Directorate General of Mines Safety celebrated its 125th Foundation Day

The Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) celebrated its 125th Foundation Day on 7 January, 2026 at its headquarters in Dhanbad, Jharkhand.

• The Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, celebrated its 125th Foundation Day on 7 January, 2026 at its headquarters in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, symbolising more than a century of dedicated service towards ensuring the safety, health and welfare of mine workers across the country.
• In this programme, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Ms. Shobha Karandlaje, was present as the chief guest.
• Highlighting the relevance of labour reforms, Ms. Karandlaje said that the four labour codes, which have consolidated and replaced 29 laws, aim to build a developed India and ensure social security including for contract workers.

Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS)

• Formed in 1902 from India’s first “Bureau of Mines Inspection”, which was established to implement the Indian Mines Act, 1901 after early mining accidents; it changed names over the years, and became DGMS in 1967, with headquarters in Dhanbad.
• Under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, it focuses on ensuring the safety, health and welfare of workers in coal, metal and oil mines, regulates through the Mines Act, 1952, and investigates accidents.

Major milestones and development:

• 1902 (7 January): The “Bureau of Mines Inspection” was formed in Calcutta to implement the Indian Mines Act, 1901.
• 1904: The name was changed to “Mining Department”.
• 1908: Headquarters was shifted to Dhanbad.
• 1952: The Mines Act was implemented, strengthening safety regulations.
• 1954: The first Indian Chief Inspector was appointed.
• 1960 (1 January): The name was changed to “Office of the Chief Inspector of Mines”.
• 1967 (1 May): It became the “Directorate General of Mines Safety” (DGMS).
• 1988: It was designated as a scientific and technical organisation.

National Mineral Chintan Shivir-2026 - Gandhinagar, Gujarat

• The Ministry of Mines is organising the National Mineral Chintan Shivir-2026 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat from 8 to 10 January, 2026, with the objective of holding structured deliberations on major regulatory and developmental issues related to the mining sector and further strengthening Centre-State coordination.
• The programme will be formally inaugurated by the Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, on 9 January at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre.
• A special focus of the National Mineral Chintan Shivir-2026 will be on the Critical Minerals Mission, which aims to strengthen domestic availability of critical and strategic minerals required for clean energy transition, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. The discussions will include increasing exploration efforts, securing supply chains, promoting domestic processing and value addition, and improving coordination between the Centre and States to support long-term mineral security.