What is the Geological Survey of India (GSI)?

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About Geological Survey of India (GSI):

It was set up in 1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the Railways.
Over the years, it has grown into a repository of geo-science information required in various fields in the country.
Objective: Providing objective, impartial and up-to-date geological expertise and geoscientific information of all kinds, with a focus on policy-making decisions and commercial and socio-economic needs.
Under the National Mineral Policy (NMP) 2008, GSI remains the principal agency for geological mapping and regional mineral resources assessment of the country.
It also emphasises systematic documentation of all geological processes, both surface and subsurface, of India and its offshore areas.
The organisation carries out this work through geological, geophysical, & geochemical surveys using the latest and most cost-effective techniques and methodologies.
It is headquartered in Kolkata and has six regional offices located at Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong and Kolkata. Every state has a state unit.
Presently, GSI is an attached office to the Ministry of Mines.

Q1) What are geological surveys?

Geological survey is conducted for the purpose of studying the composition of materials that compose the earth. Geology plays an important role in conducting geotechnical investigation for trenchless methods such as horizontal direction drilling (HDD), microtunneling and pipe jacking.

Source: GSI terms reports on large lithium reserves found in Rajasthan as ‘baseless’