The Combined Geo-scientist and Geologist examination is conducted for selection to the post of Geologist, Geophysicist and Chemist Group ‘A’ in GSI and Junior Hydro-geologist (Scientist ‘B’), Group ‘A’ for Central Ground Water Board. In the previous article on the Combined Geo-scientist and Geologist examination, we had discussed the exam in brief. In this article, let us understand the scheme, standard and syllabus of the examination in detail.

As we already know, the Combined Geo-scientist and Geologist Examination comprises two parts:

PART I – Written Examination

PART II – Interview/ Personality Test

Part I 

The written examination would consist of the following papers:

Subject                                               Duration               Maximum Marks 

1. General English (common for all)     3 hrs                                100

Category – 1 (For the post of Geologists)

2. Geology Paper I                                 3 hrs                                200

3. Geology Paper II                                3 hrs                                200

4. Geology Paper III                               3 hrs                                200

Category – 2 (For the post of Geophysicists)

2. Geophysics Paper I                           3 hrs                                   200

3. Geophysics Paper II                          3 hrs                                   200

4. Geophysics Paper III                         3 hrs                                   200

Category – 3 (For the post of Chemists)

2. Chemistry Paper I                             3 hrs                                    200

3. Chemistry Paper II                            3 hrs                                    200

4. Chemistry Paper III                           3 hrs                                    200

Category – 4 (For the post of Jr. Hydrogeologist)

2. Geology Paper I                                3 hrs                                      200

3. Geology Paper II                               3 hrs                                      200

4. Hydrogeology                                   3 hrs                                      200

All of these papers would be of conventional (essay) type.

Part II 

This part consists of a Personality Test which carries 200 Marks. Those candidates who qualify the written examination are called for the Personality test.

Standard of the Examination

The English language paper is expected to be of a level that is expected from a science graduate. The papers on Geology, Geophysics, Chemistry and Hydrogeology would be of approximately Master’s Degree standard. The questions in these papers would be designed to check the fundamentals of a candidate in their respective subject.

The syllabi for the above mentioned papers is as follows:

English: The English language paper is common for all the four categories. In this paper, candidates are required to write a short essay on a given topic. Other questions would test a candidate’s grasp of English and understanding of the usage of the language.

Geology Paper I, II and III: These papers would comprise questions from areas like Geomorphology and Remote sensing, structural Geology, Geotectonics, Stratigraphy, Palaeontology, Mineralogy, Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, sedimentology, Environmental Geology, Indian mineral deposits and mineral economics, ore genesis, mineral exploration, Geology of fuels, etc.

Geophysics Paper I, II and III: These papers would comprise questions from areas like Solid Earth Geophysics, Earthquake and Engineering seismology, Mathematical methods of Physics, Thermodynamics and statistical physics, Geophysical potential fields (Gravity and Magnetic), Electrical and Electromagnetic methods, Atomic and Molecular Physics and properties and characterisation of materials, etc.

Chemistry Paper I, II, and III: These papers would comprise questions from areas like Chemical Periodicity, Chemistry of coordination compounds, Kinetic theory and the gaseous state, collision of gas molecules, Real gases, theoretical basis of quantitative inorganic analysis, gravimetric Analysis, Basic organic chemistry, Organometallic Compounds, etc.

Hydrogeology: This paper would comprise questions from areas like Origin, occurrence and distribution of water, Groundwater chemistry, Groundwater exploration, Groundwater problems and management, etc.

For additional information, view the Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Examination notification 2015: 

http://www.upsc.gov.in/exams/notifications/2015/Geol/Notice_Geol_2015_English.pdf