With 127 vacancies spread across the Geological Survey of India and the Central Ground Water Board, the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 is one of the biggest opportunities this year for candidates with a master’s degree in Geology, Geophysics, or Chemistry. The Union Public Service Commission released the notification on 2 September 2026, and the online application window closes on 22 September 2026. This guide breaks down every detail of the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027, from vacancy-wise posts to the full selection process.
Recruitment Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination | Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, 2027 |
| Examination Notice No. | 01/2027-GEOL |
| Total Vacancies | 127 (tentative) |
| Recruiting Departments | Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines; Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Ministry of Jal Shakti |
| Application Mode | Online only, at upsconline.nic.in |
| Job Type | Central Government, Group A and Group B |
| Pay Scale | Not Mentioned in the notification |
| Application Fee | ₹200 (exempted for Female/SC/ST/PwBD candidates) |
| Selection Process | Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, Personality Test |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
This table alone should tell most candidates whether the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 is worth pursuing before they read further into eligibility and dates.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Date of notification | 2 September 2026 |
| Last date for online application | 22 September 2026 (till 18:00 hrs) |
| Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination | 10 January 2027 |
| Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination | 19 and 20 June 2027 |
Candidates applying to the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 should note that the current application cycle covers the Preliminary stage only; those who qualify will be separately called for the Main Examination in June 2027.
Vacancy Details
The UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 fills posts under two separate recruiting bodies, each with its own set of streams:
Category I – Geological Survey of India (111 posts)
| Post | Group | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Geologist | A | 29 |
| Geophysicist | A | 0 |
| Chemist | A | 7 |
| Assistant Geologist | B | 34 |
| Assistant Geophysicist | B | 35 |
| Assistant Chemist | B | 6 |
Category II – Central Ground Water Board (16 posts)
| 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 |
Of the 127 total posts in the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027, 10 are specifically reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability across both categories. The Commission has clearly stated that this vacancy count is tentative and liable to change before final selection.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 depends on which stream you apply under, since each post requires a specific master’s-level qualification:
- Geologist / Assistant Geologist (GSI), Scientist ‘B’ Hydrogeology / Assistant Hydrogeologist (CGWB): Master’s degree in Geology, Applied Geology, Geo-Exploration, Marine Geology, Hydrogeology, Earth Science, or a closely related discipline.
- Geophysicist / Assistant Geophysicist (GSI), Scientist ‘B’ Geophysics / Assistant Geophysicist (CGWB): M.Sc. in Physics, Applied Physics, Geophysics, Exploration Geophysics, or a related specialization.
- Chemist / Assistant Chemist (GSI), Scientist ‘B’ Chemical / Assistant Chemist (CGWB): M.Sc. in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or a closely related field.
Candidates must be between 21 and 32 years of age as on 1 January 2027, meaning they should be born between 2 January 1995 and 1 January 2006. Standard age relaxation applies for SC/ST (5 years), OBC (3 years), PwBD (10 years), and Ex-servicemen candidates, along with an additional five years for government servants applying against specific corresponding posts. No prior work experience is mentioned as a requirement for the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027; the relevant master’s degree is the primary qualifying criterion.
Salary & Benefits
The official notification for the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 does not mention a specific pay level or pay matrix, so this detail should be treated as not confirmed until the Commission or the recruiting departments publish it separately. What is clear from the notification is that Group A posts like Geologist and Scientist ‘B’ carry more seniority and responsibility than the Group B Assistant-level posts, and appointments will initially be made on a temporary basis. Beyond the immediate posting, clearing the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 places a candidate inside two of India’s most specialised technical departments, GSI and CGWB, where geoscience expertise directly feeds into mineral exploration, groundwater management, and national resource planning, a career track with far more depth than most general administrative government roles.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS (Male) | ₹200 |
| Female candidates | Exempted |
| SC/ST candidates | Exempted |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability | Exempted |
Fee for the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 can only be paid through net banking, Visa/Master/RuPay Credit or Debit Card, or UPI. Applications submitted without the fee, where fee is applicable, will not be considered valid.
Selection Process
The UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 follows a three-stage selection process, similar in structure to other UPSC combined examinations:
- Preliminary Examination (400 marks): Two objective-type papers, General Studies (100 marks) and a stream-specific paper in Geology/Hydrogeology, Geophysics, or Chemistry (300 marks). Prep tip: since there’s negative marking of one-third per wrong answer, avoid guessing on questions where you can’t eliminate at least two options.
- Main Examination (600 marks): Three descriptive papers in the candidate’s chosen stream, each carrying 200 marks and lasting 3 hours. Prep tip: practice writing full-length answers under time pressure, since descriptive papers reward structured, complete responses over rushed, partial ones.
- Personality Test/Interview (200 marks): Conducted for candidates who clear the Main Examination, assessing overall suitability for a technical government role. Prep tip: be ready to discuss your specific specialization and any fieldwork or project experience in detail, since domain depth matters here more than general current affairs.
Only candidates who qualify the Preliminary stage of the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 will be admitted to the Main Examination, and marks from the Preliminary stage count toward the final merit list only for determining who qualifies, not for the final ranking itself.
How to Apply – Step by Step
- Go to the official UPSC application portal at upsconline.nic.in and create your account if you haven’t registered before.
- Complete your Universal Registration Number (URN) profile with personal details, photo ID, and a live photo capture as instructed.
- Fill out the Common Application Form (CAF), which is shared across all UPSC examinations you may apply for.
- Open the examination-specific module for the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 and select your preferred stream: Geology/Hydrogeology, Geophysics, or Chemistry.
- Enter your educational qualification details and choose your preferred examination centre from the list provided.
- Pay the applicable fee online, if you don’t fall under an exempted category.
- Review every section carefully, since corrections after final submission are not permitted.
- Submit the form and retain both your URN and the examination-specific Application Number for all future correspondence.
Is This Job Right for You?
The UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 is genuinely suited to candidates with a completed or nearly-completed master’s degree in Geology, Geophysics, or Chemistry who want a long-term technical government career rather than a generalist administrative role. It particularly rewards candidates who enjoy fieldwork, laboratory analysis, or applied earth-science research, since that’s the core of what GSI and CGWB scientists actually do day to day. It’s not the right fit if you’re looking for a quick entry into government service without the required master’s qualification, or if you’d prefer administrative or policy work over technical, field-based science. One real prep tip: start revising your postgraduate coursework now rather than waiting for admit cards, since the Main Examination’s descriptive papers go deep into subject fundamentals that are easy to forget after a few years away from full-time study.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vacancies are there in the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027? There are 127 tentative vacancies, 111 under the Geological Survey of India and 16 under the Central Ground Water Board, though the Commission has stated this number can change.
What is the last date to apply for the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027? Online applications close on 22 September 2026 at 18:00 hours. There is no offline application mode.
Is there an age relaxation for reserved category candidates in this examination? Yes. SC/ST candidates get up to 5 years relaxation, OBC candidates up to 3 years, and PwBD candidates up to 10 years, on top of the standard 21 to 32 year age band.
Does the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 require prior work experience? No specific work experience is mentioned in the notification. The relevant master’s degree in the applicable discipline is the core eligibility requirement.
When will the Main Examination for this recruitment be held? The Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination is scheduled for 19 and 20 June 2027, for candidates who qualify the Preliminary stage held on 10 January 2027.
Is the application fee refundable if I don’t appear for the exam? The notification does not mention any refund provision, so candidates should treat the ₹200 fee as non-refundable once paid.
Conclusion
The UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 offers 127 technical government posts across two respected scientific departments, with a clear three-stage selection process and a straightforward online application. Candidates who plan their preparation now for the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 give themselves the best shot at converting eligibility into a final selection. Candidates with the right master’s qualification and age eligibility should apply at upsconline.nic.in before 22 September 2026, and refer to the official notification on upsc.gov.in for the complete rules. For more opportunities like this, browse our Graduate Jobs section & Latest Jobs on SarkaarNaukri.com.
