CGSE Exam

Combined Geo-Scientist Exam

What is CGSE Exam?

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts a Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE) for recruitment and selection to the post of Geologist, Geophysicist and Chemist Group 'A' in GSI and Junior Hydro-geologist (Scientist 'B'), Group 'A' for Central Ground Water Board.

UPSC CGSE - The Commission has also changed the exam name from ''Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Examination (CGGE)'' to ''Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE)".

Every year, the Commission releases the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination notification in September to shortlist the candidates for the posts. The selection will be based on a competitive examination. Their admission at all the stages of the examination will be purely provisional subject to satisfying the prescribed eligibility conditions.

Candidates who want to apply online for this entrance exam will have to check all the required details available on our website and the notification released by the official website.

The examination shall be conducted according to the norms and conditions of the UPSC. Candidates competing for selection to the particular posts of Combined Geo-Scientist Examination will be required to appear in all the subjects mentioned against the respective category.

Aspirants should note that UPSC has revised scheme, pattern and syllabus of the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination from 2022, onwards. The CGSE examination will be held in three stages - Preliminary, Main and Personality Test. To know more take a look at the exam pattern on our website.

Combined Geo-Scientist Examination Highlights 

Exam name  Combined Geo-Scientist Examination
Conducted by  Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Frequency Once a year
Application mode  Online 
Exam mode  Offline
Preliminary  Objective-type
Main exam  Descriptive-type
Number of vacancies  285
No of test centres  19
Expected registrations  Approximately 2 lakh 
Duration of the examination  3 days 
Official website  www.upsc.gov.in 

UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, 2024 Notification Out:

The Union Public Service Commission, popularly abbreviated as UPSC has released a notification related to the UPSC CGS (Combined Geo- Scientist) Preliminary Examination, 2024.

The candidates who are eligible and interested are expected to thoroughly go through the official website of the Commission; upsc.gov.in. As per the official announcement, the UPSC CGS 2024 Examination is scheduled to be conducted on 22nd June, 2024.

Steps to Apply for the UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Exam 2024:

The application procedure is relatively straightforward and may be effortlessly done online with the given step-by-step instructions:
Step 1: Visit the official website of the Commission; upsc.gov.in.
Step 2: On the homepage, click the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, 2024 link.
Step 3: Complete the application form.
Step 4: Pay the fees.
Step 5: Save and submit the page.

UPSC CGSE 2024

The Union Public Service Examination is responsible for conducting the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE) 2024. The UPSC has released the dates of CGSE 2024.

According to the UPSC Calendar 2024, the CGSE Stage-I will take place on 18 February, 2024. The Stage-II will be held from 22nd & 23rd June, 2024.

CGSE 2024 (Preliminary Exam) Dates

Sl.No Name of Examination Date of Notification Last Date For Receipt Of Applications Date of Exam Duration
1 CGSE 2024 20 September, 2023 10 October, 2023 18 February, 2024 1 Day

Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Exam 2024 Time Table 

Date Time Paper Subject
18 February, 2024

9.30 AM to 11.30 AM Paper-1 General Studies (Common for all)
2 PM to 4 PM Paper2 Stream specific subject paper

Subject: 

1. Chemistry

2. Hydrogeology 

3. Chemical 

4. Geophysics 

Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Exam Time-table 2024

Date Time Subject Code
June 22nd, 2024 (Saturday)




9 am to 12 noon Geology Paper-I 12
9 am to 12 noon Geophysics Paper-I 32
9 am to 12 noon Chemistry/ Chemical Paper-I 42
2 pm to 5 pm Geology Paper-II 13
2 pm to 5 pm Geophysics Paper-II 33
2 pm to 5 pm Chemistry/ Chemical Paper-II 43
June 23rd, 2024 (Sunday)

9 am to 12 noon Geophysics Paper-III  
34
9 am to 12 noon Chemistry/ Chemical Paper-III 44
2 pm to 5 pm Hydrogeology  15

Note I: Candidates competing for selection to the posts of Chemist/Chemical, Geophysicist and will be required to appear in the paper on 22nd & 23rd June, 2024.

Note II: Candidates competing for selection for the post of Jr. Hydrologists only will be required to appear in the examination on 22nd & 23rd June, 2024 (For Paper I & II Of Geologist and Paper 4 of Hydrogeology Only). 

Note III: If any candidate fails to appear in any one or more of above papers, meant for written examination for selection to the post of Geophysicist, Chemist, Chemical and Jr. Hydrogeologist, his/her candidature shall stand rejected and part of written examination appeared by him/her shall not be evaluated and counted for any purpose.

Combined Geo-Scientist Examination Number Of Vacancies 2024

Annually, the UPSC releases the CGSE notification for shortlisting the candidates to the posts in the Geological Survey of India under the Ministry of Mines and the Central Ground Water Board under the Ministry of Water Resources. The total number of vacancies released for CGSE 2024 are given below. 

Posts Vacancies
Category I: (Posts in the Geological Survey of India, Ministry of Mines)
Geologist, Group A 34
Geophysicist, Group A 01
Chemist, Group A 13
Category II: (Posts in the Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources)
Junior Hydrogeologists (Scientist B) 04
Junior Chemical (Scientist B) 02
Junior Geophysics (Scientitst B) 02
Total 56

Candidates have to note that the above vacancies also include the reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disability. The above numbers of vacancies are liable to alteration. Reservation will be provided to candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, EBC and PWD based on the vacancies as may be fixed by the Government. 

Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE) Application Form 2024

Interested candidates can register online for the UPSC CGSE exam through the official website.

The online application window will be activated from 20 September to 10 October, 2023. Candidates are advised to refer the CGSE application form page for complete information. 

  • Visit the UPSC's website – www.upsc.gov.in 
  • Go to online applications for various examinations of UPSC
  • Find the CGSE application link
  • Start filling-up all the application details
  • Upload the scanned photograph and signature
  • Pay the application fee 
  • Submit the application details 
  • Download the CGSE application form and take a printout of the same for future reference. 

Combined Geo-Scientist Application Fee 

Candidates should pay the prescribed application fee to complete the application process. The application form is not successful without payment. However, the fee is relaxed for certain categories. 

  • No application fee for Female/SC/ST/Persons with Benchmark Disability candidates 
  • Rs 200 for all others

Combined Geo-Scientist Examination Pattern 

The CGSE exam pattern along with syllabus got changed for the examination from this year. The selection of the candidates will be based on three stages. We have described the detailed CGSE exam pattern for Preliminary and Main in this page. 

Combined Geo-Scientist Examination will be conducted in three stages as follows:

1. Stage I: Preliminary Examination
2. Stage II: Main Examination
3. Stage III: Personality Test

The Preliminary examination will screen the aspirants for taking the Main examination. It will be a Computer Based Examination and consists of objective type questions having two papers. Marks secured in this examination will be counted for deciding the final merit. General English Paper will be discontinued. Candidates can know more about the Combined Geo-Scientist exam pattern and revised scheme here. 


Eligibility Criteria

  1. Nationality:

    A CANDIDATE MUST BE EITHER:

    (a) a Citizen of India, or

    (b) a subject of Nepal, or

    (c) a subject of Bhutan, or

    (d) a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before the 1st January, 162 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or

    (e) a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka or Eastern African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi Zaire, and Ethiopia or from Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.

    Note:

    • Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (b), (c), (d) and (e) above shall be a person in whose favor a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India
    • A candidate in whose case a certificate of eligibility is necessary may be admitted to the examination but the offer of appointment may be given only after the necessary eligibility certificate has been issued to him/her by the Government of India
  2. Education qualification:

    MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

    A CANDIDATE MUST HAVE:

    1. For Geologist Group 'A' in Geological Survey of India:

    Candidates should have obtained Master's degree in Gological Science or Geology or Applied Geology or Geo-Exploration or Mineral Exploration or Engineering Geology or Marine Geology or Earth Science and Resource Management or Oceanography and Coastal Areas Studies or Petroleum Geosciences or Geochemistry from a recognized university.

    2. For GeophysicistS Group 'A' in Geological Survey of India and Scientist 'B' (Geophysics) Group 'A' in C.G.W.B.

    Candidates should have obtained M.Sc. in Physics or Applied Physics or M.Sc. (Geophysics) or Integrated M.Sc. (Exploration Geophysics) or M.Sc. (Applied Geophysics) or M.Sc. (Marine Geophysics) or M.Sc. (Tech.) (Applied Geophysics) from a recognized university.

    3. For Chemists Group 'A' in Geological Survey of India and Scientist 'B' (Chemical) Under C.G.W.B.

    Candidates should hold M.Sc. in Chemistry or Applied Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry from a recognized university.

    4. For Scientists 'B' (Hydrogeology) Group 'A' in C.G.W.B.

    Candidate should have Master's degree in Geology or Marine Geology or Hydrogeology from a recognized university.

    NOTE:

    • The candidates possessing common qualifications in (i) (a) & (ii) (a) can apply for both the categories
    • The candidates who will be eligible but who has taken a degree from a foreign university recognized by the government may also apply to the Commission and may be admitted to the examination
  3. Age limit:

    THE CANDIDATES FOR THIS EXAMINATION MUST HAVE ATTAINED THE AGE CRITERIA AS PRESCRIBED BELOW:

    (A) For Geologist, Geophysicist and Chemist (Group 'A') in the Geological Survey of India, an attached office of Ministry of Mines, Government of India: A candidates must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 32 Years on 01 January, 2024, i.e., he / she must have been vorn not earlier then 2nd January 1992, and not later than 01 January, 2003.

    (b) For Scientist 'B' (Hydrogeology) Group 'A', Scientist 'B' (Chemical) Group 'A' and Scientist 'B' (Geophysics) Group 'A' in Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources: A candidates must have attained the age of 21 Years and must not have attained at the age of 32 Years as on 01st January, 2024, i.e., he / she must have been born not earlier than 02nd January, 1992, and not later than 01st January, 2003.

    NOTE:

    There is age relaxation of five years for ex-servicemen category candidates and Scheduled Caste/Scheduled tribal. For OBC category, it is three years while for deaf-mute, blind and orthopedically disabled category applicants, it is 10 years.

Roles and Responsibilities

Geo-Scientists typically do the following:

  • Geoscientists often supervise the work of technicians and coordinate work with other scientists, both in the field and in the lab
  • Their main aims are to plan and conduct the field studies, in which they visit locations to collect samples and conduct surveys
  • Analyze aerial photographs, detailed records of geologic formations found during drilling, rock samples, and other data sources to locate natural resource deposits and estimate their size
  • Make geologic maps and charts
  • Prepare written scientific reports
  • Present their findings to clients, colleagues, and other interested parties
  • Review reports and research are done by other scientists
  • Geologists study the materials, processes, and history of the Earth. They investigate how rocks were formed and what has happened to them since their formation. There are sub-groups of geologists as well, such as stratigraphers, who study stratified rock, and mineralogists, who study the structure and composition of minerals

Union Public Service Commission will hold a Screening Test for selection to Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination, 2024 through Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, 2024 which will be held on 18 February, 2024 in accordance with the Rules published by the Ministry of Mines in the Gazette of India.

Combined Geo-Scientist Preliminary Examination Test Centres 

The competitive examination will be conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for the recruitment to the posts for a total of three days. The examination will be held at 19 test centres across the country. Aspirants have to note that test centres and the dates of holding the examination are liable to be changed at the discretion of the Commission. 

Ahmedabad Bangaluru Bhopal Chandigarh
Chennai Cuttack Delhi Dispur
Hyderabad Jaipur Jammu Kolkata
Lucknow Mumbai Patna Prayagraj (Allahabad)
Shillong Shimla Thiruvananthapuram  

Combined Geo-Scientist Mains Examination Test Centres

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

 

 

Combined Geo-Scientist Examination Admit Card 2023

The Commission releases the CGSE admit card for Preliminary and Main Exam at least three weeks before the exam date. To download the CGSE admit card 2023, candidates need to enter their roll number and other details. After downloading the CGSE admit card, aspirants should take a printout of the admit card and carry the same to the examination centre.

Note: Candidates cannot appear for the examination without a valid CGSE admit card along with other supporting documents.

CGSE Syllabus 

The Commission has revised the entire Combined Geo-Scientist Examination syllabus. The syllabus along with exam pattern will be effective from 2024 onwards.

The selection will be based on the Preliminary and Main Exam. 

CGSE Preliminary Syllabus: It consists of two papers. The General Studies paper is common for all streams. The GS syllabus in CGGE is similar to IAS Preliminary General Studies Paper-I. While Paper-II is specific about the stream. 

CGSE Main Examination Syllabus: The Main Exam is a descriptive paper and comprises of three papers. Candidates have to appear for the Main Exam based on the stream. There is no common paper in Main Exam. 

Note: Candidates who qualify in the Main Exam are called for the Personality Test. 

Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Exam 2023 Proposed Time Line Activity 

Activity Description Time Paper-1 Time Paper-2
Candidates reporting at the Centre Venue  8 AM 12:30 PM
Authenticating the Admit Card and registering the candidate 8 AM 12:30 PM Onwards
Candidates will be allowed inside the Lab 8 AM 12:30 PM Onwards
Candidates entry will close at main entrance 8:45 AM 1:15 PM
Password Announcement  

9:20 AM

1:50 PM

Candidates will open the secure browser and read instructions

9: 20 AM

9:30 AM

1:50 PM

2 PM

Test Start Time  9:30 AM 2 PM
Test End Time 11:30 AM 4 PM

Latest Updates

UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist 2024 Notification has been released

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the schedule for the upcoming "Combined Geo-Scientist" Exam for the year 2024. UPSC CGSE Online Application has started from 20 September, 2023 and the last date to apply will be on 10 October, 2023 till 6:00 PM.

UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Preliminary Exam will be conducted on 18 February, 2024 & UPSC CGSE Mains will be held on 22nd & 23rd June, 2024.

 

21 September 2023
UPSC CGGE Notification 2023 will be released today

Union Public Service Commission is likely to release the UPSC CGGE Notification 2023 on 21 September, 2022 on the official website at upsc.gov.in.

The commission will mention the Eligibility Criteria, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, and other important details related to the exam in the UPSC CGGE Notification 2023.

 

14 September 2022
UPSC Releases Geo-Scientist (Main) Exam 2021 Result

The UPSC has released the Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination 2021 result. Candidates who have appeared for the Main exam can check their result on the official portal with their roll numbers. 

Earlier, the Commission has conducted the written exam on July 17 and 18. Candidates who have qualified in the written exam will be eligible for the personality test.  

16 August 2021
UPSC Geo-Scientist Main 2021 Admit Card Released

The UPSC has released the Geo-Scientist Mains exam admit card 2021 in online mode. Candidates can download CGGE Mains admit card on the official website at upsconline.nic.in.

The Commission will be conducting the Geo-Scientist Mains Exam on July 17 and 18, 2021. It is advised to use the latest version of Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome browsers to download the admit card.

26 June 2021
UPSC Releases Combined Geo-Scientist Main Exam Schedule

The UPSC has released the Combined Geo-Scientist 2021 Main exam schedule. The Commission will conduct the exams on July 17 and 18, 2021. Candidates who have qualified in the Prelims exam can check the schedule on the official portal. 

The notice reads, "Candidates competing for selection for the post of Jr. Hydrologists only will be required to appear in the examination on 17th and 18th July, 2021."

22 June 2021
UPSC Geo Scientist Prelims Result 2021 Declared
UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Interview Schedule Released
UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Prelims 2021 Admit Card Released
Combined Geo-Scientist 2021: UPSC Releases Time Table And Time Line Activity
UPSC Geo-Scientist Mains Result 2020 Declared
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