Geological Survey of India

What Geological Survey of India does

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is a government agency under the Ministry of Mines, established in 1850 and headquartered in Kolkata. It functions as India's national geological survey and mineral exploration body, conducting baseline geoscience, geological mapping, natural resource assessment, and multidisciplinary geoscientific research with a workforce exceeding 10,000 employees distributed across regional offices in Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, and New Delhi.

GSI's core operational surface spans critical mineral exploration (458 projects in the 2025-26 field season, of which 230 target critical minerals and 92 target rare earth elements), disaster risk management through the National Landslide Forecasting Centre (covering 21 districts across 8 states in 2025), geo-heritage site protection (over 90 nationally important sites), and offshore geological mapping via two new 64-meter coastal research vessels. Its technology stack includes AI-powered landslide forecasting, drone-based mineral surveys with AI analysis, seismic monitoring stations, and geospatial data analytics integrated with academic partners such as TEXMiN at IIT ISM Dhanbad.

GSI operates primarily on government budget allocation under the National Critical Minerals Mission. Commercial revenue derives from auctioning exploration reports and mineral blocks to private mining companies including Oil India, Vedanta, and Coal India, while institutional relationships span state governments (NTKMA, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka) and foreign geological agencies (BRGM in France, Geoscience Australia). The agency's strategic positioning has shifted from pure mapping toward enabling investment-ready mineral assets to reduce India's import dependence on critical minerals.

Name

Geological Survey of India

Legal name

Geological Survey of India

Website

https://gsi.gov.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

1850

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

India's national geological survey agency under the Ministry of Mines, conducting mineral exploration, disaster risk assessment, and geo-heritage protection across India. It serves the central government, state administrations, and private mining companies through exploration reports and auctioned mineral blocks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration Services

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360), Support Activities for Mining (213), Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services (54137)

SIC

Oil & Gas Field Exploration Services (1382)

akta.pro primary industry

Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling) (IMAKAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Seismic & Geoscience Services (Acquisition, Processing, Interpretation) (EUALABAK), Geotechnical Investigation & Site Characterization (Boreholes, In-situ Testing, Lab Testing) (IMAFAOAG), Geotechnical & Subsurface Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAB)

Keywords

• Geological survey services
• Mineral exploration
• Critical minerals mapping
• Landslide early warning
• Geo-heritage assessment

Headquarters

HQ city

Kolkata

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Funded Exploration: GSI receives government funding for mineral exploration projects as part of India's National Critical Minerals Mission. The agency has completed 571 exploration projects and contributes to the National Mineral Exploration Trust.
2. Auction of Exploration Blocks: GSI's exploration reports are auctioned to major mining companies including Oil India, Vedanta, and Coal India, generating revenue through the sale of investment-ready mineral assets.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Geological Survey of India is India's national geological survey agency that conducts baseline geoscientific surveys, geological mapping, and mineral exploration across critical and rare earth minerals. It operates the National Landslide Forecasting Centre, performs seismic and geohazard assessments, identifies and protects geo-heritage sites of national importance, and runs offshore geological mapping via coastal research vessels. Its outputs include auction-ready mineral exploration reports sold to private mining companies and AI-driven early warning bulletins issued to state disaster management authorities.

Product overview

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is a government geological survey agency that provides geological mapping, mineral exploration, seismic monitoring, landslide assessment, and geo-heritage site management services. Rather than a commercial product company, GSI operates as a national scientific organization conducting field surveys, resource assessments, and hazard monitoring. Key offerings include seismic monitoring stations deployed for disaster preparedness, critical mineral exploration services for government missions like the National Critical Mineral Mission, landslide early warning systems, geological heritage site protection, and coastal research vessel operations for offshore geological mapping and ocean environment monitoring.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mineral Exploration and Geological Mapping Services National-scale geological mapping and mineral exploration services covering baseline geoscience, data collection, and natural resource assessment across India, producing auction-ready exploration reports and mineral block assets for the National Critical Minerals Mission.
• Regional Landslide Early Warning System AI-powered landslide forecasting and early warning service delivered through the National Landslide Forecasting Centre, currently issuing operational landslide early warning bulletins for Rudraprayag district in Uttarakhand and expanding nationwide by 2030.
• Seismic and Geohazard Assessment Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 458 mineral exploration projects completed in 2025-26, targeting 500 in next season
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• BRGM (Bureau Geological et Minière - French Geological Survey)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 July 2026France and India held their first Joint Working Group on Critical Minerals meeting in New Delhi, co-chaired by Benjamin Gallezot and Kameshwar Saip. BRGM and GSI identified joint work avenues across the critical minerals value chain including exploration, processing, and recycling. This partnership builds on the February 2026 France-India Joint Declaration of Intent signed during President Macron's visit, providing a framework for cooperation in mining, research, innovation, and supply chain resilience.
• India-France Joint Working Group on Critical MineralsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 July 2026France's Interministerial Delegate Benjamin Gallezot co-chaired the first India-France Joint Working Group on Critical Minerals with Indian officials, focusing on cooperation in exploration, processing, and recycling of critical minerals and rare earth elements. The discussions involved BRGM and GSI identifying joint work avenues to build resilient and sustainable supply chains.
• TEXMiN (IIT ISM Dhanbad)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2026TEXMiN at Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad signed an MoU with GSI for collaboration on research, technology development, and capacity building in critical mineral exploration. The partnership focuses on integrating advanced geoscientific methods, data analytics, and laboratory research to identify and evaluate critical mineral resources. Both institutions will establish working groups and onboard third-party start-up agencies to accelerate innovation.
• Geoscience AustraliaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Australia and India strengthened their strategic partnership through renewed cooperation in critical minerals exploration between Geoscience Australia and the Geological Survey of India. This partnership is part of the broader Joint Statement on Energy Security signed by PMs Albanese and Modi, emphasizing energy security, clean energy cooperation, and resilient supply chains.
• Myanmar GovernmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndian Prime Minister Modi discussed critical minerals and rare earth cooperation with Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing. While no formal agreements emerged, this represents a strategic aspiration for cooperation in rare earth supply chains. Myanmar ranks as the world's third-largest rare earth producer with significant deposits in Kachin State.
• KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Limited)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKABIL has signed an agreement with Argentina's CAMYEN for lithium brine block exploration. India has also established overseas lithium ventures and partnered with Australia on cobalt assets, alongside bilateral ties with Peru, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to secure critical mineral supply chains.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Geological Survey of Canada (NRCan/GSC): Canada's national geological survey conducting mineral resource assessments and geological mapping. Comparable government agency structure with similar mandate on critical mineral exploration and geo-hazard monitoring.
• BRGM (Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières): France's geological survey agency, currently a strategic partner of GSI via the India-France Joint Working Group on Critical Minerals. Directly comparable scope covering mineral exploration, geohazard assessment, and subsurface characterization.
• Council for Geoscience (South Africa): South Africa's national geological survey conducting mineral resource assessment, geological mapping, and geohazard monitoring. Comparable agency structure focused on a resource-rich national geology.
• Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (BGR): Germany's federal geological survey providing international cooperation on mineral resources and geological hazards. Comparable mandate with strong focus on critical raw materials supply.
• United States Geological Survey (USGS): US national geological survey agency conducting mineral resource assessments, geological mapping, and natural hazard monitoring. Most directly comparable peer given similar mandate, scale, and government-affiliated operating model.
• Geoscience Australia: Australia's national geological survey agency and GSI's strategic partner under the Joint Statement on Energy Security. Comparable scope spanning mineral exploration, critical minerals, and geological hazard monitoring.
• VSEGEI (Russian Geological Research Institute): Russia's national geological research institute conducting continental-scale geological mapping and mineral resource assessment. Comparable historical legacy (founded 1882) and government-affiliated operating model.
• British Geological Survey (BGS): UK's national geological survey, similarly focused on geological mapping, mineral resource assessment, and environmental monitoring with comparable historical legacy (founded 1835).
• Geological Survey of Finland (GTK): Finland's national geological survey with comparable focus on mineral exploration, critical raw materials, and geological mapping. Comparable scale and Nordic government-affiliated operating model.

Broad incumbents

• China Geological Survey (CGS): China's national geological survey with significantly larger scale and broader mandate. Comparable in scope but operates as part of a much larger Chinese state-driven critical minerals strategy.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GeologyIndia
• Facebookfacebook.com/gsipage

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Geological Survey of India