The Syllabus for the UPSC Combined Geoscientist and Geologist Exam 2019 will be different for all four categories. The compulsory and common exam for all the categories which is the paper of General English exam. Candidates would need to write the short essay in the General English Paper. Question papers for the Chemistry, Geology-Geophysics and Hydrogeology will be set to check the fundamental knowledge in each subject. The detailed syllabus is as follows:-

Syllabus for Paper 1 – General Studies which is common for all streams would include the topics like Current events of national and international importance, History of India and Indian National Movement, Indian and world Geography – Physical, Social, Economic and Geography of India and the world. Indian Polity and Governance -Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc. Economic and Social Development – property Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc., General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate, specialisation, and General Science.

Syllabus for Paper 2 which is Geology and Hydrology

Section A – Physical Geology will include the topics of Principle of uniformitarianism, origin, differentiation and internal structure of the Earth; origin of atmosphere; earthquakes and volcanoes; Continental drift, sea-floor spreading, isostasy, geological process and plate tectonics; earth science action of rivers, wind, glaciers, waves; erosional and depositional landforms; Weathering processes and products.

Section B which is Structural Geology will include the topics like 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 components.

Section C of Minerology will include the topics like 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- mineral, garnet, pyroxene, amphibole, mica, spar and quartz.

Section D of Igneous Petrology will include the topics like Magma types and their evolution; IUGS classification of igneous rocks; forms, structures and textures of igneous rocks; applications of binary and ternary section diagrams in petrogenesis; magmatic differentiation and assimilation; petrogenesis of granites, basalts, komatiiites and alkaline rocks (carbonatite, kimberlite, lamprophyre and nepheline syenite).

Section E of Metamorphic Petrology will include the topics like 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.

Section F of Sedimentology will include topics of 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.

Section G of Palaeontology will include the topics like 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.

Section H of Stratigraphy will include the topics like 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.

Section I of Economic Geology will include the topics like Properties of mineral deposits- form, mineral assemblage, texture, rockore association and relationship; magmatic, sedimentary, metamorphic, hydrothermal, supergene and weathering-related processes of ore formation; processes of formation of coal and petroleum; distribution and earth science characteristics of major mineral and organic compound deposits of Asian nation.

Section J of Hydrogeology will include topics like 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.

UPSC Geologist Exam Syllabus (Geology – Paper II) is as follows:-

Section A of Mineralogy will include the topics like Physical, chemical and crystallographic characteristics of common rock forming silicate mineral groups, Structural classification of silicates Common minerals of igneous and metamorphic rocks, Minerals of the carbonate, phosphate, sulphide and halide groups, Optical properties of common rock forming silicate minerals, uniaxial and biaxial minerals, Extinction angles, pleochroism, birefringence of minerals and their relation with mineral composition, Twinned crystals. Dispersion, and The U-stage

Section B of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology will include the topics like Forms, textures and structures of igneous rocks, Silicate melt equilibria, binary and pernery phase diagrams, Petrology and geotectonic evolution of granites, basalts, andesites and alkaline rocks, Petrology of gabbros, kimberlites, anorthosites and carbonatites, Origin of primary basic magmas, Textures and structures of metamorphic rocks, Regional and contact metamorphism of pelitic and impure chalky rocks, Mineral assemblages and P/T conditions, Experimental and thermodynamic appraisal of metamorphic reactions, Characteristics of different grades and facies of metamorphism , Metasomatism and granitization, migmatites, plate tectonic theory and metamorphic zones, Paired metamorphic belts

Section C of Sedimentology will include the topics of Provenance and diagenesis of sediments, Sedimentary textures, Framework matrix and cement of terrigenous sediments, Definition, measurement and interpretation of grain size, Elements of hydraulics Primary structures, palaeocurrent analysis, Biogenic and chemical sedimentary structures, Sedimentary environment and facies, Facies modelling for marine, non-marine and mixed sediments, Tectonics and sedimentation, Classification and definition of sedimentary basins, Sedimentary basins of India, Cyclic sediments, Seismic and sequence stratigraphy, Purpose and scope of basin analysis, Structure contours and isopach maps,

Section D of Geochemistry will include the topics of Earth in relation to the solar system and universe, cosmic abundance of elements, Composition of the planets and meteorites, Structure and composition of earth and distribution of elements, Trace elements, Elementary crystal chemistry and thermodynamics, Introduction to isotope geochemistry, Geochemistry of hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere Geochemical cycle and principles of geochemical prospecting.

Section E of Environmental Geology will include the topics of Concepts and principles, Natural hazards – preventive/precautionary measures – floods, landslides, earthquakes, river and coastal erosion, Impact valuation of anthropogenic activities such as urbanization, open cast mining and quarrying, river-valley projects, disposal of industrial and radio-active waste, excess withdrawal of ground water, use of fertilizers, dumping of ores, mine waste and fly-ash Organic and inorganic contamination of ground water and their remedial measures Soil degradation and remedial measures. Environment protection – legislative measures in India

UPSC Geologist Exam Syllabus Geology – Paper III

Section A of Indian mineral deposits and mineral economics will include the topics of Occurrence and distribution in India of metalliferous deposits – base metals, iron, manganese, aluminium, chromium, nickel, gold, silver, molybdenum, Indian deposits of non-metals – mica, asbestos, barytes, gypsum, graphite, apatite and beryl Gemstones, refractory minerals, abrasives and minerals used in glass, fertilizer, paint, ceramic and cement industries, Building stones. Phosphorite deposits, Placer deposits, rare earth minerals, Strategic, critical and essential minerals, India’s status in mineral production, Changing patterns of mineral consumption, National Mineral Policy, Mineral Concession Rules, Marine mineral resources and Law of Sea

Section B of Oregenesis will include the topics of Ore deposits and ore minerals, Magmatic processes of mineralization, Porphyry, skarn and hydrothermal mineralization, Fluid inclusion studies, Mineralisation associated with-(i) ultramafic, mafic and acidic rocks, (ii) greenstone belts, (iii) komatiites, anorthosites and kimberlites and (iv) submarine volcanism, Magma-related mineralisation through geological time, Stratiform and stratabound ores, Ores and metamorphism – cause and effect relations

Section C of Mineral exploration will include the topics of Methods of surface and subsurface exploration, prospecting for economic minerals – drilling, sampling and assaying, Geophysical techniques – gravity, electrical, magnetic, airborne and seismic, Geomorphological and remote sensing techniques, Geobotanical and geochemical methods

Section D of Geology of fuels will include the topics of Definition, origin of coal, Stratigraphy of coal measures, Fundamentals of coal petrology, peat, lignite, bituminous and anthracite coal, Microscopic constituents of coal, Industrial application of coal petrology, Indian coal deposits, Diagenesis of organic materials, Origin, migration and entrapment of natural hydrocarbons, Characters of source and reservoir rocks, Structural, stratigraphic and mixed traps, Techniques of exploration, Geographical and geological distributions of onshore and offshore petroliferous basins of India

Section E of  Engineering Geology will include the topics of Mechanical properties of rocks and soils, Geological investigations for river valley projects – Dams and reservoirs; tunnels – types, methods and problems, Bridges – types and foundation problems, Shoreline engineering, Landslides – classification, causes, prevention and rehabilitation, Concrete aggregates – sources, alkali-aggregate reaction, Aseismic designing – seismicity in India and earthquake-resistant structures, Problems of groundwater in engineering projects, Geotechnical case studies of major projects in India

Physicist Exam Syllabus in details is as follows:-

Paper I and Part A will have the topics Solid Earth Geophysics, Earthquake and Engineering Seismology, Mathematical methods in Geophysics, Geophysical Inversion

Part B of Paper 1 will have the topics Mathematical Methods of Physics, Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics, Electrodynamics, Introductory Atmospheric and Space Physics

Paper II and Part A will include topics of Geophysical Potential Fields, Electrical and Electromagnetic methods, Seismic Prospecting, Borehole Geophysics

Part B of Paper II will include the topics of Atomic and Molecular Physics and Properties and Characterization of materials, Nuclear and Particle Physics, Electromagnetic Theory, Classical Mechanics

Paper III and Part A will include the topics of Radiometric Exploration / Airborne Geophysical surveys for Geological Mapping, Marine Geophysics, Geophysical Signal Processing, Remote Sensing and GIS applications

Part B of Paper III will include the topics of Solid State Physics, Laser systems, Laser cavity modes, Electronics and devices, Digital electronics, Radar systems, Satellite communications, Quantum Mechanic