UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 - 127 Posts - Apply Online

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 notification for 127 tentative posts in the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). Applications are open from 02 September 2026 to 22 September 2026 up to 6:00 PM, and eligible candidates with the prescribed Master's degree can apply through the UPSC online application portal. The Preliminary Examination is scheduled for 10 January 2027.

Who Should Apply

• Geologist, Group A — GSI: For candidates with a Master's degree in the prescribed Geological Science, Geology, Applied Geology, Geo-Exploration, Mineral Exploration, Engineering Geology, Marine Geology, Earth Science and Resource Management, Oceanography and Coastal Areas Studies, Petroleum Geosciences, or Geochemistry subjects.
• Geophysicist, Group A — GSI: For candidates with the prescribed M.Sc./M.Sc. (Tech.)/Integrated M.Sc. qualification in Physics, Applied Physics, Geophysics, Exploration Geophysics, Applied Geophysics, Marine Geophysics, or related subjects listed in the rules.
• Chemist, Group A — GSI: For candidates with the prescribed M.Sc. qualification in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, or Analytical Chemistry.
• Assistant Geologist, Group B — GSI: For candidates with a prescribed Master's or Integrated Master's degree in Geology, Applied Geology, Mineral Exploration, Marine Geology, or Earth Science.
• Assistant Geophysicist, Group B — GSI: For candidates with the prescribed M.Sc./M.Sc. (Tech.)/Integrated M.Sc. qualification in Geophysics, Exploration Geophysics, Applied Geophysics, Geo-Exploration, Marine Geophysics, Physics, Applied Physics, or Applied Geology.
• Assistant Chemist, Group B — GSI: For candidates with the prescribed M.Sc. or Integrated M.Sc. qualification in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Hydro-Chemistry, or Industrial Chemistry.
• Scientist 'B' (Hydrogeology), Group A — CGWB: For candidates with a Master's degree in Geology, Applied Geology, Marine Geology, or Hydrogeology.
• Scientist 'B' (Chemical), Group A — CGWB: For candidates with the prescribed M.Sc. qualification in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, or Analytical Chemistry.
• Scientist 'B' (Geophysics), Group A — CGWB: For candidates with the prescribed M.Sc./M.Sc. (Tech.)/Integrated M.Sc. qualification in Physics, Applied Physics, Geophysics, Exploration Geophysics, Applied Geophysics, or Marine Geophysics.
• Assistant Hydrogeologist, Group B — CGWB: For candidates with a Master's degree in Geology, Applied Geology, Marine Geology, or Hydrogeology.
• Assistant Chemist, Group B — CGWB: For candidates with the prescribed M.Sc. or Integrated M.Sc. qualification in the specified Chemistry subjects.
• Assistant Geophysicist, Group B — CGWB: For candidates with the prescribed M.Sc./M.Sc. (Tech.)/Integrated M.Sc. qualification in the specified Geophysics and related subjects.

The vacancy count is tentative and may be altered. A candidate may compete for one or both categories, subject to meeting the applicable eligibility conditions.

Eligibility & Age Limit

Applicants must meet the prescribed nationality, educational qualification, age and other conditions in the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 rules and notice. The normal age range is 21 to 32 years as on 01 January 2027. Candidates must have been born not earlier than 02 January 1995 and not later than 01 January 2006.

Upper-age relaxation is available under the specific rules for eligible categories. The confirmed rules provide up to 5 years for SC/ST candidates, up to 3 years for eligible OBC candidates, up to 10 years for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities, and specified relaxations for eligible government servants, defence personnel, ex-servicemen and ECOs/SSCOs. Candidates claiming reservation or relaxation must meet the conditions and hold the required certificates within the prescribed period.

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Salary & Pay Scale

The Group A posts, including Geologist, Geophysicist, Chemist and Scientist 'B' posts, carry Level 10 of the Pay Matrix: ₹56,100–₹1,77,500. The Group B Assistant posts carry Level 8 of the Pay Matrix: ₹47,600–₹1,51,100. These are basic pay ranges under the applicable pay matrix; actual monthly earnings will depend on admissible allowances and deductions.

Important Dates

Application Fee

The fee can be paid through the payment methods permitted by UPSC, including net banking, eligible credit/debit cards and UPI. The fee, once paid, is not refundable.

How to Apply

1. Visit the official UPSC online application portal at https://upsconline.nic.in/.
2. Complete the required Universal Registration if you do not already have a Universal Registration Number.
3. Complete or update the Common Application Form with the required personal, educational and category details.
4. Open the examination-specific application module for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027.
5. Select the category or categories and stream for which you are eligible, and choose the examination centre.
6. Upload the photograph, live photo capture, signature and other information/documents requested by the Commission's portal.
7. Pay the prescribed ₹200 examination fee if you are not exempted.
8. Review the application carefully and submit it before 22 September 2026, 6:00 PM.
9. Save or print the submitted application details for your records.

The application is online only. The confirmed instructions state that candidates should provide supporting information for claims such as date of birth, category and educational qualification through the application process.

Check your exact age as on the cut-off date.

How Are Candidates Selected

Stage-I: Preliminary Examination

The Preliminary Examination is an objective-type examination with two papers for each stream. Paper-I is General Studies and Paper-II is stream-specific. Each stream has a total of 400 marks, and wrong answers in the objective papers carry negative marking.

Candidates are shortlisted for the Main Examination using the prescribed qualifying standards in the General Studies and stream-specific papers.

Stage-II: Main Examination

The Main Examination consists of conventional/descriptive papers for the relevant stream and carries 600 marks. The papers are set in English, and candidates must appear in the papers prescribed for their selected stream.

Stage-III: Personality Test/Interview

Candidates who qualify the Main Examination are called for the Personality Test/Interview. The Personality Test carries 200 marks and is used to assess suitability for the relevant scientific posts.

Final recommendations are made according to merit, preferences and the number of vacancies in the respective categories.

Why This Job Matters

This recruitment covers scientific Group A and Group B services in the Geological Survey of India under the Ministry of Mines and the Central Ground Water Board under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The 2027 cycle is notable because it combines 127 tentative vacancies across geology, geophysics, chemistry and hydrogeology, including both officer-level Group A posts and Assistant-level Group B posts.

The FreshersLike Take

• Best fit: This is a strong fit for science postgraduates whose Master's subject matches one of the listed streams and who are prepared for a specialised UPSC examination.
• Who should think twice: The eligibility is narrow, the vacancy count is only 127 and tentative, and selection requires clearing three stages rather than a single recruitment test.
• Practical tip: Decide your eligible stream before applying and study the exact stream-specific syllabus; the Preliminary and Main examinations are built around the selected scientific discipline.

Documents Required

Keep the following information and supporting documents ready as applicable to your candidature:

• Matriculation/Secondary School certificate or other accepted proof of date of birth.
• Master's degree certificate and relevant marksheets.
• Details and certificates supporting SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD or Ex-servicemen claims, where applicable.
• Required educational qualification details for the selected stream.
• Photograph, live photo capture and signature in the format requested by the UPSC application portal.
• A valid photo identity document and other information requested during the application process.

Candidates awaiting the result of the prescribed qualifying examination may be permitted to apply provisionally in the cases covered by the rules, but they must satisfy the specified proof-of-qualification requirements before the Personality Test/Interview.

What Happens After Selection

Candidates recommended for appointment are subject to the applicable medical examination and service conditions. For the Geological Survey of India and Central Ground Water Board posts covered by the rules, appointment is initially subject to probation; the rules provide for a two-year probation period, which may be extended when necessary.

The detailed appointment, training and service conditions are governed by the applicable rules of the respective organisation.

Contact & Helpline

For UPSC application-related assistance, candidates should use the official UPSC channels. The Commission's website lists the general UPSC helpdesk numbers 011-24041001 / 011-40303444 and the SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD helpline 1800-118-711.

Important Links

Common Questions

What is the last date to apply for UPSC CGSE 2027?

The last date to submit the application is 22 September 2026 up to 6:00 PM.

How many vacancies are available in UPSC CGSE 2027?

There are 127 tentative vacancies: 111 under Category-I in the Geological Survey of India and 16 under Category-II in the Central Ground Water Board. The notification states that the vacancy figures are liable to alteration.

What qualification is required for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist 2027?

A relevant Master's degree is required. The exact subject depends on the stream and post, covering specified qualifications in geology, geophysics, chemistry and hydrogeology.

Can a diploma holder apply for UPSC CGSE 2027?

No. A diploma by itself does not meet the prescribed minimum educational qualification. Candidates need the relevant Master's-level qualification specified for the selected stream.

What is the age limit for UPSC CGSE 2027?

The normal age limit is 21 to 32 years as on 01 January 2027. The rules provide specified upper-age relaxations for eligible categories.

What is the application fee?

The prescribed fee is ₹200. Female candidates and candidates belonging to SC, ST and PwBD categories are exempted from payment of the fee.

Is the UPSC CGSE Preliminary Examination computer-based?

The notification describes Stage-I as an objective-type examination with General Studies and stream-specific papers. The confirmed information used for this article does not establish a computer-based mode, so candidates should follow the exam instructions issued by UPSC with the admit card.

Can I apply for both Category-I and Category-II?

Yes. The rules allow a candidate to compete for one or both categories for which the candidate is eligible, using the prescribed application process.

Can I change my application after submitting it?

The confirmed application instructions state that no withdrawal, correction or alteration is permitted after submission, apart from the limited URN profile-edit facility described by UPSC. Candidates should therefore check all details carefully before final submission.

When is the UPSC CGSE Preliminary Examination 2027?

The Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination 2027 is scheduled for 10 January 2027.

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