UPSC Geo Scientist Syllabus 2025 is an important resource for exam success. The syllabus is divided into two stages, prelims and main exams, comprising various subjects such as General Studies, Geology/Hydrogeology, Geophysics, Chemistry, etc. A solid foundation in fundamental theories is crucial for building a strong understanding of each subject. So, aspirants must analyse the UPSC Geo Scientist syllabus 2025 & exam pattern and tailor their study plan accordingly.
UPSC Geo Scientist Syllabus 2025
The Union Public Service Commission has invited online applications from eligible candidates to fill 85 posts through the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, 2025. The preliminary exam is scheduled for February 9, 2025, so aspirants must review the UPSC Geo Scientist exam syllabus and speed up their preparation right away. Similarly, they must also review the latest UPSC Geo Scientist exam pattern for a better understanding of the paper structure, question type, sections, and marking system. Read on to get detailed information on the UPSC Geo Scientist syllabus, exam pattern, preparation tips, and best books.
UPSC Geo Scientist Syllabus PDF
Get free access to the UPSC Geo Scientist exam syllabus in PDF format and customise your study plan accordingly. This enables you to identify crucial topics, devote sufficient time for practice sessions, and ensure thorough revision for top-notch exam preparation. Check the UPSC Geo Scientist Syllabus PDF for all the stages tabulated below.
| UPSC Geo Scientist Syllabus PDF |
UPSC Geo Scientist Syllabus 2025 Subject Wise
The UPSC Geo Scientist exam syllabus is divided into two stages i.e. prelims and mains. The UPSC Geo Scientist prelims syllabus comprises objective-type papers from sections like General Studies, Geology/Hydrogeology, Geophysics, and Chemistry. On the other hand, the UPSC Geo Scientist mains syllabus comprises descriptive type papers from section like Geology, Hydrogeology, Geophysics, Chemistry, etc. Gaining comprehensive knowledge across all the subjects is essential to score high marks in the exam. Let’s discuss the subject-wise UPSC Geo Scientist Syllabus 2025 below for the prelims and mains exams.
UPSC Geo Scientist Prelims Syllabus 2025
Here is the list of important topics prescribed in the UPSC Geo Scientist Syllabus 2025 for the prelims exam shared below for the reference of the aspirants.
| Subject | Important Topics |
| Paper-I General Studies | Current events of national and international importance. History of India and Indian National Movement. Indian and World Geography -Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World. Indian Polity and Governance -Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc. Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc. General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change General Science |
| Paper-II: Geology/Hydrogeology | Physical Geology Structural Geology Mineralogy Igneous Petrology Metamorphic Petrology Sedimentology Paleontology Stratigraphy Economic Geology Hydrogeology |
| Paper-II: Geophysics | Solid Earth Geophysics Mathematical Methods in Geophysics Electromagnetism Geophysical Prospecting Remote Sensing and Thermodynamics Nuclear Physics and Radiometry |
| Paper-II: Chemistry | Chemical periodicity Chemical bonding and structure Acids and bases Theoretical basis of quantitative inorganic analysis Kinetic theory and the gaseous state Chemical thermodynamics and chemical equilibrium Solutions of non-electrolytes Electrochemistry Basic organic chemistry Stereochemistry |
UPSC Geo Scientist Mains Syllabus 2025
Here is the list of important topics prescribed in the UPSC Geo Scientist Syllabus 2025 for the mains exam tabulated below for ease of the aspirants.
For the post of Geologist/Scientist ‘B’(Hydrogeology) /Assistant Hydrogeologist
Check UPSC Geo Scientist Mains Syllabus for the post of Geologist/Scientist ‘B’(Hydrogeology) /Assistant Hydrogeologist below.
| Subject | Important Topics |
| Geology: Paper-I | Section A. Physical geology and remote sensing Section B. Structural geology Section C. Sedimentology Section D. Paleontology Section E. Stratigraphy |
| Geology: Paper-II | Section A. Mineralogy Section B. Geochemistry and isotope geology Section C. Igneous petrology Section D. Metamorphic petrology Section E. Geodynamics |
| Geology: Paper-III | 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 |
For the post of Geophysicist/Scientist ‘B’(Geophysics) /Assistant Geophysicist
Check the UPSC Geo Scientist Mains Syllabus for the post of Geophysicist/Scientist ‘B’(Geophysics) /Assistant Geophysicist shared below:
| Subject | Important Topics |
| Geophysics: Paper-I | Part A A1. Solid Earth Geophysics A2. Earthquake Seismology A3. Mathematical methods in Geophysic A4. Geophysical Inversion Part B B1. Mathematical Methods of Physics B2. Electrodynamics B3. Electromagnetic Theory B4. Introductory Atmospheric and Space Physics |
| Geophysics: Paper-II | 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. Atomic and Molecular Physics and Characterization of materials B4. Nuclear and Particle Physics |
| Geophysics: Paper-III | 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 |
For the posts of Chemist/Scientist ‘B’(Chemical) /Assistant Chemist
Check the UPSC Geo Scientist Mains Syllabus for the post of Chemist/Scientist ‘B’(Chemical) /Assistant Chemist shared below.
| Subject | Important Topics |
| Chemistry: Paper-I (Inorganic Chemistry) | Inorganic solids Chemistry of coordination compounds Acid base titrations Gravimetric Analysis Redox Titrations Complexometric titrations, etc |
| Chemistry: Paper-II (Physical Chemistry) | Kinetic theory and the gaseous state: Solids: Nature of solid state. Band theory of solids Chemical thermodynamics and chemical equilibrium Chemical kinetics and catalysis Electrochemistry Quantum chemistry |
| Chemistry: Paper-III (Analytical and Organic) | PART-A (Analytical Chemistry) A1. Errors in quantitative analysis A2. Separation Methods A3. Spectroscopic methods of analysis A4. Thermal methods of analysis A5. X-ray methods of Analysis A6. Inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy Part B (Organic chemistry) B1. Unstable, uncharged intermediates B2. Addition reactions: B3: Reactions at the carbonyl group B4. Oxidation and Reduction B5. Electrocyclic Reactions B6. Spectroscopic methods of analysis |
UPSC Geo Scientist Exam Pattern 2025
Candidates must check the UPSC Geo Scientist Exam Pattern 2025 before commencing the preparation. The UPSC Geo Scientist selection process comprises three stages: prelims, mains, and personality test/interview. The prelims exam comprises objective-type questions whereas the mains exam comprises descriptive-type questions. Here is the detailed UPSC Geo Scientist paper pattern shared below for reference purposes.
UPSC Geo Scientist Prelims Exam Pattern 2025
The UPSC Geo Scientist Prelims exam comprises two objective-type (multiple-choice) question papers for each stream. The medium of questions shall be English only. There shall be a negative marking of one-third of the marks for every incorrect answer in the exam. Check the UPSC Geo Scientist Exam Pattern 2025 for the prelims exam tabulated below for ease of the aspirants.
| Stream-I: Geologist Group ‘A’ in GSI and Scientist B (Hydrogeology) Group ‘A’ and Assistant Hydrogeologist Group ‘B’ in CGWB | ||
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| Paper-I: General Studies | 2 Hours | 100 Marks |
| Paper-II: Geology/Hydrogeology | 2 Hours | 300 Marks |
| Total | 400 Marks | |
| Stream-II: Geophysicist Group ‘A’ in GSI and Scientist ‘B’ (Geophysics) Group ‘A’ and Assistant Geophysicist Group ‘B’ in CGWB | ||
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| Paper-I: General Studies | 2 Hours | 100 Marks |
| Paper-II: Geophysics | 2 Hours | 300 Marks |
| Total | 400 Marks | |
| Stream-III: Chemist Group ‘A’ in GSI and Scientist ‘B’(Chemical) Group ‘A’ and Assistant Chemist Group ‘B’ in CGWB | ||
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| Paper-I: General Studies | 2 Hours | 100 Marks |
| Paper-II: Chemistry | 2 Hours | 300 Marks |
| Total | 400 Marks | |
UPSC Geo Scientist Mains Exam Pattern 2025
The Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination comprises three conventional-type papers for each stream, and the medium of the exam shall be English only. To simplify the preparation of the candidates, check the UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam Pattern 2025 for the main exam shared below.
| Stream-I: Geologist Group ‘A’ in GSI | ||
| 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 Group ‘A’ in GSI and Scientist ‘B’ (Geophysics) Group ‘A’ & Assistant Geophysicist Group ‘B’ in CGWB | ||
| 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 Group ‘A’ in GSI and Scientist ‘B’ (Chemical) Group ‘A’ & Assistant Chemist Group ‘B’ in CGWB | ||
| 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) Group ‘A’ & Assistant Hydrogeologist Group ‘B’ in CGWB | ||
| 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 | |
How to Prepare for UPSC Geo Scientist Syllabus 2025
The UPSC Geo Scientist exam is daunting due to intense competition and limited available positions. To excel in the exam, aspirants must plan a section-wise strategy and stick to it till the completion of the recruitment process. Here are the expert-recommended UPSC Geo Scientist preparation tips and tricks to crack the exam with flying colours.
- Analyse the UPSC Geo Scientist syllabus thoroughly to cover all the concepts that can be asked in the exam.
- Consider the top-rated UPSC Geo Scientist books and study material to cover fundamentals and high-level topics.
- Practice mock tests and previous question papers to boost accuracy and solving speed in the exam.
- Revise all the chapters frequently and prepare short notes for quick revision.
Books for UPSC Geo Scientist Syllabus 2025
Numerous UPSC Geoscientist books are available for adequate preparation. However, aspirants must choose books that cover the entire UPSC Geo Scientist syllabus. Check the top-rated UPSC Geoscientist books shared below for reference purposes.
- Lucent's General Science
- Principles of Inorganic Chemistry by B.R. Puri
- Essentials of Physical Chemistry by Arun Bahl
- Geology: An Introduction by Kronaris and Krambine
- Geomorphology by Woolridge or Thornbury
- Applied Geophysics by Telford
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