UPSC Geo-Scientist Geologist Syllabus 2020: The syllabus for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Geologist 2020 is defined very precisely for every paper by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The recruitment process consists of a preliminary exam, main exam and personal interview. The preliminary exam is of 400 marks of 4 hours. It is divided into 2 papers of 2 hours. The candidates are selected in a ratio of 6 or 7 times of total no. of vacancies for the main exam. The main exam consists of 3 papers of 3 hours each. Each paper is of 200 marks. To know more about UPSC Geo-Scientist Geologist Syllabus 2020, read the article till the end.
UPSC Geo-Scientist Geologist Syllabus 2020
Conducting Body: Union Public Service Commssion
Name of Exam: Preliminary and Main exam
Name of Post: Geo-Scientist and Geologist
Click Here to check the UPSC Geo-Scientist Geologist Syllabus 2020.
UPSC Geo-Scientist Geologist Syllabus 2020
Below is the syllabus for UPSC Geo-Scientist Geologist Exam 2020:
Stage-1: (Objective Type) Preliminary Exam
Paper-1: General Studies-
This section is common for all the streams. It will include the following topic:
- 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-2:
(i) Geology/Hydrogeology:
- Physical Geology
- Structural Geology
- Mineralogy
- Igneous Petrology
- Sedimentology
- Metamorphic Petrology
- Paleontology
- Stratigraphy
- Economic Geology
- Hydrogeology
(ii) Geophysics:
- Solid Earth Geophysics
- Mathematical Methods in Geophysics
- Electromagnetism
- Geophysical Prospecting
- Remote Sensing and Thermodynamics
- Nuclear Physics and Radiometry
(iii) 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
- Types of organic reactions
- Molecular Rearrangements
Stage-II (Descriptive Type) Main Exam
(i) Geology:
- Economic geology
- Indian mineral deposits and mineral economics
- Mineral exploration
- Fuel geology and Engineering geology
- Environmental geology and Natural hazards
(ii) Hydrogeology:
- Occurrence and distribution of groundwater
- Groundwater movement and well hydraulics
- Water wells and groundwater levels
- Groundwater exploration
- Groundwater quality and management
(iii) Geophysics:
Paper-1:
Part-A
- Solid Earth Geophysics
- Earthquake Seismology
- Mathematical methods in Geophysics
- Geophysical Inversion
Part-B
- Mathematical Methods of Physics
- Electrodynamics
- Electromagnetic Theory
- Introductory Atmospheric and Space Physics
Paper-2:
Part-A
- Potential Field (Gravity and Magnetic) Methods
- Electrical and Electromagnetic methods
- Seismic Prospecting
- .Borehole Geophysics
Part-B
- Classical Mechanics
- Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
- Atomic and Molecular Physics and Characterization of materials
- Nuclear and Particle Physics
Paper-3:
Part A
- Radiometric and Airborne Geophysics
- Marine Geophysics
- Geophysical Signal Processing
- Remote Sensing and Geohydrology
Part B
- Solid State Physics and Basic Electronics
- Laser systems
- Digital electronics, Radar systems, Satellite communications
- Quantum Mechanics
(iv) Chemistry:
Paper-1 (Inorganic Chemistry):
- Inorganic solids
- Chemistry of coordination compounds
- Acid base titrations
- Gravimetric Analysis
- Redox Titrations
- Complexometric titrations
- Organometallic compounds
- Nuclear chemistry
- Chemistry of d- and f-block elements
Paper-2 (Physical Chemistry):
- Kinetic theory and the gaseous state
- Solids
- Chemical thermodynamics and chemical equilibrium
- Chemical kinetics and catalysis
- Electrochemistry
- Quantum chemistry
- Basic principles and applications of spectroscopy
- Photochemistry
Paper-3 (Analytical and Organic)
Part-A: (Analytical Chemistry)
- Errors in quantitative analysis
- Separation Methods
- Spectroscopic methods of analysis
- Thermal methods of analysis
- X-ray methods of Analysis
- Inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy
- Analysis of geological materials
Part-B: (Organic chemistry)
- Unstable, uncharged intermediates
- Addition reactions
- Reactions at the carbonyl group
- Oxidation and Reduction
- Electrocyclic Reactions
- Spectroscopic methods of analysis
UPSC Geo-Scientist Geologist Exam Pattern 2020
Below is the exam pattern the candidates can refer to for the UPSC Geo-Scientist and Geologist Preliminary and Main exam 2020:
(i) Preliminary Exam:
Mode of Exam: The exam is conducted in online mode only.
Language: The question paper will be in English language only.
Duration: Candidates have 4 hours to solve this exam divided into 2 hours for each paper.
Type of Question: The questions in the question paper are of MCQ type only.
Marking Scheme: There is negative marking of 1/3rd marks of the question for every wrong answer given.
Sections:
Stream-I: Geologist & Jr. Hydrogeologist
| Subject | Duration | Max. Marks |
| Paper-1 General Studies | 2 hours | 100 marks |
| Paper-2 Geology/Hydrogeology | 2 hours | 300 marks |
| Total | 4 Hours | 400 marks |
Stream-II: Geophysicist
| Subject | Duration | Max. Marks |
| Paper-1 General Studies | 2 hours | 100 marks |
| Paper-2 Geophysics | 2 hours | 300 marks |
| Total | 4 Hours | 400 marks |
Stream-III: Chemist
| Subject | Duration | Max. Marks |
| Paper-1 General Studies | 2 hours | 100 marks |
| Paper-2 Chemistry | 2 hours | 300 marks |
| Total | 4 Hours | 400 marks |
(ii) Main Exam:
Mode of Exam: The exam will be conduted in Online Mode.
Language: The question paper will be in English language only. Candidates can answer the descrptive questions in English only.
Duration: This paper is of 9 hours divided into 3 papers of 3 hours each.
Type of Question: Conventional and descriptive type questions to be answered in english only.
Marking Scheme: There is no negative marking for objective type questions for the wrong or unattended answers..
Sections:
Stream-I: Geologist & Jr. Hydrogeologist
| Subject | Duration | Max. Marks |
| Paper-1 Geology | 3 hours | 200 marks |
| Paper-2 Geology | 3 hours | 200 marks |
| Paper-3 Geology | 3 hours | 200 marks |
| Total | 4 Hours | 600 marks |
Stream-II: Geophysicist
| Subject | Duration | Max. Marks |
| Paper-1 Geophysics | 3 hours | 200 marks |
| Paper-2 Geophysics | 3 hours | 200 marks |
| Paper-3 Geophysics | 3 hours | 200 marks |
| Total | 4 Hours | 600 marks |
Stream-III: Chemist
| Subject | Duration | Max. Marks |
| Paper-1 Chemistry | 3 hours | 200 marks |
| Paper-2 Chemistry | 3 hours | 200 marks |
| Paper-3 Chemistry | 3 hours | 200 marks |
| Total | 4 Hours | 600 marks |
Stream-IV: Jr. Hydrogeologist
| Subject | Duration | Max. Marks |
| Paper-1 Geology | 3 hours | 200 marks |
| Paper-2 Geology | 3 hours | 200 marks |
| Paper-3 Hydrogeology | 3 hours | 200 marks |
| Total | 4 Hours | 600 marks |
Important Books for UPSC Geo-Scientist Geologist 2020
Below are some important books that the candidates can refer to while preparing for the preliminary and main exam:
| Name of Books | Links |
| Inorganic Chemistry: Principles of Structure and Reactivity | Click Here |
| Basic Organometallic chemistry | Click Here |
| Vogel’s Quantitative Chemical Analysis | Click Here |
| Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms, and Structure | Click Here |
| Principles Of Physical Chemistry | Click Here |
| Dana’s Testbook on mineralogy | Click Here |
| Structural Geology | Click Here |
| Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks | Click Here |
Tips from Recruited Applicants:
-“Practicing writing answers helped a lot in clearing this exam. IT cleared me of my doubts and improved my writing speed.”
– “I focused more on understanding the topic rather than mugging up.”
– “I used to make notes for every topic. These notes included making micro notes, solving previous question papers, use of diagrams and pictorial formats.”
– “I had a rule to not use the mobile phones as long as I studied. I decided a time duration for using the cell phone. I used to use the phone and call at that time only. For referring to youtube for studying. I would open my laptop but not the phone.”
Preparation Tips
Just keep calm and start preparing for the exam this instant. Below are some of the preparation tips you should keep in mind while starting to prepare for the exam.
Make a Time Table: As the syllabus is very vast and the candidates need to know ever concept precisely. You must make a study for the day as well as for the week. This will help you track your progress as well.
Prepare Strategically: Candidates need to read every topic of the syllabus. Define your SWOTs and work on your weak topics more than your strong topics.
Make Weekly Goals: Candidates need to set weekly goals and track his preparation time to time. This will help in long and you can analyse your level of preparation through this strategy.
Prepare Notes: Make notes after you complete any topic. Make precise and easy ote that you can refer to while revising the topics. These notes will help you not only in revision as well as for quick references.
Revision is must: Do revise every topic at least twice. Check what kind of questions have been repeating in the question paper. Create a revision pattern just before the exam. Give at least 2 weeks to revision. Complete the syllabus at least 1 month before the exam.
Clear Doubts from Basics: Never leave your doubts unattended. Clear your basics refer to the graduation books for the basics of the topics.
Practice Writing Answers: The main exam will consist of descriptive type answers. You must know how to answer such questions and the length of the answer that you need to maintain to save time for the other questions.
Refer Mocktests and Previous Your Question Paper: Candidates need to refer previous year question papers and mock tests to know your level of preparation and the difficulty level of the paper as well.
About UPSC Geo-Scientist Geologist 2020
UPSC Combined Geo-scientist and geologist recruitment are done based on 2 written exams and personal interview. The first stage is an objective exam divided into 2 papers of 2 hours each. The first paper is of 100 marks and the second paper is of 300 marks. There is also negative marking of 1/3rd marks for this paper. The candidates who clear this exam qualify to appear in the main exam. The main exam consists of 3 papers of 3 hours each. The candidates who qualify the main exam are called for a personal interview where document verification is also done.
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