UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2025

Introduction

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination every year to recruit suitable candidates for various scientific positions in the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). These roles are crucial in the exploration and management of the country’s geological resources, and this exam provides an excellent opportunity for those with a background in geosciences, chemistry, or physics to enter government service.

In this post, we will discuss the exam’s eligibility, application process, exam pattern, syllabus, and other essential details.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2025, candidates must fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

1. Nationality

Candidates must be:

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• A citizen of India, or
• A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
• A person of Indian origin who has migrated from certain countries like Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, etc.

2. Age Limit

• The minimum age is 21 years, and the maximum age is 32 years as of January 1, 2025. Candidates must have been born not earlier than January 2, 1993, and not later than January 1, 2004.
• Age relaxations apply to candidates belonging to reserved categories as per government norms.

3. Educational Qualification

Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in the relevant discipline. Below is a summary:

Post	Qualification
Geologist, Group A	Master’s degree in Geology, Applied Geology, or Geological Science
Geophysicist, Group A	M.Sc. in Physics, Applied Physics, Geophysics, or Integrated M.Sc. (Exploration Geophysics)
Chemist, Group A	M.Sc. in Chemistry or Applied Chemistry
Scientist B (Hydrogeology)	Master’s degree in Geology, Applied Geology, or Hydrogeology

Application Process

Candidates must follow a specific procedure to apply for the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination.

1. One-Time Registration (OTR)

All candidates must register on the UPSC website via the One-Time Registration (OTR) platform. Once registered, they can fill out the online application for the examination. The OTR platform requires basic details like name, address, and educational qualifications.

2. Filling the Application Form

• Visit the UPSC website and navigate to the Geo-Scientist Exam application.
• Fill in personal, academic, and professional details.
• Upload required documents such as photograph, signature, and photo ID (Aadhar, Voter ID, etc.).
• Pay the application fee of ₹200 (except for SC/ST/PwBD/Female candidates who are exempted from the fee).

3. Important Dates

The application portal will remain open until September 24, 2024, and no hard copies of the application form are required. Candidates are advised to apply early to avoid any last-minute technical issues.

Event	Date
Application start date	September 4, 2024
Application deadline	September 24, 2024
Preliminary Examination Date	February 9, 2025
Main Examination Date	June 21-22, 2025

Exam Pattern

The UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination is conducted in three stages:

1. Stage-I: Preliminary Examination

The preliminary examination is an objective-type exam consisting of two papers for each stream. The marks obtained in this stage are counted for the final merit list.

Stream	Paper-I: General Studies (100 Marks)	Paper-II (300 Marks)	Total Marks
Geologist/Scientist B (Hydrogeology)	2 hours	Geology/Hydrogeology – 2 hours	400
Geophysicist/Scientist B (Geophysics)	2 hours	Geophysics – 2 hours	400
Chemist/Scientist B (Chemical)	2 hours	Chemistry – 2 hours	400

2. Stage-II: Main Examination

The main exam is descriptive and focuses on stream-specific subjects.

Stream	Paper-I: Subject 1 (200 Marks)	Paper-II: Subject 2 (200 Marks)	Paper-III: Subject 3 (200 Marks)	Total Marks
Geologist/Scientist B (Hydrogeology)	Geology Paper 1	Geology Paper 2	Geology Paper 3	600
Geophysicist/Scientist B (Geophysics)	Geophysics Paper 1	Geophysics Paper 2	Geophysics Paper 3	600
Chemist/Scientist B (Chemical)	Chemistry Paper 1	Chemistry Paper 2	Chemistry Paper 3	600

3. Stage-III: Personality Test/Interview

This stage carries 200 marks and assesses the candidate’s leadership qualities, intellectual curiosity, integrity, and adaptability to fieldwork.

Syllabus

1. General Studies (Common for all streams)

• Current events of national and international importance
• History of India and Indian National Movement
• Indian and World Geography
• Indian Polity and Governance
• Economic and Social Development
• General Science

2. Geology Stream (Sample Topics)

• Physical Geology: Earth’s internal structure, earthquakes, plate tectonics
• Stratigraphy: Principles of stratigraphy, fossils, Indian stratigraphy
• Palaeontology: Fossil classification, evolution of life forms

3. Geophysics Stream (Sample Topics)

• Electromagnetic Theory: Maxwell’s equations, boundary conditions
• Seismology: Earthquake sources, seismographs, seismic wave propagation
• Gravity and Magnetic Fields: Gravitational potential, anomaly maps, rock magnetism

4. Chemistry Stream (Sample Topics)

• Inorganic Chemistry: Transition elements, coordination compounds, organometallic chemistry
• Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics, quantum chemistry, kinetics
• Organic Chemistry: Reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, pericyclic reactions

Important Dates

Event	Date
Application Deadline	September 24, 2024
Preliminary Exam	February 9, 2025
Main Exam	June 21-22, 2025

FAQs

1. What is the eligibility for the Geo-Scientist Examination?
   Candidates must have a Master’s degree in the relevant subject and be between 21-32 years of age as of January 1, 2025.
2. What is the application fee for the exam?
   The fee is ₹200, except for SC/ST/Female/PwBD candidates, who are exempted.
3. Is there negative marking in the preliminary examination?
   Yes, there is negative marking for wrong answers in the objective-type papers.
4. How can I apply for the exam?
   Candidates must apply online through the UPSC website after registering through the One-Time Registration (OTR) platform.
5. When will the main examination be conducted?
   The main examination will be held on June 21-22, 2025.

Conclusion

The UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2025 is a great opportunity for those interested in a career in geosciences, geophysics, or chemistry. With a structured preparation plan and a thorough understanding of the exam pattern, candidates can excel in this highly competitive examination.

Prepare well and keep an eye on the important dates to ensure your success!

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