National Geoscience Awards 2024: Honours for India’s Top Earth Scientists

On September 26, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu presented the National Geoscience Awards 2024 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, recognizing 20 eminent geoscientists for outstanding contributions in mineral exploration, applied geosciences, and environmental sustainability. The awards, instituted in 1966 by the Ministry of Mines, honour innovation and excellence across India’s geoscientific ecosystem. The ceremony was attended by Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, Ministry Secretary Piyush Goyal, and GSI Director General Asit Saha.

Award Categories & Key Recipients

This year, 12 awards were presented under three categories.

1. National Geoscience Award for Lifetime Achievement 2024

• Recipient: Prof. Shyam Sundar Rai
• Affiliation: Senior Scientist at INSA and Visiting Professor, IISER Pune
• Contribution: Pioneering work in Solid Earth and Exploration Geophysics, especially seismological studies in Peninsular India, Himalayas, and Ladakh.

2. National Young Geoscientist Award 2024

• Recipient: Shri Susobhan Neogi
• Affiliation: Senior Geologist, Geological Survey of India (GSI)
• Work: Advanced research on tectonic evolution of thrust belts in Meghalaya, Jharkhand, and Bundelkhand Craton, aiding mineral genesis and understanding of supercontinent assembly.

3. National Geoscience Awards (10 Awards)

• Recognizing contributions in mining technology, applied geosciences, groundwater studies, and exploration of strategic minerals.

For Static

• Event Date: September 26, 2025
• Award Instituted: 1966 by Ministry of Mines
• Lifetime Achievement Awardee: Prof. Shyam Sundar Rai
• Young Geoscientist Awardee: Shri Susobhan Neogi
• Presented by: President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan