A life of adventure
Rahat Bano interviews NK Dutta, director general, Geological Survey of India (GSI).
What is the variety of work geologists can do with GSI?
A geologist is basically concerned with the study of the earth with respect to its morphology, structural aspects, mineral occurrences, 
rocks and their engineering properties etc.
The branch of petroleum geology deals with the location and exploration of petroleum. In palaeontology, one studies the fossils of flora and fauna. Geologists carry out studies in relation to climatic changes, too.
Apart from these, there are various scientific investigations carried out by GSI’s other specialised wings, namely, marine and coastal geoscience, airborne survey and coal for locating natural resources of the country.
What are the latest domains geologists are interested in?
Geochronology i.e. dating of rocks using modern methods, and isotope geology i.e. study of rare elements of economic value, are areas of interest. Another important aspect now is planetary geology in which we study meteorites (samples) to know more about the formation of the universe. Remote sensing and its applications in geology is another tool for carrying out geological studies. A recent development in this discipline is environmental geology and climate change studies.
How many geologists work with GSI?
Currently about 2,000 geologists are engaged with GSI who are discharging various duties at different levels. We take in about 200-300 geologists every year (through a Union Public Service Commission exam). In addition to geologists, we recruit people from related sciences, like geophysics, chemistry, and engineering services as well.
Geology has not been a hot choice among youngsters? What’s the current scene?
That’s perhaps because of the hard life of a geologist who has to endure in terrains ranging from the inhospitable high Himalayas to the cold Antarctican continent and various densely forested areas of the country. The tediousness of the job may be a deterrent for many youngsters to take up the subject of geology. Only adventurous students are attracted to the excitement of the work, and are taking up geology in various universities of the country.
Author: HT Horizons
Date: 4th Feb., 2010
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