Distinguished geoscientist Varsha Ashok Aglawe breaks barrier as first woman DG at Geological Survey of India

Smt. Varsha Ashok Aglawe has become the first woman to head the Geological Survey of India (GSI) as its Director General. She succeeds Shri Asit Saha and has over three decades of professional experience in geoscientific research. The GSI is committed to aligning its programmes with the Government of India's priorities in critical mineral exploration and mineral security.

Reported by 2 sources

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Quick Revision

Prelims-testable facts

01Smt. Varsha Ashok Aglawe has assumed charge as the 54th Director General of the Geological Survey of India (GSI).
02She is the first woman to head India's premier geoscientific organisation in its 176-year history.
03The Geological Survey of India was established in 1847, making it a 179-year-old institution.
04Smt. Aglawe has more than three decades of professional experience as a geoscientist.
05She has held several important scientific and administrative positions in GSI's Central, Northern and Eastern Regions.
06Prior to assuming the present office, she was Additional Director General & Head of Department, Eastern Region, Kolkata.
07Smt. Aglawe is an expert in palaeontology and palynology, with significant contributions to the study of Late Cretaceous–Palaeocene sediments.
08She has reported the Salbardi–Ghorpend area as a new dinosaur nesting site in Central India.

Trap alerts

Most people think Varsha Aglawe is the first woman Director General of GSI, but actually she is the 54th Director General and the first woman to hold this position.
Most people think the Geological Survey of India was established recently, but actually it has a history dating back to 1847.

Prelims Practice MCQs

Single facteasy

Who has assumed charge as the 54th Director General of the Geological Survey of India?

A.Smt. Varsha Ashok Aglawe
B.Shri Asit Saha
C.Dr. Renu Swami
D.Prof. Kavita Singh

Varsha Aglawe is the first woman Director General of GSI, assuming charge in 2026.

Statement I & IIhard

Consider the following two statements: Statement-I: Smt. Varsha Aglawe has made significant contributions to the study of the Late Cretaceous–Palaeocene sediments. Statement-II: She reported the Salbardi–Ghorpend area as a new dinosaur nesting site in Central India, which is part of the Late Cretaceous–Palaeocene sediments she studied. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
C.Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
D.Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Statement 1 is correct because Smt. Aglawe has made significant contributions to the study of the Late Cretaceous–Palaeocene sediments, as mentioned in fact #7. Statement 2 is also correct because she reported the Salbardi–Ghorpend area as a new dinosaur nesting site in Central India, but it does not explain why she studied the Late Cretaceous–Palaeocene sediments.

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