Geo Confluence ’25, the annual flagship event of the Department of Applied Geophysics, was held from 16–18 January 2025 and marked a historic milestone, coinciding with the 100th year celebrations of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. The event was organised by the Geophysical Society, in collaboration with the student chapters of SEG, EAGE, SPG, IGU, AEG, and SPWLA, making it a truly collective academic and professional endeavour.

The conference commenced with an Inaugural Ceremony at Penman Auditorium, graced by Dr. Indranil Saha, Chief Mine Planning, Natural Resources Division, Tata Steel, as the Chief Guest, and Dr. Madhur Johri, Discipline Lead NWS, bp, as the Guest of Honour. The event was held under the patronage of Prof. Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, with the presence of Prof. Saumen Maiti, Head of the Department of Applied Geophysics. Geo Confluence ’25 was convened by Prof. Niptika Jana and Prof. Partha Pratim Mandal, whose leadership played a key role in shaping the event’s academic and professional depth.

Geo Confluence ’25 featured a wide range of technical, academic, and outreach activities. Tech Talks were delivered by professionals from bp, Exxon Mobil, Cairn Oil and Gas, and Tex Min. A Career Path and Skills Spotlight session was conducted over a span of three days by bp industry professionals. Competitive events included the Geo Sabha Debate Competition, Geo Quest Quiz Competition, bp Integrated Subsurface Case Study Competition, and a large-scale Treasure Hunt. An Instrument Demonstration by WTS Geophysical Solutions provided hands-on exposure to geophysical tools and technologies.
The event also emphasized outreach and sustainability through a Geo Tour for school students, which included visits to the Geological Museum and Seismological Observatory, and a Tree Plantation Drive. Participation was strong, with over 700 students taking part in Geo Confluence ’25, including 500+ participants in the Treasure Hunt and 300+ attendees in the career sessions.

As part of the pre-events, Geo Sketch, a drawing competition for underprivileged students, was organised to provide a platform for creative expression, along with Geo Vision, a photography competition. Geo Confluence ’25 concluded on Sunday evening with the Closing Ceremony, during which prizes were distributed to the winning teams of different events.