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.

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.

Is there negative marking in UPSC geoscientist?

There is negative marking in the first stage of the exam.

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.

UPSC Geo-Scientist Syllabus 2025, Prelims and Mains Exam

Table of Contents

The Geo Scientist syllabus for the UPSC exam is available on the official UPSC website. Candidates must thoroughly review the syllabus before applying, as it covers both the preliminary and main written exams. The preliminary exam is computer-based and features objective-type questions. Candidates who pass the preliminary exam will advance to the main exam.

UPSC Geo-Scientist Syllabus Highlights

The UPSC Geo-Scientist exam, organized by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is a renowned and demanding assessment aimed at selecting candidates for diverse geological and geoscientific services across the nation. Administered on behalf of the Government of India, the UPSC Geo-Scientist and Geologist Exam, commonly known as UPSC GSI, is officially titled the Union Public Service Commission Geological Survey of India Examination. Check detailed notifications of UPSC Geo-Scientist Recruitment Notification

UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam 2025 Highlights
Exam Name	Combined Geo-scientist and Geologist Exam
Exam Conducted by	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Category	Syllabus and Exam Pattern
Selection Criteria	Written Exam and Interview
Job Location	PAN India
Official Website	http://upsc.gov.in

UPSC Combined Geo-scientist Exam

For those who wish to work as geologists, geophysicists, or chemists, the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist examination offers a chance. You must thoroughly comprehend all of the important exam formats in order to perform well on this challenging exam.

UPSC Geo-Scientist Prelims Syllabus 2025

Before you start getting ready for the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist exam, make sure to check the syllabus. The syllabus will guide your preparation. The first part of the preliminary test, the general studies paper, has the same topics for everyone. However, for the second part of the preliminary test and all the main exam papers, the UPSC Combined Geoscientist Syllabus is different for each stream of the exam.

UPSC Geo-Scientist Syllabus for Prelims
Paper 1 – General Studies	Environment and Ecology Polity and Governance – Indian Constitution, System of Politics in India, Local Government, Rights, Directive Principle, etc. Geography – Physical, Economic, and Social Aspects of Geography of India and the World Science in General Indian Economy – Financial Inclusion, National Income, Poverty and Unemployment, etc. National and International Current Issues
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 thermodynamics, and chemical equilibrium, Solutions of non-electrolytes, Electrochemistry, Basic organic chemistry, Stereochemistry, Types of organic reactions, Molecular Rearrangements Chemical periodicity, Chemical bonding, and structure, Acids, and bases, Theoretical basis of quantitative inorganic analysis, Kinetic theory and the gaseous state,
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 2025

Here is the detailed syllabus for the UPSC Geo-Scientist Mains examination across all categories. Refer to the table below for the complete syllabus:

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 in the carbonyl group B4. Oxidation and Reduction B5. Electrocyclic Reactions B6. Spectroscopic methods of analysis

UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam Pattern

Understanding the exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation. Review the details outlined in the UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam Pattern to prepare effectively for the exam and to be aware of the scoring system. The table below provides a breakdown of the UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam Pattern for each stage of the selection process (Prelims, Mains, and Interview).

UPSC Geo-Scientist Prelims Exam Pattern

The preliminary exam has two papers, and for each question, you’ll have multiple-choice options to choose from. The exam is conducted in English, and you must select the correct answer from the four options provided. If you answer a question incorrectly, one-third of the marks for that question will be deducted as a penalty. However, if you leave a question blank or don’t answer it, there won’t be any penalty. You’ll have a total of two hours to complete each exam.

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 Mains Exam Pattern

The exam has three papers, each related to a specific subject, and each is worth 200 marks. You’ll have three hours for each paper to answer the questions. 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 Geo-Scientist Interview

The UPSC Geo-Scientist interview, often referred to as the Personality Test, is the final and crucial phase of the selection process. Here, candidates get the opportunity to showcase not only their knowledge but also their communication skills, demeanor, and overall personality. The UPSC Combined Geoscientist interview doesn’t follow a specific syllabus, as per the Commission. Instead, it includes a personality test. To get ready for the interview, candidates should review the core concepts of their subjects and also work on improving their soft skills.