 46%. 3. The CGPB meeting that reviewed it was chaired by the Director General of GSI. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Mines): there are 236 critical-mineral projects and G3-stage projects rise about 46%; the meeting was chaired by Mines Secretary Piyush Goyal as CGPB Chairman, not by the GSI DG.