UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, 2027 notification for recruitment to 127 vacancies. The recruitment is for posts under the Geological Survey of India (Ministry of Mines) and the Central Ground Water Board (Ministry of Jal Shakti). Eligible candidates can apply online through the UPSC Online portal and should review post-wise eligibility, age limits, and selection details before submitting the application.

This examination is being conducted for Category-I posts in Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Category-II posts in Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), with a total of 127 vacancies (Category-I: 111 and Category-II: 16). The online application process is open from the notification release date and remains available until 22 September 2026 (up to 18:00 Hrs). The Preliminary Examination is scheduled for 10 January 2027, followed by the Main Examination on 19 and 20 June 2027. The selection process includes the Preliminary Examination (objective type), the Main Examination (descriptive type), and a Personality Test/Interview for shortlisted candidates. UPSC also clarifies that applications are invited for the Preliminary Examination at this stage, and only candidates declared qualified in the Preliminary Examination will be allowed to appear for the Main Examination.

Important Dates

Vacancy Details

Category-I: Posts in Geological Survey of India (Ministry of Mines)

Category-II: Posts in Central Ground Water Board (Ministry of Jal Shakti)

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in the relevant discipline, as prescribed for the applied post. The notification provides post-wise essential educational qualifications as follows.

All degrees must be from a University incorporated by an Act of the Central/State Legislature, or an institution established/deemed university under the UGC Act, 1956. The notification also states that candidates who are awaiting results of the qualifying examination may apply provisionally, provided they submit proof of passing within the specified window after the Main Examination result (as mentioned in the official notification).

Age Limit

A candidate must have attained 21 years and must not have attained 32 years of age as on 1 January 2027. This means the candidate should be born not earlier than 2 January 1995 and not later than 1 January 2006.

Age relaxation is available for certain categories as per the notification. The relaxation limits are as follows:

The notification further clarifies that SC/ST or OBC candidates who also fall under Ex-Servicemen or Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) categories are eligible for cumulative age relaxation under both categories.

Application Fee

How to Apply

1. Go to the UPSC Online portal at upsconline.nic.in and create an account.
2. Complete the Universal Registration Number (URN) profile. This one-time registration is valid for life across all UPSC examinations. Provide a valid photo ID (Aadhaar is recommended).
3. Fill in the Common Application Form (CAF). Upload your photograph (with live photo capture) and your signature. The signature must be signed three times on white paper as per the specifications mentioned in the official instructions.
4. Complete the Examination-Specific Module for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, 2027. Select the examination centre and the category/categories you are applying for.
5. Pay the prescribed application fee online, wherever applicable.
6. Submit the application form. After final submission, withdrawal, correction, or modification is not allowed. The notification mentions a one-time URN profile edit facility that does not affect already-submitted applications.

The online application link will be disabled after 22 September 2026 at 18:00 Hrs, and no further submissions will be accepted.

Salary & Pay Scale

The provided notification text does not mention the pay scale or salary details for these posts. Candidates should refer to the official notification PDF for the pay structure applicable to each post.

Selection Process

The selection process is conducted in three successive stages. First, candidates appear for the Preliminary Examination (objective type) consisting of two papers. Next, candidates who qualify the Preliminary Examination are allowed to take the Main Examination (descriptive/conventional type) consisting of stream-specific papers. Finally, shortlisted candidates are called for a Personality Test/Interview. The notification also specifies that the Preliminary Examination marks contribute to the final merit for candidates who qualify for the Main Examination, and that approximately 6 to 7 times the number of vacancies are admitted to the Main Examination.

Stage-wise examination details include the following:

• Stage-I: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type) (Maximum 400 marks). Each stream has Paper-I (General Studies) of 100 marks (2 hours) and Paper-II (stream-specific) of 300 marks (2 hours), making a total of 400 marks. There is a penalty of one-third of the marks for each wrong answer, and there is no penalty for unattempted questions. Marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are counted for final merit for candidates who qualify for the Main Examination. Streams are: (i) Geology/Hydrogeology, (ii) Geophysics, and (iii) Chemistry.
• Stage-II: Main Examination (Descriptive Type) (Maximum 600 marks). Candidates must appear in all prescribed papers of their stream; failure to appear in any paper results in rejection for that stage. Stream-wise structure includes: (i) Geologist/Assistant Geologist: 3 papers of Geology (200 marks each, 3 hours each); (ii) Geophysicist/Assistant Geophysicist/Scientist ‘B’ (Geophysics): 3 papers of Geophysics (200 marks each, 3 hours each); (iii) Chemist/Assistant Chemist/Scientist ‘B’ (Chemical): 3 papers of Chemistry (200 marks each, 3 hours each); and (iv) Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology)/Assistant Hydrogeologist: 2 papers of Geology plus 1 paper of Hydrogeology (200 marks each, 3 hours each).
• Stage-III: Personality Test/Interview (200 marks). The interview has no minimum qualifying marks. Candidates who secure the minimum qualifying marks fixed by the Commission in the Main Examination will be summoned for interview in a number about twice the number of vacancies. The interview assesses suitability for the post, including leadership, initiative, intellectual curiosity, tact, mental and physical energy, integrity of character, and aptitude for field life.

Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements should complete their online application well before 22 September 2026 (up to 18:00 Hrs) to avoid last-minute issues, and keep track of the exam dates for the Preliminary Examination on 10 January 2027.