The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released Examination Notice No. 01/2027-GEOL for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE), 2027 to fill 127 Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ vacancies in the Geological Survey of India (GSI) under the Ministry of Mines and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Candidates holding a Master’s degree (M.Sc. / M.Tech) in Geology, Geophysics, Chemistry, Physics, or Hydrogeology can submit their online applications from 02 September 2026 to 22 September 2026 (up to 18:00 Hours) on the official portal upsconline.nic.in. The Preliminary Exam will be held on 10 January 2027.
Important Dates
| Notification Release Date | 02 September 2026 |
|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 02 September 2026 |
|---|
| Last Date for Apply Online | 22 September 2026 (up to 18:00 Hrs) |
|---|
| Preliminary Examination (Stage-I) | 10 January 2027 |
|---|
| Main Examination (Stage-II) | 19 & 20 June 2027 |
|---|
| e-Admit Card Available | 1 Week Prior to Exam |
|---|
Application Fee
| General / OBC / EWS Male Candidates | Rs. 200/- |
|---|
| All Female Candidates | Nil (Exempted) |
|---|
| SC / ST / PwBD Candidates | Nil (Exempted) |
|---|
| Payment Mode | Online via Net Banking, Visa, MasterCard, RuPay Debit/Credit Card, UPI |
|---|
Age Limit (as on 01/01/2027)
| Minimum Age | 21 Years |
|---|
| Maximum Age | 32 Years (Candidate born between 02/01/1995 and 01/01/2006) |
|---|
| Upper Age Relaxation | SC / ST Candidates: 05 Years (Up to 37 Years) OBC Candidates: 03 Years (Up to 35 Years) PwBD Candidates: 10 Years (Up to 42 Years) Government Servants (GSI & CGWB): Up to 05 Years Ex-Servicemen: 05 Years as per rules. |
|---|
Examination (3 Stages)
| Stage-I (Prelims) | Objective Type (400 Marks) |
|---|
| Stage-II (Mains) | Descriptive / Conventional (600 Marks) |
|---|
| Stage-III (Interview) | Personality Test (200 Marks) |
|---|
| Total Aggregate | 1200 Marks for Final Merit. |
|---|
UPSC CGSE 2027: Department-wise Vacancy Details
| Category-I: Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines |
| Post Name | Group / Classification | Total Vacancies |
| Geologist | Group ‘A’ | 29 |
| Chemist | Group ‘A’ | 07 |
| Assistant Geologist | Group ‘B’ | 34 |
| Assistant Geophysicist | Group ‘B’ | 35 |
| Assistant Chemist | Group ‘B’ | 06 |
| Total GSI Vacancies | 111 |
| Category-II: Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Ministry of Jal Shakti |
| Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology) | Group ‘A’ | 05 |
| Scientist ‘B’ (Chemical) | Group ‘A’ | 01 |
| Scientist ‘B’ (Geophysics) | Group ‘A’ | 01 |
| Assistant Hydrogeologist | Group ‘B’ | 07 |
| Assistant Chemist | Group ‘B’ | 01 |
| Assistant Geophysicist | Group ‘B’ | 01 |
| Total CGWB Vacancies | 16 |
| Grand Total Vacancies | 127 |
Post-wise Educational Eligibility Criteria
- Geologist (GSI) & Assistant Geologist (GSI): Master’s Degree in Geological Science / Geology / Applied Geology / Geo-Exploration / Mineral Exploration / Engineering Geology / Marine Geology / Earth Science and Resource Management / Oceanography / Petroleum Geosciences / Geochemistry from a recognized University.
- Geophysicist (GSI), Scientist ‘B’ (Geophysics) & Assistant Geophysicist (GSI/CGWB): M.Sc. in Physics / Applied Physics / Geophysics / Applied Geophysics / Marine Geophysics / M.Sc. (Tech.) (Applied Geophysics) from a recognized University.
- Chemist (GSI), Scientist ‘B’ (Chemical) & Assistant Chemist (GSI/CGWB): M.Sc. in Chemistry / Applied Chemistry / Analytical Chemistry / Physical / Inorganic / Organic / Industrial Chemistry from a recognized University.
- Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology) & Assistant Hydrogeologist (CGWB): Master’s Degree in Geology / Applied Geology / Marine Geology / Hydrogeology from a recognized University.
- Note: Candidates appearing in their final qualifying examination are also eligible to apply provisionally.
UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Exam Pattern 2027
| Stage-I | Preliminary Examination (Objective Type OMR - 400 Marks): Paper-I: General Studies (Common for all streams) - 100 Marks (2 Hours) Paper-II: Stream Specific Paper (Geology / Geophysics / Chemistry / Hydrogeology) - 300 Marks (2 Hours) Negative Marking: 1/3rd (0.33) mark deduction for every wrong answer. Marks obtained in Stage-I will be counted for determining the final merit order. |
|---|
| Stage-II | Main Examination (Descriptive / Conventional - 600 Marks): Consists of 3 Conventional Papers in English for each stream (3 Hours & 200 Marks each = 600 Marks). Non-programmable pocket calculators are allowed in descriptive papers. |
|---|
| Stage-III | Personality Test / Interview (200 Marks): Carried out for candidates qualifying Stage-II to assess leadership, analytical capabilities, integrity, and field aptitude. |
|---|
How to Apply Online for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Exam 2027
- Visit the official UPSC online portal: upsconline.nic.in.
- Complete the Universal Registration Number (URN) / Account Creation profile (One-Time Registration).
- Fill up the Common Application Form (CAF) and complete live photo capture (eye level, plain background, no spectacles/cap) and upload signature (signed 3 times on white paper in black ink).
- Fill in the Examination Specific Module for Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027.
- Select your Stream (Geology / Geophysics / Chemistry / Hydrogeology) and choose 3 preferred Preliminary Examination centres (first-apply-first-allot basis).
- Pay the examination fee of Rs. 200/- online (Female/SC/ST/PwBD are exempt from fee).
- Verify all entered details carefully in the form preview and click Submit before 22 September 2026 (18:00 Hours).
- Download and take a printout of the submitted application form and keep your URN & Application Number safe for future reference.
Important Links
Before Applying
Please verify the official notification for complete eligibility, age limits, education qualification, fee rules, and other terms before submitting the online application.
Always confirm dates and fees on the official website before you apply.
