Combined Geo-Scientist
Union Public Service Commission
🏛️ UPSC
🇮🇳 National level
● Active
UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist (Combined Geo-Scientist Examination) is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit for: Geologist, Geophysicist and Chemist (Group A) in the Geological Survey of India under the Ministry of Mines, and Scientist B and Assistant grade posts in the Central Ground Water Board under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Selection is through Stage-I — Preliminary Examination (objective), followed by Stage-II — Main Examination (descriptive), followed by Stage-III — Personality Test.
Combined Geo-Scientist 2026 — Key Facts at a Glance
| Exam name | UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist — Combined Geo-Scientist Examination |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Government of India |
| Latest cycle | Combined Geo-Scientist 2026 |
| Vacancies | 85 — Category-I (Geological Survey of India) 56: Geologist 39, Chemist 15 and Geophysicist 2. Category-II (Central Ground Water Board) 29: Assistant Hydrogeologist 18, Scientist B (Hydrogeology) 5, Scientist B (Chemical) 2, Assistant Chemist 2, Scientist B (Geophysics) 1 and Assistant Geophysicist 1. |
| Posts | Geologist, Geophysicist and Chemist (Group A) in the Geological Survey of India under the Ministry of Mines, and Scientist B and Assistant grade posts in the Central Ground Water Board under the Ministry of Jal Shakti |
| Qualification | A Master's degree in the relevant science — Geological Science or Geology for Geologist and Hydrogeology posts, Physics or Geophysics for Geophysicist posts, and Chemistry, Applied Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry for Chemist posts — from a recognised university. |
| Age limit | 21 to 32 years as on 1 January 2026, relaxable by up to 7 years for serving government employees |
| Number of attempts | No limit on attempts within the age window. |
| Application fee | ₹200. Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempted. |
| Selection stages | Stage-I — Preliminary Examination (objective) → Stage-II — Main Examination (descriptive) → Stage-III — Personality Test |
| Total marks | Stage-I 400 + Stage-II 600 + Personality Test 200 |
| Negative marking | Yes — one third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer in the Stage-I objective papers. |
| Official website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist (Combined Geo-Scientist Examination) is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit for Geologist, Geophysicist and Chemist (Group A) in the Geological Survey of India under the Ministry of Mines, and Scientist B and Assistant grade posts in the Central Ground Water Board under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The Combined Geo-Scientist 2026 notification declares 85 — Category-I (Geological Survey of India) 56: Geologist 39, Chemist 15 and Geophysicist 2. Category-II (Central Ground Water Board) 29: Assistant Hydrogeologist 18, Scientist B (Hydrogeology) 5, Scientist B (Chemical) 2, Assistant Chemist 2, Scientist B (Geophysics) 1 and Assistant Geophysicist 1..
UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist selection process
- Stage-I — Preliminary Examination (objective)
- Stage-II — Main Examination (descriptive)
- Stage-III — Personality Test
UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist exam pattern
| Paper | Subjects | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage-I Paper-I | General Studies | Objective | 100 | 2 hours |
| Stage-I Paper-II | Subject specific — Geology / Hydrogeology, Geophysics or Chemistry | Objective | 300 | 2 hours |
| Stage-II Paper-I to III | Subject specific, conventional | Descriptive | 200 each | 3 hours each |
| Stage-III | Personality Test | — | 200 | — |
Total marks
Stage-I 400 + Stage-II 600 + Personality Test 200.
Negative marking
Yes — one third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer in the Stage-I objective papers.
UPSC does not normalise marks
This is the single most common misconception carried over from SSC. UPSC conducts each paper in one sitting with one question paper, so there are no shifts to equate and no normalisation formula. A published UPSC cut off is a raw mark you could actually have scored on the paper — which is why the figures are clean numbers rather than five-decimal scores.
What is next for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist
The Combined Geo-Scientist 2026 Main Examination was held on 20 June 2026. The 2027 Preliminary Examination is on 10 January 2027.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist vacancy for Combined Geo-Scientist 2026?
85 — Category-I (Geological Survey of India) 56: Geologist 39, Chemist 15 and Geophysicist 2. Category-II (Central Ground Water Board) 29: Assistant Hydrogeologist 18, Scientist B (Hydrogeology) 5, Scientist B (Chemical) 2, Assistant Chemist 2, Scientist B (Geophysics) 1 and Assistant Geophysicist 1.. UPSC states in the notice that the number is liable to alteration.
What is the age limit for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist?
21 to 32 years as on 1 January 2026, relaxable by up to 7 years for serving government employees. The upper limit is relaxed by 5 years for SC and ST, 3 years for OBC, and up to 10 years for PwBD candidates.
What qualification is required for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist?
A Master's degree in the relevant science — Geological Science or Geology for Geologist and Hydrogeology posts, Physics or Geophysics for Geophysicist posts, and Chemistry, Applied Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry for Chemist posts — from a recognised university.
How many attempts are allowed for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist?
No limit on attempts within the age window.
What is the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist application fee?
₹200. Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempted.
Is there negative marking in UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist?
Yes — one third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer in the Stage-I objective papers.
What is the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist selection process?
Selection is through Stage-I — Preliminary Examination (objective), followed by Stage-II — Main Examination (descriptive), followed by Stage-III — Personality Test.
What are the total marks in UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist?
Stage-I 400 + Stage-II 600 + Personality Test 200.
What is the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist salary?
Pay Level 10 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix for Group A posts; Pay Level 7 for the Group B Assistant grade posts in the Central Ground Water Board, plus Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and Transport Allowance.
Does UPSC normalise marks in UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist?
No. UPSC conducts each paper in a single sitting with one question paper, so there are no shifts to equate and no normalisation. Published cut offs are raw marks.
When does UPSC release the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist answer key?
Only after the final result for that cycle is declared, under the Commission's disclosure policy. There is no post-exam challenge window of the kind SSC runs.
Where do I download the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist admit card?
From upsc.gov.in. The e-Admit Card appears about two to three weeks before the examination and is not posted to candidates.
Do I need to register separately for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist?
No. UPSC issues a Universal Registration Number (URN) that is registered once in a lifetime and used for every UPSC examination. Only the examination-specific module is filled per exam.
What is next for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist?
The Combined Geo-Scientist 2026 Main Examination was held on 20 June 2026. The 2027 Preliminary Examination is on 10 January 2027.