Landforms and Palaeoclimatic Studies: This includes the analysis of Quaternary landforms and sediments for the reconstruction of palaeoclimate and geomorphic evolution of the region and to establish relation between climate change and Quaternary tectonics.

Active Tectonic Studies: The main focus in this theme is on mapping and understanding of the nature of active fault systems in different segments of the Himalaya and to document paleoseismic events, behaviour of individual active fault segments, rate of faulting, reconstruction of history of large magnitude earthquakes and their repeat time, etc.

Glaciological Studies: Under this theme studies are carried out for mass balance, glacier dynamics, snow-ice crystallization, structure and metamorphism and flow dynamics, glacier hydrology including suspended sediment load, glacier chemistry for solute load and past climate changes. Preparation of glacial inventory in GIS environment, mapping of glacial landforms and bedrock profiles, lichenometry, climate and environmental aspects of the glacier basin are being studied in this theme.

Study of Water Resources: This includes identification of hill aquifer, preparation of hydrogeological maps, understanding groundwater flow system, age and recharge of groundwater, modelling water balance, assessing impact of climate and anthropogenic/environmental changes on water resources, etc. Study of chemical weathering processes in river basins and assessment of water quality constitute an important part of this research activity.

Study of Natural Hazards: This includes the nature and causes of landslides and mass movement, cloudbursts, field and laboratory investigation of rocks and soil involved in the sliding processes. Preparation of landslide hazard zonation maps and modeling the behavior of slopes under various conditions are a step forward under this theme for the prediction of landslides and related mass movement activities.