The Union Public Service Commission is going to conduct the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist 2024 exam. It is a highly competitive exam that is held annually, and thousands of candidates appear for it with the hope of securing a position in the geoscience field.
This exam is divided into three categories – Geologist, Geophysicist, and Chemist. Each category has its own set of requirements. The exam consists of three stages – a written exam, followed by an interview and a medical examination. The written exam is further divided into two parts preliminary exam and the main exam.
Candidates who clear both parts are called for an interview. The UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Exam is known for its rigorous selection process and only the most deserving candidates are selected for the available positions.
UPSC Geo-Scientist 2024 – Highlights
| Name of the exam | UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Exam |
| Exam Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Examination Level | National Level |
| Mode of application | Online |
| Examination Mode | Offline |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Exam Dates 2024
| Main Events | Dates |
| Release of the official notification | 20th September 2023 |
| Starting of online application form submission | 20th September 2023 |
| Deadline to submit the application form | 10th October 2023 |
| Release of the admit card for the prelims exam | February 2024 |
| Date of the preliminary exam | 18th February 2024 |
| Prelims Result | April 2024 |
| Admit card for the main exam | June 2024 |
| Date of the main exam | 22nd June 2024 |
| Result declaration | August 2024 |
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam are as follows.
Nationality
The candidates should have any one of the following nationalities.
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal, or
- A subject of Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanent residence in India, or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Age Limit
The candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years on the 1st January 2024. Age relaxation is provided for certain categories as per government regulations.
| Category | Relaxation in the upper age limit |
| SC/ ST | 5 Years |
| OBC | 3 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | Up to 5 Years |
| ECOs/SSCOs who have completed an initial period of assignment of 5 years of military service | Up to 5 Years |
Educational Qualification
- Geologist Group ‘A’ in Geological Survey of India – Master’s degree in Geological Science or Geology or Applied Geology or Geo- Exploration or Mineral Exploration or Engineering Geology or Marine Geology or Earth Science and Resource Management or Oceanography and Coastal Areas Studies or Petroleum Geosciences or Geochemistry from a recognized university.
- Chemist Group ‘A’ in Geological Survey of India and Scientist ‘B’ (Chemical) under C.G.W.B – M. Sc. in Chemistry or Applied Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry from a recognized University.
- Geophysicist Group ‘A’ in Geological Survey of India and Scientist ‘B’ (Geophysics) Group ‘A’ in C.G.W.B – M.Sc. in Physics or Applied Physics or M.Sc. (Geophysics) or Integrated M.Sc. (Exploration Geophysics) or M.Sc (Applied Geophysics) or M.Sc. (Marine Geophysics) or M.Sc. (Tech.) (Applied Geophysics) from a recognized University.
- Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology) Group ‘A’ in C.G.W.B – Master’s degree in Geology or Applied Geology or Marine Geology or Hydrogeology from a recognized University
Physical Standards – The candidate must be physically fit to perform the job duties.
Check UPSC Exam Calendar 2024
Application Process
The step-by-step application process for the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2024 is explained below.
- First of all, you need to visit the website of the UPSC and click on the application link.
- Click on the “Part I Registration” link and fill in your personal details like name, address, email id, and mobile number.
- Choose a registration ID and password, and fill in your educational qualification details.
- After submitting the Part I application, you will receive an email with a registration number. Use this to log in for Part II of the registration process.
- In Part II of the registration process, upload your photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee, which varies depending on the category you belong to. The fee can be paid online or offline.
- Review the application form carefully and submit it.
- Take a printout of the application form for future reference.
Application Fee
- Female/ SC/ ST/ PwD candidates – Nil
- All other candidates – Rs. 200/-
Mode of payment – By bank challan at any branch of State Bank of India or by using Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card/UPI Payment/Internet Banking.
Admit Card
- To download the UPSC Geo-Scientist Admit Card, candidates need to visit the official website of UPSC and log in to their account using their registration ID and password.
- The UPSC Admit Card is usually released 2-3 weeks before the exam date.
- It is an important document that contains important information such as the student’s name, roll number, exam date, exam time, and exam centre.
- It is mandatory for candidates to bring a valid photo identity proof along with the Admit Card, such as a PAN card, Aadhaar Card, driving license, or passport.
- In case of any discrepancies in the Admit Card, candidates should immediately contact the UPSC authorities and get the issue resolved.
Selection Process/ Exam Pattern
UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist is a three-step selection process.
- Stage-I – Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, an objective type examination for selecting the candidates for Stage II – 400 Marks
- Stage-II – Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination (Descriptive Type Paper) – 600 Marks
- Stage – III – Personality Test/ Interview
Let’s discuss the exam pattern of each stage.
Stage-I – Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination
| Stream-I: Geologist & Scientist B (Hydrogeology) | ||
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| Paper-I: General Studies | 2 hours | 100 marks |
| Paper-II: Geology/Hydrogeology | 2 hours | 300 marks |
| Total | 400 marks | |
| Stream-II: Geophysicist and Scientist ‘B’ (Geophysics) | ||
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| Paper-I: General Studies | 2 Hours | 100 Marks |
| Paper-II: Geophysics | 2 Hours | 300 Marks |
| Total | 400 Marks | |
| Stream-III: Chemist and Scientist ‘B’(Chemical) | ||
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| Paper-I: General Studies | 2 Hours | 100 Marks |
| Paper-II: Chemistry | 2 Hours | 300 Marks |
| Total | 400 Marks |
Stage-II – Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination
| 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 |
Syllabus
- General Studies – Current events of national and international importance, Indian and World Geography, History of India and Indian National Movement, Economic and Social Development, Indian Polity and Governance, General Science, General issues on Environmental Ecology, etc.
- Paper-II: Geology/Hydrogeology – Physical Geology, Structural Geology, Mineralogy, Igneous Petrology, Metamorphic Petrology, Sedimentology, Paleontology, Stratigraphy, Economic Geology, Hydrogeology, etc.
- Paper-II: Geophysics – Solid Earth Geophysics, Mathematical Methods in Geophysics, Electromagnetism, Geophysical Prospecting, Remote Sensing and Thermodynamics, Nuclear Physics and Radiometry.
- Chemistry: Chemical periodicity, Chemical bonding and structure, Acids and base, Theoretical basis of quantitative inorganic analysis, Kinetic theory and the gaseous state, Solutions of non-electrolytes, Stereochemistry, Types of organic reactions, Molecular Rearrangements, etc.
Interview
- The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Geo-Scientist Interview round for candidates who have successfully cleared the written exam.
- It is the final stage of the selection process.
- Candidates who qualify for the interview are called to appear in person before a panel of experts who evaluate the candidate’s overall knowledge, personality, and suitability for the post.
- The final result of the Geo-Scientist examination is based on the combined marks obtained by the candidate in the written examination and the interview.
Number of Vacancies
The exact number of vacancies is not yet disclosed by the UPSC. However, you may check the vacancy details given in the following table as per the previous year’s notification.
| Department | Name of the post | Number of vacancies |
| Geological Survey of India, Ministry of Mines | Geophysicist Group A | 100 |
| Geologist Group A | 50 | |
| Chemist Group A | 20 | |
| Ministry of Water Resources | Scientist B (Chemical), Group A | 1 |
| Scientist B (Geophysics), Group A | 1 | |
| Scientist B (Hydrogeology), Group A | 20 | |
| Total | 192 |
UPSC Geo-Scientist Job Description
- Conduct geological surveys and collect data on the earth’s composition, structure, and processes
- Develop models to predict geological processes such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
- Assess environmental impacts of proposed mining, drilling, and other resource extraction activities
- Analyze geological data to identify potential mineral and energy resources
- Collaborate with other scientists and engineers to solve complex geological problems
Frequently Asked Questions
Answer: Yes, there is a negative marking in UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam. For every wrong answer, 1/3rd of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.
Answer: The age limit for UPSC Geo-Scientist is 21 to 32 years as of 1st January of the examination year. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved category candidates.
Answer: The UPSC Geo-Scientist Examination is conducted once a year.