UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist & Geologist Examination 2025 – Notification, Syllabus, Eligibility & Exam Pattern

The official UPSC notification contains: number of posts & branch wise vacancies, eligibility criteria, age limits, important dates, application process, syllabus and exam scheme. Read the PDF carefully before applying.

Important Dates (Example)

• Notification Release: Nov 13, 2025
• Apply Online Window: Nov 14, 2025 – Dec 04, 2025
• Prelims Exam (Expected): Feb 2026
• Mains Exam (Expected): May 2026

Always download the authoritative PDF from upsc.gov.in and check for corrigenda or updates.

Nationality

A candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before Jan 1962, or a person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries as defined in the notification.

Educational Qualifications (Post-wise)

Minimum educational requirements vary by post — common requirements:

• Geologist (Group A): M.Sc. in Geology or applied Geology; or B.E./B.Tech in relevant branch with geology specialization (check notification).
• Geophysicist (Group A): M.Sc. in Geophysics or Applied Geophysics; or B.Tech in relevant branch with geophysics topics.
• Chemist (Group A): M.Sc. in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry or Industrial Chemistry.
• Hydrogeologist (Group A): M.Sc. in Geology / Hydrology or related specialization in hydrogeology.

Age Limit

Typically 21–32 years as per notification (varies by category and post). Relaxations apply for OBC, SC/ST, Ex-Servicemen and others as per government rules.

Exact degree equivalence and experience (if any) are specified in the notification — verify before applying.

UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist & Geologist Exam usually has two papers in Prelims (objective), followed by papers in Mains specific to the discipline. Some posts may include a practical/component or interview/document verification stage. Below is a generalised pattern — always follow the official notification for exact scheme and marks.

Prelims is used to shortlist candidates for Mains. Some disciplines emphasize practical/problem-solving skills in Mains. Final selection may include interview/document verification for certain posts.

Paper I — General Studies & Aptitude (Common)

• General Awareness — environment, ecology, natural resources and basic Earth science concepts
• Mathematical aptitude and numerical ability (basic)
• Analytical reasoning and data interpretation
• Basic geology-related awareness (plate tectonics concept level)

Paper II — Subject Specific (Examples)

Geology (Prelims)

• Physical Geology: Structure of the Earth, Minerals & Rocks, Crystallography
• Stratigraphy & Palaeontology
• Structural Geology: Folds, Faults, Joints
• Geomorphology, Engineering Geology & Economic Geology
• Remote Sensing & GIS basics (as applicable)

Geophysics (Prelims)

• Seismology basics, Gravity & Magnetic methods
• Electrical & Electromagnetic methods, Wave propagation
• Exploration geophysics fundamentals, basic geophysical instruments
• Signal processing & basics of interpretation

Chemistry (Prelims)

• Analytical chemistry basics, inorganic & organic core concepts
• Environmental chemistry basics linked to geoscience

Hydrogeology (Prelims)

• Groundwater occurrence, aquifer properties
• Hydrological cycle, water quality parameters
• Basic groundwater exploration & management concepts

Geology — Mains (Indicative)

• Advanced Mineralogy & Petrology (igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary)
• Structural Geology — kinematic/dynamic analysis, microstructures
• Stratigraphy & Basin Analysis
• Palaeontology and Biostratigraphy — fossil identification, zonation
• Applied Geology: Mineral exploration, Mining geology, Geological hazards
• Remote Sensing & GIS applications in geology

Geophysics — Mains (Indicative)

• Potential field methods — gravity & magnetic interpretation
• Seismic methods — ray theory, seismogram interpretation, reflection/refraction
• Electrical & Electromagnetic methods and interpretation
• Signal processing, inversion concepts and geophysical modeling
• Geophysical instrumentation and survey design

Hydrogeology — Mains (Indicative)

• Groundwater hydraulics, Darcy’s law, transmissivity & storativity
• Aquifer test analysis, well hydraulics
• Groundwater exploration & sustainable groundwater management
• Contaminant transport, water quality and remedial measures

Chemistry — Mains (Indicative)

• Analytical techniques used in geology (AAS, XRD, XRF, ICP-MS)
• Geochemistry basics, trace element geochemistry
• Environmental geochemistry — pollution, remediation
• Physical & inorganic chemistry relevant to geological processes

Mains usually combines theory, problem-solving and interpretation questions. Expect map-based questions in geology and data-interpretation tasks in geophysics and hydrogeology.

UPSC Geo-Scientist vacancies vary each year; 2025 is expected to have 200–350 vacancies across disciplines (Geologist, Geophysicist, Hydrogeologist, Chemist) depending on department requirements.

Typical Career Roles

• Exploration geologist/geophysicist for mineral & energy resources
• Hydrogeologist for groundwater surveys & water resource management
• Environmental geochemist / analytical chemist in environmental monitoring
• Field geologist in Central/State Geological Surveys
• Technical positions in Mines, Oil & Gas, Geological Survey of India (GSI), Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), and other ministries

Salaries align with central government pay scales; role often includes fieldwork, lab analysis, mapping, policy inputs and leadership positions with experience.

Successful preparation combines strong fundamentals, field-practical knowledge, map-reading skills and regular practice of MCQs and descriptive answers. Below is a suggested roadmap that balances theory, application and field drills.

Join subject-specific test series for geophysics/geology/hydrogeology if available, and discuss map-based problems in peer groups for quicker learning.

• General Geology: Press & Siever / Reed & Richards for fundamentals, Indian standard geology texts
• Mineralogy & Petrology: Nesse, Phillips
• Structural Geology: Hobbs, Means & Williams; Davis
• Stratigraphy & Palaeontology: Boggs & Walker
• Geophysics: Kearey, Telford & Sheriff; methods books on seismics, gravity & magnetics
• Hydrogeology: Todd & Mays; Freeze & Cherry
• Chemistry: Relevant analytical chemistry & geochemistry texts; manuals for XRD, AAS
• UPSC previous year papers, GSI publications, CGWB reports, and research papers for advanced topics

Use online resources: GSI reports, Indian Minerals Yearbook, national lab publications, and freely available remote-sensing tutorials for GIS & satellite interpretation.

Field skills and practical familiarity with mapping, sample collection, logging and lab techniques are highly valued. Even if the exam is theory-focused, real-world understanding helps answer applied mains questions and interviews.

• Practice topographic map reading and contour interpretation
• Understand drill logs, borehole data & basic lab outputs
• Gain hands-on experience with basic instruments (compass, clinometer) and software (QGIS, basic seismic processing tools)
• Prepare concise field-notes and labeled sketches for use in answers