National Geoscience Data Repository Portal

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Context:

The Union Ministry of Mines is to launch the National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) Portal on 19th December 2023 in a ceremony in New Delhi.

Relevance:

GS II: Government Policies and Interventions

Dimensions of the Article:

An extensive online platform designed for the retrieval, distribution, and analysis of geospatial information throughout India.
The initiation of the NGDR project was led by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N).
Marks a substantial advancement in the democratization of crucial geoscience data, providing stakeholders in various industries and academia with unparalleled access to invaluable resources.

Establishment:
- Founded in 1851 with the primary objective of locating coal deposits for the Railways.
Evolution and Growth:
- Has evolved into a repository of geo-science information with international repute.
Functions:
- Primarily focused on creating and updating national geoscientific information.
- Conducts mineral resource assessment.
Role:
- Provides objective, impartial, and current geological expertise.
- Offers geoscientific information crucial for policy-making decisions, commercial activities, and socio-economic needs.
Documentation and Surveys:
- Emphasizes systematic documentation of geological processes, encompassing both surface and subsurface aspects in India and its offshore areas.
- Conducts geological, geophysical, and geochemical surveys using advanced and cost-effective methodologies.
Ministry Affiliation:
- An attached office of the Ministry of Mines.
Headquarters:
- Located in Kolkata.
Regional Presence:
- Six regional offices in Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong, and Kolkata.
- State unit offices established across the country.
National Importance:
- Plays a vital role in the development and utilization of geological information for various sectors in the country.