Exams   »   UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Recruitment 2026-27

UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Recruitment 2026-27 Out for 127 Posts, Check Notification, Dates, Eligibility and More

Union Public Service Commission has released an official notification for recruitment of 127 Geo Scientists. Candidates can download the official notification pdf now. The online application process is currently underway, and the deadline to apply for this opportunity is 22 September 2026.

UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Recruitment 2026-27

Interested and eligible candidates can submit their applications online up to 22 September 2026. A total of 127 tentative vacancies have been announced in the Geological Survey of India, Ministry of Mines, and the Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Jal Shakti. The selection process comprises a preliminary exam, a main exam, and an interview. The prelims exam has been scheduled for 10 January 2027, and the Main examination for 19 and 20 June 2027.

Key Updates & Highlights

Exam Name
UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027
Conducting Body
Union Public Service Commission
Notification Date 09/2026
Total Vacancies 127
Application Mode Online
Application Start Date 2 September 2026
Last Date to Apply 22 September 2026
Preliminary Exam 10 January 2027
Main Exam
19 & 20 June 2027
Selection Process
Preliminary, Main, Personality Test/Interview
Application Fee ₹200
Fee Exemption
Female, SC, ST and eligible PwBD candidates
Official Portal www.upsc.gov.in

UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Recruitment Notification PDF

For better understanding of candidates, we are providing the official detailed notification PDF download link. Candidates can check the eligibility criteria, vacancy distribution, application process, important dates, and much more by downloading the PDF from the link given below:

UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Recruitment 2027 Notification PDF Download

127 Vacancies: Category I and Category II

The vacancy distribution has been done as per the posts available under two categories, Geological Survey of India and Central Ground Water Board.

Category I: Geological Survey of India

Post Group Vacancies
Geologist A 29
Geophysicist A 0
Chemist A 7
Assistant Geologist B 34
Assistant Geophysicist B 35
Assistant Chemist B 6
Total 111

Category II: Central Ground Water Board

Post Group Vacancies
Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology) A 5
Scientist ‘B’ (Chemical) A 1
Scientist ‘B’ (Geophysics) A 1
Assistant Hydrogeologist B 7
Assistant Chemist B 1
Assistant Geophysicist B 1
Total 16

UPSC Geo Scientist Eligibility 2027

There are certain criteria that a candidate must meet to be eligible for the various posts under this recruitment. These criteria include age limit, educational qualifications, and nationality. This is what to look for:

1. Age Limit

For the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027, a candidate must have attained 21 years and must not have attained 32 years as on 1 January 2027. Therefore, the candidate must have been born earlier than 2 January 1995 and not later than 1 January 2006.

Category Age Relaxation
SC/ST 5 years
OBC 3 years
Government Servants (in eligible departments) 5 years
Ex-Servicemen 5 years
Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) 10 years
Defence Personnel Disabled in Operations 3 years

2. Educational Qualifications

The required qualification varies according to the post applied for. These are:

Posts
Minimum Qualification
Geologist (Group A)/Assistant Geologist (Group B)
Master’s in Geological Science, Geology, Applied Geology, Mineral Exploration, Marine Geology, Earth Science, Petroleum Geosciences or Geochemistry
Geophysicist (Group A)/Assistant Geophysicist (Group B)/Scientist ‘B’ Geophysics
M.Sc. in Physics, Applied Physics, Geophysics, Exploration/Applied/Marine Geophysics
Chemist (Group A)/Assistant Chemist (Group B)/Scientist ‘B’ Chemical
M.Sc. in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry
Scientist ‘B’ Hydrogeology (Group A)/Assistant Hydrogeologist (Group B)
Master’s in Geology, Applied Geology, Marine Geology or Hydrogeology

3. Nationality

A candidate must be a citizen of India. Other candidates from specific backgrounds may also apply as per the Government of India’s certificate requirements.

Direct Link to Apply Online

Candidates who are interested in the recruitment of 127 Geo Scientist posts and are eligible as well, can apply online on the official website at www.upsconline.nic.in. For the convenience of the candidates, we have provided the direct link to apply below:

UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Recruitment 2027 Apply Online Link (ACTIVE)

How to Apply and Steps to Follow

These simple steps can be followed to successfully apply for the UPSC Combined Geo Scientist recruitment:

  1. Go to the upsconline.nic.in and complete Account Creation if you’re a first-time applicant.
  2. Generate your Universal Registration Number (URN), which can be used for all UPSC exams later.
  3. Fill the Common Application Form (CAF): upload photograph, capture a live photo, and upload your signature
  4. (signed three times in black ink on plain white paper).
  5. Select the Examination Specific Module for “Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027” and select your Stream (Geology/Hydrogeology, Geophysics, or Chemistry).
  6. Choose your preferred Preliminary exam centres and pay the ₹200 fee (if applicable).
  7. Preview, verify every field, and submit
  8. Download and keep the confirmation slip along with your URN and Application Number.

Application Fee

Category Fee
General/OBC/EWS ₹200
Female/SC/ST/PwBD Nil

Documents to Keep Ready Before Applying

There are certain documents that interested and eligible candidates should have ready before starting the application process for a smooth experience.

Matriculation/Secondary certificate
Master’s degree/qualifying qualification details
Category certificate, if applicable
EWS Income & Asset Certificate, if applicable
OBC-NCL certificate, if applicable
PwBD certificate, if applicable
Photograph
Live photograph
Signature
Valid mobile number and email ID

UPSC Geo Scientist 2027 Selection Process

The selection process comprises three stages:

  • Stage I → Preliminary Examination
  • Stage II → Main Examination
  • Stage III → Personality Test/Interview

Stage I: Preliminary Examination

This stage of the examination consists of two objective based papers, with negative marking of 1/3rd applicable for each incorrect attempt.

Stream Paper Duration Marks
Geology/Hydrogeology General Studies 2 Hours 100
Geology/Hydrogeology 2 Hours 300
Total 400
Geophysics General Studies 2 Hours 100
Geophysics 2 Hours 300
Total 400
Chemistry General Studies 2 Hours 100
Chemistry 2 Hours 300
Total 400

Stage II: Main Examination

Candidates who qualify the Prelims proceed to the Main examination. It is a descriptive exam, where each paper is of 3 hours and 200 marks.

Stream Paper I Paper II Paper III Total
Geology/Hydrogeology Geology – 200 Geology – 200 Hydrogeology – 200 600
Geophysics Geophysics – 200 Geophysics – 200 Geophysics – 200 600
Chemistry Chemistry – 200 Chemistry – 200 Chemistry – 200 600

Stage III: Personality Test/Interview

After the Main examination, qualifying candidates will appear for the last stage of the selection process, which is the Interview round. This test is of 200 marks. Candidates are assessed for their suitability for the role they have applied for, with emphasis on qualities such as leadership skills, intellectual curiosity, subject knowledge, practical application, etc.

UPSC Geo Scientist Syllabus 2026-27

The syllabus is significantly different from general UPSC examinations because the stream-specific papers are designed around advanced scientific subjects.

Preliminary General Studies

The common General Studies paper includes:

  • Current events of national and international importance
  • Indian history and the freedom movement
  • Indian and World Geography
  • Indian Polity and Governance
  • Economic and Social Development
  • Environment, ecology, biodiversity and climate change
  • General Science

Geology/Hydrogeology

Major areas include:

  • Physical Geology
  • Structural Geology
  • Geomorphology
  • Remote Sensing
  • Sedimentology
  • Paleontology
  • Stratigraphy
  • Economic Geology
  • Engineering Geology
  • Environmental Geology
  • Hydrogeology

Geophysics

The syllabus includes areas such as:

  • Solid Earth Geophysics
  • Geophysical signal processing
  • Remote sensing and geohydrology
  • Solid-state physics
  • Basic electronics
  • Laser systems
  • Geophysical exploration and related applications

Chemistry

Chemistry candidates are tested across the different areas of physical, inorganic, and organic chemistry, with the Main Examination consisting of three descriptive Chemistry papers.

Hydrogeology

The Hydrogeology syllabus includes:

  • Occurrence and distribution of groundwater
  • Groundwater movement
  • Well hydraulics
  • Water wells and groundwater levels
  • Groundwater exploration
  • Groundwater quality and management
  • Aquifer properties
  • Groundwater flow
  • Recharge and resource management

Important Dates: Don’t Miss the First Deadline

Event Date
Notification Released 2 September 2026
Application Begins 2 September 2026
Last Date to Apply 22 September 2026
Preliminary Examination 10 January 2027
Main Examination
19 & 20 June 2027

FAQs

How many vacancies are there in UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist 2027?

There are 127 tentative vacancies — 111 in the Geological Survey of India and 16 in the Central Ground Water Board, across Geologist, Geophysicist, Chemist, and corresponding Assistant-level posts.

What is the last date to apply for UPSC Geo-Scientist 2027?

The online application window closes on 22 September 2026 at 6:00 PM.

When is the UPSC Geo-Scientist Prelims 2027 exam?

The Preliminary Examination is scheduled for 10 January 2027, held on OMR sheets across 21 centres.

What is the age limit for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist 2027?

Candidates must be between 21 and 32 years as on 1 January 2027, i.e., born between 2 January 1995 and 1 January 2006, with standard age relaxations for reserved categories.

What is the application fee for UPSC Geo-Scientist 2027?

₹200 for General/OBC/EWS candidates. Female, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates are exempted from the fee.

Is there negative marking in the Preliminary Exam?

Yes. One-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for every wrong answer in the objective-type papers.

Can a candidate apply for both Geology and Geophysics streams?

No. Even if a candidate's qualification makes them eligible for more than one stream, they must choose and apply under only one Stream/Discipline at the time of application.

What is the total marks for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027?

1200 marks in total — 400 for Prelims, 600 for Mains, and 200 for the Personality Test/Interview.

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