Combined Geo Scientist Examination Rules 2026

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-06092025-265969 EXTRAORDINARY PART I-Section 1 PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2025/BHADRA 12, 1947 MINISTRY OF MINES NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 3rd September, 2025 COMBINED GEO-SCIENTIST EXAΜΙΝΑΤΙΟΝ, 2026 F. No. 4/1/2025-Mines.II.—The Rules for the Open Competitive Examination (Combined Geo-Scientist Examination) to be held by the Union Public Service Commission in 2026 for the purpose of filling up of vacancies in the posts/services mentioned below: (1) Category I Services (i) Geologist, Ministry of Mines, Central Geological Service, Group 'A' (ii) Geophysicist, Geological Survey of India Geophysical Service, Group 'A' (iii) Chemist, Geological Survey of India Chemical Service, Group 'A' Category II Services (i) Scientist ‘B' (Hydrogeology), Central Ground Water Board, Group 'A' (ii) Scientist ‘B' (Chemical), Central Ground Water Board, Group ‘A’ (iii) Scientist ‘B' (Geophysics), Central Ground Water Board, Group 'A' (iv) Assistant Hydrogeologist, Central Ground Water Board, Group ‘Β' (v) Assistant Chemist, Central Ground Water Board, Group ‘B’ (vi) Assistant Geophysicist, Central Ground Water Board, Group 'B' All candidates (male/female/transgender) are requested to carefully read these Rules and the Examination notice of the UPSC derived from these Rules. (2) A candidate may compete for any one or both the categories of posts for which the candidate is eligible in terms of the Rules. For appearing at the Stage-I (Preliminary), Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, a candidate will be required to Create Account Universal Registration Number (URN), Common Application Form (CAF) and Exam Specific Form. N.B.(i): No request for making subsequent addition/alteration in the details indicated by a candidate in his/her Universal Registration (URN) will be entertained by the Commission. Nonetheless, during currency of the Application Window of the Examination, the candidates have the option of editing the information given by them in the Common Application Form. N.B.(ii): The selection of candidates for the aforesaid posts shall be strictly in accordance with their merit position in each category and number of vacancies separately. N.B.(iii): For the posts of Category-I: Geologist Gr 'A', and Category-II:(Scientist B (Hydrogeology) Gr 'A'/Assistant Hydrogeologist Gr 'B', candidates will be recommended by the Commission for one category only based on the preference given by them, in order of merit and number of vacancies. N.B.(iv): For the posts of Category-I: Chemist Gr ‘A', and Category-II: Scientist B (Chemical) Gr 'A' and Assistant Chemist Gr 'B', candidates will be recommended by the Commission for one post only based on their eligibility, preference given by them, order of merit and number of vacancies. (3) The approximate number of vacancies to be filled through the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, 2026 will be specified in the Notice issued by the Commission. Reservation of vacancies for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities will be made as per Govt. of India Rules & Regulation in force. (4) Appointment of the selected candidates based on the results of the above Examination will be made initially on temporary basis. (5) The Examination will be conducted by the Union Public Service Commission as per the Plan of Examination prescribed in the Appendix-I to these Rules. (6) The dates on which and the places at which the Examination will be held shall be fixed and notified by the UPSC (hereinafter referred to as Commission). (7) A candidate must be either: (a) a citizen of India, or (b) a subject of Nepal or (c) a subject of Bhutan, or (d) a Tibetan refugee who came over to India, before the 1st January, 1962, with the intention of settling in India, or (e) a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of Permanently settling in India. Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (b), (c), (d) and (e) above shall be a person in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India. A candidate in whose case a certificate of eligibility is necessary may be admitted to the Examination but the offer of appointment may be given only after the necessary eligibility certificate has been issued to him by the Government of India. (8) Age limit: (a) A candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years on the first day of the month of January of the year in which the Examination is to be held [i.e. as on 1st January, 2026] i.e. he/she must have been born not earlier than 2nd January, 1994 and not later than 1st January, 2005. N.B: Candidates should ensure that they meet the age eligibility criteria for the post mentioned for which they are applying. (b) The upper age limit will be relaxable up to a maximum of seven years in the case of Government servants, if they are employed in a Department mentioned in Column- I below and apply for the corresponding post(s) mentioned in Column – II, and if they are otherwise eligible for admission to the Examination. Column - I | Column – II -------------+------------------------------------------------------------- Geological Survey of India | (i) Geologist Group 'A' | (ii) Geophysicist Group ‘A’ | (iii) Chemist Group 'A' Central Ground Water | (i) Scientist 'B' (Hydrogeology) Group 'A', Board | (ii) Scientist ‘B' (Geophysics) Group ‘A'. | (iii) Scientist ‘B' (Chemical) Group 'A' | (iv) Assistant Hydrogeologist Group 'B' | (v) Assistant Geophysicist Group 'B' | (vi) Assistant Chemist Group 'B' (c) The upper age limits prescribed above will be further relaxable: (i) Up to a maximum of five years if a candidate belongs to a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe. (ii) Up to a maximum of three years in the case of candidates belonging to Other Backward Classes who are eligible to avail of reservation applicable to such candidates. (iii) Up to a maximum of three years in the case of Defence Services personnel disabled in operations during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence thereof. (iv) upto a maximum of five years in the case of Ex-servicemen including Commissioned Officers and ECOs/SSCOs who have rendered at least five years of Military Service as on 1st January, 2026 and have been released (i) on completion of assignment including those whose assignment is due to be completed within one year from 1st January, 2026 otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency or (ii) on account of physical disability attributable to Military Service or (iii) on invalidment. (v) upto a maximum of 5 years in the case of ECOs/SSCOs who have completed an initial period of assignment of 5 years of Military Service as on 1st January, 2026 and whose assignment has been extended beyond 5 years and in whose case the Ministry of Defence issues a certificate that they can apply for civil employment and that they will be released on 3 months' notice on selection from the date of receipt of offer of appointment. (vi) up to a maximum of 10 years in the case of Persons with Benchmark Disabilities viz. (a) blindness and low vision; (b) deaf and hard of hearing; (c) locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy; (d) autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability and mental illness; (e) multiple disabilities from amongst person under clauses (a) to (d) including deaf-blindness. Note I: Candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes and the Other Backward Classes who are also covered under any other clauses of Rule 8(c) above, viz. those coming under the category of Ex-servicemen, and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities will be eligible for grant of cumulative age-relaxation under both the categories. Note II: The term ex-servicemen will apply to the persons who are defined as ex-servicemen in the Ex-Servicemen (Re-employment in Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1979, as amended from time to time. Note III: The details of Functional Classification (FC) and Physical Requirements (PR) of each service are indicated in Appendix IV of these Rules which are identified and prescribed by the respective Cadre Controlling Authorities (CCAs) as per the provisions of Section 33 and 34 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Only those category(ies) of disability(ies) mentioned in Appendix IV shall apply for the Examination under Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) Category. Therefore, the candidates belonging to the Persons with Benchmark Disability categories are advised to read it carefully before applying for the Examination. Note IV: The age concession under Rule 8(c)(iv) and (v) will be admissible to Ex-servicemen i.e. a person who has served in any rank whether as combatant or non-combatant in the Regular Army, Navy and Air Force of the Indian Union and who either has been retired or relieved or discharged from such service whether at his own request or being relieved by the employer after earning his or her pension. Note V: Notwithstanding the provision of age-relaxation under Rule 8(c)(vi) above, a persons with benchmark disabilities candidate will be considered to be eligible for appointment only if he/she (after such physical Examination as the Government of appointing authority, as the case may be may prescribe) is found to satisfy the requirements of physical and medical standards for the concerned Services/Posts to be allocated to the persons with benchmark disabilities candidates by the Government. SAVE AS PROVIDED ABOVE THE AGE LIMITS PRESCRIBED CAN IN NO CASE BE RELAXED The date of birth accepted by the Commission is that entered in the Matriculation or Secondary School Leaving Certificate or in a certificate recognized by an Indian University as equivalent to Matriculation or in an extract from a Register of Matriculates maintained by a University which extract must be certified by the proper authority of the University or in the Higher Secondary or an equivalent examination certificate. No other document relating to age like horoscopes, affidavits, birth extracts from Municipal Corporation Service records and the like will be accepted. The expression Matriculation Higher Secondary Examination Certificates in this part of the instructions include the alternative certificates mentioned above. Note 1: Candidates should note that only the date of birth as recorded in the Matriculation, Secondary Examination Certificate or an equivalent certificate on the date of submission of application will be accepted by the Commission and no subsequent request for its change will be considered or granted. Note 2: Candidates should also note that once a date of birth has been submitted by them in the Universal Registration Number (URN) and entered in the records of the Commission for the purpose of admission to an Examination, no change will be allowed subsequently (or at any other Examination of the Commission) on any ground whatsoever. N.B: (i) The candidature of a person who is admitted to the Examination under the age concession mentioned in Rule 8(b) above, shall be cancelled, if after submitting the application, the candidate resigns from service or the candidate's services are terminated by the department/office, either before or after taking the Examination. The candidate will, however, continue to be eligible in case of retrenchment from the service or post after submitting the application. N.B: (ii) A candidate who, after submitting the application to the candidate's department is transferred to other department/office will be eligible to compete under departmental age concession for the post(s) for which the candidate would have been eligible, but for the transfer, provided the application, duly recommended has been forwarded by the parent Department. (9) Minimum Educational Qualification A candidate must have: (i) For Geologist Group 'A' in Geological Survey of India Master's degree in Geological Science or Geology or Applied Geology or Geo- Exploration or Mineral Exploration or Engineering Geology or Marine Geology or Earth Science and Resource Management or Oceanography and Coastal Areas Studies or Petroleum Geosciences or Geochemistry from a University incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or an educational institution established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed university under section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 (3 of 1956) i.e. recognized University. (ii) For Geophysicist Group 'A' in Geological Survey of India and Scientist 'B' (Geophysics) Group 'A' and Assistant Geophysicist, Group ‘B' in C.G.W.B. M.Sc. in Physics or Applied Physics or M.Sc. (Geophysics) or Integrated M.Sc. (Exploration Geophysics) or M.Sc (Applied Geophysics) or M.Sc. (Marine Geophysics) or M.Sc. (Tech.) (Applied Geophysics) from a University incorporated by an Act of Parliament or State Legislature in India or other educational institutes established by an Act of the Parliament or declared to be deemed universities under the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 (iii) For Chemist Group 'A' in Geological Survey of India and Scientist ‘B' (Chemical) under C.G.W.B. M.Sc. in Chemistry or Applied Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry from a University incorporated by an Act of Parliament or State Legislature or other educational Institutes established by an Act of the Parliament or declared to be deemed Universities under section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 i.e. recognized University. (iv) For Scientist 'B' (Hydrogeology) Group 'A' and Assistant Hydrogeologist Group 'B' in C.G.W.B. Master's degree in Geology or applied Geology or Marine Geology or Hydrogeology from a University incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational Institutes established by an act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as Universities under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956. (v) For Assistant Chemist Group 'B' in C.G.W.B. Master of Science or Integrated Master of Science in Chemistry or Applied Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry or Physical Chemistry or Inorganic Chemistry or Organic Chemistry or Hydro-Chemistry or Industrial Chemistry from a recognized university or institute. Note I: Qualifications are relaxable at the discretion of the Union Public Service Commission for the reasons to be recorded in writing, in the case of candidates otherwise well qualified. Note II: Masters' degree in the respective discipline means the post graduate degree of minimum two years duration after graduation from a recognized university in the respective discipline, whether be it integrated course or otherwise. (a) Candidates who have appeared at the final examination of the minimum educational qualification specified in clause (i) to (v) of this paragraph, passing of which shall render them eligible to appear at the relevant year Examination, but have not been informed of the result may also apply for admission to the Examination and in such case his or her admission to the relevant year of Examination shall be provisional and subject to obtaining minimum educational qualification specified in clause (i) to (v) of this paragraph. However, all such candidates, who are declared qualified by the Commission for Interview/Personality Test, will be required to produce proof of passing of the requisite qualifying examination within the time limit prescribed in Rule 12(a)(ii) below. (b) In exceptional cases the Commission may treat a candidate who has not any of the qualifications prescribed in this rule, as educationally qualified provided that he has passed examinations conducted by other institutions, the standard of which in the opinion of the Commission, justifies his admission to the Examination. (c) A candidate who is otherwise qualified but who possess the Master's degree from a foreign University approved by the Government may also apply for the Examination. (10) Candidates must pay the fee prescribed in the Commission's Notice. (11) All candidates in Government service, whether in a permanent or in temporary capacity or as work-charged employees, other than casual or daily rated employees or those serving under Public Enterprises will be required to submit an undertaking that they have informed in writing to their Head of Office/Department that they have applied for the above Examination. Candidates should note that in case a communication is received from their employer by the Commission withholding permission to the candidates applying for/appearing at the Examination, their applications will be liable to be rejected/candidature will be liable to be cancelled. (12) The decision of the Commission with regard to the acceptance of the application of a candidate for the Examination and his eligibility or otherwise for admission to the Examination shall be final. The candidates applying for the Examination should ensure that they fulfill all the eligibility conditions for admission to the Examination. Their admission at all the stages of Examination for which they are admitted by the Commission, viz. Stage-I: Combined Geo- Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, Stage-II: Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination and Stage-III: Interview/Personality Test will be purely provisional, subject to their satisfying the prescribed eligibility conditions. If on verification at any time before or after the Preliminary Examination or Main Examination or Interview/Personality Test, it is found that they do not fulfill any of eligibility conditions; their candidature for the Examination will be cancelled by the Commission. (12) (a) Universal Registration Number (URN) and Common Application Form (CAF): (12)(a)(i) A candidate who is willing to apply for Combined Geo-Scientist Examination shall be required to apply on-line and submit the requisite information and supporting documents towards various claims, such as date of birth, category [viz. SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD/Ex- Servicemen], educational qualification, etc. as may be sought by the Commission alongwith the Universal Registration Number (URN) & Common Application Form (CAF). The failure to provide the required information/documents alongwith the Common Application Form (CAF), will entail cancellation of candidature for the examination. NOTE: The candidates should also note that no addition/deletion/any changes are allowed in Universal Registration Number(URN) & Common Application Form (CAF) in the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, in any circumstances once it is submitted. (12(a)(ii) The Commission shall provide a window after the declaration of result of Main/stage- II part of Combined Geo-Scientist Examination to the candidates qualified for Personality Test/Interview and filled their status of educational qualification. The candidates, who do not have the prescribed Educational qualification at the time of the Online Application, shall be required to update their details and to upload the proof of passing of the requisite qualifying examination on the Universal Registration Number (URN), failing which such candidates will not be allowed to appear in the Personality Test/Interview and his/her candidature will be liable to be cancelled. Note: In this period, all the candidates qualified for Personality Test shall also be provided an option to update Correspondence/Post Address, Higher Qualification, Achievement in different field, Employment Details/Service Experience, Service Allocation, Service Preferences (if qualified for both the categories of posts). The details updated in this window will be treated as final and no request for any change in these fields received through any other mode will be entertained. (13) No candidate shall be admitted to the Examination unless he holds a certificate of admission from the Commission. (14) A candidate who is or has been declared by the Commission to be guilty of:- (i) obtaining support for his/her candidature by the following means, namely:— (a) offering illegal gratification to, or (b) applying pressure on; or (c) blackmailing or threatening to blackmail any person connected with the conduct of Examination, or (ii) impersonation; or (iii) procuring impersonation by any person; or (iv) submitting fabricated documents or documents which have been tampered with; or (v) uploading irrelevant photos in the application form in place of actual photo/signature. (vi) making statements which are incorrect or false, or suppressing material information; or (vii) resorting to the following means in connection with his/her candidature for the Examination namely :- (a) obtaining copy of question paper through improper means; (b) finding out the particulars of the persons connected with secret work relating to the Examination; (c) influencing the examiners; or (viii) being in possession of or using unfair means during the Examination; or (ix) writing obscene matters, drawing obscene sketches or writing irrelevant matter in the scripts; or (x) misbehaving in the Examination Hall including tearing of the scripts, provoking fellow examinees to boycott Examination, creating a disorderly scene and the like; or (xi) harassing or doing bodily harm to the staff employed by the Commission for the conduct of its Examination; or (xii) being in possession of or using any mobile phone (even in switched off mode), pager or any electronic equipment or programmable device or storage media like pen drive, smart watches etc. or camera or blue tooth devices or any other equipment or related accessories either in working or switched off mode capable of being used as a communication device during the Examination; or (xiii) violating any of the instructions issued to candidates alongwith their admission certificates permitting them to take the Examination; or (xiv) attempting to commit or as the case may be, abetting the commission of all or any of the acts specified in the foregoing clauses; may in addition to rendering himself/herself liable to criminal prosecution, be liable:- (a) and shall be disqualified by the Commission from the Examination held under this Rules for which he/she is a candidate; and/or (b) shall be liable to be debarred either permanently or for a specified period :— (i) by the Commission from any Examination or Selection held by them; (ii) by the Central Government from any employment under them; and (c) if he/she is already in service under Government to disciplinary action under the appropriate rules. Provided that no penalty under this rule shall be imposed except after:— (i) giving the candidate, an opportunity of making such representation in writing as he/she may wish to make in that behalf; and (ii) taking the representation, if any, submitted by the candidate, within the period allowed to him/her into consideration. 14. (1) Any person who is found by the Commission to be guilty of colluding with a candidate(s) in committing or abetting the commission of any of the misdeeds listed at the clauses (i) to (xiii) above render himself liable to action in terms of the clause (xiv). (15) Combined Geo-Scientist Examination will be held in three stages viz. Stage-I: Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination (Two objective type papers) – Paper-I (General Studies) common for all streams and Paper-II (Stream specific), Stage-II: Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination (Three Conventional Type Papers for each stream) and Stage-III: Personality Test/Interview, Details of the Scheme of Combined Geo-Scientist Examination is given under Appendix-I. The Commission will have the discretion to fix Minimum Qualifying Marks for each Paper of Stage-I and Stage-II. Only those candidates qualifying at Stage-I will be permitted to appear for Stage-II of the Examination. Similarly only those candidates qualifying at Stage- II will be summoned for Stage-III (Personality Test/Interview). Final merit will be made on the basis of marks secured by the candidates in Stage-I+Stage-II+Stage-III. Provided that candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes or the Other Backward Classes or Economically Weaker Sections may be summoned for Stage-III (Personality Test/Interview) by the Commission by applying relaxed standards of selection at Stage-I and Stage-II if the Commission is of the opinion that sufficient number of candidates from these communities are not likely to be summoned for Personality Test/Interview on the basis of general qualifying standard in order to fill up the vacancies reserved for them. (16) (i) After the Personality Test/interview, the Commission will prepare separate merit lists for the posts of (a) Chemist Gr 'A', (b) Scientist B (Chemical) Gr 'A', (c) Assistant Chemist, Gr 'B', CGWB, (d) Geologist Gr 'A', (e) Scientist 'B' (Hydrogeology) Gr 'A'/Assistant Hydrogeologist Gr 'B', CGWB and (f) Geophysicist Gr 'A'/Scientist 'B' (Geophysics) Gr 'A'/Assistant Geophysicist, Gr ‘B', CGWB for preparation of the results. The candidates will be arranged by the Commission in the order of merit as disclosed by the aggregate marks finally awarded to each candidate. Thereafter, the Commission shall, for the purpose of recommending candidates against unreserved vacancies in respect of each of the said six groups, fix a qualifying mark (hereinafter referred to as general qualifying standard) for each of those six groups, with reference to the number of unreserved vacancies to be filled up on the basis of the Examination. For the purpose of recommending reserved category candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections and Persons with Benchmark Disability categories against reserved vacancies, the Commission may relax the general qualifying standard with reference to number of reserved vacancies to be filled up in each of these categories on the basis of the Examination. Provided that the candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, the Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections and Persons with Benchmark Disability who have not availed themselves of any of the concessions or relaxations in the eligibility or the selection criteria, at any stage of the Examination and who after taking into account the general qualifying standards are found fit for recommendations by the Commission shall not be recommended against the vacancies reserved for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections and Persons with Benchmark Disability respectively. Note: The facility of scribe, along with compensatory time which is available for eligible candidates belonging to Person with Benchmark Disability category and the disability of such candidates, which he is suffering from in respect of Medical Fitness, shall not be treated as relaxations/concession. (ii) While making service allocation in respect of the post(s) of (a) Scientist 'B' (Hydrogeology) Gr 'A' / Assistant Hydrogeologist Gr ‘B',CGWB (b) Geophysicist Gr 'A'/Scientist 'B' (Geophysics) Gr 'A'/ Assistant Geophysicist Gr 'B', CGWB, the candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, the Other Backward Classes, the EWS and Persons with Benchmark Disability recommended against unreserved vacancies may be adjusted against reserved vacancies by the Government if by this process they get a service of higher choice in the order of their preference. (iii) The Commission may further lower the general qualifying standards to take care of any shortfall of candidates for appointment against resultant unreserved vacancies and any surplus of candidates against reserved vacancies arising out of the process as per provisions of this rule. (iv)(a)(i) Separate merit lists of the recommended candidates will be prepared for the posts of Chemist Gr 'A', Scientist 'B' (Chemical) Gr 'A' and Assistant Chemist, Gr 'B', CGWB in accordance with the vacancies for each post. (iv)(a)(ii) A single merit list of the recommended candidates will be prepared for the post of Geologist Gr 'A' in accordance with the vacancies for the post. (iv)(a)(iii) A single merit list of the recommended candidates will be prepared for the posts of Scientist 'B' (Hydrogeology) Gr 'A' and Assistant Hydrogeologist, Gr ‘B', CGWB after taking into account the total number of vacancies for each of the these two posts. A reserve list will be maintained for this group of posts. (iv)(a)(iv) A single merit list of the recommended candidates will be prepared for the posts of Geophysicist Gr 'A', Scientist 'B' (Geophysics) Gr 'A' and Assistant Geophysicist, Gr 'B', CGWB after taking into account the total number of vacancies for each of the these three posts. A reserve list will be maintained for this group of posts. (iv)(a)(v) The total number of recommended candidates against the posts mentioned in sub rules [(iv)(a)(iii)] and [(iv)(a)(iv)] of Rule 16 shall be reduced by the number of candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, the Other Backward Classes, the EWS and Persons with Benchmark Disability who acquire the merit at or above the fixed general qualifying standard without availing themselves of any concession or relaxation in the eligibility or selection criteria in terms of the proviso to sub-rule (i). (iv) (b) While exercising the method defined in sub rules [(iv)(a)(iii)] and [(iv)(a)(iv)] of Rule 16, due consideration may be taken to secure the vacancy(ies) for PwBD candidates expected to be recommended from Reserve List and if required, the total number of recommended candidates shall be reduced appropriately in addition to reduction as per sub rule (iv)(a)(v). (iv) (c) Along with this list of recommended candidates, the Commission shall also maintain a consolidated reserve list of candidates for the posts mentioned in sub-rules [(iv)(a)(iii)] and [(iv)(a)(iv)] of Rule 16, which will include candidates from unreserved, reserved and PwBD category ranking in order of merit below the last recommended candidate under each category. The reserve list SO maintained shall be treated as confidential till the process of recommendation(s) in terms of sub-rule (v) is finally concluded by the Commission. The number of candidates, of unreserved category in the list will be equal to the number of reserved category candidates and of PwBD Category who in the first instance were included in the list of recommended candidates as per proviso to sub-rule (i) and reduction in recommendation against unreserved vacancy(ies), if any, in light of sub-rule (iv)(b). (iv) (d) The number of reserved category in the Consolidated Reserve List for the posts mentioned in sub-rule [(iv)(a)(iii)] and [(iv)(a)(iv)] of Rule 16 from each category of Schedule Caste, Schedule Tribe, Other Backward Class, Economically Weaker Section and Persons with Benchmark Disability will be equal to the respective number of candidates reduced in each category while recommending candidates in the first instance. (v) The candidates recommended in terms of the provisions of sub-rules [(iv)(a)(iii)] and [iv(a)(iv)] of Rule 16, shall be allocated by the Government to the services and where certain vacancies still remain to be filled up, the Government may forward a requisition to the Commission requiring it to recommend, in order of merit, from the reserve list, the same number of candidates as requisitioned for the purpose of filling up the unfilled vacancies in each category. Note : Reserve list is not a waiting list to cater to vacancies arising out of other reasons such as candidates not turning up to join, being found medically unfit, left out on account of medical fitness for limited services, resignation or any other reasons. Commission will not take into account such vacancies for release of Reserve List. 17. The prescribed qualifying standard will be relaxable at the discretion of the Commission at all the stages of Examination in favour of Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in order to fill up the vacancies reserved for them. 18. The form and manner of communication of the result of the Examination to individual candidates shall be decided by the Commission in their discretion and the Commission will not enter into correspondence with them regarding the result. 19. Success in the Examination confers no right to allocation and appointment unless Government are satisfied after such enquiry as may be considered necessary, that the candidate having regard to his/her character and antecedents and certificates produced by him/her during the course of examination for the purpose of eligibility as well as claiming any kind of benefit for reservation and educational qualification acquired before the commencement of relevant year of Examination and prescribed age limit etc., is suitable in all respect including medical examination for allocation/appointment to the service/post. The decision of the Government in this regard shall be final. (20) A candidate must be in good mental and bodily health and free from any physical defect likely to interfere with the discharge of his duties as an officer of the service. A candidate, who after such medical examination as Government or the appointing authority or under these rules, as the case may be, may prescribe, is found not to satisfy these requirements will not be appointed. The candidates who are declared finally successful on the basis of this Examination, may be required to undergo the medical examination to ascertain their physical mental and bodily fitness for the post or otherwise. The details of the medical examination are given in the Appendix-II to these rules. Candidates will have to pay a fee to the Medical Board concerned at the time of the medical examination as prescribed by the medical authority or Govt. of India as the case may be. The fee to be paid for medical examination would be indicated in the letter summoning the candidates to appear for medical examination. The standard for Transgender candidates would be posted on the dedicated Web- page of Ministry of Mines before commencement of the Medical Examination of Combined Geo- Scientist Examination, 2026. Note: In order to prevent disappointment, candidates are advised to have themselves examined by a Government Medical Officer of the standing of a Civil Surgeon before applying for admission to the Examination. Particulars of the nature of the medical test to which candidates will be subjected before appointment in Gazetted posts and of the standards required are given in Appendix-II. For the disable Ex-Defence Services personnel, the standards will be relaxed consistent with the requirements of the posts. (21) The eligibility for availing reservation against the vacancies reserved for the persons with benchmark disability shall be the same as prescribed in "The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016": The candidates of Multiple Disabilities will be eligible for reservation under category (e) Multiple Disabilities only of Section 34(1) of RPwD Act, 2016 and shall not be eligible for reservation under any other categories of disabilities i.e. (a) to (d) of Section 34(1) of RPwD Act, 2016 on account of having 40% and above impairment in any of these categories of PwBD. Provided further that the persons with benchmark disability shall also be required to meet special eligibility criteria in terms of physical requirements/functional classification (abilities/disabilities) consistent with requirements of the identified service/post as may be prescribed by its cadre controlling authority as per Appendix IV. (22) A candidate will be eligible to get the benefit of community reservation only in case the particular caste to which the candidates belong is included in the list of reserved communities issued by the Central Government. The candidates will be eligible to get the benefit of the Economically Weaker Section reservation only in case the candidate meets the criteria issued by the Central Government and in possession of such eligibility certification. If a candidate indicates in his/her application form for Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, that he/she belongs to unreserved category but subsequently writes to the Commission to change his/her category to a reserved one, such request shall not be entertained by the Commission. Further, once a candidate has chosen a reserved category, no request shall be entertained for change to other reserved category viz. SC to ST, ST to SC, OBC to SC/ST or SC/ST to OBC, SC/ST to EWS, EWS to SC/ST, OBC to EWS, EWS to OBC. No reserved category candidates other than those who qualified each stage of the Examination on General standard, shall be allowed to change (on their request or as decided by the Commission/Government based on the documents submitted by them) their category from Reserved to Unreserved or claim the vacancies for UR category after the declaration of final result by UPSC. In cases where such candidates do not qualify on General Standard, their candidature shall be cancelled. Further no Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) candidate of any subcategory thereunder shall be allowed to change his/her sub-category of disability. While the above principle will be followed in general, there may be a few cases where there was a gap not more than 3 months between the issuance of a Government Notification enlisting a particular community in the list of any of the reserved communities and the date of submission of the application by the candidate. In such cases the request of change of category from general to reserved may be considered by the Commission on merit. In case of a candidate unfortunately becoming a candidate belonging to person with benchmark disability during the course of the examination process, the candidate should produce valid documents showing him/her acquiring a disability to the extent of 40% or more as defined under the RPwD Act, 2016 to enable him/her to get the benefits of reservation earmarked for persons with benchmark disability provided he/she otherwise remains eligible for the 'Geologist Group 'A', Geophysicist Group 'A', Chemist Group ‘A' in GSI and Scientist 'B' (Hydrogeology) Group 'A', Scientist 'B'(Chemical) Group 'A', Scientist 'B'(Geophysics) Group 'A', Assistant Hydrogeologist Group 'B', Assistant Chemist Group 'B' and Assistant Geophysicist Group 'B' in CGWB as per Rule 21 above. (23) Candidates seeking reservation/relaxation benefits available for SC/ST/OBC/EWSs/ PwBD/Ex-servicemen must ensure that they are entitled to such reservation/relaxation as per eligibility prescribed in the Rules/Notice. They should also be in possession of all the requisite certificates in the prescribed format in support of their claim as stipulated in the Rules/Notice for such benefits by the closing date of the application. A candidate of CGSE 2026 will be eligible to get the benefit of the Economically Weaker Section reservation only in case the candidate meets the criteria issued by the Central Government and is in possession of requisite Income & Asset Certificate based on the income for Financial Year (FY) 2024-2025 and issued on/after 01.04.2025 (after the completion of FY 2024-2025) but not later than the closing date of the application for Combined Geo- Scientist (Preliminary) Examination- 2026 i.e. 23rd September, 2025. The OBC candidates applying for CGSE 2026 must produce OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) certificate based on the Income of the Financial Year (FY) 2024-2025, 2023-2024 and 2022- 2023 and issued on/after 01.04.2025 (after the completion of FY 2024-25) but not later than the closing date of the application for Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination- 2026 i.e. 23rd September, 2025. (24) No person (a) who has entered into or contracted a marriage with a person having a spouse living or (b) who having a spouse living has entered into or contracted a marriage with any person shall be eligible for appointment to service. Provided that the Central Government may, if satisfied that such marriage is permissible under the personal law applicable to such person and the other party to the marriage and there are other grounds for so doing, exempt any person from the operation of this rule. (25) Brief particulars relating to the posts to which recruitment is being made through this Examination are given in Appendix-III. (26) The provisions relating to the rounding off of marks, wherever applicable, and the principles for resolving cases of tie in scores shall be as prescribed below: (A) Rounding Off Marks: Marks obtained by the candidates shall be rounded off up to two decimal digits, at all stage(s) of the examination, by applying the standard rounding off principle, wherever applicable. Accordingly, while applying the Tie Breaking Principles, the rounded off marks up to two decimal digits shall be considered for resolving all tie cases. (B) Tie Breaking Principle (i) If the marks in aggregate (Final Marks) are equal, the candidate securing more marks in subject specific papers [Geologist- Stage-I “Paper-II-Geology” and Stage-II “Paper-I,II,III : Geology" Geophysicist & Scientist 'B' (Geophysics)/Assistant Geophysicist Stage-I "Paper-II Geophysics” and Stage-II “Paper-I,II,III : Geophysics" Chemist & Scientist ‘B’(Chemical)/Assistant Chemist Stage-I "Paper-II “Chemistry” and Stage-II “Paper-I,II,III : Chemistry” Scientist ‘B’(Hydrogeology)/Assistant Hydrogeologist "Stage-I "Paper-II : Hydrogeology and Stage-II “Paper-I,II : Geology and "Paper-III : Hydrogeology"] plus marks of Personality Test put together will be ranked higher; (ii) If the marks at (i) above are equal, candidates securing more marks in subject specific papers [Geologist - Stage-I “Paper-II-Geology” and Stage-II “Paper-I,II,III : Geology” Geophysicist & Scientist ‘B’(Geophysics)/Assistant Geophysicist Stage-I “Paper-II Geophysics” and Stage-II “Paper-I,II,III : Geophysics" Chemist & Scientist ‘B'(Chemical)/Assistant Chemist Stage-I "Paper-II "Chemistry” and Stage-II “Paper-I,II,III : Chemistry" Scientist ‘B' (Hydrogeology)/Assistant Hydrogeologist "Stage-I "Paper-II : Hydrogeology and Stage-II “Paper-I,II : Geology and “Paper-III : Hydrogeology”] put together will be ranked higher. (iii) If the marks at (i) & (ii) are also equal, candidate younger in age will be ranked higher; and (iv) In cases where a tie persists even after applying the above tie breaking principles, it will be resolved at the discretion of the Commission. ANOOP KUMAR, Director APPENDIX – I PLAN OF EXAMINATION Plan of Examination The Examination shall be conducted according to the following plan:- (i) Stage-I: Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination (Objective Type Papers) for the selection of candidates for the Stage-II: ................... 400 Marks (ii) Stage-II: Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination (Conventional Type Papers) and ................... 600 Marks (iii) Stage-III: Personality Test/Interview ................... 200 Marks 2. The candidates will first take the Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary/ Stage-I) Examination which consists of two Objective Type (multiple choices) Questions Papers for each stream. The Question Papers will be set in English only. The detailed Scheme of Stage-I: is as follow:- Stage-I: Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination:- Stream-I : Geologist Group 'A' in GSI & Scientist B (Hydrogeology) Group 'A' and Assistant Hydrogeologist Group 'B' in CGWB Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks ------------------------------------------------+----------+---------------- Paper-I: General Studies | 2 Hours | 100 Marks Paper-II: Geology/Hydrogeology | 2 Hours | 300 Marks Total | | 400 Marks Stream-II: Geophysicist Group 'A' in GSI and Scientist 'B' (Geophysics) Group 'A' and Assistant Geophysicist Group ‘B' in CGWB Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks ------------------------------------------------+----------+---------------- Paper-I: General Studies | 2 Hours | 100 Marks Paper-II: Geophysics | 2 Hours | 300 Marks Total | | 400 Marks Stream-III : Chemist Group 'A' in GSI and Scientist ‘B'(Chemical) Group 'A' and Assistant Chemist Group 'B' in CGWB Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks ------------------------------------------------+----------+---------------- Paper-I: General Studies | 2 Hours | 100 Marks Paper-II: Chemistry | 2 Hours | 300 Marks Total | | 400 Marks Note-1: There will be penalty (Negative Marking) for wrong answers marked by a candidate in the objective type question papers. (i) There are four alternatives for the answers to every question. For each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate, one-third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty. (ii) If a question is left blank i.e. no answer is given by the candidate, there will be no penalty for that question. Note-2: The candidates are not permitted to use calculators for answering Objective Type Papers. They should therefore not bring the same inside the Examination Hall. Note-3: Only those candidates who are declared by the Commission to have qualified in the Preliminary/Stage-I Examination in the year will be eligible for admission to the Main/Stage-II Examination of that year provided they are otherwise eligible for admission to the Main/Stage- II Examination. The marks obtained in Preliminary/Stage-I Examination by the candidates who are declared qualified for admission to the Main/Stage-II Examination will be counted for determining their final order of merit. The number of candidates to be admitted to the Main/Stage-II Examination will be about six to seven times of the total approximate number of vacancies to be filled in the year through this Examination. Note-4: The Commission will draw a list of candidates to be qualified for Combined Geo- Scientist (Main) Examination based on the criterion of minimum qualifying marks in General Studies Paper (Paper-I) and Geo-Scientist Stream specific paper (Paper-II) of Preliminary Examination. 3. The Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination will consist of three conventional type papers for each stream. Conventional Type papers must be answered in English only. Question paper will be set in English only. The detailed scheme of Stage-II is as follows:- Stage-II: Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination:- Stream-I: Geologist Group 'A' in GSI Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks --------------------+----------+---------------- Paper-I: Geology | 3 Hours | 200 Marks Paper-II: Geology | 3 Hours | 200 Marks Paper-III: Geology | 3 Hours | 200 Marks Total | | 600 Marks Stream-II: Geophysicist Group 'A' in GSI and Scientist 'B' (Geophysics) Group 'A' & Assistant Geophysicist Group 'B' in CGWB Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks ---------------------+----------+---------------- Paper-I: Geophysics | 3 Hours | 200 Marks Paper-II: Geophysics | 3 Hours | 200 Marks Paper-III: Geophysics | 3 Hours | 200 Marks Total | | 600 Marks Stream-III: Chemist Group 'A' in GSI and Scientist 'B' (Chemical) Group 'A' & Assistant Chemist Group 'B' in CGWB Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks --------------------+----------+---------------- Paper-I: Chemistry | 3 Hours | 200 Marks Paper-II: Chemistry | 3 Hours | 200 Marks Paper-III : Chemistry | 3 Hours | 200 Marks Total | | 600 Marks Stream-IV: Scientist 'B' (Hydrogeology) Group 'A' & Assistant Hydrogeologist Group 'B' in CGWB Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks ---------------------+----------+---------------- Paper-I: Geology | 3 Hours | 200 Marks Paper-II: Geology | 3 Hours | 200 Marks Paper-III: Hydrogeology | 3 Hours | 200 Marks Total | | 600 Marks Note-I : Candidates competing for selection to the posts of Geologist Group 'A', Geophysicist Group 'A' and Chemist Group ‘A' in GSI and Scientist 'B' (Hydrogeology) Group 'A', Scientist 'B'(Chemical) Group 'A', Scientist ‘B'(Geophysics) Group 'A', Assistant Hydrogeologist Group 'B', Assistant Chemist Group 'B' and Assistant Geophysicist Group 'B' in CGWB will be required to appear in all the subjects mentioned against respective category above. Note-II: If any candidate failed to appear in any one or more of above papers, meant for Stage-II / Main Examination for selection to the post(s) of Geologist Group 'A', Geophysicist Group 'A' and Chemist Group 'A' in GSI and Scientist 'B' (Hydrogeology) Group 'A', Scientist 'B' (Chemical) Group 'A', Scientist ‘B'(Geophysics) Group 'A', Assistant Hydrogeologist Group 'B', Assistant Chemist Group 'B' and Assistant Geophysicist Group 'B' in CGWB, their candidature shall stand rejected and part of the Main Examination attempted by them shall not be evaluated and counted for any purpose. Note-III: Credit will be given for orderly effective and exact expression combined with due economy of words in all subjects of Examination. Note IV: Candidates should use only international form of Indian numerals (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 etc.) while answering question papers. Note V: Candidates will be allowed the use of Non-Programmable type Pocket Calculators in Descriptive/Conventional Type Papers of the Examination. Programmable type calculators will not be allowed and the use of such calculators shall tantamount to resorting to unfair means by the candidates. Loaning or interchanging of calculators in the Examination Hall is not permitted. Note VI: Candidates should note that if any irrelevant matters/signages/marks etc. are found written in the answer script(s), which would not be related to any question/answer and/or would be having the potential to disclose the candidate's identity, the Commission will impose a penalty of deduction of marks from the total marks otherwise accruing to the candidate or will not be evaluate the said script(s) on this account. 4. Common instructions for Stage-I (Preliminary) and Stage-II (Main) Examinations. 4.1 Candidates must mark/write the papers in their own hand. In no circumstances will they be allowed the help of a scribe to mark/write the answers for them. However, the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in the categories of blindness, locomotor disability (both arm affected – BA) and cerebral palsy will be provided the facility of scribe, if desired by the person. In case of other category of Persons with Benchmark Disabilities as defined under section 2(r) of the RPWD Act, 2016, the facility of scribe will be allowed to such candidates on production of a certificate to the effect that the person concerned has physical limitation to write, and scribe is essential to write Examination on behalf, from the Chief Medical Officer/Civil Surgeon/Medical Superintendent of a Government Health Care institution as per proforma at Appendix-V. 4.2 The candidates have discretion of opting for (his/her) own scribe or request the Commission for the same. The details of scribe i.e. whether own or the Commission's and the details of scribe in case candidates are bringing their own scribe, will be sought at the time of filling up the application form online as per proforma at Appendix-VI (for Candidates having 40% disability or more) and Appendix-VIII (for Candidates having less than 40% disability and having difficulty in writing). 4.3 The qualification of the Commission's scribe as well as own scribe will not be more than the minimum qualification criteria of the Examination. However, the qualification of the scribe should always be matriculate or above. 4.4 The Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in the category of blindness, locomotor disability (both arm affected – BA) and cerebral palsy will be eligible for Compensatory Time of twenty minutes per hour of the Examination. In case of other categories of Persons with Benchmark Disabilities, this facility will be provided on production of a certificate to the effect that the person concerned has physical limitation to write from the Chief Medical Officer/ Civil Surgeon/Medical Superintendent of a Government Health Care institution as per proforma at Appendix - V. Note (1): The eligibility conditions of scribes, their conduct inside the Examination Hall and the manner in which an extent to which they can help the PwBD candidate in writing the Examination shall be governed by the instructions issued by the UPSC in this regard. Violation of all or any of the said instructions shall entail the cancellation of the candidature of the PwBD candidate in addition to any other action that the UPSC may take against the scribe. Note (2): The criteria for determining the percentage of visual impairment shall be as follows:- Better eye | Worse eye | Per Cent | Disability category Best Corrected | Best Corrected | Impairment | --------------+---------------+-----------+-------------------- 6/6 to 6/18 | 6/6 to 6/18 | 0% | 0 | 6/24 to 6/60 | 10% | 0 | Less than 6/60 to 3/60 | 20% | I | Less than 3/60 to No | 30% | II (One eyed person) | Light Perception | | 6/24 to 6/60 | 6/24 to 6/60 | 40% | III a (low vision) Or | Less than 6/60 to 3/60 | 50% | III b (low vision) Visual field less than 40 | Less than 3/60 to No | 60% | III c (low vision) up to 20 degree around | Light Perception | | centre of fixation or | | | heminaopia involving | | | macula | | | Less than 6/60 to 3/60 | Less than 6/60 to 3/60 | 70% | III d (low vision) Or | Less than 3/60 to No | 80% | III e (low vision) Visual field less than 20 | Light Perception | | up to 10 degree around | | | centre of fixation | | | Less than 3/60 to 1/60 | Less than 3/60 to No | 90% | IV a (Blindness) Or | Light Perception | | Visual field less than 10 | | | degree around centre of | | | fixation | | | Only HMCF | Only HMCF | 100% | IV b (Blindness) Only Light Perception | Only Light Perception | | No Light Perception | No Light Perception | | The concession admissible to blind candidates shall not be admissible to those suffering from Myopia. 4.5 In the question papers, wherever necessary, questions involving the Metric System of Weights and Measures only will be set. 5. The Stage-III will consist of Personality Test/Interview carrying 200 Marks (with no minimum qualifying marks). Candidates, who obtain such minimum qualifying marks in Stage-II as may be fixed by the Commission as per its discretion, shall be summoned for Stage-III (Personality Test). The number of candidates to be summoned for Personality Test will be about twice the number of vacancies to be filled. In the Personality Test, the candidate will be interviewed by Board i.e. Interview Board (s) constituted by the Commission. The object of the interview will be to assess the suitability for the post(s) of Geologist Group ‘A', Geophysicist Group 'A' and Chemist Group 'A' in GSI and Scientist 'B' (Hydrogeology) Group 'A', Scientist 'B'(Chemical) Group 'A', Scientist ‘B'(Geophysics) Group 'A', Assistant Hydrogeologist Group ‘B', Assistant Chemist Group ‘B' and Assistant Geophysicist Group 'B' in CGWB. Special attention will be paid in the Personality Test to assessing the candidate's capacity for leadership, initiative and intellectual curiosity, tact and other social qualities, mental and physical energy powers of practical application, integrity of character and aptitude for adapting themselves to the field life. 6. The Details of the syllabi for Stage-I: (Preliminary Examination) and Stage-II: (Main Examination) of Combined Geo-Scientist Examination are as under: SCHEDULE STANDARD AND SYLLABUS Paper-I in General Studies of Stage-I is common for all streams and its standard will be such as may be expected of a science graduate. Paper-II of Stage-I (Stream specific) and 3 compulsory papers of Stage-II each on Geology, Geophysics, Chemistry and Hydrogeology subjects will be approximately of the M.Sc. degree standard of an Indian University and questions will generally be set to test the candidate's grasp of the fundamentals in each subject. There will be no practical examination in any of the subjects Syllabus of Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination Stage-I (Objective Type) 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 Stage-I (Objective Type) Paper-II : Geology/Hydrogeology 1. Physical Geology 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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). 5. Metamorphic Petrology Limits, types and controls of metamorphism; metamorphic structures- slate, 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. 6. 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. 7. 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. 8. 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. 9. Economic Geology Properties of mineral deposits- form, mineral assemblage, texture, rock-ore 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. 10. 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. Stage-I (Objective Type) Paper-II : Geophysics 1. Solid Earth Geophysics: Introduction to Geophysics and its branches. Solar system: origin, formation and characteristics of planets, Earth: shape and rotation. Gravity and magnetic fields of earth. Geomagnetism, elements of earth's magnetism, Rock and mineral magnetism, Elastic waves, types and their propagation characteristics, internal structure of earth, variation of physical properties in the interior of earth. Plate tectonics, Earthquakes and their causes, focal depth, epicenter, Intensity and Magnitude scales, Energy of earthquakes, Seismicity. 2. Mathematical Methods in Geophysics: Elements of vector analysis, Vector algebra, Properties of scalars, vectors and tensors, Gradient, Divergence and Curl, Gauss's divergence theorem, Stoke's theorem. Matrices, Eigen values and Eigen vectors and their applications in geophysics. Newton's Law of gravitation, Gravity potential and gravity fields due to bodies of different geometric shapes. Basic Forces of Nature and their strength: Gravitational, Electromagnetic, Strong and Weak forces. Conservation Laws in Physics: Energy, Linear and angular momentum. Rigid body motion and moment of inertia. Basics of special theory of relativity and Lorentz transformation. Fundamental concepts of inverse theory, Definition of inversion and application to Geophysics. Forward and Inverse problems. Probability theory, Random variables, binomial, Poisson and normal distributions. Linear algebra, Linear ordinary differential equations of first and second order. Partial differential equations (Laplace, wave and heat equations in two and three dimensions). Elements of numerical techniques: root of functions, interpolation, and extrapolation, integration by trapezoid and Simpson's rule, solution of first order differential equation using Runge-Kutta method, Introduction to finite difference and finite elements methods. 3. Electromagnetism: Electrostatic and magneto-static fields, Coulomb's law, Electrical permittivity and dielectric constant, Lorentz force and their applications. Ampere's law, Biot and Savart's law, Gauss's Theorem, Poisson's equation. Laplace's equation: solution of Laplace's equation in Cartesian coordinates, use of Laplace's equation in the solutions of geophysical and electrostatic problems. Displacement current, Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction. Maxwell's equations. Boundary conditions. Wave equation, plane electromagnetic waves in free space, dielectric and conducting media, electromagnetic vector and scalar potentials. 4. Geophysical Prospecting: Elements of geophysical methods: Principles, data reduction and applications of gravity, magnetic, electrical, electromagnetic and well logging methods. Fundamentals of seismic methods: Fermat's Principle, Snell's Law, Energy portioning, Reflection and transmission coefficients, Reflection and Refraction from layered media. Signals and systems, sampling theorem, aliasing effect, Fourier series and periodic waveforms, Fourier transform and its application, Laplace transforms, Convolution, Auto and cross correlations, Power spectrum, Delta function, unit step function. 5. Remote Sensing and Thermodynamics: Fundamentals of remote sensing, electromagnetic spectrum, energy- frequency- wavelength relationship, Stefan-Boltzmann Law, Wien's Law, electromagnetic energy and its interactions in the atmosphere and with terrain features. Planck's Radiation Law. Laws of thermodynamics and thermodynamic potential. 6. Nuclear Physics and Radiometry: Basic nuclear properties: size, shape, charge distribution, spin and parity; Binding energy, semi-empirical mass formula; Fission and fusion. Principles of radioactivity, Alpha, beta and gamma decays, Photoelectric and Compton Effect, Pair Production, radioactivity decay law, radioactivity of rocks and minerals, Radiation Detectors: Ionization chamber, G-M counter, Scintillation counter and Gamma ray spectrometer. Matter Waves and wave particle duality, Electron spin, Spectrum of Hydrogen, helium and alkali atoms. Stage-I (Objective Type) Paper-II: Chemistry 1. Chemical periodicity: Schrödinger equation for the H-atom. Radial distribution curves for 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 3d orbitals. Electronic configurations of multi-electron atoms. Periodic table, group trends and periodic trends in physical properties. Classification of elements on the basis of electronic configuration. Modern IUPAC Periodic table. General characteristics of s, p, d and f block elements. Effective nuclear charges, screening effects, atomic radii, ionic radii, covalent radii. Ionization enthalpy, electron gain enthalpy and electronegativity. Group trends and periodic trends in these properties in respect of s-, p- and d-block elements. General trends of variation of electronic configuration, elemental forms, metallic nature, magnetic properties, catenation and catalytic properties, oxidation states, aqueous and redox chemistry in common oxidation states, properties and reactions of important compounds such as hydrides, halides, oxides, oxy-acids, complex chemistry in respect of s-block and p-block elements. 2. Chemical bonding and structure: Ionic bonding: Size effects, radius ratio rules and their limitations. Packing of ions in crystals, lattice energy, Born-Landé equation and its applications, Born-Haber cycle and its applications. Solvation energy, polarizing power and polarizability, ionic potential, Fajan's rules. Defects in solids. Covalent bonding: Valence Bond Theory, Molecular Orbital Theory, hybridization. Concept of resonance, resonance energy, resonance structures. Coordinate bonding: Werner theory of coordination compounds, double salts and complex salts. Ambidentate and polydentate ligands, chelate complexes. IUPAC nomenclature of coordination compounds. Coordination numbers, Geometrical isomerism. Stereoisomerism in square planar and octahedral complexes. 3. Acids and bases: Chemical and ionic equilibrium. Strengths of acids and bases. Ionization of weak acids and bases in aqueous solutions, application of Ostwald's dilution law, ionization constants, ionic product of water, pH-scale, effect of temperature on pH, buffer solutions and their pH values, buffer action & buffer capacity; different types of buffers and Henderson's equation. 4. Theoretical basis of quantitative inorganic analysis: Volumetric Analysis: Equivalent weights, different types of solutions, normal and molar solutions. Primary and secondary standard substances. General principles of different types of titrations: i) acid-base, ii) redox, iii) complexometric, iv) Precipitation. Types of indicators - i) acid-base, ii) redox iii) metal-ion indicators. 5. Kinetic theory and the gaseous state: Kinetic theory of gases, average kinetic energy of translation, Boltzmann constant and absolute scale of temperature. Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of speeds. Calculations of average, root mean square and most probable velocities. Collision diameter; collision number and mean free path; frequency of binary collisions; wall collision and rate of effusion. 6. Chemical thermodynamics and chemical equilibrium: First law and its applications to chemical problems. Thermodynamic functions. Total differentials and state functions. Free expansion, Joule-Thomson coefficient and inversion temperature. Hess' law. Applications of Second law of thermodynamics. Gibbs function (G) and Helmholtz function (A), Gibbs-Helmholtz equation, criteria for thermodynamic equilibrium and spontaneity of chemical processes. 7. Solutions of non-electrolytes: Colligative properties of solutions, Raoult's Law, relative lowering of vapour pressure, osmosis and osmotic pressure; elevation of boiling point and depression of freezing point of solvents. Solubility of gases in liquids and solid solutions. 8. Electrochemistry: Cell constant, specific conductance and molar conductance. Kohlrausch's law of independent migration of ions, ion conductance and ionic mobility. Equivalent and molar conductance at infinite dilution. Debye-Hückel theory. Application of conductance measurements. Conductometric titrations. Determination of transport number by moving boundary method. 9. Basic organic chemistry: Delocalized chemical bond, resonance, conjugation, hyperconjugation, hybridisation, orbital pictures of bonding sp³, sp2, sp: C-C, C-N and C-O system), bond polarization and bond polarizability. Reactive intermediates: General methods of formation, relative stability and reactivity of carbocations, carbanions and free radicals. 10. Stereochemistry: Configuration and chirality (simple treatment of elements of symmetry), optical isomerism of compounds containing two to three stereogenic centres, R,S nomenclature, geometrical isomerism in compounds containing two C=C_double bonds (E,Z naming), and simple cyclic systems, Newman projection (ethane and substituted ethane). 11. Types of organic reactions: Aliphatic substitution reactions: SN1, SN2 mechanisms, stereochemistry, relative reactivity in aliphatic substitutions. Effect of substrate structure, attacking nucleophile, leaving group and reaction medium and competitive reactions. Elimination reactions: E1, E2, mechanisms, stereochemistry, relative reactivity in aliphatic eliminations. Effect of substrate structure, attacking base, leaving group, reaction medium and competitive reactions, orientation of the double bond, Saytzeff and Hoffman rules. Addition reactions: Electrophilic, nucleophilic and radical addition reactions at carbon- carbon double bonds. Electrophilic and nucleophilic aromatic substitution: Electrophilic (halogenation, sulphonation, nitration, Friedal-Crafts alkylation and acylation), nucleophilic (simple Snar, SN1 and aryne reactions). 12. Molecular Rearrangements: Acid induced rearrangement and Wagner-Meerwein rearrangements. Neighbouring group participation. ***** Syllabus of Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination For the post of Geologist / Scientist ‘B' (Hydrogeology)/Assistant Hydrogeologist Stage-II (Descriptive Type) Geology: Paper-I Section A. Physical geology and remote sensing Evolution of Earth; Earth's internal structure; earthquakes and volcanoes; principles of geodesy, isostasy; weathering- processes and products; geomorphic landforms formed by action of rivers, wind, glaciers, waves and groundwater; features of ocean floor; continental shelf, slope and rise; concepts of landscape evolution; major geomorphic features of India- coastal, peninsular and extra peninsular.Electromagnetic spectrum; electromagnetic bands in remote sensing; spectral signatures of soil, rock, water and vegetation; thermal, near infra-red and microwave remote sensing; digital image processing; LANDSAT, IRS and SPOT- characteristics and use; aerial photos- types, scale, parallax, relief displacement; elements of image interpretation. Section B. Structural geology Principles of geological mapping; kinematic and dynamic analysis of deformation; stress-strain relationships for elastic, plastic and viscous materials; measurement of strain in deformed rocks; structural analysis of fold, cleavage, boudin, lineation, joint, and fault; stereographic projection of linear and planar structures; superposed deformation; deformation at microscale- dynamic and static recrystallisation, controls of strain rate and temperature on development of microfabrics; brittle and ductile shear zones; time relationship between crystallisation and deformation, calculation of paleostress. Section C. Sedimentology Classification of sedimentary rocks; sedimentary textures-grain size, roundness, sphericity, shape and fabric; quantitative grain size analysis; sediment transport and deposition- fluid and sediment gravity flows, laminar and turbulent flows, Reynold's number, Froude number, grain entrainment, Hjulstrom diagram, bed load and suspension load transport; primary sedimentary structures; penecontemporaneous deformation structure; biogenic structures; principles and application of paleocurrent analysis; composition and significance of different types of sandstone, limestone, banded iron formation, mudstone, conglomerate; carbonate diagenesis and dolomitisation; sedimentary environments and facies-facies models for fluvial, glacial, deltaic, siliciclastic shallow and deep marine environments; carbonate platforms- types and facies models; sedimentation in major tectonic settings; principles of sequence stratigraphy-concepts, and factors controlling base level changes, parasequence, clinoform, systems tract, unconformity and sequence boundary. Section D. Paleontology Fossil record and geological time scale; modes of preservation of fossils and concept of taphonomy; body- and ichno-fossils, species concept, organic evolution, Ediacara Fauna; morphology and time range of Graptolites, Trilobites, Brachiopods, Lamellibranchs, Gastropods, Cephalopods, Echinoids and Corals; evolutionary trends in Trilobites, Lamellibranchs, Gastropods and Cephalopods; micropaleontology- methods of preparation of microfossils, morphology of microfossil groups (Foraminifera, Ostracoda), fossil spores, pollen and dinoflagellates; Gondwana plant fossils and their significance; vertebrate life through ages, evolution in Proboscidea, Equidae and Hominidae; applications of paleontological data in stratigraphy, paleoecology, and paleoclimatology; mass extinctions. Section E. Stratigraphy Principles of stratigraphy-code of stratigraphic nomenclature of India; lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, chronostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy; principles of stratigraphic correlation; characteristics of Archean granite-greenstone belts; Indian stratigraphy- geological evolution of Archean nucleii (Dharwar, Bastar, Singhbhum, Aravalli and Bundelkhand); Proterozoic mobile belts-Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt, Southern Granulite Terrain, Central Indian Tectonic Zone, Aravalli-Delhi Belt, North Singhbhum Mobile Belt; Proterozoic sedimentary basins (Cuddapah and Vindhyan); Phanerozoic stratigraphy- Paleozoic (Spiti, Kashmir and Kumaon), Mesozoic (Spiti, Kutch, Narmada Valley and Trichinopoly), Gondwana Supergroup, Cenozoic (Assam, Bengal basins, Garhwal-Shimla Himalayas); Siwaliks; boundary problems in Indian stratigraphy. Stage-II (Descriptive Type) Geology: Paper-II Section A. Mineralogy Symmetry, motif, Miller indices; concept of unit cell and Bravais lattices; 32 crystal classes; types of bonding, Pauling's rules and coordination polyhedra; crystal imperfections-defects, twinning and zoning; polymorphism, pseudomorphism, isomorphism and solid solution; physical properties of minerals; polarising microscope and accessory plate; optical properties of minerals- double refraction, polarisation, pleochroism, sign of elongation, interference figure and optic sign; structure, composition, physical and optical properties of major rock-forming minerals- olivine, garnet, aluminosilicates, pyroxene, amphibole, mica, feldspar, clay, silica and spinel group. Section B. Geochemistry and isotope geology Chemical composition and characteristics of atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere; geochemical cycles; meteorites-types and composition; Goldschmidt's classification of elements; fractionation of elements in minerals/rocks; Nernst's partition coefficient (compatible and incompatible elements), Nernst-Berthelot partition coefficient and bulk partition coefficient; Fick's laws of diffusion and activity composition relation (Roult's and Henry's law); application of trace elements in petrogenesis; principles of equilibrium and Rayleigh fractionation; REE patterns, Eh and pH diagrams and mineral stability. Half-life and decay equation; dating of minerals and rocks with potassium-argon, rubidium- strontium, uranium-lead and samarium-neodymium isotopes; petrogenetic implications of samarium-neodymium and rubidium-strontium systems; stable isotope geochemistry of carbon, oxygen and sulphur and their applications in geology; monazite chemical dating. Section C. Igneous petrology Viscosity, temperature and pressure relationships in magmas; IUGS classification of plutonic and volcanic rocks; nucleation and growth of minerals in magmatic rocks, development of igneous textures; magmatic evolution (differentiation, assimilation, mixing and mingling); types of mantle melting (batch, fractional and dynamic); binary (albite-anorthite, forsterite-silica and diopside-anorthite) and ternary (diopside-forsterite-silica, diopside-forsterite-anorthite and nepheline-kalsilite-silica) phase diagrams and relevance to magmatic crystallization; petrogenesis of granites, basalts, ophiolite suite, komatiites, syenites, boninites, anorthosites and layered complexes, and alkaline rocks (carbonatite, kimberlite, lamproite, lamprophyre); mantle metasomatism, hotspot magmatism and large igneous provinces of India. Section D. Metamorphic petrology Limits and physico-chemical controls (pressure, temperature, fluids and bulk rock composition) of metamorphism; concept of zones, facies, isograds and facies series, geothermal gradients and tectonics of orogenic belts; structures, micro-structures and textures of regional and contact metamorphic rocks; representation of metamorphic assemblages (ACF, AKF and AFM diagrams); equilibrium concept in thermodynamics; laws of thermodynamics, enthalpy, entropy, Gibb's free energy, chemical potential, fugacity and activity; tracing the chemical reactions in P-T space, phase rule and mineralogical phase rule in multi-component system; Claussius-Clapeyron equation and slopes of metamorphic reactions; heat flow, diffusion and mass transfer; Fourier's law of heat conduction; geothermobarometry; mass and energy change during fluid-rock interactions; charnockite problem, formation of skarns, progressive and retrogressive metamorphism of pelitic, calcareous and basic rocks; P-T-t path and tectonic setting. Section E. Geodynamics Phase transitions and seismic discontinuities in the Earth; seismic waves and relation between Vp, Vs and density; seismic and petrological Moho; rheology of rocks and fluids (Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids); rock magnetism and its origin; polarity reversals, polar wandering and supercontinent cycles; continental drift, sea floor spreading; gravity and magnetic anomalies of ocean floors and their significance; mantle plumes and their origin; plate tectonics- types of plate boundaries and their inter-relationship; heat flow and heat production of the crust. Stage-II (Descriptive Type) Geology: Paper-III Section A. Economic geology Ore minerals and industrial minerals; physical and optical properties of ore minerals; ore textures and paragenesis; characteristics of mineral deposits- spatial and temporal distribution, rock-ore association; syngenetic and epigenetic deposits, forms of ore bodies, stratiform and strata-bound deposits; ore forming processes- source and migration of ore constituents and ore fluid, mechanism of ore deposition; magmatic and pegmatitic deposits (chromite, Ti-magnetite, diamond, Cu-Ni sulphide, PGE, REE, muscovite, rare metals); hydrothermal deposits (porphyry Cu-Mo, greisen Sn-W, skarn, VMS and SEDEX type sulphide deposits, orogenic gold); sedimentary deposits (Fe, Mn, phosphorite, placer); supergene deposits (Cu, Al, Ni and Fe); metamorphic and metamorphosed deposits (Mn, graphite); fluid inclusions in ore mineral assemblage- physical and chemical properties, microthermometry; stable isotope (S, C, O, H) in ore genesis- geothermometry, source of ore constituents; global tectonics and mineralisation. Section B. Indian mineral deposits and mineral economics Distribution of mineral deposits in Indian shield; geological characteristics of important industrial mineral and ore deposits in India- chromite, diamond, muscovite, Cu-Pb-Zn, Sn-W, Au, Fe-Mn, bauxite; minerals used in refractory, fertilizer, ceramic, cement, glass, paint industries; minerals used as abrasive, filler; building stones. Strategic, critical and essential minerals; India's status in mineral production; co-products and by-products; consumption, substitution and conservation of minerals; National Mineral Policy ; Mineral Concession Rules; marine mineral resources and laws of the sea. Section C. Mineral exploration Stages of exploration; scope, objectives and methods of prospecting, regional exploration and detailed exploration; geological, geochemical and geobotanical methods; litho-, bio-, soil geochemical surveys, mobility and dispersion of elements, geochemical anomalies; ore controls and guides; pitting, trenching, drilling; sampling, assaying, ore reserve estimation; categorization of ore reserves; geophysical methods- ground and airborne surveys; gravity, magnetic, electrical and seismic methods of mineral exploration. Section D. Fuel geology and Engineering geology Coal and its properties; proximate and ultimate analysis; different varieties and ranks of coal; concept of coal maturity, peat, lignite, bituminous and anthracite coal; origin of coal, coalification process; lithotypes, microlithotypes and maceral groups of coal; mineral and organic matter in coal; lignite and coal deposits of India; origin, migration and entrapment of natural hydrocarbons; characteristics of source and reservoir rocks; structural, stratigraphic and mixed traps; geological, geochemical and geophysical methods of hydrocarbon exploration; petroliferous basins of India; geological characteristics and genesis of major types of U deposits and their distribution in India. . Engineering properties of rocks; geological investigations in construction of dams, reservoirs, tunnels, bridges, highways and coastal protection structures; geologic considerations of construction materials. Section E. Environmental geology and Natural hazards Stefan-Boltzmann equation and planetary temperature; cause and effects of global climate change; Earth's radiation budget; greenhouse gases and effect; examples of positive and negative feedback mechanisms; biogeochemical cycle of carbon; geological investigations of nuclear waste disposal sites; marginal marine environments- estuaries, mangroves and lagoons; ozone hole depletion, ocean acidification, coral bleaching, Milankovitch cycle, sea level rise, eutrophication and acid rain; environmental impacts of urbanization, mining and hydropower projects; water pollution, water logging and soil erosion; Himalayan glaciers; causes and consequences of earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunami, floods, landslides, coastal erosion, droughts and desertification; application of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) in environmental management. Stage-II (Descriptive Type) Hydrogeology Section A. Occurrence and distribution of groundwater Origin of water on Earth; global water cycle and budget; residence time concept, geologic formations as aquifers; confined and unconfined aquifers; groundwater table mapping and piezometric nests; porosity, void ratio, effective porosity and representative porosity range; primary and secondary porosities; groundwater zonation; specific retention, specific yield; groundwater basins; springs. Section B. Groundwater movement and well hydraulics Groundwater flow concepts; Darcy's Law in isotropic and anisotropic media and validity; water flow rates, direction and water volume in aquifers; permeability and hydraulic conductivity and ranges in representative rocks; Bernoulli equation; determination of hydraulic conductivity in field and laboratory; concept of groundwater flow through dispersion and diffusion; transmissivity and aquifer thickness. Section C. Water wells and groundwater levels Unidirectional and radial flow to a well (steady and unsteady); well flow near aquifer boundaries; methods for constructing shallow wells, drilling wells, well completion; testing wells, pumping test, slug tests for confined and unconfined aquifers; fluctuations in groundwater levels; stream flow and groundwater flows; groundwater level fluctuations; land subsidence; impact of global climate change on groundwater. Section D. Groundwater exploration Surface investigation of groundwater- geologic, remote sensing, electrical resistivity, seismic, gravity and magnetic methods; sub-surface investigation of groundwater- test drilling, resistivity logging, spontaneous potential logging, radiation logging. Section E. Groundwater quality and management Groundwater composition, units of expression, mass-balance calculations; rock-water interaction (chemical equilibrium, free energy, redox reactions and cation/anion exchanges), graphic representation of chemical data; groundwater hardness, microorganisms in groundwater; water quality standards; sea-water intrusion; groundwater issues due to urbanization; solid and liquid waste disposal and plume migration models; application of isotopes (H, C, O) in groundwater; concepts of artificial recharge methods; managing groundwater resources; groundwater basin investigations and management practices. For the post of Geophysicist / Scientist 'B' (Geophysics)/Assistant Geophysicist Stage-II (Descriptive Type) Geophysics : Paper-I PART-A A1. Solid Earth Geophysics: Introduction to Geophysics and its branches. Solar system: origin, characteristics of planets, Earth: rotation and figure, Geoid, Spheroid and topography. Plate tectonics and Geodynamic processes, Thermal history and heat flow, Temperature variation in the earth, convection currents. Gravity field of earth and Isostasy. Geomagnetism, elements of earth's magnetism: Internal and External fields and their causes, Paleomagnetism, Polar wandering paths, Continental drift, Seafloor spreading and its geophysical evidences. Elastic Waves, Body Waves and internal structure of earth, variation of physical properties in the interior of earth, Adam- Williamson's Equation. A2. Earthquake Seismology: Seismology, earthquakes, focal depth, epicenter, great Indian earthquakes, Intensity and Magnitude scales, Energy of earthquakes, foreshocks, aftershocks, Elastic rebound theory, Types and Nature of faulting, Fault plane solutions, Seismicity and Seismotectonics of India, Frequency-Magnitude relation (b-values). Bulk and rigidity modulus, Lame's Parameter, Seismic waves: types and their propagation characteristics, absorption, attenuation and dispersion. Seismic ray theory for spherically and horizontally stratified earth, basic principles of Seismic Tomography and receiver function analysis, Velocity structure, Vp/Vs studies, Seismic network and arrays, telemetry systems, Principle of electromagnetic seismograph, displacement meters, velocity meters, accelerometers, Broadband Seismometer, WWSSN stations, seismic arrays for detection of nuclear explosions. Earthquake prediction; dilatancy theory, short-, medium- and long-term predictions, Seismic microzonations, Applications for engineering problems. A3. Mathematical methods in Geophysics: Elements of vector analysis, Gradient, Divergence and Curl, Gauss's divergence theorem, Stoke's theorem, Gravitational field, Newton's Law of gravitation, Gravitation potential and fields due to bodies of different geometric shapes, Coulomb's law, Electrical permittivity and dielectric constant, Origin of Magnetic field, Ampere's law, Biot and Savart's law, Geomagnetic fields, Magnetic fields due to different type of structures, Solution of Laplace equation in Cartesian, Cylindrical and Spherical Coordinates, Image theory, Electrical fields due to charge, point source, continuous charge distribution and double layers, equipotential and line of force. Current and potential in the earth, basic concept and equations of electromagnetic induction, Maxwell's Equation, near and far fields, Attenuation of EM waves, EM field of a loops of wire on half space and multi-layered media. A4. Geophysical Inversion: Fundamental concepts of inverse theory, Definition and its application to Geophysics. Probability, Inversion with discrete and continuous models. Forward problems versus Inverse problems, direct and model based inversions, Formulation of inverse problems, classification of inverse problems, least square solutions and minimum norm solution, concept of norms, Jacobian matrix, Condition number, Stability, non-uniqueness and resolution of inverse problems, concept of 'a priori information, constrained linear least squares inversion, review of matrix theory. Models and data spaces, data resolution matrix, model resolution matrix, Eigen values and Eigen vectors, singular value decomposition (SVD), Gauss Newton method, steepest descent (gradient) method, Marquardt-Levenberg method. Probabilistic approach of inverse problems, maximum likelihood and stochastic inverse methods, Random search inversion (Monte-Carlo) Backus-Gilbert method, Bayesian Theorem and Inversion. Global optimization techniques: genetic algorithm and simulated annealing methods. PART-B: B1. Mathematical Methods of Physics: Dimensional analysis; Units and measurement; Vector algebra and vector calculus; Linear algebra, Matrices: Eigenvalues and eigenvectors; Linear ordinary differential equations of first and second order; Special functions (Hermite, Bessel, Laguerre and Legendre); Fourier series, Fourier and Laplace transforms; Elementary probability theory, Random variables, Binomial, Poisson and normal distributions; Green's function; Partial differential equations (Laplace, wave and heat equations in two and three dimensions); Elements of numerical techniques: root of functions, interpolation, and extrapolation, integration by trapezoid and Simpson's rule, solution of first order differential equation using Runge-Kutta method; Tensors; Complex variables and analysis; Analytic functions; Taylor & Laurent series; poles, residues and evaluation of integrals; Beta and Gamma functions. Operators and their properties; Least- squares fitting. B2. Electrodynamics: Electrostatics: Gauss' Law and its applications; Laplace and Poisson equations, Boundary value problems; Magnetostatics: Biot-Savart law, Ampere's theorem; Ampere's circuital law; Magnetic vector potential; Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction; Electromagnetic vector and scalar potentials; Uniqueness of electromagnetic potentials and concept of gauge: Lorentz and Coulomb gauges; Lorentz force; Charged particles in uniform and non-uniform electric and magnetic fields; Poynting theorem; Electromagnetic fields from Lienard-Wiechert potential of a moving charge; Bremsstrahlung radiation; Cerenkov radiation; Radiation due to oscillatory electric dipole; Condition for plasma existence; Occurrence of plasma; Magnetohydrodynamics; Plasma waves; Transformation of electromagnetic potentials; Lorentz condition; Invariance or covariance of Maxwell field equations in terms of 4 vectors; Electromagnetic field tensor; Lorentz transformation of electric and magnetic fields. B3. Electromagnetic Theory: Maxwell's equations: its differential and integral forms, physical significance; Displacement current; Boundary conditions; Wave equation, Plane electromagnetic waves in: free space, non- conducting isotropic medium, conducting medium; Scalar and vector potentials; Reflection; refraction of electromagnetic waves; Fresnel's Law; interference; coherence; diffraction and polarization; Lorentz invariance of Maxwell's equations; Transmission lines and waveguides. B4. Introductory Atmospheric and Space Physics: The neutral atmosphere; Atmospheric nomenclature; Height profile of atmosphere; Hydrostatic equation; Geopotential height; Expansion and contraction; Fundamental forces in the atmosphere; Apparent forces; Atmospheric composition; Solar radiation interaction with the neutral atmosphere; Climate change; Electromagnetic radiation and propagation of Waves: EM Radiation; Effects of environment; Antennas: basic considerations, types. Propagation of waves: ground wave, sky wave, and space wave propagation; troposcatter communication and extra terrestrial communication; The Ionosphere; Morphology of ionosphere: the D, E and F- regions; Chemistry of the ionosphere Ionospheric parameters E and F region anomalies and irregularities in the ionosphere; Global Positioning Systems (GPS): overview of GPS system, augmentation services GPS system segment; GPS signal characteristics; GPS errors; multi path effects; GPS performance; Satellite navigation system and applications. Stage-II (Descriptive Type) Geophysics : Paper-II PART-A A1. Potential Field (Gravity and Magnetic) Methods: Geophysical potential fields, Inverse square law, Principles of Gravity and Magnetic methods, Global gravity anomalies, Newtonian and logarithmic potential, Laplace's equations for potential field. Green's Function, Concept of gravity anomaly, Rock densities, factors controlling rock densities, determination of density, Earth's main magnetic field, origin, diurnal and secular variations of the field, Geomagnetic elements, intensity of magnetization and induction, magnetic potential and its relation to field, units of measurement, interrelationship between different components of magnetic fields, Poisson's relation, Magnetic susceptibility, factors controlling susceptibility. Magnetic Mineralogy: Hysteresis, rock magnetism, natural, and remnant magnetization, demagnetization effects. Principles of Gravity and Magnetic instruments, Plan of conducting gravity and magnetic surveys, Gravity and Magnetic data reduction, Gravity bases, International Gravity formula, IGRF corrections. Concept of regional and residual anomalies and various methods of their separation, Edge Enhancement Techniques (Derivatives, Continuation, Analytical Signal, Reduced to Pole and Euler Deconvolution), ambiguity in