The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the notification for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, 2027 under Examination Notice No. 01/2027-GEOL, inviting online applications for 127 posts in the Geological Survey of India (Ministry of Mines) and the Central Ground Water Board (Ministry of Jal Shakti). Candidates holding a Master’s degree in Geology, Geophysics, Chemistry, Hydrogeology or an allied discipline can apply online at upsconline.nic.in from 02.09.2026 to 22.09.2026 (till 18:00 Hrs). The Preliminary Examination will be held on 10.01.2027 and the Main Examination on 19.06.2027 and 20.06.2027.
127 (Category-I GSI: 111; Category-II CGWB: 16 — includes 10 posts reserved for PwBD; category-wise SC/ST/OBC/EWS breakup not stated in the notification)
Qualification
Master’s degree (or Integrated Master’s, where specified) in Geology, Applied Geology, Geophysics, Applied Physics, Chemistry, Hydrogeology or an allied discipline from a recognised University
02.09.2026 to 22.09.2026 (10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, working days)
Age Reference Date (as on)
01.01.2027
Preliminary (Stage-I) Examination Date
10.01.2027
Main (Stage-II) Examination Dates
19.06.2027 and 20.06.2027
e-Admit Card Release
Last working day of the preceding week of the exam date
Application Fee
Category
Fee
General / OBC / EWS (Male)
Rs. 200/-
All Female Candidates
Nil (exempted)
Scheduled Caste (SC)
Nil (exempted)
Scheduled Tribe (ST)
Nil (exempted)
Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD)
Nil (exempted)
Mode of Payment
Net banking of any bank, or Visa / Master / RuPay Credit or Debit Card, or UPI
Note: No fee exemption is available to OBC and EWS candidates — they must pay the full prescribed fee. Fee once paid is not refunded under any circumstances, and applications submitted without the prescribed fee (unless remission is claimed) are summarily rejected. A single fee covers both Category-I and Category-II posts.
Vacancy Details
Category-I: Geological Survey of India (Ministry of Mines) — 111 Posts
Category-II: Central Ground Water Board (Ministry of Jal Shakti) — 16 Posts
Post Name
Group
Vacancies
Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology)
Group A
05
Scientist ‘B’ (Chemical)
Group A
01
Scientist ‘B’ (Geophysics)
Group A
01
Assistant Hydrogeologist
Group B
07
Assistant Chemist
Group B
01
Assistant Geophysicist
Group B
01
Total (Category-II)
—
16
PwBD reservation in Category-II (02 vacancies): 01 Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology) [HH] and 01 Assistant Hydrogeologist [LDCP]. The notification states that reservation for SC, ST, OBC and EWS candidates will be made as may be fixed by the Government, and that the number of vacancies is liable to alteration. Appointments will be made on a temporary basis in the first instance.
Eligibility Criteria
Criterion
Detail
Nationality
Citizen of India; or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan; or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 01.01.1962; or a person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India. Categories other than Indian citizens need an eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India.
Educational Qualification
Master’s degree (or Integrated Master’s degree, where specified) in the discipline prescribed for the post — see the post-wise qualification table below. A candidate awaiting the result of a qualifying examination may also apply provisionally.
Age Limit
21 to 32 years as on 01.01.2027 — candidates must have been born not earlier than 02.01.1995 and not later than 01.01.2006. Check your age eligibility →
Physical Standards
Candidates must be physically fit as per the standards in Appendix-II of the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination Rules, 2027 (Gazette of India dated 02.09.2026).
Stream Restriction
A candidate may apply for posts under one Stream / Discipline only — either (i) Geophysics, or (ii) Geology or Hydrogeology.
Application Restriction
A candidate may apply for one or both categories (GSI and CGWB) but must fill only one application and pay the fee once. No withdrawal, correction, alteration or modification is allowed after submission.
Post-wise Educational Qualification
Post
Minimum Educational Qualification
Geologist Group A (GSI)
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 recognised University.
Geophysicist Group A (GSI) and Scientist ‘B’ (Geophysics) Group A (CGWB)
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 recognised University.
Chemist Group A (GSI) and Scientist ‘B’ (Chemical) Group A (CGWB)
M.Sc. in Chemistry or Applied Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry from a recognised University.
Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology) Group A and Assistant Hydrogeologist Group B (CGWB)
Master’s degree in Geology or Applied Geology or Marine Geology or Hydrogeology from a recognised University.
Assistant Geologist Group B (GSI)
Master’s degree or Integrated Master’s degree in Geology or Applied Geology or Mineral Exploration or Marine Geology or Earth Science from a recognised University or Institute.
Assistant Geophysicist Group B (GSI and CGWB)
M.Sc. or M.Sc. (Tech.) or Integrated M.Sc. in Geophysics or Exploration Geophysics or Applied Geophysics or Geo-Exploration or Marine Geophysics or Physics or Applied Physics or Applied Geology from a recognised University or Institute.
Assistant Chemist Group B (GSI and CGWB)
M.Sc. or Integrated M.Sc. 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 recognised University or Institute.
Age Relaxation (Upper Age Limit)
Category
Relaxation
Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST)
Up to 5 years
Other Backward Classes (OBC), eligible to avail reservation
Up to 3 years
Government servants already employed in GSI or CGWB, applying for the corresponding post
Up to 5 years
Defence Services Personnel disabled in operations during hostilities and released as a consequence
Up to 3 years
Ex-Servicemen, including Commissioned Officers and ECOs/SSCOs with at least 5 years Military Service as on 01.01.2027
Up to 5 years
ECOs/SSCOs who have completed an initial 5-year assignment as on 01.01.2027 and whose assignment has been extended
Up to 5 years
Blind, deaf-mute and orthopaedically handicapped persons; and persons with benchmark disabilities under clauses (a) to (e) of the Rules
Up to 10 years
Note: SC, ST and OBC candidates who are also Ex-Servicemen or Persons with Benchmark Disabilities are eligible for cumulative age relaxation under both categories.
Not sure whether you are within the age limit?
Enter your date of birth, the 01.01.2027 cut-off date and your category relaxation to see instantly whether you fall inside the 21 to 32 year band for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, 2027.
Objective type (multiple choice), answered on an OMR sheet in black ball pen only, held on 10.01.2027. Two papers per stream: Paper-I General Studies (2 hours, 100 marks) and Paper-II stream-specific — Geology/Hydrogeology, Geophysics or Chemistry (2 hours, 300 marks). Question papers are set in English only. Negative marking: one-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer; unattempted questions carry no penalty. Calculators are not permitted. Qualifying for Stage-II based on minimum qualifying marks in both Paper-I and Paper-II, with about six to seven times the number of vacancies shortlisted. Marks obtained here count towards the final merit. Held at 21 centres.
Stage-II: Main Examination (600 Marks)
Conventional (descriptive) type, held on 19.06.2027 and 20.06.2027. Three papers per stream of 200 marks and 3 hours each — Geology (Streams I), Geophysics (Stream II), Chemistry (Stream III), or Geology + Geology + Hydrogeology (Stream IV, CGWB Hydrogeology posts). Papers must be written in English only. Non-programmable pocket calculators are allowed. Failing to appear in even one paper means the whole Main Examination candidature is rejected. Marks count towards the final merit. Held at 9 centres.
Stage-III: Personality Test / Interview (200 Marks)
Interview for candidates who qualify Stage-II. Verification of eligibility conditions against original documents is carried out only at this stage. Marks count towards the final merit.
Total
1,200 marks (400 + 600 + 200). Final selection and allocation to GSI or CGWB posts is strictly as per merit position in each category, the preferences given by the candidate and the number of vacancies in each category.
Note: Centres are allotted on a “first-apply-first-allot” basis and are frozen once capacity is reached, except at Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata and Ahmedabad where there is no ceiling. Applying early improves your chance of getting the centre of your choice.
Salary and Benefits
The Examination Notice does not state the pay scale, pay level or allowances for any of the 127 posts, so no salary figures are published here. Candidates should refer to the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination Rules, 2027 published in the Gazette of India dated 02.09.2026 and the recruitment rules of the Geological Survey of India and the Central Ground Water Board for the applicable pay structure.
How to Apply
Visit the UPSC Online Application Portal at upsconline.nic.in and create your account, then complete the Universal Registration (URN) module — the URN is registered only once in a lifetime and is common to all UPSC examinations.
Fill the Common Application Form (CAF), upload your photograph and capture your live photograph, and upload your signature — sign three times, one below the other, on plain white paper using black ink, then scan and upload it.
Open the Examination Specific Module for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, 2027, choose your Stream / Discipline (Geophysics OR Geology/Hydrogeology), indicate your order of service preference, and select your examination centre.
Pay the fee of Rs. 200/- through net banking, Visa / Master / RuPay Credit or Debit Card, or UPI. Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempted and can skip this step.
Submit the application on or before 22.09.2026, 18:00 Hrs, after which the link is disabled, and save a printout or soft copy for your records.
Note: Applications are accepted online only at upsconline.nic.in — no other mode of submission is allowed. Applications cannot be withdrawn, and no correction, alteration or modification in any field is permitted after submission. Incomplete or defective applications are summarily rejected. Candidates need not send any hard copy of the application to the Commission. Helpline: 011-24041001 / 011-40303444, email upscsoap[at]nic[dot]in, 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on working days.
Photograph or signature rejected by the upload form?
The UPSC Common Application Form rejects photographs and signatures that are the wrong dimensions or file size. Resize your scanned photo and your three-line signature to the exact pixel and KB size the portal will accept, in seconds, before you start filling the form.
Scanned photograph uploaded in the Common Application Form, plus a live photograph captured during form filling. Both must be clear and must match, as per “Instructions and FAQs > Instruction for filling the form > Photos and Signature” on the portal. Resize your photo and signature →
Signature
Sign three times, one below the other, on plain white paper using black ink; scan and upload. Must be clear and legible.
Certificate of Age
Scanned copy. Date of birth as recorded in the Matriculation / Higher Secondary Examination Certificate only — horoscopes, affidavits, municipal birth extracts and service records are not accepted.
Certificate of Educational Qualification
Scanned copy of the Master’s degree / mark sheets. Originals are produced at the Personality Test / Interview stage.
SC / ST / OBC / EWS Certificate
Scanned copy where applicable. OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) certificate based on income for FY 2025-26, 2024-25 and 2023-24, issued on or after 01.04.2026 but not later than 22.09.2026. EWS Income and Asset Certificate based on FY 2025-26 income, issued on or after 01.04.2026 but not later than 22.09.2026.
Certified copy of the disability certificate from a Government Hospital / Medical Board, required with the CAF for anyone claiming PwBD age relaxation or fee concession.
Photo ID Proof
Details of one photo ID — Aadhaar Card, Voter Card (EPIC), PAN Card, Passport, Driving Licence or any other Government-issued photo ID. Aadhaar is strongly advised. Carry this ID to the examination.
Scribe Certificate (if applicable)
Certificate from the Chief Medical Officer / Civil Surgeon / Medical Superintendent of a Government healthcare institution as per the proforma at Appendix-IV or Appendix-VI, for candidates seeking a scribe or compensatory time.
Do not rush the submit button — applications cannot be withdrawn and no correction, alteration or modification in any field is allowed once submitted.
Do not wait until the last week to choose your centre — centres are allotted on a “first-apply-first-allot” basis and freeze once full, except Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata and Ahmedabad.
Do not apply under more than one Stream / Discipline — you are permitted only one, either Geophysics or Geology/Hydrogeology, so pick the one that matches your degree.
Do not use pencil, ink pen or any colour other than black ball pen in the OMR sheet — mistakes in encoding the Roll Number or Test Booklet Series Code can render the answer sheet liable for rejection.
Do not assume you are fee-exempt because you belong to a reserved category — OBC and EWS candidates must pay the full Rs. 200, and the fee is never refunded.
Do not skip any Stage-II paper — failing to appear in even one Main Examination paper gets your entire Main Examination candidature rejected and none of your scripts evaluated.
Do not carry a mobile phone, smart watch, Bluetooth device or any electronic item to the venue, even switched off, and reach early — entry closes 30 minutes before the exam starts and face authentication is mandatory.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the last date to apply for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027? Online applications can be submitted at upsconline.nic.in up to 22.09.2026 till 18:00 Hrs, after which the link is disabled.
2. How many vacancies are there in UPSC CGSE 2027? There are 127 tentative vacancies — 111 in the Geological Survey of India and 16 in the Central Ground Water Board.
3. What qualification is required to apply? A Master’s degree (or Integrated Master’s degree, where specified) in the discipline prescribed for the post — Geology, Applied Geology, Geophysics, Applied Physics, Chemistry, Hydrogeology or an allied subject — from a recognised University.
4. What is the age limit for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027? Candidates must be between 21 and 32 years as on 01.01.2027, that is born not earlier than 02.01.1995 and not later than 01.01.2006, with relaxation of up to 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC and 10 years for persons with benchmark disabilities.
5. What is the application fee? The fee is Rs. 200/-, payable by net banking, Visa/Master/RuPay Credit or Debit Card or UPI; all female candidates and all SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempted, while OBC and EWS candidates must pay the full fee.
6. When will the Preliminary and Main Examinations be held? The Preliminary (Stage-I) Examination will be held on 10.01.2027 and the Main (Stage-II) Examination on 19.06.2027 and 20.06.2027.
7. Is there negative marking in the Preliminary Examination? Yes — one-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for every wrong answer in the objective type papers, while questions left blank carry no penalty.
8. Can I apply for both GSI and CGWB posts with a single application? Yes — a candidate applying for both Category-I and Category-II posts needs to fill only one application and pay the fee once, provided both fall within the same Stream / Discipline.
Disclaimer: The information above has been compiled from the official notification for the convenience of job seekers. Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official website before applying.
