UPSC conducts this highly prestigious examination for recruitment in 2 categories which are from geological survey of India and central ground water board. Paper is held every year in the month of November.

Qualification for appearing in this exam:

Candidates applying for the examination should be citizen of India. Educational qualification for the examination is post-graduation in geology/applied geology/marine geology/ mineral exploration/hydrogeology from a recognised University or diploma of Associate-ship in Applied Geology of ISM, Dhanbad. Age limit for general candidates is 21-32 years however there is relaxation of age as per the UPSC norms.

Scoring and Negative Marking:

Questions are divided into 6 sections and each question is of same pattern and of subjective type. Apart from 1st section, each section contains questions of equal marks. There is no negative marking.

Mode of Exam:

Paper is of conventional type, questions asked are needed to be solved by ball pen and marks depend on the answers.

Format:

Paper is a subjective paper; questions are divided into 6 sections.

Paper Pattern:

Paper of Geology I contains 6 questions in it and these are divided into 6 different sections. Apart from section A, each section is equipped with internal alternative for each question. Questions except from 1st group are of equal marks. Most questions are of short notes and each question is divided into 4-5 sub-questions.

Marking:

Paper is of 200 marks and each question is of 30 marks except question no. 1 which is of 50 marks. Marks are given on the content of answers. Paper is checked manually.

Schedule:

Paper is needed to be finished in 3 hours only.

Recommended Books:

A Dictionary of Geology - Morrison

Text Book of Geology - P.K. Mukherjee