Contents
UPSC Geologist Exam Syllabus-
UPSC Geologist Exam Syllabus -Geology
Paper-I : General Studies (Common for all streams)
- 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 – that do not require subject specialisation
- General Science
Paper-II : Geology/Hydrogeology
Section A: Physical Geology (UPSC Geologist Exam Syllabus)
- Principle of uniformitarianism;
- origin, differentiation and internal structure of the Earth;
- origin of atmosphere;
- earthquakes and volcanoes;
- continental drift, sea-floor spreading, isostasy, orogeny and plate tectonics;
- geological action of rivers, wind, glaciers, waves;
- erosional and depositional landforms;
- Weathering processes and products.
(UPSC Geologist Exam Syllabus) Section B: Structural Geology
- Stress, strain and rheological properties of rocks;
- planar and linear structures;
- classification of folds and faults;
- Mohr’s circle and criteria for failure of rocks;
- ductile and brittle shear in rocks;
- study of toposheets,
- V-rules and outcrop patterns;
- stereographic projections of structural elements.
Section C: Mineralogy
- Elements of symmetry, notations and indices;
- Bravais lattices;
- chemical classification of minerals;
- isomorphism, polymorphism, solid solution and exsolution;
- silicate structures;
- physical and optical properties of common rock forming minerals- olivine, garnet, pyroxene, amphibole, mica, feldspar and quartz
Section D: Igneous Petrology
- Magma types and their evolution;
- IUGS classification of igneous rocks;
- forms, structures and textures of igneous rocks;
- applications of binary and ternary phase diagrams in petrogenesis;
- magmatic differentiation and assimilation;
- petrogenesis of granites, basalts, komatiiites and alkaline rocks (carbonatite, kimberlite, lamprophyre and nepheline syenite).
UPSC Geologist Exam Syllabus OF Section E: Metamorphic Petrology
- Limits, types and controls of metamorphism;
- metamorphic structuresslate, schist and gneiss;
- metamorphic textures- pre, syn and post tectonic porphyroblasts;
- concept of metamorphic zone, isograd and facies;
- geothermal gradients, facies series and plate tectonics.
UPSC Geologist Syllabus OF Section F: Sedimentology
- Origin of sediments;
- sedimentary textures, grain-size scale;
- primary sedimentary structures;
- classification of sandstone and carbonate rocks;
- siliciclastic depositional environments and sedimentary facies;
- diagenesis of carbonate sediments.
UPSC Geologist Syllabus OF Section G: Paleontology
- Fossils and processes of fossilization;
- concept of species and binomial nomenclature;
- morphology and classification of invertebrates (Trilobites, Brachiopods, Lamellibranchs, Gastropods and Cephalopods);
- evolution in Equidae and Hominidae;
- microfossils-Foraminifera, Ostracoda; Gondwana flora.
UPSC Geologist Syllabus OF Section H: Stratigraphy
- Law of superposition;
- stratigraphic nomenclature- lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy;
- Archaean cratonic nucleii of Peninsular India (Dharwar, Singhbhum, and Aravalli cratons);
- Proterozoic mobile belts (Central Indian Tectonic Zone, Aravalli-Delhi and Eastern Ghats);
- Purana sedimentary basins (Cuddapah and Vindhyan);
- Phanerozoic stratigraphy of India- Spiti, Kashmir, Damodar valley, Kutch, Trichinopoly, Siwaliks and Indo-Gangetic alluvium.
UPSC Geologist Syllabus OF Section I: Economic Geology
- Properties of mineral deposits- form, mineral assemblage, texture, rockore association and relationship;
- magmatic, sedimentary, metamorphic, hydrothermal, supergene and weathering-related processes of ore formation;
- processes of formation of coal and petroleum;
- distribution and geological characteristics of major mineral and hydrocarbon deposits of India.
UPSC Geologist Syllabus OF Section J: Hydrogeology
- Groundwater occurrence and aquifer characteristics, porosity, permeability, hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity;
- Darcy’s Law in homogenous and heterogenous media;
- Bernoulli equation, Reynold’s number;
- composition of groundwater; application of H and O isotopes in groundwater studies;
- artificial recharge of groundwater.
UPSC Geologist Exam Syllabus (Geology – Paper II)
Section A: Mineralogy
- Physical, chemical and crystallographic characteristics of common rock forming silicate mineral groups
- Structural classification of silicates
- Common minerals of igneous and metamorphic rocks
- Minerals of the carbonate, phosphate, sulphide and halide groups
- Optical properties of common rock forming silicate minerals, uniaxial and biaxial minerals
- Extinction angles, pleochroism, birefringenece of minerals and their relation with mineral composition
- Twinned crystals. Dispersion
- The U-stage
Section B: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
- Forms, textures and structures of igneous rocks
- Silicate melt equilibria, binary and pernery phase diagrams
- Petrology and geotectonic evolution of granites, basalts, andesites and alkaline rocks
- Petrology of gabbros, kimberlites, anorthosites and carbonatites
- Origin of primary basic magmas
- Textures and structures of metamorphic rocks
- Regional and contact metamorphism of pelitic and impure calcareous rocks
- Mineral assemblages and P/T conditions
- Experimental and thermodynamic appraisal of metamorphic reactions
- Characteristics of different grades and facies of metamorphism
- Metasomatism and granitization, migmatites
- Plate tectonics and metamorphic zones
- Paired metamorphic belts
Section C: Sedimentology
- Provenance and diagenesis of sediments
- Sedimentary textures
- Framework matrix and cement of terrigenous sediments
- Definition, measurement and interpretation of grain size
- Elements of hydraulics
- Primary structures, palaeocurrent analysis
- Biogenic and chemical sedimentary structures
- Sedimentary environment and facies.
- Facies modelling for marine, non-marine and mixed sediments
- Tectonics and sedimentation
- Classification and definition of sedimentary basins, Sedimentary basins of India
- Cyclic sediments
- Seismic and sequence stratigraphy
- Purpose and scope of basin analysis
- Structure contours and isopach maps
Section D: Geochemistry
- Earth in relation to the solar system and universe, cosmic abundance of elements
- Composition of the planets and meteorites
- Structure and composition of earth and distribution of elements
- Trace elements
- Elementary crystal chemistry and thermodynamics
- Introduction to isotope geochemistry
- Geochemistry of hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere
- Geochemical cycle and principles of geochemical prospecting.
Section E: Environmental Geology
- Concepts and principles
- Natural hazards – preventive/precautionary measures – floods, landslides, earthquakes, river and coastal erosion.
- Impact assessment of anthropogenic activities such as urbanization, open cast mining and quarrying, river-valley projects, disposal of industrial and radio-active waste, excess withdrawal of ground water, use of fertilizers, dumping of ores, mine waste and fly-ash
- Organic and inorganic contamination of ground water and their remedial measures
- Soil degradation and remedial measures. Environment protection – legislative measures in India
Section A: Indian mineral deposits and mineral economics
- Occurrence and distribution in India of metalliferous deposits – base metals, iron, manganese, aluminium, chromium, nickel, gold, silver, molybdenum
- Indian deposits of non-metals – mica, asbestos, barytes, gypsum, graphite, apatite and beryl
- Gemstones, refractory minerals, abrasives and minerals used in glass, fertilizer, paint, ceramic and cement industries
- Building stones. Phosphorite deposits
- Placer deposits, rare earth minerals.
- Strategic, critical and essential minerals
- India’s status in mineral production
- Changing patterns of mineral consumption
- National Mineral Policy
- Mineral Concession Rules
- Marine mineral resources and Law of Sea
Section B: Oregenesis
- Ore deposits and ore minerals
- Magmatic processes of mineralization
- Porphyry, skarn and hydrothermal mineralization
- Fluid inclusion studies
- Mineralization is associated with-(i) ultramafic, mafic and acidic rocks, (ii) greenstone belts, (iii) komatiites, anorthosites, and kimberlites, and (iv) submarine volcanism
- Magma-related mineralisation through geological time
- Stratiform and stratabound ores
- Ores and metamorphism – cause and effect relations
Section C: Mineral exploration
- Methods of surface and subsurface exploration, prospecting for economic minerals – drilling, sampling, and assaying
- Geophysical techniques – gravity, electrical, magnetic, airborne, and seismic
- Geomorphological and remote sensing techniques
- Geobotanical and geochemical methods
- Borehole logging and surveys for deviation
Section D: Geology of fuels
- Definition, the origin of coal
- Stratigraphy of coal measures
- Fundamentals of coal petrology, peat, lignite, bituminous, and anthracite coal
- Microscopic constituents of coal
- Industrial application of coal petrology
- Indian coal deposits
- Diagenesis of organic materials
- Origin, migration, and entrapment of natural hydrocarbons
- Characters of source and reservoir rocks
- Structural, stratigraphic, and mixed traps
- Techniques of exploration
- Geographical and geological distributions of onshore and offshore petroliferous basins of India
- Mineralogy and geochemistry of radioactive minerals
- Instrumental techniques of detection and measurement of the radioactivity
- Radioactive methods for prospecting and assaying mineral deposits
- Distribution of radioactive minerals in India
- Radioactive methods in petroleum exploration – well logging techniques
- Nuclear waste disposal – geological constraints.
UPSC Geologist Exam Syllabus of Section E: Engineering Geology
- Mechanical properties of rocks and soils
- Geological investigations for river valley projects – Dams and reservoirs; tunnels – types, methods and problems
- Bridges – types and foundation problems
- Shoreline engineering
- Landslides – classification, causes, prevention and rehabilitation
- Concrete aggregates – sources, alkali-aggregate reaction
- Aseismic designing – seismicity in India and earthquake-resistant structures
- Problems of groundwater in engineering projects
- Geotechnical case studies of major projects in India
UPSC Geo –Physicist Exam Syllabus
Paper I
Part A
- Solid Earth Geophysics
- Earthquake and Engineering Seismology
- Mathematical methods in Geophysics
- Geophysical Inversion
Part B
- Mathematical Methods of Physics
- Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
- Electrodynamics
- Introductory Atmospheric and Space Physics
Paper II
Part A
- Geophysical Potential Fields
- Electrical and Electromagnetic methods
- Seismic Prospecting
- Borehole Geophysics
Part B
- Atomic and Molecular Physics and Properties and Characterization of materials
- Nuclear and Particle Physics
- Electromagnetic Theory
- Classical Mechanics
Paper III
Part A
- Radiometric Exploration / Airborne Geophysical surveys for Geological Mapping
- Marine Geophysics
- Geophysical Signal Processing
- Remote Sensing and GIS applications
Part B
- Solid State Physics
- Laser systems
- Laser cavity modes
- Electronics and devices
- Digital electronics, Radar systems, Satellite communications
- Quantum Mechanic
UPSC Geologist Exam Syllabus- Chemistry
Chemistry- Paper I
- Chemical periodicity
- Chemical Bonding and structure
- Chemistry of coordination compounds
- Acid-Base reactions
- Precipitation and Redox Reactions
- Organo-metallic compounds
- Nuclear chemistry
- s-Block Elements
- p-Block Elements
- Chemistry of d- and f- block elements, etc
Chemistry- paper II
- Kinetic theory and the gaseous state
- The Collision of gas molecules, Real gases
- Thermodynamics
- Application of the Second law of thermodynamics
- Thermodynamics and Equilibrium
- Acids-bases and solvents
- Solutions of non-electrolytes
- Chemical kinetics and catalysis
- Adsorption and Surface Chemistry
- Electrochemistry
- Photochemistry
- Quantum Chemistry
- Basic principles and application of spectroscopy
- UV Spectra
- PMR Spectra
Chemistry- Paper III
- The theoretical basis of Quantitative inorganic analysis
- Gravimetric Analysis
- Sampling and treatment of samples for chemical analysis
- Volumetric Analysis
- Acid-base titrations
- Redox Titrations
- Potentiometry
- Complexometric titrations
- Chromatographic methods of analysis
- UV-Visible Spectroscopy
- Flame photometry and Atomic absorption spectrometry
- X-ray methods of Analysis
- Inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy
- Analysis of Minerals, Ores, and Alloys
- Organometallic compounds
- Bonding and physical properties
- Aldol and related reactions
- Mechanism of some reactions
- Electrocyclic Reactions
- Organic Reaction Mechanisms
- Organic Spectroscopy etc
UPSC Geologist Exam Syllabus- Hydrogeology
- Section A: Origin, occurrence, and distribution of water.
- Section B: Groundwater Hydraulics.
- Section C: Groundwater Exploration and Water Well Construction.
- Section D: Groundwater Quality.
- Section E: Groundwater Management.
UPSC Geologist Exam Pattern
Exam pattern and weightage for marks for the geology exam are well equipped below. Go through it completely.
UPSC Geologist Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
| I | General English | 100 | 3 Hours |
| II | Geology I | 200 | 3 Hours |
| III | Geology II | 200 | 3 Hours |
| IV | Geology III | 200 | 3 Hours |
UPSC Geophysicist Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
| I | General English | 100 | 3 Hours |
| II | Geophysics I | 200 | 3 Hours |
| III | Geophysics II | 200 | 3 Hours |
| IV | Geophysics III | 200 | 3 Hours |
UPSC Chemist Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
| I | General English | 100 | 3 Hours |
| II | Chemistry I | 200 | 3 Hours |
| III | Chemistry II | 200 | 3 Hours |
| IV | Chemistry III | 200 | 3 Hours |
UPSC Jr. Hydrogeologist Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
| I | General English | 100 | 3 Hours |
| II | Geology I | 200 | 3 Hours |
| III | Geology II | 200 | 3 Hours |
| IV | Hydrogeology | 200 | 3 Hours |