The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the notification for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027, inviting online applications for 127 posts under the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). This is one of the more specialised exams UPSC conducts each year, open to candidates with a postgraduate qualification in earth sciences, and it belongs among the latest job openings worth tracking if you hold a relevant Master's degree. Here is a full break-up of the vacancy, eligibility, exam pattern and how to apply, based on UPSC's own notification.
UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027: 127 Posts, Apply Online
UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 Vacancy Details
Category I: Geological Survey of India (111 posts)
| Post | Group | No. of posts |
|---|---|---|
| Geologist | A | 29 |
| Chemist | A | 7 |
| Assistant Geologist | B | 34 |
| Assistant Geophysicist | B | 35 |
| Assistant Chemist | B | 6 |
| Total | 111 |
Category II: Central Ground Water Board (16 posts)
| Post | Group | No. of posts |
|---|---|---|
| Scientist 'B' (Hydrogeology) | A | 5 |
| Scientist 'B' (Chemical) | A | 1 |
| Scientist 'B' (Geophysics) | A | 1 |
| Assistant Hydrogeologist | B | 7 |
| Assistant Chemist | B | 1 |
| Assistant Geophysicist | B | 1 |
| Total | 16 |
That is 127 posts in total across the two organisations, covering Geology, Geophysics, Chemistry and Hydrogeology specialisations.
Eligibility Criteria
You need a Master's degree in the relevant stream for the post you are applying for — Geology, Geophysics, Chemistry or Hydrogeology, depending on the vacancy. Read the official notification carefully, since the exact qualifying subject combination differs by post and by organisation.
Age Limit
You should be between 21 and 32 years of age as on 1 January 2027, meaning you must be born between 2 January 1995 and 1 January 2006. Age relaxation applies as per UPSC norms: 3 years for OBC candidates, 5 years for SC/ST candidates, and 10 years for PWD candidates. If you are unsure whether you fall within the eligible band, our age calculator works it out from your date of birth in seconds.
Application Fee
- General/OBC/EWS male candidates: Rs. 200
- Female/SC/ST/PWD candidates: No fee
The fee can be paid online through credit card, debit card, UPI or internet banking.
Selection Process
UPSC selects Geo-Scientist candidates through a three-stage examination:
| Stage | Type | Maximum marks |
|---|---|---|
| Stage I: Preliminary Examination | Objective type (2 papers) | 400 |
| Stage II: Main Examination | Descriptive type (3 papers) | 600 |
| Stage III: Personality Test / Interview | — | 200 |
The Preliminary Examination, scheduled for 10 January 2027, is split by stream:
| Stream | Paper I: General Studies | Paper II (stream-specific) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stream I (Geology/Hydrogeology) | 100 marks (2 hrs) | Geology/Hydrogeology — 300 marks (2 hrs) | 400 |
| Stream II (Geophysics) | 100 marks (2 hrs) | Geophysics — 300 marks (2 hrs) | 400 |
| Stream III (Chemistry) | 100 marks (2 hrs) | Chemistry — 300 marks (2 hrs) | 400 |
Candidates who clear the Preliminary Examination sit the Main Examination, scheduled for 19-20 June 2027:
| Stream | Paper I | Paper II | Paper III |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geology/Hydrogeology | Geology — 200 | Geology — 200 | Hydrogeology — 200 |
| Geophysics | Geophysics — 200 | Geophysics — 200 | Geophysics — 200 |
| Chemistry | Chemistry — 200 | Chemistry — 200 | Chemistry — 200 |
Only candidates who clear the Main Examination are called for the Personality Test / Interview, worth 200 marks with no separate qualifying cutoff — the usual UPSC pattern for a combined examination of this kind. The number of candidates called for interview is typically about twice the number of vacancies to be filled.
How to Apply for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027
Applications must be submitted online only, through the official UPSC application portal. The application window opened on 2 September 2026 and closes on 22 September 2026.
- Visit the official UPSC online application portal linked below.
- Register with a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in your personal, educational and category details exactly as they appear in your certificates.
- Upload your photograph and signature in the specified format and size — if your scanned files are too large for the portal, our image compressor can bring them under the limit without losing clarity.
- Pay the applicable fee online, if your category is not exempted.
- Review the form carefully, submit it, and download a copy for your records.
Read the full official notification before you start — this examination covers five distinct posts across two organisations, and the qualifying degree, age limit and post preference options differ enough between them that a quick skim is not sufficient.
Important Dates
| Last Date to Apply | |
|---|---|
| Start Date to Apply | |
| Preliminary Examination | |
| Main Examination | 19th & 20th June 2027 |
Important Links
| Online Application | Click Here to open Online Application |
|---|---|
| Official Notification | Click Here to open Official Notification |
| Official Website | Click Here to open Official Website |
FAQs
How many posts are open in UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027?
UPSC has notified 127 posts in total: 111 under the Geological Survey of India and 16 under the Central Ground Water Board.
What is the qualification for the Geo-Scientist posts?
A Master's degree in Geology, Geophysics, Chemistry or Hydrogeology, depending on the specific post you are applying for.
What is the age limit for this examination?
Candidates must be between 21 and 32 years of age as on 1 January 2027, with age relaxation for OBC, SC/ST and PWD candidates.
What is the last date to apply for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027?
The online application window opened on 2 September 2026 and closes on 22 September 2026.
What is the selection process for this examination?
A three-stage process: a Preliminary Examination of 400 marks, a Main Examination of 600 marks, and a Personality Test / Interview of 200 marks.
How can I apply for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027?
Applications are accepted online only, through the official UPSC application portal. There is no offline application mode.
For more UPSC and government job notices from Assam, check the latest job openings on AssamJobDesk, or browse ongoing recruitment updates, admit cards and results as they are published.