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UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist

Evidence status: 🟢 official. Every number below is from the official UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, 2027 notification (Examination Notice No. 01/2027-GEOL, dated 02.09.2026), fetched directly from upsc.gov.in on 2026-10-01.

The Combined Geo-Scientist Examination recruits geologists, geophysicists, chemists, and hydrogeologists for Group A and Group B scientific posts in two major central organisations: - Geological Survey of India (GSI) under the Ministry of Mines. - Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation).

At a glance
Conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
2027 dates Notification: 02.09.2026; Application close: 22.09.2026; Stage I (Prelims): 10.01.2027; Stage II (Mains): 19.06.2027 & 20.06.2027
Stages Stage I (Prelims, 400 marks) → Stage II (Mains, 600 marks) → Stage III (Personality Test, 200 marks). Final merit is based on all three stages (1,200 marks total)
2027 vacancies 122 tentative vacancies across 2 categories (106 in GSI + 16 in CGWB)
Qualification Master's degree (M.Sc. / M.Sc. Tech / Applied M.Sc.) in the relevant branch of science (Geology, Geophysics, Chemistry, Hydrogeology or equivalent; see notice)
Age limit 21–32 years as on 1 January 2027 (born between 02.01.1995 and 01.01.2006); relaxations for SC/ST (+5), OBC (+3), PwBD (+10), and departmental candidates
Application fee ₹200 (exempted for Female, SC, ST, and Persons with Benchmark Disability candidates)

Official sources

Exam pattern

The examination consists of three successive stages. Prelims marks count toward the final merit list.

Stage I: Preliminary Examination (Objective, 400 marks)

Conducted on OMR sheets with multiple-choice questions set in English only. Calculators are prohibited in Stage I. - Negative marking: −⅓ (one-third) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer. Blank answers carry zero penalty. - Merit contribution: Prelims marks count toward the final order of merit. - Shortlisting ratio: About 6 to 7 times the total vacancies are admitted to the Main examination based on qualifying cut-offs across Paper I and Paper II.

Stream / Discipline Paper Subject Duration Marks
Stream I: Geologist (GSI) & Scientist 'B' Hydrogeology (CGWB) Paper I General Studies (common) 2 hours 100
Paper II Geology / Hydrogeology 2 hours 300
Stream II: Geophysicist (GSI) & Scientist 'B' Geophysics (CGWB) Paper I General Studies (common) 2 hours 100
Paper II Geophysics 2 hours 300
Stream III: Chemist (GSI) & Scientist 'B' Chemical (CGWB) Paper I General Studies (common) 2 hours 100
Paper II Chemistry 2 hours 300

Stage II: Main Examination (Descriptive / Conventional, 600 marks)

Three descriptive papers for each stream, set and answered in English only. Non-programmable pocket calculators are permitted. Candidates must appear in all three papers of their chosen stream; missing any paper disqualifies the candidate entirely.

Stream Papers Duration per paper Total marks
Stream I: Geologist & Assistant Geologist (GSI) Geology Paper I, II, III 3 hours each (200 marks each) 600
Stream II: Geophysicist (GSI) & Scientist 'B' / Asst Geophysicist (CGWB) Geophysics Paper I, II, III 3 hours each (200 marks each) 600
Stream III: Chemist (GSI) & Scientist 'B' / Asst Chemist (CGWB) Chemistry Paper I, II, III 3 hours each (200 marks each) 600
Stream IV: Scientist 'B' (Hydrogeology) & Asst Hydrogeologist (CGWB) Geology Paper I, Geology Paper II, Hydrogeology Paper III 3 hours each (200 marks each) 600

Stage III: Personality Test / Interview (200 marks)

Conducted by UPSC Interview Boards to assess suitability, character, intellectual depth, and aptitude for field life. - Candidates approximately twice the number of vacancies are summoned based on aggregate marks in Stage I and Stage II. - There are no minimum qualifying marks for the interview.

Final merit: Computed out of 1,200 aggregate marks (Stage I: 400 + Stage II: 600 + Stage III: 200).

Syllabus

The standard of General Studies (Stage I Paper I) is that expected of a science graduate. All stream-specific papers in Stage I (Paper II) and Stage II (Papers I, II, and III) correspond to the M.Sc. standard of an Indian university.

General Studies (Stage I Paper I, common to all streams)

  • Current events: National and international developments, scientific initiatives, and government programs.
  • History of India & Indian National Movement: Ancient, medieval, modern history, and the struggle for independence.
  • Indian and World Geography: Physical, social, and economic geography of India and the world.
  • Indian Polity and Governance: Constitution, political system, Panchayati Raj, public policy, and rights issues.
  • Economic and Social Development: Sustainable development, poverty eradication, inclusion, demographics, and social initiatives.
  • Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity & Climate Change: Ecological concepts, conservation, and climate issues that do not require subject specialisation.
  • General Science: Fundamentals across physics, chemistry, biology, and earth systems.

Stream subjects (Stage I Paper II & Stage II Papers I–III)

  • Geology & Hydrogeology: Physical Geology (uniformitarianism, internal structure of Earth, plate tectonics, geomorphic agents), Structural Geology (stress-strain, folds, faults, shear zones, stereographic projection), Mineralogy (crystal chemistry, silicate groups, optical mineralogy), Igneous & Metamorphic Petrology, Sedimentology, Paleontology (invertebrates, evolution, microfossils, Gondwana flora), Stratigraphy (Precambrian cratons, mobile belts, Phanerozoic basins), Economic Geology (ore genesis, Indian mineral deposits, fossil fuels), and Hydrogeology (aquifer parameters, Darcy's law, groundwater flow, hydrochemistry, isotope hydrology, artificial recharge).
  • Geophysics: Solid Earth geophysics, mathematical physics, seismology and elastic wave propagation, potential field theory, gravity and magnetic prospecting methods, electrical and electromagnetic exploration, geophysical well-logging, geophysical inversion, and nuclear methods.
  • Chemistry: Chemical periodicity, bonding and structural chemistry, coordination chemistry and organometallics, transition elements, analytical techniques (chromatography, spectroscopy, titrimetry), thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, quantum chemistry, electrochemistry, and organic reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, and spectroscopy.

How to prepare (free, in order)

  1. Prioritise the core stream subjects (75% of total score): The stream papers carry 300 marks in Prelims and all 600 marks in Mains (900 out of 1,200 total marks). Base your study around core M.Sc. syllabi and standard textbooks, aligning each topic with the official Appendix I outline.
  2. Solve official UPSC Prelims PYQs with strict timekeeping: Download previous year question papers from upsc.gov.in. Practice Stage I Paper II (120 questions / 300 marks in 120 minutes) and General Studies (100 marks in 120 minutes) under exam conditions to build accuracy and avoid losing marks to the −⅓ negative marking penalty.
  3. Target high-yield General Studies topics from NCERTs: Use free NCERT Class 9–12 textbooks for geography, science, polity, and modern history. For current affairs and environmental updates, follow official PIB releases and national science roundups.
  4. Practice descriptive answer writing and diagramming for Stage II: Mains tests conventional problem-solving, derivations, and geological/geophysical sketches over three 3-hour sessions across two days. Practice drawing clear structural cross-sections, phase diagrams, and geophysical curves under timed conditions. Familiarise yourself with non-programmable calculator operation.
  5. Prepare for the Personality Test with field and thesis context: Focus on your master's dissertation/project, practical fieldwork experience, field instruments, mapping techniques, and real-world earth science challenges in India (groundwater depletion, critical mineral exploration, earthquake hazard zones).

Free resources