New Delhi, Sept. 16 -- India on Monday announced its first National Policy on Geothermal Energy, setting a framework for exploration, resource assessment, and project development across the country.

The policy, notified by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), marks a significant step in diversifying India's clean energy portfolio.

According to the Geological Survey of India, 381 hot springs with surface temperatures ranging from 35degC to 89degC have been identified across 10 geothermal provinces, including Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Telangana.

The ministry said geothermal energy offers a reliable baseload renewable source with...