UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 – 127 Posts

UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 – 127 Posts

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has invited online applications for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, 2027, for recruitment to Geologist, Geophysicist, Chemist, Hydrogeologist and Assistant-level posts in the Geological Survey of India and Central Ground Water Board. This article covers the vacancy details, eligibility, examination schedule and how to apply.

UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 – Overview

Category-I: Vacancies in Geological Survey of India (Ministry of Mines)

Note: Of these, 08 vacancies are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability – 1 Geologist [OH(OA/OL)], 1 Chemist [HH], 2 Assistant Geologist [1-OH(OA/OL), 1-HH], 3 Assistant Geophysicist [HH], and 1 Assistant Chemist [HH].

Category-II: Vacancies in Central Ground Water Board (Ministry of Jal Shakti)

Note: Of these, 02 vacancies are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability – 1 Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology) [HH], and 1 Assistant Hydrogeologist [LDCP]. The above vacancy numbers are provisional and liable to alteration.

Educational Qualification

Age Limit

Candidates must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 years, on 1st January 2027 (i.e. born not earlier than 2 January 1995 and not later than 1 January 2006). Age relaxation of up to 5 years applies for Government servants employed in Geological Survey of India or Central Ground Water Board applying for the corresponding post, plus further relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen categories as per extant rules.

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Application Fee

Rs. 200/- (Rupees Two Hundred only). Fee exemption applies to SC/ST/PwBD/Female candidates as per UPSC norms.

Selection Process

1. Preliminary Examination: 10 January 2027 (Objective type).
2. Main Examination: 19 & 20 June 2027, for candidates qualifying the Preliminary Examination.
3. Candidates clearing the Main Examination are called for Interview/Personality Test.

How to Apply

1. Visit the UPSC Online Application Portal, https://upsconline.nic.in.
2. Complete Account creation, Universal Registration (URN generation), and the Common Application Form (CAF) – these are common modules valid for all UPSC examinations.
3. Fill the examination-specific module for Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027, including fee payment and choice of examination centre.
4. Upload photograph (with live photo capture), signature, and other required documents as per instructions.
5. Submit the application on or before 22 September 2026.

Important Terms and Conditions

• Admission at all stages of the examination is purely provisional, subject to satisfying prescribed eligibility conditions; verification of eligibility with reference to original documents is taken up only after a candidate qualifies for Interview/Personality Test.
• Applicants are strongly advised to use their Aadhaar Card as an ID document for verification.
• The Universal Registration Number (URN) has to be registered only once in a lifetime and remains common across all UPSC examinations.
• Appointments will be made on a temporary basis in the first instance.
• The number of vacancies is provisional and may be altered.

About This Recruitment

UPSC’s Combined Geo-Scientist Examination is the primary national route into Group A and Group B geoscience positions in the Geological Survey of India and Central Ground Water Board, two of India’s foremost geological and hydrogeological research and survey organizations. With 127 total vacancies this cycle, spanning Geologist, Geophysicist, Chemist and Hydrogeologist specializations at both Officer (Group A) and Assistant (Group B) levels, this examination offers Master’s-qualified candidates in Earth Sciences, Geology, Physics, Chemistry and allied disciplines a well-established, prestigious pathway into central government scientific service.

Why Assistant Geophysicist Has the Most Vacancies

Assistant Geophysicist, Group B, carries the highest vacancy count this cycle with 35 posts in GSI alone (plus 1 more in CGWB), followed closely by Assistant Geologist at 34 posts, together accounting for over half of the total GSI vacancies. Candidates with a Physics, Applied Physics or Geophysics postgraduate background should note this concentration of opportunities, while also recognizing that Geophysicist Group A (the senior officer-level geophysics post) shows zero vacancies this cycle, meaning direct entry at the senior officer level in this specific specialization is not available in the current recruitment round.

Understanding the Long Examination Timeline

Candidates should note the unusually long gap between this examination cycle’s stages, with the Preliminary Examination in January 2027 followed by the Main Examination as far out as June 2027, giving serious aspirants a genuinely substantial preparation runway compared to many other competitive government examinations. This extended timeline reflects the specialized, technically demanding nature of the Geo-Scientist syllabus, which requires deep subject mastery across geology, geophysics, chemistry or hydrogeology depending on the specific post applied for, rather than a general aptitude-focused test.

Choosing Between GSI and CGWB Postings

Candidates eligible for both Category-I (GSI) and Category-II (CGWB) posts in their discipline should weigh the substantially different vacancy volumes, GSI offers 111 posts against CGWB’s 16, when deciding where to focus their preparation and application choices, since a single candidate can apply to multiple categories and posts but must pay separate considerations for merit ranking in each. GSI’s broader mandate covering mineral exploration and geological mapping differs meaningfully in day-to-day work profile from CGWB’s groundwater-focused mission, so candidates should also consider which agency’s core work better aligns with their specific academic training and career interests.

A Note on the Common Application Portal

Since UPSC’s Online Application Portal now uses a Universal Registration Number (URN) system common across all its examinations, candidates who have previously applied for any other UPSC examination, such as Civil Services or Engineering Services, will already have a URN and need only complete the examination-specific module for this Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027. First-time applicants should complete Account creation, Universal Registration and the Common Application Form well before attempting the examination-specific module, since these foundational steps can be completed at any time but must be finished before the fourth, exam-specific card becomes accessible.

A Final Word for Aspirants

Given UPSC’s rigorous, multi-stage selection process spanning Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and Interview across nearly a full year, candidates should treat the current application window as the starting point of a sustained preparation effort rather than a one-time task, and should begin structured, discipline-specific subject-wise study immediately after submitting their online application well before the 22 September 2026 closing date.

One More Practical Point on Documentation

Candidates should keep their Aadhaar card and educational degree documents ready and matching exactly in name and date-of-birth details, since UPSC’s application system strongly recommends Aadhaar-based verification for a smoother registration and authentication experience throughout the examination process.

Important Links

• Notification PDF
• Official Website
• NaukriPatra App
• WhatsApp Channel
• Telegram Channel

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many total vacancies are there in UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027?

127 posts, across the Geological Survey of India (111) and Central Ground Water Board (16).

2. What is the last date to apply?

22 September 2026, online.

3. When is the Preliminary Examination?

10 January 2027.

4. When is the Main Examination?

19 and 20 June 2027.

5. What is the age limit?

21 to 32 years, as on 1 January 2027.

6. What is the application fee?

Rs. 200/-, with exemptions for SC/ST/PwBD/Female candidates.

7. How should candidates apply?

Online, through https://upsconline.nic.in.

8. Which post has the highest number of vacancies?

Assistant Geophysicist, Group B, with 35 posts in GSI.

9. What is the selection process?

Preliminary Examination, followed by Main Examination, followed by Interview/Personality Test.

10. What qualification is required for Geologist Group A?

Master’s degree in Geological Science, Geology, Applied Geology or allied Earth Science disciplines.

11. Are there vacancies for Geophysicist Group A this cycle?

No, 0 vacancies are shown for Geophysicist Group A in GSI this cycle.

12. What are the Main Examination centres?

Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, Dispur (Guwahati), Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai and Shimla.

13. Is a Universal Registration Number required?

Yes, a one-time URN registration is required, common across all UPSC examinations.

14. How many posts are reserved for PwBD candidates?

10 posts in total, 8 in GSI and 2 in CGWB.

15. Is the appointment permanent from the start?

No, appointments are made on a temporary basis in the first instance.