Geology Syllabus of MPPCS Preliminary Examination- 2010

The Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission has published syllabus for the State Services Preliminary Examination 2010 of the MPPSC. The Syllabus of the exam is as follows:

Geology

Part - I

1. General Geology and Geodynamics

Solar system, the earth - its origin, age and interior of the earth. Volcanoes: types, distribution, causes and effects. Earthquakes :intensity, magnitude, distribution causes and effects. Elementary ideas about isostasy, Geosynclines, mountain building, continental drifting, sea floor spreading, palaeomagnetism and plate tectonics.

2. Geomorphology

Basic concepts, External and internal process. Rock weathering, cycle of erosion. Fluvial landforms and drainage paterns. Landforms of aeolian, marine, glacial and 'karst' landscapes. Elements of Remote sensing.

3. Structural and field geology

Primary and secondary strucutres. Dip and strike of beds. Clinometer compass and its use. Description, Classification and recognition of folds, faults and unconformities. Description and classification of joints, foliation and lineation. Effects of folding and fauling on outcrops. Elemantary idea about rock deformation.

Part - II

1. Crystallography

Elements of crystal and crystal symmetry. Laws of crystallography. Symmetry elements and forms of normal classes of seven crystal systems. Twinning in crystals.

2. Mineralogy

Principles of optics, refractive index, double refraction, pleochroism and extinction. Uses of simple polarising microscope.Physical, Chemical and optical properties of following mineral groups: Quartz, Feldspar, Mica, Pyroxene, Amphibole, Olivine, Garnet, Chlorite, Carbonates, and Zeolites. Silicate structures.

3. Economic Geology

Ore, Ore mineral and gangue. Classification of ore deposits. Important processes of ore formation. Occurrence, origin and distribution of following ores in India - Aluminium, Chromium, Copper, Gold, Lead, Zinc, Iron, Manganese. Deposits of minerals used as abrassives, refractories and in ceramics. Deposits of coal and petroleum.

Part - III

Introduction to petrology, classification of rocks and their distinguishing characters.

1. Igneous Petrology

Origin of magma and formation of igneous rocks. Bowen's reaction series and reaction principle. Crystallisation of binary systems. classification of igneous rocks. Forms, Textures and structures of igneous rocks. Composition, texture origin and mode of occurence of Granite, Syenite, Diorite, Mafic and Ultramafic groups, Anorthosites and Alkaline rocks.

2. Sedimentary Petrology

Origin, classification, textural and mineralogical characteristics of sedimentary rocks. Structures of sedimentary rocks. Elementary idea about the origin and characteristics of sandstone, conglomerate, limestone, breccia and shale.

3. Metamorphic Petrology

Types and factors of metamorphisms, Zones, grades and facies of metamorphism. Regional and contact metamorphism. Textures and structures of metamophic rocks. Metamorphism of argillaceous, arenaceous sediments and impure limestone. Metasomatism. Composition, structure and origin of schist, Gneiss, marble, amphibolite, charnockite, gondite and Khondalite.

Part - IV

1. Stratigraphy

Principles of stratigraphy, Basic concept of Lithostitigraphic, Chronostratigraphic and Biostratigraphic units. Criterion of stratigraphic correlation, Physiographic divisions and outline of stratigraphy of India. Brief study of Dharwar, Vindhyan, Gondwana
supergroups and Siwaliks with reference to their major subdivisions, lithology, fossils, geographic distribution and economic importance.

2. Palaeontology

Fossils and Fossilization. Mode of preservation and uses of fossils. Study of morphology and geological history of brachiopods, gastropods, lamellibranchs, Ammonites, Corals, Trilobites, Echinoids and Gondwana flora.