Application Form for UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam 2024: A Comprehensive Guide
Eligibility Criteria
The UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam is open to Indian citizens who meet the following eligibility criteria:
Educational Qualification:
- For Geologist: A Master’s degree in Geology or Applied Geology from a recognized university.
- For Geophysicist: A Master’s degree in Geophysics or Applied Geophysics from a recognized university.
- For Chemist: A Master’s degree in Chemistry with specialization in Geochemistry, Applied Chemistry, or a related field from a recognized university.
- For Meteorologist: A Master’s degree in Meteorology or Atmospheric Sciences from a recognized university.
- For Oceanographer: A Master’s degree in Oceanography or Marine Sciences from a recognized university.
Age Limit:
- For General Category: 32 years
- For OBC Category: 35 years
- For SC/ST Category: 37 years
- For Persons with Disabilities (PwD): 42 years
Note: The upper age limit is relaxable for certain categories as per the government rules.
How to Apply
The application process for the UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam 2024 will be entirely online. Candidates can apply through the official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The following steps need to be followed:
- Registration: Create an account on the UPSC website by providing your basic details like name, email address, mobile number, etc.
- Fill the Application Form: Fill the application form carefully and accurately. Ensure that all the information provided is correct and complete.
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and other required documents as per the specifications mentioned in the notification.
- Payment of Fee: Pay the application fee online through debit card, credit card, or net banking. The fee can also be paid offline through a bank challan.
- Submit the Application: Review all the information provided in the application form before submitting it. Once submitted, the application cannot be edited.
Important Dates
The important dates for the UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam 2024 will be announced by the UPSC through a notification. The notification will be published on the official website of the UPSC. The notification will contain details about the exam dates, syllabus, application process, and other important information.
Application Fee
The application fee for the UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam 2024 is as follows:
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General | â¹ 200 |
| OBC | â¹ 200 |
| SC/ST | â¹ 100 |
| PwD | â¹ 100 |
Note: The application fee is non-refundable.
Exam Pattern
The UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam 2024 will be conducted in two stages:
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination
- Objective Type: The Preliminary Examination will be an objective type paper consisting of two papers.
- Paper 1: General Studies (Common to all candidates)
- Paper 2: Subject-specific paper (Geology, Geophysics, Chemistry, Meteorology, or Oceanography)
- Duration: 2 hours for each paper
- Marking Scheme: Each paper will carry 200 marks.
Stage 2: Main Examination
- Descriptive Type: The Main Examination will be a descriptive type paper consisting of two papers.
- Paper 1: General Studies (Common to all candidates)
- Paper 2: Subject-specific paper (Geology, Geophysics, Chemistry, Meteorology, or Oceanography)
- Duration: 3 hours for each paper
- Marking Scheme: Each paper will carry 300 marks.
Note: Candidates must qualify in the Preliminary Examination to be eligible to appear for the Main Examination.
Syllabus
The syllabus for the UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam 2024 is vast and covers a wide range of topics. The detailed syllabus for each subject is available on the official website of the UPSC.
General Studies (Paper 1):
- Current events of national and international importance
- History of India and Indian National Movement
- Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
- Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
- General Issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization
- General Science
Subject-specific Papers (Paper 2):
Geology:
- Physical Geology: Origin and evolution of the Earth, internal structure of the Earth, plate tectonics, geological time scale, weathering, erosion, transportation, and deposition, sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks, geological maps and their interpretation, etc.
- Structural Geology: Folding, faulting, joints, unconformities, stress and strain, rock deformation, etc.
- Economic Geology: Ore deposits, mineral resources, coal, petroleum, etc.
- Geochemistry: Chemical composition of the Earth, geochemical cycles, isotopes, etc.
- Hydrogeology: Groundwater, aquifers, water resources, etc.
- Engineering Geology: Geological hazards, soil mechanics, rock mechanics, etc.
Geophysics:
- Earth’s Interior: Structure, composition, and properties of the Earth’s interior.
- Seismology: Earthquakes, seismic waves, earthquake prediction, etc.
- Gravity and Magnetic Methods: Principles, applications, and interpretation of gravity and magnetic data.
- Electrical Methods: Principles, applications, and interpretation of electrical data.
- Geothermal Energy: Exploration, development, and utilization of geothermal resources.
- Remote Sensing and GIS: Applications of remote sensing and GIS in geophysics.
Chemistry:
- Geochemistry: Chemical composition of the Earth, geochemical cycles, isotopes, etc.
- Analytical Chemistry: Techniques for analyzing geological samples, including X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, atomic absorption spectroscopy, etc.
- Environmental Chemistry: Chemical processes in the environment, pollution, and remediation.
- Organic Chemistry: Organic compounds in geological samples, including hydrocarbons, etc.
- Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamic principles, kinetics, and chemical equilibrium.
Meteorology:
- Atmospheric Science: Composition, structure, and dynamics of the atmosphere.
- Weather Systems: Formation, development, and movement of weather systems.
- Climate Change: Causes, impacts, and mitigation of climate change.
- Atmospheric Pollution: Sources, effects, and control of atmospheric pollution.
- Meteorological Instruments: Principles and applications of meteorological instruments.
Oceanography:
- Physical Oceanography: Ocean currents, waves, tides, and sea level.
- Chemical Oceanography: Chemical composition of seawater, marine pollution, etc.
- Biological Oceanography: Marine life, ecosystems, and biodiversity.
- Geological Oceanography: Marine sediments, seafloor topography, and plate tectonics.
- Oceanographic Instruments: Principles and applications of oceanographic instruments.
Preparation Strategy
The UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam 2024 is a highly competitive exam. Candidates need to start their preparation early and follow a well-planned strategy. Here are some tips for preparation:
- Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly understand the syllabus for each subject.
- Refer to Standard Textbooks: Refer to standard textbooks and study materials for each subject.
- Practice Previous Year Papers: Practice previous year papers to get an idea of the exam pattern and difficulty level.
- Join Coaching Classes: Joining coaching classes can provide structured guidance and expert advice.
- Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Stay updated with current events related to science and technology, environment, and climate change.
- Develop Time Management Skills: Develop effective time management skills to complete the exam within the stipulated time.
- Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep.
Tips for Filling the Application Form
- Read the Instructions Carefully: Read the instructions carefully before filling the application form.
- Fill the Form Accurately: Fill the application form accurately and completely.
- Upload Correct Documents: Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and other required documents as per the specifications mentioned in the notification.
- Review the Form Before Submitting: Review all the information provided in the application form before submitting it.
- Keep a Copy of the Application Form: Keep a copy of the application form for future reference.
Important Points to Remember
- The application form must be filled online.
- The application fee is non-refundable.
- The application form must be submitted before the last date.
- Candidates must ensure that all the information provided in the application form is correct and complete.
- Candidates must keep a copy of the application form for future reference.
Table 1: Important Dates for UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam 2024
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | To be announced |
| Online Application Start Date | To be announced |
| Online Application Last Date | To be announced |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced |
| Preliminary Examination | To be announced |
| Main Examination | To be announced |
| Result Declaration | To be announced |
Table 2: Subject-wise Syllabus for UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam 2024
| Subject | Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Geology | Physical Geology, Structural Geology, Economic Geology, Geochemistry, Hydrogeology, Engineering Geology |
| Geophysics | Earth’s Interior, Seismology, Gravity and Magnetic Methods, Electrical Methods, Geothermal Energy, Remote Sensing and GIS |
| Chemistry | Geochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry |
| Meteorology | Atmospheric Science, Weather Systems, Climate Change, Atmospheric Pollution, Meteorological Instruments |
| Oceanography | Physical Oceanography, Chemical Oceanography, Biological Oceanography, Geological Oceanography, Oceanographic Instruments |
Note: The above information is for general guidance only. Candidates are advised to refer to the official notification for the latest information and updates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the eligibility criteria for the UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam?
- You must be an Indian citizen.
- You must have a Master’s degree in the relevant subject (Geology, Geophysics, Chemistry, Meteorology, or Oceanography) from a recognized university.
- You must meet the age limit criteria.
2. How can I apply for the UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam?
- The application process is entirely online.
- You need to create an account on the UPSC website and fill out the application form.
- You will need to upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and other required documents.
- You need to pay the application fee online or through a bank challan.
3. What is the application fee for the exam?
- The application fee varies based on category.
- General category candidates need to pay â¹200.
- OBC candidates need to pay â¹200.
- SC/ST candidates need to pay â¹100.
- PwD candidates need to pay â¹100.
4. What is the exam pattern for the UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam?
- The exam is conducted in two stages: Preliminary and Main Examination.
- The Preliminary Examination is objective type, consisting of two papers: General Studies and Subject-specific paper.
- The Main Examination is descriptive type, consisting of two papers: General Studies and Subject-specific paper.
5. What is the syllabus for the UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam?
- The syllabus is vast and covers a wide range of topics.
- You can find the detailed syllabus for each subject on the official website of the UPSC.
6. How can I prepare for the UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam?
- Start your preparation early and follow a well-planned strategy.
- Understand the syllabus thoroughly.
- Refer to standard textbooks and study materials.
- Practice previous year papers.
- Join coaching classes if needed.
- Stay updated with current affairs.
- Develop time management skills.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
7. What are some tips for filling the application form?
- Read the instructions carefully before filling the form.
- Fill the form accurately and completely.
- Upload correct documents as per the specifications.
- Review the form before submitting it.
- Keep a copy of the application form for future reference.
8. What are some important points to remember about the application form?
- The application form must be filled online.
- The application fee is non-refundable.
- The application form must be submitted before the last date.
- Ensure all information provided is correct and complete.
- Keep a copy of the application form for future reference.
9. Where can I find the important dates for the exam?
- The important dates for the exam will be announced by the UPSC through a notification.
- The notification will be published on the official website of the UPSC.
10. What are the consequences of submitting an incomplete or incorrect application form?
- Your application may be rejected.
- You may not be eligible to appear for the exam.
Note: This is not an exhaustive list of FAQs. You can find more information on the official website of the UPSC.