UPSC Geo-Scientist 2027 · Syllabus & exam pattern
UPSC Geo-Scientist Syllabus 2027 and Exam Pattern: Subject-wise Topics
UPSC Geo-Scientist selection: Stage-I: Preliminary (objective) (2 hours per paper); Stage-II: Main (descriptive) (3 hours per paper); Stage-III: Personality Test (—), as per the official notice published 2 September 2026.
Subjects, number of questions, marks, duration and negative marking for every stage, as printed in the official notice.
UPSC Geo-Scientist exam pattern 2027
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.