UPSC Geo-Scientist 2027 · Age limit & eligibility
UPSC Geo-Scientist Age Limit 2027: Relaxation, Qualification and Eligibility
UPSC Geo-Scientist age limit: At least 21 and below 32 years (born not earlier than 2 January 1995 and not later than 1 January 2006) (age counted on 1 January 2027), as per the official notice published 2 September 2026.
Age limit, the date on which age is counted, category-wise relaxation and the educational qualification, as printed in the official notice.
UPSC Geo-Scientist age limit and relaxation
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.
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.
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.
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.
In which language is the exam held?
Both the Preliminary and the Main papers are in English only.