Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, established in 1968, is an autonomous Institute of Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. The Institute is actively engaged in geological mapping, glaciology, paleomonsoon and Himalayan uplift, structure & tectonics, petrology & geochemistry, geochronology, sedimentology, geomorphology, paleontology and biostratigraphy, hydrology and geophysical studies. These studies are focussed to unravel geological truths related to mountain building for manifold applications in understanding geodynamic processes, impact on monsoon and global climate, natural resources, evolution of life, and assessment and mitigation of natural hazards.

Research activities of the Institute are planned and grouped as a part of the Five Year Plan of the Government of India and are implemented through long-term and short-term projects, which are supplemented by the sponsored projects focused at various themes within the ambit of the evolution and geodynamics of the Himalaya. Standing at the transition from 10 Five Year Plan to 11 Five Year Plan, the current year was a period of self introspection and developing vision for the future activities. To promote inter-disciplinary research, the activities under the 10 Plan were grouped into a number of thrust areas.

1. Geodynamics and Crustal Evolution
2. Basin Evolution
3. Natural Hazards
4. Glaciology and Natural Resources
5. Paleoclimate and Environment

The planning of scientific activities for the 11 Five Year Plan were greatly facilitated by the comprehensive exercise of developing the vision document of the Institute for the next 10-15 years. Recognizing the continuous growth of analytical and field observation facilities as well as in-house expertise for undertaking integrated geo-scientific research, the major scientific programs during the 11 Five Year Plan are identified to address scientific themes in the form of Mission Mode Projects. The scientific activities during the 11 Five Year Plan are envisaged to be centered around the following Mission Mode Projects:

1. Himtransects
2. Climate-Tectonics Interaction
3. Biodiversity-Environment Linkage
4. Sustainable Natural Resources
5. Real Time Geology for Society : Coping with Natural Hazards

The total programs are being implemented and monitored by the Governing Body under the Chairmanship of Dr. T. Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, and Research Advisory Committee of the Institute.