Varsha Ashok Aglawe Becomes First Woman Director General of GSI

# Varsha Ashok Aglawe Becomes First Woman Director General of GSI ### Why in News? Varsha Ashok Aglawe assumed charge as the **54th Director General of the Geological Survey of India (GSI)** on July 31, 2026, becoming the **first woman** to head the organization in its **176-year history**. ### Who is Varsha Ashok Aglawe? - A **palaeontologist** with over **three decades of experience**, she joined GSI in **1992** after a stint with the **Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM)**. - She succeeds **Asit Saha**, who served as Director General for two years. - Previously, she served as **Additional Director General and Head of Department** for the Eastern Region in Kolkata. ### What is the Geological Survey of India? - Established in **1851** to locate **coal deposits** for the Railways, GSI is one of the **oldest scientific survey organizations** in the world. - Headquartered in **Kolkata**, it functions as an **attached office to the Ministry of Mines**. ### Exam Connect **GSI** → Established **1851**, HQ **Kolkata**, under **Ministry of Mines** **Indian Bureau of Mines** → Established **1948**, HQ **Nagpur**, under **Ministry of Mines**