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UPSC Geo-Scientist Syllabus and Exam Pattern for Prelims & Mains

UPSC Geo-Scientist Syllabus

UPSC Geo-Scientist Syllabus: The UPSC Geo-Scientist Syllabus 2023 is available on the Union Public Service Commission’s (UPSC) official website. Before registering for the test, applicants must review the UPSC Combined Geoscientist Syllabus. For both the preliminary and main written exams, the syllabus has been thoroughly explained. The preliminary exam is a computer-based test that includes questions of an objective nature. For the main exam, the chosen candidates will receive calls.

Read More: UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Eligibility Criteria

UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Exam 2023 Overview

The UPSC administers the UPSC Geo-Scientist and Geologist Exam, also known as the UPSC GSI, on behalf of the Government of India. The full name of the examination is the Union Public Service Commission Geological Survey of India Examination.

UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam 2023 Overview

Geo-Scientist Exam Exam Details
Exam Name Combined Geo-scientist and Geologist Exam
Exam Conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Exam occurrence Once in a year
Application Mode Online
Notification released on September 21, 2022
Exam Date 19th Feb, 2023
Mains Exam 25th June 2023
Official Website http://upsc.gov.in
No. of Vacancies 285
Job Location PAN India
Selection Criteria Written Exam and Interview

UPSC Geo-Scientist Prelims Syllabus 2023

Before beginning their preparation for the exam, applicants who plan to take the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist exam should consult the curriculum. Your preparation will have a direction thanks to the syllabus. The general studies paper, the first section of the preliminary test, has a common syllabus across all courses.

Contrarily, the UPSC Combined Geoscientist Syllabus is stream-specific for both the second prelims paper and all of the main exam papers.

UPSC Geo-Scientist Syllabus for Prelims

Paper 1 – General Studies
  • Geography – Physical, Economic, Social aspects of Geography of Indian and 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

The Detailed syllabus for the UPSC Geo-Scientist Mains examination for all exams has been mentioned below in the table:

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 at the carbonyl group
  • B4. Oxidation and Reduction
  • B5. Electrocyclic Reactions
  • B6. Spectroscopic methods of analysis

UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam Pattern

Check the information provided in the UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam Pattern so that you may prepare for the exam and keep in mind the marking scheme. The table below explains the UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam Pattern for each level of the selection process.

UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam Pattern for Prelims

The prelims exam has two papers and multiple-choice options for each question. The exam will be administered in English. The candidates must choose the right solution from a list of four options. One-third of the marks allotted to that question will be subtracted as a penalty for a negative marking. There will be no penalty for a question that is left blank, or unanswered. Each exam will be given two hours to complete.

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 Exam Pattern for Mains

The examination consists of three subject-specific papers, each of which carries 200 marks. Each paper can be attempted within 3 hours. 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 Combined Geo-Scientist Interview

The UPSC Combined Geoscientist interview does not have a set syllabus, according to the Commission. A personality test will be conducted during the interview. To prepare for the interview, one should brush up on the fundamentals of their subjects as well as on their soft skills.

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UPSC Geo-Scientist Syllabus and Exam Pattern FAQs

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.

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.

Is there negative marking in UPSC geoscientist?

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

How many attempts are there in UPSC geoscientist?

The UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist eligibility criteria do not specify any specific limit on the number of attempts for the aspirants.

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.