UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 Recruitment - Geologist, Geophysicist, Chemist and Other Posts (Total 127 Posts)

Opening Overview

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has invited online applications for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 for recruitment to various Group A and Group B posts in the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines, and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Ministry of Jal Shakti. A total of 127 tentative vacancies are available. Eligible candidates holding the relevant Master's degree may apply online up to 22/09/2026.

Post Details

Important Dates

Application Fee

The fee may be paid through net banking, Visa/Master/RuPay credit or debit card, or UPI. The fee paid will not be refunded under any circumstances. OBC and EWS candidates are not eligible for fee exemption.

Age Limit

• The candidate must have attained 21 years and must not have attained 32 years as on 01/01/2027.
• The candidate must have been born not earlier than 02/01/1995 and not later than 01/01/2006.
• The upper age limit is relaxable by up to 5 years for SC/ST candidates.
• The upper age limit is relaxable by up to 3 years for eligible OBC candidates.
• Government servants may receive up to 5 years of relaxation for the corresponding posts and departments specified in the notification.
• Defence Services personnel disabled during operations may receive up to 3 years of relaxation.
• Eligible Ex-Servicemen and ECOs/SSCOs may receive up to 5 years of relaxation, subject to prescribed conditions.
• Persons with Benchmark Disabilities may receive up to 10 years of relaxation, subject to the applicable physical and medical standards.
• SC/ST and OBC candidates covered under other eligible relaxation categories may receive cumulative relaxation as permitted under the rules.

Vacancy Details

Category I: Geological Survey of India, Ministry of Mines

Eight vacancies in Category I are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities, including vacancies for Geologist, Chemist, Assistant Geologist, Assistant Geophysicist and Assistant Chemist.

Category II: Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Jal Shakti

Two vacancies in Category II are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities, including one vacancy for Scientist B (Hydrogeology) and one vacancy for Assistant Hydrogeologist.

The vacancies are tentative and may be changed. Appointments will initially be made on a temporary basis. Reservation will be applicable for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwBD candidates as per Government rules.

Eligibility / Qualification

Geologist, Group A, GSI

Master's degree in Geology, Applied Geology, Geo-Exploration, Mineral Exploration, Engineering Geology, Marine Geology, Earth Science and Resource Management, Oceanography and Coastal Areas Studies, Petroleum Geosciences or Geochemistry from a recognised university or institute.

Geophysicist, Group A, GSI and Scientist B (Geophysics), Group A, CGWB

M.Sc. in Physics, Applied Physics, Geophysics, Exploration Geophysics, Applied Geophysics, Marine Geophysics or M.Sc. Tech. in Applied Geophysics from a recognised university or institute.

Chemist, Group A, GSI and Scientist B (Chemical), Group A, CGWB

M.Sc. in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry from a recognised university or institute.

Scientist B (Hydrogeology), Group A and Assistant Hydrogeologist, Group B, CGWB

Master's degree in Geology, Applied Geology, Marine Geology or Hydrogeology from a recognised university or institute.

Assistant Chemist, Group B, GSI and CGWB

M.Sc. or Integrated M.Sc. in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Hydro-Chemistry or Industrial Chemistry from a recognised university or institute.

Assistant Geologist, Group B, GSI

Master's degree or Integrated Master's degree in Geology, Applied Geology, Mineral Exploration, Marine Geology or Earth Science from a recognised university or institute.

Assistant Geophysicist, Group B, GSI and CGWB

M.Sc., M.Sc. Tech. or Integrated M.Sc. in Geophysics, Exploration Geophysics, Applied Geophysics, Geo-Exploration, Marine Geophysics, Physics, Applied Physics or Applied Geology from a recognised university or institute.

A Master's degree generally means a postgraduate degree of at least two years' duration after graduation in the relevant discipline. Candidates awaiting qualifying examination results may apply provisionally, subject to production of proof of passing within the prescribed period. Candidates must also satisfy the prescribed physical standards.

Nationality

A candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who entered India before 01/01/1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or a person of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India. Candidates requiring an eligibility certificate must obtain it from the Government of India.

Selection Process

1. Combined Geo-Scientist Preliminary Examination, Stage I — Objective type.
2. Combined Geo-Scientist Main Examination, Stage II — Conventional/descriptive type.
3. Personality Test/Interview, Stage III — 200 marks.

Marks obtained in the Preliminary and Main Examinations will be counted for final merit. Candidates qualifying in the Preliminary Examination will be admitted to the Main Examination. Approximately six to seven times the number of vacancies may be admitted to the Main Examination, while approximately twice the number of vacancies may be summoned for the Personality Test.

Exam Pattern

Stage I: Preliminary Examination

The Preliminary Examination consists of two objective-type papers for the applicable stream. The papers are set in English only and are conducted on OMR sheets.

Stream I: Geology/Hydrogeology

Stream II: Geophysics

Stream III: Chemistry

There is negative marking in the objective papers. One-third of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every wrong answer. No penalty will be imposed for unanswered questions. Calculators are not permitted in the Preliminary Examination.

Stage II: Main Examination

The Main Examination consists of three conventional-type papers for each stream. Each paper is of three hours and carries 200 marks.

The Main Examination must be answered in English only. Non-programmable pocket calculators are permitted in the descriptive papers, but programmable calculators are prohibited.

Stage III: Personality Test/Interview

The Personality Test/Interview carries 200 marks and has no minimum qualifying marks. It assesses suitability for the services, including leadership, initiative, intellectual curiosity, tact, social qualities, mental and physical energy, practical application, integrity and ability to adapt to field life.

Syllabus

Stage I: General Studies

The common General Studies paper includes:

• Current events of national and international importance.
• History of India and the Indian National Movement.
• Physical, social and economic geography of India and the world.
• Indian Constitution, polity, governance, Panchayati Raj, public policy and rights issues.
• Economic and social development, sustainable development, poverty, inclusion, demographics and social-sector initiatives.
• Environmental ecology, biodiversity and climate change.
• General Science.

Stage I: Geology/Hydrogeology

Major areas include physical geology, structural geology, mineralogy, igneous petrology, metamorphic petrology, sedimentology, paleontology, stratigraphy, economic geology and hydrogeology. Hydrogeology topics include groundwater occurrence, aquifer characteristics, porosity, permeability, hydraulic conductivity, Darcy's law, groundwater composition and artificial recharge.

Stage I: Geophysics

Major areas include solid-earth geophysics, mathematical methods in geophysics, electromagnetism, geophysical prospecting, remote sensing, thermodynamics, nuclear physics and radiometry. Topics include gravity and magnetic fields, earthquakes, elastic waves, inverse theory, electromagnetic methods, seismic methods, Fourier analysis, radioactivity and radiation detectors.

Stage I: Chemistry

Major areas include chemical periodicity, chemical bonding and structure, acids and bases, quantitative inorganic analysis, kinetic theory and gaseous state, chemical thermodynamics, solutions, electrochemistry, basic organic chemistry, stereochemistry, organic reaction mechanisms and molecular rearrangements.

Stage II: Geology and Hydrogeology

The descriptive Geology syllabus covers physical geology and remote sensing, structural geology, sedimentology, paleontology, stratigraphy, mineralogy, geochemistry and isotope geology, igneous and metamorphic petrology, geodynamics, economic geology, Indian mineral deposits, mineral exploration, mineral economics, fuel geology, engineering geology, environmental geology and natural hazards.

The Hydrogeology syllabus covers groundwater occurrence and distribution, groundwater movement and well hydraulics, water wells and groundwater levels, groundwater exploration, groundwater quality and management, aquifers, groundwater flow, pumping tests, well construction, geophysical exploration, groundwater chemistry, seawater intrusion, artificial recharge and groundwater resource management.

Stage II: Geophysics

The Geophysics syllabus covers solid-earth geophysics, earthquake seismology, mathematical methods, geophysical inversion, electrodynamics, electromagnetic theory, atmospheric and space physics, potential-field methods, electrical and electromagnetic methods, seismic prospecting, borehole geophysics, classical mechanics, thermodynamics, statistical physics, atomic and molecular physics, nuclear and particle physics, radiometric and airborne geophysics, marine geophysics, signal processing, remote sensing, geohydrology, solid-state physics, electronics, laser systems, digital electronics, radar, satellite communications and quantum mechanics.

Stage II: Chemistry

The Chemistry syllabus covers inorganic solids, coordination compounds, acid-base titrations, gravimetric analysis, redox titrations, complexometric titrations, organometallic compounds, nuclear chemistry, d- and f-block elements, physical chemistry, chemical thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, catalysis, electrochemistry, quantum chemistry, spectroscopy, photochemistry, analytical chemistry, separation methods, thermal analysis, X-ray methods, inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy, analysis of geological materials and advanced organic chemistry.

Examination Centres

Preliminary Examination Centres

Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cuttack, Delhi, Dispur, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jammu, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Prayagraj, Shillong, Shimla and Thiruvananthapuram.

Centre allotment is generally made on a first-apply-first-allot basis, subject to capacity. Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata and Ahmedabad are exempt from the stated ceiling. The Commission reserves the right to change centres, and requests for centre change will not ordinarily be accepted.

Main Examination Centres

Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, Dispur (Guwahati), Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai and Shimla.

Important Instructions

• Applications are accepted online only through the UPSC application portal.
• Candidates must create an account, Universal Registration Number (URN), Common Application Form (CAF) and examination-specific application.
• Candidates must upload a photograph, capture a live photograph and upload three clear signatures made with black ink.
• A valid photo identity document such as Aadhaar Card, Voter Card, PAN Card, Passport or Driving Licence must be registered and carried to the examination.
• Applications cannot be withdrawn or corrected after final submission.
• No hard copy of the application is required to be sent to UPSC.
• Eligible candidates will receive an e-Admit Card online; it will not be sent by post.
• Face authentication, identity verification and frisking will be conducted at the examination venue.
• Entry to the examination venue closes 30 minutes before commencement of each session.
• Mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, pagers, storage devices, cameras and other electronic communication devices are strictly prohibited.
• In the Preliminary Examination, candidates must use only a black ball pen on the OMR sheet.
• PwBD candidates may avail themselves of scribe and compensatory-time facilities subject to the prescribed certificates and conditions.
• Original certificates relating to age, qualification, category, fee concession and disability must be produced at the Personality Test/Interview stage.

Reservation and Documents

Reservation is applicable for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwBD candidates as per Government rules. EWS candidates must possess an Income and Asset Certificate based on Financial Year 2025-2026, issued on or after 01/04/2026 and by the application closing date. OBC candidates must possess a valid Non-Creamy Layer certificate based on the prescribed financial years and issued on or after 01/04/2026.

Candidates should keep scanned copies of their age certificate, educational qualification certificate, category certificate, age or fee concession certificate and PwBD certificate, wherever applicable. False claims, fabricated documents, impersonation, unfair means or possession of banned items may result in cancellation, debarment and legal or disciplinary action.

Tie-Breaking Rules

If candidates obtain equal final marks, preference will be given to the candidate securing higher marks in the relevant subject-specific papers along with Personality Test marks. If the tie continues, higher marks in the subject-specific papers will be considered. If the marks remain equal, the older candidate will be ranked higher. Any remaining tie will be resolved at the discretion of UPSC.