The Union Public Service Commission has released its notification for the recruitment of 127 Geo Scientists. Candidates can now download the official notification PDF. The online application process is live, and interested and eligible candidates should apply before the last date, which is 22 September 2026.
UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Recruitment 2026-27
A total of 127 tentative vacancies have been announced in the Geological Survey of India, Ministry of Mines, and the Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Jal Shakti. The selection process comprises a preliminary exam, a main exam, and an interview. The prelims exam has been scheduled for 10 January 2027, and the Main examination for 19 and 20 June 2027.
UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Recruitment 2027 Notification PDF Download
Key Updates and Highlights
| Exam Name |
UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 |
| Conducting Body |
Union Public Service Commission |
| Notification Date | 09/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 127 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 2 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 22 September 2026 |
| Preliminary Exam | 10 January 2027 |
| Main Exam | |
| Selection Process |
Preliminary, Main, Personality Test/Interview |
| Application Fee | ₹200 |
| Fee Exemption |
Female, SC, ST and eligible PwBD candidates |
| Official Portal | www.upsc.gov.in |
127 Vacancies: Category I and Category II
The vacancy distribution has been done as per the posts available under two categories, Geological Survey of India and Central Ground Water Board.
Category I: Geological Survey of India
| Post | Group | Vacancies |
| Geologist | A | 29 |
| Geophysicist | A | 0 |
| Chemist | A | 7 |
| Assistant Geologist | B | 34 |
| Assistant Geophysicist | B | 35 |
| Assistant Chemist | B | 6 |
| Total | 111 | |
Category II: Central Ground Water Board
| Post | Group | Vacancies |
| 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 | |
UPSC Geo Scientist Eligibility 2027
There are certain criteria that a candidate must meet to be eligible for the various posts under this recruitment. These criteria include age limit, educational qualifications, and nationality. This is what to look for:
1. Age Limit
For the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027, a candidate must have attained 21 years and must not have attained 32 years as on 1 January 2027. Therefore, the candidate must have been born earlier than 2 January 1995 and not later than 1 January 2006.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| Government Servants (in eligible departments) | 5 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) | 10 years |
| Defence Personnel Disabled in Operations | 3 years |
2. Educational Qualifications
The required qualification varies according to the post applied for. These are:
| Posts | |
| Geologist (Group A)/Assistant Geologist (Group B) |
Master’s in Geological Science, Geology, Applied Geology, Mineral Exploration, Marine Geology, Earth Science, Petroleum Geosciences or Geochemistry |
| Geophysicist (Group A)/Assistant Geophysicist (Group B)/Scientist ‘B’ Geophysics |
M.Sc. in Physics, Applied Physics, Geophysics, Exploration/Applied/Marine Geophysics |
| Chemist (Group A)/Assistant Chemist (Group B)/Scientist ‘B’ Chemical |
M.Sc. in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry |
| Scientist ‘B’ Hydrogeology (Group A)/Assistant Hydrogeologist (Group B) |
Master’s in Geology, Applied Geology, Marine Geology or Hydrogeology |
3. Nationality
A candidate must be a citizen of India. Other candidates from specific backgrounds may also apply as per the Government of India’s certificate requirements.
Direct Link to Apply Online
Candidates who are interested in the recruitment of 127 Geo Scientist posts and are eligible as well, can apply online on the official website at www.upsconline.nic.in. For the convenience of the candidates, we have provided the direct link to apply below:
UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Recruitment 2027 Apply Online Link (ACTIVE)
How to Apply for this Recruitment?
These simple steps can be followed to successfully apply for the UPSC Combined Geo Scientist recruitment:
- Visit upsconline.nic.in and complete Account Creation if you’re a first-time applicant.
- Generate your Universal Registration Number (URN), which can be used for all UPSC exams later.
- Fill the Common Application Form (CAF): upload photograph, capture a live photo, and upload your signature
- (signed three times in black ink on plain white paper).
- Open the Examination Specific Module for “Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027” and select your Stream (Geology/Hydrogeology, Geophysics, or Chemistry).
- Choose your preferred Preliminary exam centres and pay the ₹200 fee (if applicable).
- Preview, verify every field, and submit
- Download and keep the confirmation slip along with your URN and Application Number.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
| General/OBC/EWS | ₹200 |
| Female/SC/ST/PwBD | Nil |
UPSC Geo Scientist 2027 Selection Process
The selection process comprises three stages:
- Stage I → Preliminary Examination
- Stage II → Main Examination
- Stage III → Personality Test/Interview
Stage I: Preliminary Examination
This stage of the examination consists of two objective based papers, with negative marking of 1/3rd applicable for each incorrect attempt.
| Stream | Paper | Duration | Marks |
| Geology/Hydrogeology | General Studies | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Geology/Hydrogeology | 2 Hours | 300 | |
| Total | 400 | ||
| Geophysics | General Studies | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Geophysics | 2 Hours | 300 | |
| Total | 400 | ||
| Chemistry | General Studies | 2 Hours | 100 |
| Chemistry | 2 Hours | 300 | |
| Total | 400 | ||
Stage II: Main Examination
Candidates who qualify the Prelims proceed to the Main examination. It is a descriptive exam, where each paper is of 3 hours and 200 marks.
| Stream | Paper I | Paper II | Paper III | Total |
| Geology/Hydrogeology | Geology – 200 | Geology – 200 | Hydrogeology – 200 | 600 |
| Geophysics | Geophysics – 200 | Geophysics – 200 | Geophysics – 200 | 600 |
| Chemistry | Chemistry – 200 | Chemistry – 200 | Chemistry – 200 | 600 |
Stage III: Personality Test/Interview
After the Main examination, qualifying candidates will appear for the last stage of the selection process, which is the Interview round. This test is of 200 marks. Candidates are assessed for their suitability for the role they have applied for, with emphasis on qualities such as leadership skills, intellectual curiosity, subject knowledge, practical application, etc.