Situated in India’s mineral-rich region, about 260 km from Kolkata, the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad is one of the nation’s most historic and prestigious institutions. Established in 1926 following the McPherson Committee’s recommendations and inaugurated by Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy of India, the institute evolved into a multidisciplinary hub, attaining deemed university status in 1967 and IIT status in 2016, joining India’s premier technical institutions.

Ranked 15th among engineering institutions by NIRF 2024, IIT(ISM) Dhanbad offers a wide array of programs, including B.Tech, M.Tech, M.Sc., MBA, and Ph.D., with a strong emphasis on applied geosciences, mining and petroleum engineering. While maintaining leadership in these fields, the institute is also advancing research in sustainable technologies, environmental geoscience, and resource exploration, reflecting its commitment to innovation, national development, and the responsible utilization of India’s mineral and geological resources.

Welcome to the 1st National Symposium on Critical Mineral Exploration (2026) organized by Department of Applied Geology, Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad. The global transition toward clean-energy solutions and net-zero emissions has increased the demand for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements, and tungsten. These minerals are essential for renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, energy storage, and integration of these approaches is crucial to identify and prioritize both terrestrial and offshore targets. Read More