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UPSC Geo-Scientist Syllabus 2024 and Exam Pattern PDF for Prelims and Mains

UPSC Geo-Scientist Syllabus: The UPSC  Combined Geo-Scientist Syllabus 2023 can be found on the official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Before Applying for the exam, candidates should go through the UPSC Geo-Scientist Syllabus. The syllabus is detailed and covers both the preliminary and main written exams. The preliminary exam is conducted in a computer-based format and consists of objective-type questions. Candidates who qualify in the preliminary exam will be invited to participate in the next stage which is the main exam.

UPSC Geo-Scientist Syllabus Overview

The UPSC Geo-Scientist examination is a prestigious and challenging test conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to recruit professionals for various geological and geoscientific services in the country. The UPSC conducts the UPSC Geo-Scientist and Geologist Exam, also referred to as UPSC GSI, on behalf of the Government of India. The complete name of this examination is the Union Public Service Commission Geological Survey of India  Examination. Check detailed notifications of UPSC Geo-Scientist Recruitment Notification 

UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam 2023 Overview
Exam Name Combined Geo-scientist and Geologist Exam
Notification released on September 2O, 2023
Exam Conducted by
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Category
Selection Criteria
Written Exam and Interview
Job Location PAN India
Official Website http://upsc.gov.in

UPSC Combined Geo-scientist Syllabus and Exam Pattern

The UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist examination is a prestigious endeavor for aspiring geologists, geophysicists, and chemists. To conquer this challenging examination, it’s crucial to grasp the detailed syllabus and exam pattern. Here’s an insightful guide to the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Syllabus and Exam Patter.

UPSC Geo-Scientist Prelims Syllabus 2023

Before you start getting ready for the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist exam, make sure to check the syllabus. The syllabus will guide your preparation. The first part of the preliminary test, the general studies paper, has the same topics for everyone. However, for the second part of the preliminary test and all the main exam papers, the UPSC Combined Geoscientist Syllabus is different for each stream of the exam.

UPSC Geo-Scientist Syllabus for Prelims
Paper 1 – General Studies
  • Geography – Physical, Economic, and Social Aspects of Geography of India and the World
  • Polity and Governance – Indian Constitution, System of Politics in India, Local Government, Rights, Directive Principle, etc.
  • Indian Economy – Financial Inclusion, National Income, Poverty and Unemployment, etc.
  • National and International Current Issues
  • Science in General
  • Environment and Ecology
Paper 2 – Hydrology/Geology Candidates
  • Physical Geology, Structural Geology, Mineralogy, Igneous Petrology, Metamorphic Petrology, Sedimentology, Palaeontology, Stratigraphy, Economic Geology, Hydrogeology
Paper 2 – Chemistry Candidates
  • Chemical periodicity, Chemical bonding, and structure, Acids, and bases, Theoretical basis of quantitative inorganic analysis, Kinetic theory and the gaseous state, Chemical thermodynamics, and chemical equilibrium, Solutions of non-electrolytes, Electrochemistry, Basic organic chemistry, Stereochemistry, Types of organic reactions, Molecular Rearrangements
Paper 2 – Geophysics Candidates
  • Geophysics of Solid Earth, Mathematical Methods in Geophysics, Electromagnetism, Geophysical Prospecting, Remote Sensing and Thermodynamics, Nuclear Physics and Radiometry.

UPSC Geo-Scientist Mains Syllabus 2023

Below, you’ll find the comprehensive syllabus for the UPSC Geo-Scientist for Mains examination across all categories of exams. Check out the table for UPSC Geo-Scientist Syllabus for Mains given below

UPSC Geo-Scientist Syllabus for Mains
Post-Geologist/ Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology) – Descriptive Paper
Paper 1 – Geology
  • Section A. Physical Geology and Remote Sensing
  • Section B. Structural Geology
  • Section C. Sedimentology
  • Section D. Palaeontology
  • Section E. Stratigraphy
Paper 2 – Geology
  • Section A. Mineralogy
  • Section B. Geochemistry and isotope Geology
  • Section C. Igneous petrology
  • Section D. Metamorphic petrology
  • Section E. Geodynamics
Paper 3 – Geology
  • Section A. Economic Geology
  • Section B. Indian mineral deposits and mineral economics
  • Section C. Mineral exploration
  • Section D. Fuel Geology and Engineering Geology
  • Section E. Environmental Geology and Natural Hazards
Hydrogeology
  • Section A. Occurrence and distribution of groundwater
  • Section B. Groundwater movement and well hydraulics
  • Section C. Water wells and groundwater levels
  • Section D. Groundwater exploration
  • Section E. Groundwater Quality and Management
Post – Geophysicist/ Scientist ‘B’ (Geophysics)
Paper 1 – Geophysics (Part – A)
  • A1. Solid Earth Geophysics
  • A2. Earthquake Seismology
  • A3. Mathematical Methods in Geophysics
  • A4. Geophysical Inversion
Part – B
  • B1. Mathematical Methods of Physics
  • B2. Electrodynamics
  • B3. Electromagnetic Theory
  • B4. Introductory Atmospheric and Space Physics
Paper 2 – Geophysics (Part – A)
  • A1. Potential Field (Gravity and Magnetic) Methods
  • A2. Electrical and Electromagnetic methods
  • A3. Seismic Prospecting
  • A4. Borehole Geophysics
Part – B
  • B1. Classical Mechanics
  • B2. Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
  • B3. Characterization of materials, Atomic and Molecular Physics
  • B4. Nuclear and Particle Physics
Paper 3 – Geophysics (Part – A)
  • A1. Radiometric and Airborne Geophysics
  • A2. Marine Geophysics
  • A3. Geophysical Signal Processing
  • A4. Remote Sensing and Geohydrology
Part – B
  • B1. Solid State Physics and Basic Electronics
  • B2. Laser systems
  • B3. Digital electronics, Radar systems, Satellite communications
  • B4. Quantum Mechanics
Posts – Chemist/ Scientist ‘B’ (Chemical)
Paper 1 – Chemistry (Inorganic Chemistry)
  • Inorganic solids
  • Chemistry of coordination compounds
  • Acid-base titrations
  • Gravimetric Analysis
  • Redox Titrations
  • Complexometric titrations
  • Organometallic compounds
  • Nuclear chemistry
  • Chemistry of d- and f-block elements
Paper 2 – Chemistry (Physical Chemistry)
  • Kinetic theory and the gaseous state
  • Solids
  • Chemical thermodynamics and chemical equilibrium
  • Chemical kinetics and catalysis
  • Electrochemistry
  • Quantum chemistry
  • Basic principles and applications of spectroscopy
  • Photochemistry
Paper 3 – Chemistry (Analytical and Organic) Part A
  • A1. Errors in quantitative analysis
  • A2. Separation Methods
  • A3. Spectroscopic methods of analysis
  • A4. Thermal methods of analysis
  • A4. Thermal methods of analysis
  • A6. Inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy
  • A7. Analysis of geological materials
Part B – Organic Chemistry
  • B1. Unstable, uncharged intermediate
  • B2. Addition reactions
  • B3: Reactions in the carbonyl group
  • B4. Oxidation and Reduction
  • B5. Electrocyclic Reactions
  • B6. Spectroscopic methods of analysis

UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam Pattern

Understanding the exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation. Review the details outlined in the UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam Pattern to prepare effectively for the exam and to be aware of the scoring system. The table below provides a breakdown of the UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam Pattern for each stage of the selection process (Prelims, Mains, and Interview).

UPSC Geo-Scientist Prelims Exam Pattern

The preliminary exam has two papers, and for each question, you’ll have multiple-choice options to choose from. The exam is conducted in English, and you must select the correct answer from the four options provided. If you answer a question incorrectly, one-third of the marks for that question will be deducted as a penalty. However, if you leave a question blank or don’t answer it, there won’t be any penalty. You’ll have a total of two hours to complete each exam.

UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam Pattern for Prelims
Stream-I: Geologist & Scientist B (Hydrogeology)
Subject Duration(hours) Marks
Paper-1 General Studies 2 hours 100 marks
Paper-2 Geology/Hydrogeology 2 hours 300 marks
Total 400 marks
Stream-II: Geophysicist & Scientist ‘B’(Geophysics)
Subject Duration(hours) Marks
Paper-1 General Studies 2 hours 100 marks
Paper-2 Geophysics 2 hours 300 marks
Total 400 marks
Stream-III: Chemist and Scientist ‘B’(Chemical)
Subject Duration(hours) Marks
Paper-1 General Studies 2 hours 100 marks
Paper-2 Chemistry 2 hours 300 marks
Total  400 marks

UPSC Geo-Scientist Mains Exam Pattern

The exam has three papers, each related to a specific subject, and each is worth 200 marks. You’ll have three hours for each paper to answer the questions. All the questions and answers will be in English.

UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam Pattern for Mains
Stream-I: Geologist
Subject Duration Maximum Marks
Paper-I: Geology 3 Hours 200 Marks
Paper-II: Geology 3 Hours 200 Marks
Paper-III: Geology 3 Hours 200 Marks
Total 600 Marks
Stream-II: Geophysicist and Scientist ‘B’ (Geophysics)
Subject Duration Maximum Marks
Paper-I: Geophysics 3 Hours 200 Marks
Paper-II: Geophysics 3 Hours 200 Marks
Paper-III: Geophysics 3 Hours 200 Marks
Total 600 Marks
Stream-III: Chemist & Scientist ‘B’ (Chemical)
Subject Duration Maximum Marks
Paper-I: Chemistry 3 Hours 200 Marks
Paper-II: Chemistry 3 Hours 200 Marks
Paper-III: Chemistry 3 Hours 200 Marks
Total 600 Marks
Stream-IV: Scientist ‘B’(Hydrogeology)
Subject Duration Maximum Marks
Paper-I: Geology 3 Hours 200 Marks
Paper-II: Geology 3 Hours 200 Marks
Paper-III: Hydrogeology 3 Hours 200 Marks
Total 600 Marks

UPSC Geo-Scientist Interview

The UPSC Geo-Scientist interview, often referred to as the Personality Test, is the final and crucial phase of the selection process. Here, candidates get the opportunity to showcase not only their knowledge but also their communication skills, demeanor, and overall personality. The UPSC Combined Geoscientist interview doesn’t follow a specific syllabus, as per the Commission. Instead, it includes a personality test. To get ready for the interview, candidates should review the core concepts of their subjects and also work on improving their soft skills.

UPSC Geo-Scientist Syllabus 2024 and Exam Pattern PDF_3.1

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FAQs

What is the exam for geophysicist in UPSC?

The mains examination is scheduled on 24th and 25th June 2023. The UPSC Geo Scientist Selection Process is based on candidates' performance in the Prelims, Mains, and Interviews.

How to prepare for UPSC geo scientist?

Practice the topics like comprehensive questions in English, questions related to current national and international events, Indian National Movement, Geography, Indian Polity etc.

Is there negative marking in UPSC geoscientist?

There is negative marking in the first stage of the exam.

Who are eligible for UPSC geoscientist?

Master's degree in Geology or Engineering Geology or Geological Science or Applied Geology or Geo-Exploration or Mineral Exploration or Marine Geology or Oceanography etc.

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