Part of: National Current Affairs · See also: UPSC syllabus · UKPSC syllabus
A PIB backgrounder on 2 November 2026 put the Puga geothermal wells in Ladakh back in focus. Notably, these are India’s first two geothermal wells, drilled by ONGC Energy Centre above 14,000 feet. Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena commissioned them in Leh on 17 July 2026. Together, they pave the way for India’s first 1-MW demonstration geothermal power project. Hence, they matter for a carbon-neutral Ladakh.
Two 1,000-Metre Wells at 14,000 Feet
Each well goes down 1,000 metres. According to the Ladakh administration, the first well reached its target on 22 May 2026. Then, the second well, spudded on 3 June, reached 1,000 metres on 8 July 2026. So far, engineers have recorded a peak of 135°C at 400 metres. Meanwhile, testing continues.
Who Is Behind the Project?
ONGC Energy Centre executes the work under a tripartite MoU. The other partners are the Ladakh administration and LAHDC Leh. The parties first signed it on 6 February 2021. However, it expired in February 2026, so the LG renewed it for five years. At the commissioning, Saxena said, “This Geothermal Power project would act as a catalyst for Ladakh’s holistic development.”
India’s Geothermal Map
According to PIB, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has mapped 381 hot springs. Moreover, it has identified 10 geothermal provinces. These are Himalayan, Naga-Lusai, Andaman and Nicobar, SONATA, West Coast, Cambay Graben, Aravalli, Mahanadi, Godavari and South Indian Cratonic. In addition, India’s theoretical potential is nearly 10.6 GW, with 42 promising sites. Still, India has no commercial geothermal power yet.
About the National Policy on Geothermal Energy
The Government notified the National Policy on Geothermal Energy in September 2025. Notably, MNRE serves as the nodal ministry. Also, the policy promotes ground source heat pumps for heating and cooling. Further, it allows the reuse of abandoned oil and gas wells. Finally, it supports a national geothermal data repository.
Puga Geothermal Wells: Key Facts for Revision
- Location: Puga Valley, Changthang region of eastern Ladakh
- Executing agency: ONGC Energy Centre
- Commissioned: 17 July 2026, by LG VK Saxena
- Depth: Two wells, 1,000 metres each
- Next step: India’s first 1-MW demonstration geothermal plant
Why Puga Geothermal Wells Matter for UPSC and UKPSC
Notably, geothermal power runs round the clock, unlike solar and wind. So, remember the Puga geothermal wells, the 10 GSI provinces and the 2025 policy. Also, link Puga with Uttarakhand’s Tapoban hot springs, which GSI lists among key sites. For official updates, also visit ONGC. Next, for a related story, read about India’s first high-altitude snow leopard safari in Ladakh.
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