UPSC Combined Geoscientist Exam
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The UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE) is a national-level competitive exam conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It recruits postgraduates in earth sciences and chemistry for prestigious Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ scientific positions in organizations like the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). [1, 2]
🏛️ Posts and Departments
Recruited officers join the Central Geological Service (CGS) under the following designations: [2, 3]
- Geological Survey of India (GSI): Geologist (Group A), Geophysicist (Group A), and Chemist (Group A).
- Central Ground Water Board (CGWB): Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology, Geophysics, or Chemical Group A) and Assistant Hydrogeologist/Geophysicist (Group B). [1, 2, 4, 5, 6]
📝 Exam Structure
The selection process is highly competitive and is divided into three consecutive stages: [1, 7, 8, 9]
[ Stage I: Prelims ] ➡️ [ Stage II: Mains ] ➡️ [ Stage III: Personality Test ]
(400 Marks) (600 Marks) (200 Marks)
1. Stage I: Preliminary Examination (400 Marks)
This is a computer-based screening test consisting of objective (multiple-choice) questions with a 1/3rd negative marking penalty. [10, 11, 12]
- Paper I: General Studies (100 Marks) – Common for all streams. Focuses on Current Affairs, History, Geography, Polity, and General Science up to Class 10 level. [10, 11, 12, 13, 14]
- Paper II: Stream-Specific Subject (300 Marks) – Questions based on your postgraduate specialization (Geology, Hydrogeology, Geophysics, or Chemistry). [11, 12]
2. Stage II: Main Examination (600 Marks)
A conventional descriptive written exam testing specialized subject depth. [1, 15]
- It features three descriptive papers specific to your stream (e.g., Chemistry Paper I, II, and III), each carrying 200 marks. All answers must be written in English. [10, 12, 15]
3. Stage III: Personality Test (200 Marks) [16, 17]
An in-person interview assessing your professional aptitude, analytical capacity, communication, and overall suitability for a government scientific career. [1, 15]
Note: The final merit ranking is computed out of 1200 total marks across all three stages. [11]
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria [1, 18, 19, 20, 21] | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | 21 to 32 years as of January 1st of the exam year. Standard age relaxations apply for OBC (3 years), SC/ST (5 years), and Departmental candidates. |
| Educational Qualifications | Master’s Degree (M.Sc./M.Tech) in the relevant field (e.g., Geology, Applied Geology, Geophysics, Marine Geosciences, Chemistry, or Analytical Chemistry). |
| Number of Attempts | No restrictions. Candidates can attempt the exam as long as they fit within the age eligibility bracket. |
💼 Salary and Career Growth
Selected Group ‘A’ officers start at Pay Level 10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) under the 7th Pay Commission. In addition to the basic pay, officers are entitled to Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance (TA), and high-altitude field allowances where applicable. Career progression scales up to senior management roles like Senior Geologist, Director, and Chief Geologist. [1, 9, 22, 23]
If you are planning to apply or prepare, let me know:
- What is your postgraduate specialization (Geology, Chemistry, or Geophysics)?
- Would you like a detailed syllabus breakdown or specific book recommendations for your subject? [8]
[4] https://geologyconcepts.com
[10] https://testbook.com
[12] https://www.aesgeology.com
[13] https://www.instagram.com
[14] https://testbook.com
[15] https://testbook.com
[17] https://testbook.com
[18] https://testbook.com
[19] https://byjus.com
[20] https://byjus.com
[21] https://testbook.com