Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, 2027
Recruitment for Geologists, Geophysicists, Chemists, and Hydrogeologists in the Geological Survey of India (Ministry of Mines) & Central Ground Water Board (Ministry of Jal Shakti)
Examination Overview
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially published the notification for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE), 2027 in accordance with the rules notified by the Ministry of Mines in the Gazette of India. The examination serves as a centralized gateway for hiring high-caliber geoscientific talent across prestigious premier departments: the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).
Selection is conducted through a competitive 3-stage framework comprising an objective Preliminary Examination, a descriptive Main Examination, and an in-depth Personality Test / Interview. Eligible Indian nationals must register on the Commission’s single-window portal before the closing date.
Comprehensive Vacancy Distribution
A total of 127 vacancies have been announced across two main categories. Appointments will be made on a temporary basis in the first instance, with standard reservation rosters applied for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD candidates.
Category-I: Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines
| Post Name | Classification | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Geologist | Group ‘A’ | 29 |
| Geophysicist | Group ‘A’ | 00 |
| Chemist | Group ‘A’ | 07 |
| Assistant Geologist | Group ‘B’ | 34 |
| Assistant Geophysicist | Group ‘B’ | 35 |
| Assistant Chemist | Group ‘B’ | 06 |
| Total GSI Vacancies | 111 | |
*Note on GSI PwBD Quota: Out of the 111 vacancies, 08 vacancies are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities: 01 for Geologist [OH(OA/OL)], 01 for Chemist [HH], 02 for Assistant Geologist [01-OH(OA/OL), 01-HH], 03 for Assistant Geophysicist [03-HH], and 01 for Assistant Chemist [HH].
Category-II: Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Ministry of Jal Shakti
| Post Name | Classification | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology) | Group ‘A’ | 05 |
| Scientist ‘B’ (Chemical) | Group ‘A’ | 01 |
| Scientist ‘B’ (Geophysics) | Group ‘A’ | 01 |
| Assistant Hydrogeologist | Group ‘B’ | 07 |
| Assistant Chemist | Group ‘B’ | 01 |
| Assistant Geophysicist | Group ‘B’ | 01 |
| Total CGWB Vacancies | 16 | |
*Note on CGWB PwBD Quota: Out of the 16 vacancies, 02 vacancies are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities: 01 for Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology) [HH], and 01 for Assistant Hydrogeologist [LDCP].
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality & Age Boundaries
- Nationality: Citizen of India, subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or Tibetan refugee who came to India before 01.01.1962 to permanently settle.
- Age Limit: Must have attained 21 years and must not have attained 32 years as on 1st January, 2027.
- Crucial Birth Dates: The candidate must have been born not earlier than 2nd January, 1995 and not later than 1st January, 2006.
- Proof of Age: Only the Date of Birth recorded in the Matriculation or Secondary School Leaving Certificate will be accepted.
Permissible Upper Age Relaxations
- SC / ST: Up to 5 years.
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): Up to 3 years.
- Departmental Candidates (GSI & CGWB): Up to 5 years for regular government servants working in the respective departments.
- Ex-Servicemen (ECOs/SSCOs): Up to 5 years for individuals rendering at least 5 years of military service.
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): Up to 10 years cumulative relaxation across designated categories.
Post-Wise Minimum Educational Qualifications
| Position & Discipline | Prescribed Educational Qualification (Recognized University / Institute) |
|---|---|
| Geologist Gr ‘A’ (GSI) | Master’s degree in Geological Science or Geology or Applied Geology or Geo-Exploration or Mineral Exploration or Engineering Geology or Marine Geology or Earth Science and Resource Management or Oceanography and Coastal Areas Studies or Petroleum Geosciences or Geochemistry. |
| Geophysicist Gr ‘A’ (GSI) & Scientist ‘B’ (Geophysics) (CGWB) | M.Sc. in Physics or Applied Physics or M.Sc. (Geophysics) or Integrated M.Sc. (Exploration Geophysics) or M.Sc. (Applied Geophysics) or M.Sc. (Marine Geophysics) or M.Sc. (Tech.) (Applied Geophysics). |
| Chemist Gr ‘A’ (GSI) & Scientist ‘B’ (Chemical) (CGWB) | M.Sc. in Chemistry or Applied Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry. |
| Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology) Gr ‘A’ & Assistant Hydrogeologist Gr ‘B’ (CGWB) | Master’s degree in Geology or Applied Geology or Marine Geology or Hydrogeology. |
| Assistant Geologist Gr ‘B’ (GSI) | Master’s degree or Integrated Master’s degree in Geology or Applied Geology or Mineral Exploration or Marine Geology or Earth Science. |
| Assistant Geophysicist Gr ‘B’ (GSI & CGWB) | Master of Science or Master of Science (Tech) or Integrated Master of Science in Geophysics or Exploration Geophysics or Applied Geophysics or Geo-Exploration or Marine Geophysics or Physics or Applied Physics or Applied Geology. |
| Assistant Chemist Gr ‘B’ (GSI & CGWB) | Master of Science or Integrated Master of Science in Chemistry or Applied Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry or Physical Chemistry or Inorganic Chemistry or Organic Chemistry or Hydro-Chemistry or Industrial Chemistry. |
Candidates in Final Year of Study:
- Candidates who have appeared or intend to appear at an examination qualifying them educationally are eligible to apply provisionally.
- UPSC provides a 10-day window immediately after declaring the Main Examination results for qualified candidates to update their details and upload proof of passing the qualifying examination on the Common Application Form (CAF) module.
Plan and Scheme of Examination
The examination features a three-tier selection hierarchy. The marks secured in both the Preliminary Examination and Main Examination are counted along with the Personality Test for deciding the final merit ranking.
Preliminary Examination (Computer-Scanned OMR Objective Test)
Conducted on 10th January, 2027 across 21 cities. Comprises two mandatory papers for each stream set in English only:
| Stream | Paper Name | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stream-I: Geology / Hydrogeology | Paper-I: General Studies (Common for all streams) | 2 Hours | 100 Marks |
| Paper-II: Geology / Hydrogeology | 2 Hours | 300 Marks | |
| Stream-II: Geophysics | Paper-I: General Studies (Common for all streams) | 2 Hours | 100 Marks |
| Paper-II: Geophysics | 2 Hours | 300 Marks | |
| Stream-III: Chemistry | Paper-I: General Studies (Common for all streams) | 2 Hours | 100 Marks |
| Paper-II: Chemistry | 2 Hours | 300 Marks |
Penalty for Wrong Answers:
- There is a penalty of one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question for every incorrect response.
- Unanswered questions incur no penalty. Marking multiple choices is treated as a wrong answer.
- Calculators are STRICTLY PROHIBITED in the Preliminary Examination.
- Screening ratio for Stage-II: Approximately 6 to 7 times the total number of vacancies.
Main Examination (Descriptive / Conventional Papers)
Scheduled for 19th & 20th June, 2027 across 9 nodal cities. Candidates must answer all three papers in English only:
| Discipline Stream | Paper Configuration (3 Hours Each) | Marks per Paper | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geologist (GSI) | Paper-I: Geology | Paper-II: Geology | Paper-III: Geology | 200 + 200 + 200 | 600 |
| Geophysicist (GSI & CGWB) | Paper-I: Geophysics | Paper-II: Geophysics | Paper-III: Geophysics | 200 + 200 + 200 | 600 |
| Chemist (GSI & CGWB) | Paper-I: Chemistry | Paper-II: Chemistry | Paper-III: Chemistry | 200 + 200 + 200 | 600 |
| Hydrogeology (CGWB) | Paper-I: Geology | Paper-II: Geology | Paper-III: Hydrogeology | 200 + 200 + 200 | 600 |
*Note: Use of non-programmable battery-operated pocket calculators is permitted in the Descriptive/Conventional papers only. Programmable calculators are prohibited.
Personality Test / Interview
Candidates achieving the minimum qualifying benchmark in the Stage-II Main examination are summoned in an approximate ratio of twice the number of vacancies. The interview panel assesses mental alertness, powers of practical application, leadership qualities, field adaptability, intellectual curiosity, and character integrity. There are no minimum qualifying marks for the interview stage.
Examination Centers & Allotment Policy
Preliminary Exam Cities (21 Centers)
Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cuttack, Delhi, Dispur, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jammu, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Prayagraj (Allahabad), Shillong, Shimla, and Thiruvananthapuram.
Main Exam Cities (9 Centers)
Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, Dispur (Guwahati), Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Shimla.
First-Apply-First-Allot Principle:
Center allotment follows a strict capacity ceiling on a “first-apply-first-allot” basis (except for Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad which have no capacity caps). Once a center reaches capacity, it is frozen. Candidates are strongly urged to submit their online forms early to secure their preferred exam location.
Application Guidelines & Portal Protocol
Registration via URN & CAF
- Portal: All applications must be submitted online exclusively at the official UPSC online portal.
- Module Framework: Complete Account Creation, Universal Registration Number (URN), Common Application Form (CAF), and Examination Specific Module.
- URN Permanency: The URN is unique and generated once in a lifetime. Application numbers are exam-specific.
- One-Time Edit: UPSC offers a one-time profile modification window for the URN. Changes do not affect applications already submitted prior to re-locking.
Image & Verification Protocols
- Live Photo Capture: Candidates must upload a standard photograph and also capture a live photograph during CAF submission.
- Three Signatures: Applicants are required to append three signatures (one below the other) in black ink on plain paper and upload a clear scan.
- Valid Photo ID: Provide details for official identification (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Passport, or Driving License). Aadhaar is recommended for fast authentication.
- Face Authentication: Mandatory biometric and facial authentication will be enforced at all examination venues before entry.
No Withdrawal Policy:
Candidates cannot withdraw applications once submitted. Furthermore, no request for editing, modifying, or altering data fields will be entertained after final submission.
Application Fee Structure
| Category | Payable Fee | Payment Channels |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC (Male) / EWS (Male) | ₹ 200/- | Visa / MasterCard / RuPay Debit or Credit Cards, UPI, or Net Banking of any bank. |
| Female Candidates (All Categories) | NIL (Exempted) | Fee Remission Claimed in Portal |
| SC / ST / PwBD Candidates | NIL (Exempted) | Fee Remission Claimed in Portal |
Key Operational Dates
| Milestone Event | Scheduled Date / Deadline |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release Date | 02.09.2026 |
| Last Date for Submitting Online Application | 22.09.2026 (Till 18:00 Hours) |
| Issuance of e-Admit Card | Last working day of preceding week of exam |
| Preliminary Examination Date | 10.01.2027 |
| Main Examination Dates | 19.06.2027 & 20.06.2027 |
| Question Paper Representation Window | 5 days (from 3rd day of exam to 7th day, 18:00 Hrs) |
Hiring Authority: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) | Departments: Geological Survey of India (Ministry of Mines) & Central Ground Water Board (Ministry of Jal Shakti) | Notice Number: 01/2027-GEOL | Designations: Geologist, Geophysicist, Chemist, Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology/Chemical/Geophysics), Assistant Geologist, Assistant Geophysicist, Assistant Chemist, Assistant Hydrogeologist | Total Posts: 127 Vacancies | Exam Stages: Preliminary (10 Jan 2027), Main (19-20 June 2027), Personality Test | Application Window: 02.09.2026 to 22.09.2026 (18:00 Hrs).
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