**National Policy **on Geothermal Energy: India's 10,600 MW Estimated Potential and 381 Identified Hot Springs Energy, Environment and Geography GS Paper I, GS Paper III 4 September 2026 Read highlighted facts first n FAST READ — read only this box if short on time
- India's **National Policy **on Geothermal Energy was notified on 15 September 2025.
- GSI estimates geothermal potential of about 10,600 MW.
- Exploration cove**rs 381 **hot springs; 42 manifestations are identified as promising.
- Geothermal energy can provide reliable, round-the-clock renewable heat or electricity.
- Unlike solar/wind, it is based on heat stored inside the Earth.
WHY IN NEWS
- A PIB backgrounder on Geothermal Energy highlighted India's policy framework and resource potential.
- Geothermal energy is receiving attention as a firm renewable source that can complement variable solar and wind generation.
- India's policy seeks to move from resource mapping toward exploration, demonstration and commercial utilisation.
TOP DATA & FACTS
- **National Policy **notification: 15 September 2025.
- Estimated Indian geothermal potential: about 10,600 MW.
- GSI exploration covers about 381 hot springs.
- About 42 geothermal manifestations have been identified as promising.
- Geothermal energy uses heat stored within the Earth.
- It can generate electricity or provide direct heat.
- Resources can occur in tectonically active zones, hot-spring regions and deep sedimentary basins.
- Geothermal plants can provide relatively steady generation compared with weather-dependent renewables.
- Exploration risk is high because drilling may fail to find commercially useful temperature or flow.
- Direct-use applications include space heating, greenhouses, drying and industrial heat.
- Enhanced geothermal systems seek to exploit hot rock where natural permeability is insufficient.