The UPSC Combined Geoscientist Examination is conducted to recruit candidates for various posts in the field of Geology, Geophysics, and Hydrogeology under the Indian Ministry of Mines. The exam is held in three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Interview.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the UPSC Combined Geoscientist Exam Scheme:
1. Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination consists of two papers, General Studies Paper and Geology/Geophysics/Hydrogeology Paper. It is a screening test, and the marks obtained in the Prelims are not counted for the final ranking.
Paper I: General Studies
- Duration: 2 hours
- Marks: 100
- Type: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions)
- Topics:
- General Science
- 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
- Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change
- General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change
- General Science and Technology
- This paper is common for all candidates and assesses general awareness and aptitude.
Paper II: Geology/Geophysics/Hydrogeology
- Duration: 3 hours
- Marks: 300
- Type: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions)
- Topics:
- Geology: Geomorphology, Stratigraphy, Petrology, Structural Geology, Economic Geology, Mining Geology, Paleontology, etc.
- Geophysics: Mathematical Methods, Geophysical Prospecting, Applied Geophysics, etc.
- Hydrogeology: Hydrological Cycle, Groundwater Exploration, Water Quality, Water Resources, etc.
- This paper assesses specialized knowledge in the candidate’s chosen field.
Note: The Preliminary Exam is qualifying in nature, and only those who clear it are eligible to appear for the Mains.
2. Main Examination
The Mains Exam consists of Written Papers and is conducted in conventional (descriptive) format.
General English (Paper I)
- Duration: 3 hours
- Marks: 100
- Topics:
- Comprehension of given passages
- Precis writing
- Usage and vocabulary
- Short Essay writing
- English grammar
- This paper tests the candidate’s proficiency in English writing and comprehension.
Geology/Geophysics/Hydrogeology Papers (Paper II and III)
- Duration: 3 hours each
- Marks: 200 for each paper
- These papers are focused on the specialized subjects. Candidates choose one of the following options:
- Geology: Covers topics like Structural Geology, Petrology, Mineralogy, etc.
- Geophysics: Covers topics such as Gravimetry, Seismology, and Electromagnetic methods.
- Hydrogeology: Covers topics like Groundwater Flow, Water Resources Management, and Water Quality.
Paper IV: Geology/Geophysics/Hydrogeology (Practical Paper)
- Duration: 3 hours
- Marks: 200
- This paper tests practical knowledge in the selected subject and assesses the candidate’s ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
3. Interview (Personality Test)
- Marks: 200
- Candidates who clear the Main Examination are called for the Interview round.
- The Interview assesses the candidate’s personality, confidence, knowledge, and ability to handle complex problems.
- It is conducted by a panel of experts and serves as the final selection stage.
Syllabus Highlights for Different Disciplines:
- Geology:
- Mineralogy, Geomorphology, Stratigraphy, Structural Geology, Economic Geology, Petrology, Mining Geology, Seismology, Paleontology, etc.
- Geophysics:
- Seismology, Gravity Methods, Magnetic Methods, Electromagnetic Methods, etc.
- Hydrogeology:
- Groundwater Hydrology, Water Quality Assessment, Water Resources Management, etc.
Marking Scheme
- Preliminary Exam: 1/3rd negative marking for wrong answers.
- Main Exam: No negative marking.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Age: Generally between 21 to 32 years, with relaxations for certain categories.
- Educational Qualification:
- For Geology: A degree in Geology, Applied Geology, or Geological Engineering.
- For Geophysics: A degree in Physics, Geophysics, or Applied Geophysics.
- For Hydrogeology: A degree in Geology or Hydrogeology.
Application Process:
- Candidates need to apply through the official UPSC website.
- The application process is usually done in two parts, where candidates first fill out basic details and later submit payment and documents.
UPSC Combined Geoscientist Examination Booklist
| Subject | Book Title | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies (Prelims) | General Studies Paper I (covers all GS topics) | – |
| Indian Polity | M. Laxmikanth (Publisher: McGraw Hill) | |
| Indian Economy | Ramesh Singh (Publisher: McGraw Hill) | |
| Environment & Ecology | Shankar IAS (Publisher: Shankar IAS Academy) | |
| Geography of India and World | Majid Husain (Publisher: McGraw Hill) | |
| General Science | NCERT (Class 6 to 12) | |
| Current Affairs | The Hindu / The Indian Express (Daily Newspapers) | |
| Geology (Main) | Geology Paper II and III (for General Geology, Mineralogy, Petrology, etc.) | |
| Textbook of Geology | P.K. Mukherjee (Publisher: CBS Publishers) | |
| Physical Geology | Arthur Holmes (Publisher: Wiley) | |
| Principles of Physical Geology | K. B. K. Thapar (Publisher: CBS Publishers) | |
| Petrology: Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic | D. F. Merrill (Publisher: CBS Publishers) | |
| Structural Geology | M.P. Billings (Publisher: Prentice Hall) | |
| Economic Geology | P. K. Mukherjee (Publisher: CBS Publishers) | |
| Mineralogy | Dexter Perkins (Publisher: Wiley) | |
| Stratigraphy | B. N. Mahapatra (Publisher: CBS Publishers) | |
| Paleontology | R. S. Shukla (Publisher: CBS Publishers) | |
| Geochemistry | A. B. Pardesi (Publisher: Elsevier) | |
| Geophysics (Main) | Geophysics Paper II and III (for Geophysical methods, Seismology, Gravimetry, etc.) | |
| Geophysics | B. P. Radhakrishna (Publisher: CBS Publishers) | |
| Introduction to Geophysical Prospecting | Milton B. Dobrin (Publisher: McGraw-Hill) | |
| Principles of Applied Geophysics | W. M. Telford (Publisher: Cambridge University Press) | |
| Gravity and Magnetic Methods | R. E. Sheriff (Publisher: Cambridge University Press) | |
| Seismology and Earthquake Engineering | A. K. Srivastava (Publisher: Wiley) | |
| Hydrogeology (Main) | Hydrogeology Paper II and III (for Hydrogeology, Groundwater, Water Quality, etc.) | |
| Groundwater Hydrology | H. M. Raghunath (Publisher: Wiley) | |
| Hydrogeology | K. R. K. Rao (Publisher: CBS Publishers) | |
| Applied Hydrogeology | C. W. Fetter (Publisher: Waveland Press) | |
| Water Resources Engineering | D. K. Todd & L. W. Mays (Publisher: Wiley) | |
| Engineering Hydrology | K. Subramanya (Publisher: Tata McGraw-Hill) | |
| General English (Prelims & Mains) | English Paper I (Comprehension, Essay, Precis, Vocabulary) | |
| Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi (Publisher: Arihant) | |
| English Grammar and Composition | Wren & Martin (Publisher: S. Chand) | |
| High School English Grammar & Composition | P.C. Wren & H. Martin (Publisher: S. Chand) | |
| English for General Competitions | Neetu Singh (Publisher: Tata McGraw-Hill) |
Additional Resources
| Subject | Additional Resources | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Geology/Geophysics/Hydrogeology Practical | Geological Survey Reports and Research Papers | Geological Survey of India (GSI), Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) |
| Geological Fieldwork and Mapping Techniques | Personal Field Guides, Geological Field Maps | |
| Geophysical and Hydrogeological Software | Learn through practical tools like ArcGIS, Surfer, etc. |
This list covers essential books for each subject, ensuring comprehensive preparation for all stages of the UPSC Combined Geoscientist Examination, including theory, practical knowledge, and general awareness.