Exam guide · UPSC
UPSC Geo-Scientist
UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination
The Union Public Service Commission's three-stage examination (Preliminary, Main and Personality Test) for Group 'A' and Group 'B' geologist, geophysicist, chemist and hydrogeologist posts in the Geological Survey of India (Ministry of Mines) and the Central Ground Water Board (Ministry of Jal Shakti).
Latest official notice: Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, 2027 — Examination Notice No. 01/2027-GEOL, published 2 September 2026.
Vacancies
Tentative: GSI 111 and CGWB 16
Age limit
At least 21 and below 32 years (born not earlier than 2 January 1995 and not later than 1 January 2006)
Application fee
₹200, by net banking, Visa/Master/RuPay credit or debit card, or UPI; non-refundable
Notice published
2 September 2026
UPSC Geo-Scientist notification: key dates and vacancies
| Online application opens | 2 September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Online application closes | 22 September 2026 (6 pm) |
| Preliminary (Stage-I) examination | 10 January 2027 |
| Main (Stage-II) examination | 19 and 20 June 2027 |
| Personality Test (Stage-III) | To be announced separately |
| Vacancies | Tentative: GSI 111 and CGWB 16 (127 by adding the post-wise figures; no total or category-wise split printed; 10 reserved for PwBD) |
Posts filled through this exam
- Category I — Geological Survey of India (Ministry of Mines): Geologist, Geophysicist and Chemist (Group 'A'); Assistant Geologist, Assistant Geophysicist and Assistant Chemist (Group 'B')
- Category II — Central Ground Water Board (Ministry of Jal Shakti): Scientist 'B' (Hydrogeology), Scientist 'B' (Chemical) and Scientist 'B' (Geophysics) (Group 'A'); Assistant Hydrogeologist, Assistant Chemist and Assistant Geophysicist (Group 'B')
Source: Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, 2027 — Examination Notice No. 01/2027-GEOL (published 2 September 2026). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
The UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination recruits geologists, geophysicists, chemists and hydrogeologists for the Geological Survey of India (Ministry of Mines) and the Central Ground Water Board (Ministry of Jal Shakti). The latest notice on upsc.gov.in is Examination Notice No. 01/2027-GEOL, dated 2 September 2026, for the 2027 examination.
Selection is in three stages: an objective Preliminary of 400 marks on 10 January 2027, a descriptive Main of 600 marks on 19–20 June 2027, and a Personality Test of 200 marks. Preliminary marks count towards the final merit.
This guide sets out the posts and tentative vacancies, age and relaxation rules, qualifications, fee, the scheme and the syllabus as the official notice prints them. The part of the Main syllabus that could not be read from the official PDF is marked as such.
Posts and tentative vacancies (Notice No. 01/2027-GEOL)
The notice lists post-wise vacancies, described as tentative and liable to alteration. It does not print a total or a category-wise (UR/EWS/OBC/SC/ST) split; reservation follows the vacancies fixed by the Government.
One application and one fee cover both categories (GSI and CGWB), but you may apply for posts under one stream/discipline only, chosen at the time of application.
Category I — Geological Survey of India
| Post | Group | Vacancies | PwBD (included) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geologist | A | 29 | 1 OH (OA/OL) |
| Geophysicist | A | 0 | — |
| Chemist | A | 7 | 1 HH |
| Assistant Geologist | B | 34 | 1 OH (OA/OL), 1 HH |
| Assistant Geophysicist | B | 35 | 3 HH |
| Assistant Chemist | B | 6 | 1 HH |
Adding the rows gives 111; PwBD 8. No total is printed.
Category II — Central Ground Water Board
| Post | Group | Vacancies | PwBD (included) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientist 'B' (Hydrogeology) | A | 5 | 1 HH |
| Scientist 'B' (Chemical) | A | 1 | — |
| Scientist 'B' (Geophysics) | A | 1 | — |
| Assistant Hydrogeologist | B | 7 | 1 LDCP |
| Assistant Chemist | B | 1 | — |
| Assistant Geophysicist | B | 1 | — |
Adding the rows gives 16; PwBD 2. No total is printed.
Age limit, relaxation and qualification
You must have attained 21 years and must not have attained 32 years on 1 January 2027, that is, born not earlier than 2 January 1995 and not later than 1 January 2006. Date of birth is accepted as recorded in the Matriculation or equivalent certificate.
Each post needs a master's degree (or, for the Group 'B' assistant posts, a master's or integrated master's) in a subject listed in the notice. If you are in the final year of the qualifying degree you may apply, but if you qualify for the interview you must produce proof of passing within the 10-day window given after the Main result.
You must be a citizen of India, or belong to one of the other nationality categories in the notice (subject of Nepal or Bhutan, a Tibetan refugee who came before 1 January 1962, or a person of Indian origin who migrated from the listed countries), who need a Government of India eligibility certificate. You must also be physically fit according to the physical standards in the Rules.
Qualification by post
| Post | Qualification (as printed, abridged) |
|---|---|
| Geologist (GSI) | Master's in Geological Science, Geology, Applied Geology, Geo-Exploration, Mineral Exploration, Engineering Geology, Marine Geology, Earth Science and Resource Management, Oceanography and Coastal Areas Studies, Petroleum Geosciences or Geochemistry |
| Geophysicist (GSI), Scientist 'B' (Geophysics) (CGWB) | M.Sc. in Physics, Applied Physics, Geophysics, Exploration Geophysics, Applied Geophysics or Marine Geophysics, or M.Sc. (Tech.) (Applied Geophysics) |
| Chemist (GSI), Scientist 'B' (Chemical) (CGWB) | M.Sc. in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry |
| Scientist 'B' (Hydrogeology), Assistant Hydrogeologist (CGWB) | Master's in Geology, Applied Geology, Marine Geology or Hydrogeology |
| Assistant Geologist (GSI) | Master's or Integrated Master's in Geology, Applied Geology, Mineral Exploration, Marine Geology or Earth Science |
| Assistant Geophysicist (GSI/CGWB) | M.Sc., M.Sc. (Tech) or Integrated M.Sc. in Geophysics, Exploration/Applied/Marine Geophysics, Geo-Exploration, Physics, Applied Physics or Applied Geology |
| Assistant Chemist (GSI/CGWB) | M.Sc. or Integrated M.Sc. in Chemistry or a listed specialisation (Applied, Analytical, Physical, Inorganic, Organic, Hydro-, Industrial Chemistry, etc.) |
Check the notice for the complete list of accepted degree titles for your post.
Upper age relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | Up to 5 years |
| OBC (eligible for reservation) | Up to 3 years |
| PwBD | Up to 10 years |
| Government servants of GSI / CGWB (corresponding posts) | Up to 5 years |
| Defence personnel disabled in operations | Up to 3 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (at least 5 years' service) and ECOs/SSCOs | Up to 5 years, subject to conditions |
SC/ST/OBC candidates who are also PwBD or Ex-Servicemen may get cumulative relaxation, as set out in the notice.
Scheme of examination, negative marking and interview
Stage-I (Preliminary) has two objective papers of 2 hours each: General Studies (100 marks, common to all streams) and a stream paper (300 marks). Each question has four alternatives, and one-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer; blank questions carry no penalty. Papers are in English only and calculators are not allowed. The notice does not print the number of questions.
Stage-II (Main) has three descriptive papers of 3 hours and 200 marks each (600 in all), set and answered in English only. Non-programmable pocket calculators are allowed. About six to seven times the approximate number of vacancies are admitted to the Main, using minimum qualifying marks in both Preliminary papers.
Stage-III is a Personality Test of 200 marks with no minimum qualifying marks; about twice the number of vacancies are called, from those who clear the Main minimum fixed by the Commission. Preliminary marks are counted for the final order of merit.
Selection scheme
| Stage | Type | Time | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage-I: Preliminary | Objective, two papers (English only) | 2 hours each | 400 |
| Stage-II: Main | Descriptive, three papers (English only) | 3 hours each | 600 |
| Stage-III: Personality Test | Interview | — | 200 |
Negative marking in Stage-I: one-third of the question's marks per wrong answer.
UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist syllabus, paper by paper
Stage-I (Preliminary): Paper-I General Studies, 2 hours, 100 marks, for every stream; Paper-II, 2 hours, 300 marks, in Geology/Hydrogeology (Stream-I: Geologist, Assistant Geologist, Scientist 'B' Hydrogeology, Assistant Hydrogeologist), Geophysics (Stream-II) or Chemistry (Stream-III). Objective, one-third negative marking.
Stage-II (Main): three descriptive papers of 3 hours and 200 marks each. Stream-I takes Geology Papers I–III; Stream-II Geophysics Papers I–III; Stream-III Chemistry Papers I–III; Stream-IV (Scientist 'B' Hydrogeology, Assistant Hydrogeologist) takes Geology Papers I and II and Hydrogeology as Paper-III. Stage-III: Personality Test, 200 marks.
Topics below are paraphrased from Appendix I of the notice, in the order printed. The official PDF's text could not be read beyond the start of Geophysics (Main) Paper-I Part B, so the remaining Geophysics and the Main Chemistry papers are not listed here — read them in the notice.
Stage-I Paper-I: General Studies (100 marks, all streams)
| Topic |
|---|
| Current events of national and international importance |
| History of India and the Indian National Movement |
| Indian and world geography — physical, social and economic |
| Indian polity and governance — Constitution, political system, Panchayati Raj, public policy, rights issues |
| Economic and social development — sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics, social-sector initiatives |
| General issues on environmental ecology, biodiversity and climate change (no subject specialisation required) |
| General Science |
Stage-I Paper-II: Geology/Hydrogeology (300 marks)
| No. | Area | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physical Geology | Origin and interior of the Earth, atmosphere, earthquakes and volcanoes, plate tectonics and isostasy, geological work of rivers, wind, glaciers and waves, weathering |
| 2 | Structural Geology | Stress, strain and rheology, folds and faults, Mohr's circle, shear in rocks, toposheets and outcrop patterns, stereographic projection |
| 3 | Mineralogy | Symmetry and crystal lattices, chemical classification, isomorphism and polymorphism, silicate structures, physical and optical properties of rock-forming minerals |
| 4 | Igneous Petrology | Magma types, classification, textures and structures, phase diagrams, petrogenesis of granite, basalt, komatiite and alkaline rocks |
| 5 | Metamorphic Petrology | Types and controls of metamorphism, structures and textures, zones, isograds and facies, geothermal gradients |
| 6 | Sedimentology | Origin of sediments, textures, primary structures, classification of sandstones and carbonates, depositional environments, carbonate diagenesis |
| 7 | Palaeontology | Fossilisation, species and nomenclature, invertebrate morphology and classification, evolution in Equidae and Hominidae, microfossils, Gondwana flora |
| 8 | Stratigraphy | Superposition; litho-, bio- and chronostratigraphy; Indian cratons and mobile belts; Purana basins; Phanerozoic successions of India |
| 9 | Economic Geology | Properties and formation of mineral deposits, coal and petroleum, major Indian mineral and hydrocarbon deposits |
| 10 | Hydrogeology | Aquifer properties, Darcy's law, Bernoulli equation and Reynolds number, groundwater chemistry, isotopes in groundwater, artificial recharge |
Stage-I Paper-II: Geophysics (300 marks)
| No. | Area | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Solid Earth Geophysics | Branches of geophysics, origin of the solar system, Earth's shape and rotation, gravity and magnetic fields, rock magnetism, elastic waves, Earth's interior, plate tectonics, earthquakes and seismicity |
| 2 | Mathematical Methods in Geophysics | Vector and tensor calculus, matrices and eigenvalues, gravitational potential, conservation laws, inverse theory, probability distributions, differential equations, numerical methods |
| 3 | Electromagnetism | Electrostatics and magnetostatics, Maxwell's equations, boundary conditions, wave propagation in media, potentials |
| 4 | Geophysical Prospecting | Gravity, magnetic, electrical, electromagnetic and well-logging methods, seismic principles, signal processing, Fourier and Laplace transforms |
| 5 | Remote Sensing and Thermodynamics | Electromagnetic spectrum, radiation laws, interaction with atmosphere and terrain, laws of thermodynamics |
| 6 | Nuclear Physics and Radiometry | Nuclear properties and binding energy, radioactive decay, radiation interactions, radioactivity of rocks, radiation detectors, atomic spectra, wave–particle duality |
Stage-I Paper-II: Chemistry (300 marks)
| No. | Area | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemical Periodicity | Atomic structure, periodic trends, s-, p- and d-block elements, ionisation enthalpy, electronegativity, oxidation states, important compounds |
| 2 | Chemical Bonding and Structure | Ionic bonding and lattice energy, covalent bonding theories, hybridisation, coordination compounds and isomerism |
| 3 | Acids and Bases | Ionic equilibrium, pH, buffers, Henderson's equation |
| 4 | Quantitative Inorganic Analysis | Normality and molarity, standard solutions, titrations and indicators |
| 5 | Kinetic Theory and the Gaseous State | Kinetic theory, molecular speeds, collisions, effusion |
| 6 | Chemical Thermodynamics and Equilibrium | First and second laws, thermodynamic functions, Joule–Thomson effect, criteria of spontaneity |
| 7 | Solutions of Non-electrolytes | Colligative properties, Raoult's law, osmosis, solubility of gases |
| 8 | Electrochemistry | Conductance, Kohlrausch's law, Debye–Hückel theory, conductometric titrations, transport number |
| 9 | Basic Organic Chemistry | Bonding and resonance, bond polarisation, reactive intermediates |
| 10 | Stereochemistry | Chirality, optical and geometrical isomerism, R/S and E/Z nomenclature, Newman projections |
| 11 | Types of Organic Reactions | Substitution, elimination and addition reactions, aromatic substitution |
| 12 | Molecular Rearrangements | Acid-induced and Wagner–Meerwein rearrangements, neighbouring group participation |
Stage-II Geology Paper-I (200 marks, 3 hours)
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| A. Physical geology and remote sensing | Evolution and internal structure of the Earth, earthquakes, volcanoes, geodesy and isostasy; weathering; landforms of rivers, wind, glaciers, waves and groundwater; ocean floor features; landscape evolution; geomorphic regions of India; remote sensing (EM spectrum, spectral signatures, thermal/NIR/microwave, digital image processing, LANDSAT/IRS/SPOT, aerial photographs, image interpretation) |
| B. Structural geology | Geological mapping; kinematic and dynamic analysis of deformation; stress–strain for elastic, plastic and viscous materials; folds, cleavage, boudins, lineation, joints, faults; stereographic projection; superposed deformation; microscale deformation and recrystallisation; brittle and ductile shear zones; timing of crystallisation and deformation; palaeostress |
| C. Sedimentology | Classification and textures of sedimentary rocks, grain-size analysis; transport and deposition (gravity flows, laminar/turbulent flow, Reynolds and Froude numbers, Hjulström diagram, bed and suspension load); primary, penecontemporaneous and biogenic structures, palaeocurrents; sandstone, limestone, BIF, mudstone, conglomerate; diagenesis and dolomitisation; facies models; sequence stratigraphy |
| D. Palaeontology | Fossil record and time scale, taphonomy; body and trace fossils, species concept, evolution, Ediacara fauna; morphology and ranges of major invertebrate groups; micropalaeontology (foraminifera, ostracods, spores, pollen, dinoflagellates); Gondwana plant fossils; vertebrate evolution (Proboscidea, Equidae, Hominidae); applications and mass extinctions |
| E. Stratigraphy | Principles and the Indian stratigraphic code; litho-, bio-, chrono- and magnetostratigraphy; Archaean nuclei (Dharwar, Bastar, Singhbhum, Aravalli, Bundelkhand); Proterozoic mobile belts and basins (Cuddapah, Vindhyan); Phanerozoic stratigraphy of India including Gondwana, Cenozoic and Siwaliks; boundary problems |
Stage-II Geology Paper-II (200 marks, 3 hours)
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| A. Mineralogy | Symmetry, Miller indices, Bravais lattices, 32 crystal classes; bonding and Pauling's rules; crystal defects, twinning, polymorphism, solid solution; physical and optical properties, polarising microscope; major rock-forming mineral groups |
| B. Geochemistry and isotope geology | Composition of Earth's spheres, geochemical cycles, meteorites; Goldschmidt classification; partition coefficients, Fick's, Raoult's and Henry's laws; trace elements, REE, Eh–pH diagrams; radiometric dating (K-Ar, Rb-Sr, U-Pb, Sm-Nd); stable isotopes (C, O, S); monazite dating |
| C. Igneous petrology | Magma properties and IUGS classification; crystallisation and textures; differentiation, assimilation, mixing; mantle melting models; binary and ternary phase diagrams; petrogenesis of major igneous rock types including alkaline rocks; mantle metasomatism, hotspots, Indian large igneous provinces |
| D. Metamorphic petrology | Controls, zones, facies and isograds; textures; ACF/AKF/AFM diagrams; thermodynamics and phase rule; reaction slopes, heat flow and mass transfer; geothermobarometry; fluid–rock interaction, charnockites, skarns; prograde and retrograde metamorphism, P-T-t paths |
| E. Geodynamics | Phase transitions and seismic discontinuities, Moho; rheology and rock magnetism, polarity reversals, polar wander, supercontinent cycles; continental drift and sea-floor spreading; mantle plumes; plate boundaries; crustal heat flow |
Stage-II Geology Paper-III (200 marks, 3 hours)
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| A. Economic geology | Ore and industrial minerals, ore microscopy, textures and paragenesis; characteristics and genesis of deposits; magmatic, hydrothermal, sedimentary, supergene and metamorphic deposits; fluid inclusions, stable isotopes; tectonics and mineralisation |
| B. Indian mineral deposits and mineral economics | Distribution of deposits in the Indian shield and key Indian deposits; uses of industrial minerals; strategic, critical and essential minerals, conservation, National Mineral Policy, Mineral Concession Rules, marine minerals and law of the sea |
| C. Mineral exploration | Stages of exploration; geological, geochemical and geobotanical methods, anomalies and ore guides; pitting, trenching, drilling, sampling, assaying and reserve estimation; ground and airborne geophysical methods |
| D. Fuel geology and engineering geology | Coal properties, analysis, rank, macerals, Indian coal and lignite; origin, migration and trapping of hydrocarbons, Indian petroliferous basins; uranium deposits of India; engineering properties of rocks and geology of dams, tunnels, bridges, highways and coastal structures |
| E. Environmental geology and natural hazards | Radiation budget and greenhouse gases; climate change and the carbon cycle; nuclear waste disposal; estuaries, mangroves and lagoons; ozone depletion, ocean acidification, sea-level rise and related issues; impacts of urbanisation, mining and hydropower; natural hazards; remote sensing and GIS in environmental management |
Stage-II Hydrogeology (Paper-III for Stream-IV, 200 marks, 3 hours)
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| A. Occurrence and distribution of groundwater | Origin of water, hydrological cycle and budget, residence time; confined and unconfined aquifers; water-table and piezometric maps; porosity, specific retention and yield; groundwater zones and basins; springs |
| B. Groundwater movement and well hydraulics | Darcy's law (isotropic and anisotropic media, validity); permeability and hydraulic conductivity; Bernoulli equation; field and laboratory methods; dispersion and diffusion; transmissivity |
| C. Water wells and groundwater levels | Steady and unsteady radial and unidirectional flow; boundary effects; well construction and testing (pumping and slug tests); water-level fluctuations; stream–aquifer interaction; land subsidence; climate change effects |
| D. Groundwater exploration | Surface methods (geological, remote sensing, resistivity, seismic, gravity, magnetic); subsurface methods (test drilling, resistivity, SP and radiation logging) |
| E. Groundwater quality and management | Chemical composition and mass balance; rock–water interaction and ion exchange; hardness; microbes; quality standards; sea-water intrusion; urban impacts; waste disposal and plumes; isotopes (H, C, O); artificial recharge; resource management |
Stage-II Geophysics Paper-I (200 marks, 3 hours) — Part A
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| A1. Solid Earth Geophysics | Solar system; Earth's rotation, figure, geoid and spheroid; plate tectonics and geodynamics; thermal history, heat flow, mantle convection; gravity and isostasy; geomagnetism and palaeomagnetism; drift and sea-floor spreading; elastic waves and Earth's interior; Adams–Williamson equation |
| A2. Earthquake Seismology | Earthquake parameters, magnitude and intensity; elastic rebound and fault-plane solutions; seismicity and seismotectonics of India; b-value; elastic constants; wave propagation, attenuation and dispersion; ray theory, tomography, receiver functions; seismic networks and instruments; prediction and microzonation |
| A3. Mathematical methods in Geophysics | Vector calculus; gravitational, electrostatic and magnetic fields; Laplace's equation in different coordinate systems; image theory; Maxwell's equations and EM induction; EM fields in layered media |
| A4. Geophysical Inversion | Forward and inverse problems; least squares, conditioning, non-uniqueness and resolution; SVD; Gauss–Newton, steepest descent, Marquardt–Levenberg; probabilistic, Monte Carlo, Backus–Gilbert and Bayesian methods; genetic algorithms, simulated annealing |
| B1. Mathematical Methods of Physics | Begins with dimensional analysis, units, vector algebra and calculus, linear algebra and matrices — the rest could not be read from the PDF |
Not reproduced (unreadable from the official PDF): the rest of Geophysics Paper-I Part B, Geophysics Papers II and III, and Chemistry Papers I–III of the Main. See Appendix I of the notice.
How to apply for the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination
- 1
Register on the UPSC portal
Apply online only at upsconline.nic.in; no other mode is allowed. Create an account and a Universal Registration Number (URN), which is registered once, then fill the Common Application Form and the examination-specific module (fee and centre). For the 2027 examination the window was 2–22 September 2026 (6 pm).
- 2
Choose your stream and preferences
One application covers both GSI and CGWB, but you may apply for posts in one stream only. Opt for at least one service, or you will not be considered for allocation. A reserved category, once chosen, cannot be changed to another.
- 3
Upload photo, signature and ID
Upload a photograph and capture a live photo, upload your signature (signed three times on white paper in black ink), and give one photo ID such as Aadhaar, Voter Card, PAN, Passport or Driving Licence. Aadhaar is strongly advised.
- 4
Pay the fee
₹200 by net banking, Visa/Master/RuPay card or UPI. Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempt; OBC and EWS candidates must pay. The fee is non-refundable.
- 5
Check before you submit
No withdrawal and no correction are allowed after submission, so check every detail first.
- 6
Download the e-Admit Card
It is issued on the last working day of the week before the examination, on the UPSC website only (not by post). The Preliminary has 21 centres and the Main 9, allotted first-apply-first-allot where centres have capacity ceilings.
- 7
Get help if needed
UPSC helpline: 011-24041001 or 011-40303444, 10 am – 5:30 pm on working days during the application window; email upscsoap@nic.in.
Latest UPSC Geo-Scientist recruitment
No active trusted recruitment is published for this exam right now.
Exam overview
Reviewed editorial
Who it is for
Postgraduates in geology, geophysics/physics, chemistry or hydrogeology who want a scientific post in the Geological Survey of India or the Central Ground Water Board.
Eligibility, age and qualification
Exact limits are set per post in each official notice.
Age limit
At least 21 and below 32 years (born not earlier than 2 January 1995 and not later than 1 January 2006) (as on 1 January 2027)
Educational qualification
- Geologist (GSI): Master's in Geological Science, Geology, Applied Geology, Geo-Exploration, Mineral Exploration, Engineering Geology, Marine Geology, Earth Science and Resource Management, Oceanography and Coastal Areas Studies, Petroleum Geosciences or Geochemistry
- Geophysicist (GSI) / Scientist 'B' (Geophysics) (CGWB): M.Sc. in Physics, Applied Physics, Geophysics, Exploration Geophysics, Applied Geophysics or Marine Geophysics, or M.Sc. (Tech.) (Applied Geophysics)
- Chemist (GSI) / Scientist 'B' (Chemical) (CGWB): M.Sc. in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry
- Scientist 'B' (Hydrogeology) / Assistant Hydrogeologist (CGWB): Master's in Geology, Applied Geology, Marine Geology or Hydrogeology
- Assistant Geologist (GSI): Master's or Integrated Master's in Geology, Applied Geology, Mineral Exploration, Marine Geology or Earth Science
- Assistant Geophysicist (GSI/CGWB): M.Sc., M.Sc. (Tech) or Integrated M.Sc. in Geophysics, Exploration/Applied/Marine Geophysics, Geo-Exploration, Physics, Applied Physics or Applied Geology
- Assistant Chemist (GSI/CGWB): M.Sc. or Integrated M.Sc. in Chemistry or a listed specialisation (e.g. Applied, Analytical, Physical, Inorganic, Organic, Hydro- or Industrial Chemistry)
- Final-year candidates may apply but must produce proof of passing within 10 days after the Main result, if qualified for interview
Upper age relaxation
| SC / ST | Up to 5 years |
| OBC (eligible for reservation) | Up to 3 years |
| PwBD | Up to 10 years |
| Government servants of GSI / CGWB (for the corresponding posts) | Up to 5 years |
| Defence personnel disabled in operations | Up to 3 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (at least 5 years' military service) and ECOs/SSCOs | Up to 5 years (subject to conditions) |
Application fee
₹200, by net banking, Visa/Master/RuPay credit or debit card, or UPI; non-refundable. Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempt. OBC and EWS candidates have no exemption.
Source: Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, 2027 — Examination Notice No. 01/2027-GEOL (published 2 September 2026). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
- Master's degree in a subject specified for the post
- Age 21–32 years on 1 January of the examination year
- Category-wise age relaxation
- Nationality as specified in the notice
- Physical fitness as per the physical standards in the Rules
Selection process and exam pattern
Stages of selection
- 1Stage-I: Preliminary — two objective papers, 2 hours each, 400 marks
- 2Stage-II: Main — three descriptive papers, 3 hours each, 600 marks
- 3Stage-III: Personality Test — 200 marks
- 4Preliminary marks are counted for the final merit
Stage-I: Preliminary (objective)
2 hours per paper
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper-I: General Studies (all streams) | Not stated in the notice | 100 |
| Paper-II: Geology/Hydrogeology (Stream-I) or Geophysics (Stream-II) or Chemistry (Stream-III) | Not stated in the notice | 300 |
Total 400. Four alternatives per question; one-third of a question's marks deducted for each wrong answer, no penalty for blanks. English only. Calculators not permitted. Candidates for the Main are about six to seven times the approximate vacancies, using minimum qualifying marks in both papers.
Stage-II: Main (descriptive)
3 hours per paper
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Stream-I (Geologist, Asst. Geologist): Geology Papers I, II, III | Descriptive | 200 each (600) |
| Stream-II (Geophysicist / Asst. Geophysicist / Scientist 'B' Geophysics): Geophysics Papers I, II, III | Descriptive | 200 each (600) |
| Stream-III (Chemist / Asst. Chemist / Scientist 'B' Chemical): Chemistry Papers I, II, III | Descriptive | 200 each (600) |
| Stream-IV (Scientist 'B' Hydrogeology, Asst. Hydrogeologist): Geology Paper-I, Geology Paper-II, Hydrogeology Paper-III | Descriptive | 200 each (600) |
English only. Non-programmable pocket calculators allowed. Minimum qualifying marks are fixed by the Commission at its discretion.
Stage-III: Personality Test
—
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Personality Test / Interview | — | 200 |
No minimum qualifying marks. About twice the number of vacancies are called.
Source: Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, 2027 — Examination Notice No. 01/2027-GEOL (published 2 September 2026). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
Reviewed editorial
Selection is in three stages: a Preliminary (objective, 400 marks), a Main (descriptive, 600 marks) and a Personality Test (200 marks). Preliminary marks count towards the final merit; the exact scheme is confirmed from each year's notice on upsc.gov.in.
Syllabus and subject-wise prep
- General Studies (current events, history, geography, polity, economy, environment, general science)
- Geology / Hydrogeology (Stream-I and Stream-IV)
- Geophysics (Stream-II)
- Chemistry (Stream-III)
Prepare for UPSC Geo-Scientist
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Frequently asked questions
What is the age limit for UPSC Geo-Scientist?
At least 21 and below 32 years (born not earlier than 2 January 1995 and not later than 1 January 2006), counted as on 1 January 2027, as per the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, 2027 — Examination Notice No. 01/2027-GEOL. Category-wise upper age relaxation is given in the notice.
What qualification is needed for UPSC Geo-Scientist?
Geologist (GSI): Master's in Geological Science, Geology, Applied Geology, Geo-Exploration, Mineral Exploration, Engineering Geology, Marine Geology, Earth Science and Resource Management, Oceanography and Coastal Areas Studies, Petroleum Geosciences or Geochemistry. Geophysicist (GSI) / Scientist 'B' (Geophysics) (CGWB): M.Sc. in Physics, Applied Physics, Geophysics, Exploration Geophysics, Applied Geophysics or Marine Geophysics, or M.Sc. (Tech.) (Applied Geophysics). Chemist (GSI) / Scientist 'B' (Chemical) (CGWB): M.Sc. in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry. Scientist 'B' (Hydrogeology) / Assistant Hydrogeologist (CGWB): Master's in Geology, Applied Geology, Marine Geology or Hydrogeology. Assistant Geologist (GSI): Master's or Integrated Master's in Geology, Applied Geology, Mineral Exploration, Marine Geology or Earth Science. Assistant Geophysicist (GSI/CGWB): M.Sc., M.Sc. (Tech) or Integrated M.Sc. in Geophysics, Exploration/Applied/Marine Geophysics, Geo-Exploration, Physics, Applied Physics or Applied Geology. Assistant Chemist (GSI/CGWB): M.Sc. or Integrated M.Sc. in Chemistry or a listed specialisation (e.g. Applied, Analytical, Physical, Inorganic, Organic, Hydro- or Industrial Chemistry). Final-year candidates may apply but must produce proof of passing within 10 days after the Main result, if qualified for interview.
When can I apply for UPSC Geo-Scientist?
Online application opens: 2 September 2026, as per the notice published on 2 September 2026. Applications are made only on upsc.gov.in.
What is the UPSC Geo-Scientist exam pattern?
Stage-I: Preliminary (objective): Paper-I: General Studies (all streams), Paper-II: Geology/Hydrogeology (Stream-I) or Geophysics (Stream-II) or Chemistry (Stream-III) (2 hours per paper). Total 400. Four alternatives per question; one-third of a question's marks deducted for each wrong answer, no penalty for blanks. English only. Calculators not permitted. Candidates for the Main are about six to seven times the approximate vacancies, using minimum qualifying marks in both papers. Stage-II: Main (descriptive): Stream-I (Geologist, Asst. Geologist): Geology Papers I, II, III, Stream-II (Geophysicist / Asst. Geophysicist / Scientist 'B' Geophysics): Geophysics Papers I, II, III, Stream-III (Chemist / Asst. Chemist / Scientist 'B' Chemical): Chemistry Papers I, II, III, Stream-IV (Scientist 'B' Hydrogeology, Asst. Hydrogeologist): Geology Paper-I, Geology Paper-II, Hydrogeology Paper-III (3 hours per paper). English only. Non-programmable pocket calculators allowed. Minimum qualifying marks are fixed by the Commission at its discretion. Stage-III: Personality Test: Personality Test / Interview (—). No minimum qualifying marks. About twice the number of vacancies are called.
How many vacancies are there in UPSC Geo-Scientist?
Tentative: GSI 111 and CGWB 16 (127 by adding the post-wise figures; no total or category-wise split printed; 10 reserved for PwBD), according to the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, 2027 — Examination Notice No. 01/2027-GEOL.
How many vacancies are there in UPSC Geo-Scientist 2027?
The notice lists tentative post-wise vacancies: 111 in the Geological Survey of India and 16 in the Central Ground Water Board when the printed figures are added (127 in all), including 10 for PwBD. It prints no total and no category-wise split.
What is the age limit for the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination?
21 to 32 years on 1 January 2027 (born between 2 January 1995 and 1 January 2006). SC/ST get up to 5 years, OBC up to 3 years and PwBD up to 10 years of relaxation.
What qualification is needed?
A master's degree in a subject listed for the post — for example geology for Geologist, physics or geophysics for Geophysicist, chemistry for Chemist, and geology or hydrogeology for the CGWB hydrogeology posts. Group 'B' assistant posts also accept integrated master's degrees.
Can final-year students apply?
Yes. If you qualify for the interview, you must produce proof of passing the qualifying examination within the 10-day window given after the Main result.
What is the UPSC Geo-Scientist exam pattern?
Preliminary: two objective papers of 2 hours (General Studies 100 marks and a stream paper 300 marks). Main: three descriptive papers of 3 hours and 200 marks each. Personality Test: 200 marks. Preliminary marks count for the final merit.
Is there negative marking?
Yes, in the objective Preliminary: one-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer. Unanswered questions carry no penalty.
What is the syllabus for the Preliminary?
Paper-I General Studies covers current events, history and the national movement, geography, polity and governance, economic and social development, environment and general science. Paper-II is Geology/Hydrogeology, Geophysics or Chemistry depending on your stream.
Can I apply for both GSI and CGWB posts?
Yes, one application and fee covers both categories, but only for posts within one stream/discipline.
What is the application fee?
₹200. Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempt.
In which language is the exam held?
Both the Preliminary and the Main papers are in English only.
Are calculators allowed?
Not in the Preliminary. Non-programmable pocket calculators are allowed in the Main.
What is UPSC Geo-Scientist?
The Union Public Service Commission's three-stage examination (Preliminary, Main and Personality Test) for Group 'A' and Group 'B' geologist, geophysicist, chemist and hydrogeologist posts in the Geological Survey of India (Ministry of Mines) and the Central Ground Water Board (Ministry of Jal Shakti).
Who is UPSC Geo-Scientist for?
Postgraduates in geology, geophysics/physics, chemistry or hydrogeology who want a scientific post in the Geological Survey of India or the Central Ground Water Board.
How is UPSC Geo-Scientist selection described?
Selection is in three stages: a Preliminary (objective, 400 marks), a Main (descriptive, 600 marks) and a Personality Test (200 marks). Preliminary marks count towards the final merit; the exact scheme is confirmed from each year's notice on upsc.gov.in.
Niyookti is not part of UPSC. The official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) and its notices are the only final source. Always confirm details there before applying.