The Geological Survey of lndia (GSI) is the premier national organisation which provides basic earth science information to the country. Started in 1851 with the sole objective of locating coal reserves for the railways, the GSI has over the years expanded its role and emerged into a multi-disciplinary organisation making significant contribution to the national mainstream .



The major functions of the GSI are locating mineral resources and generating and updating of geoscience information through ground, marine and air surveys. The organisation is also involved in management of natural hazards like earthquakes, floods etc., providing geotechnical advice to all major civil engineering, communication and urban development projects, geo environmental resource  appraisal  and upgradation of geoscientific expertise through training.



During its 150 years of earth science activity. GS! has acquired a strong national geoscience database which contribute s to meeting the demands of mineral / metal industries , power sector, agriculture and irrigation sector, engineering projects, communication , management of natural hazards and environmental degradation. GSI 's activity also includes the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the seas and oceans surrounding India and the icy continent of Antarctica. Till date, more than 87 per cent of EEZ has been covered by reconnaissance sea bed mapping. GSI has contributed through geotechnical investigation towards the development of ports and harbours and in location of off­ shore  structures.



Through GSI Training Institute, Hyderabad , training is imparted in various fields of geoscientific activity to its own professionals and also to the earth scientists of other sister organisations and of ESCAP and other foreign countries. GSI is also interacting with various countries through bilateral collaborative/exchange programmes.



The GSI is now poised to meet the challenges of the 21st century by contributing its mite in the country 's search for sustainable development in the drastically changed world economic order, by constantly upgrading its knowledge base and modernising its tools and techniques.



The stamp design features three ore forming minerals , Bauxite - an aluminium ore, Chalcopyrite - a copper ore and Psilomelane - a manganese ore. Over the years, GSI has carried out exploration for these and several other minerals in the country and has established considerable reserve of these minerals.



The Department of Posts is happy to issue a postage stamp on the occasion of the  150th anniversary of the Geological Survey of India.



Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India