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

Check the complete UPSC Geo-Scientist Syllabus for the upcoming Exam. Candidates can check the detailed UPSC Geo-Scientist Syllabus 2023 along with the latest UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam Pattern below.

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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.

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	19^th Feb, 2023
Mains Exam	25^th 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.

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.