UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination — Eligibility, Syllabus & Exam Pattern
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination for recruitment to various Group 'A' posts in the Geological Survey of India, Ministry of Mines, and the Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources. This examination, formerly known as the "Geologists' Exam," is the primary entry point for geo-scientists into government service. The selection process is rigorous and comprises three stages: a Preliminary Exam (Objective), a Main Exam (Descriptive), and a Personality Test (Interview).
📌 Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
A candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, to permanently settle here.
Age Limit
The age limits vary depending on the post:
- For Geologist, Geophysicist, and Chemist: A candidate must be between 21 and 32 years old.
- For Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology, Chemical, and Geophysics): A candidate must be between 21 and 35 years old.
The upper age limit is relaxable for reserved categories (OBC, SC/ST, PwBD) as per government rules.
Educational Qualifications
A candidate must possess the specific Master's degree required for the post they are applying for:
- For Geologist: A Master's degree (M.Sc.) in Geological Science, Geology, Applied Geology, or related fields.
- For Geophysicist: An M.Sc. in Physics, Applied Physics, Geophysics, or related fields.
- For Chemist: An M.Sc. in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, or Analytical Chemistry.
- For Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology): A Master’s degree in Geology, Applied Geology, or Hydrogeology.
Candidates who have appeared or are yet to appear in their final year of the Master's degree examination are also eligible to apply.
✍️ Exam Syllabus & Pattern
Stage-I — Preliminary Examination (Objective Type - 400 Marks)
This is a screening test to shortlist candidates for the Main Exam.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Studies (Common for all streams) | 100 | 2 hours |
| Paper-II | Stream-Specific Subject (Geology / Geophysics / Chemistry) | 300 | 2 hours |
Syllabus for Stage-I
- Paper-I (General Studies): Current events, history of India, Indian and World Geography, Indian polity, economic development, and general science.
- Paper-II (Stream-Specific): Covers core topics from the specific discipline. For example, the Geology paper includes Physical Geology, Mineralogy, Petrology, Paleontology, Stratigraphy, Economic Geology, and Hydrogeology.
Stage-II — Main Examination (Descriptive Type - 600 Marks)
This stage consists of three descriptive papers for each stream. Each paper is for 200 marks and has a duration of 3 hours.
Syllabus for Stage-II
The syllabus is an in-depth version of the Prelims Paper-II topics, distributed across three papers. For the Geology Stream, the breakdown is as follows:
- Paper-I: Physical Geology, Geomorphology, Structural Geology, Geotectonics.
- Paper-II: Mineralogy, Igneous & Metamorphic Petrology, Sedimentology, Geochemistry.
- Paper-III: Stratigraphy of India, Economic Geology, Paleontology, Hydrogeology & Engineering Geology.
Stage-III — Personality Test (Interview)
| Total Marks | 200 |
|---|---|
| Evaluation Areas | The interview assesses the candidate's suitability for the role, including their intellectual qualities, social traits, interest in current affairs, and mental alertness. |
👉 Note
- The final merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained in the Main Examination (Stage-II) and the Personality Test (Stage-III).
- For full official syllabus & eligibility, refer to UPSC official notification.
☞ Tip for Aspirants: Always refer to the latest official notification for syllabus and eligibility details as they may change year to year.