The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the notification for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE), 2027 on 2 September 2026 on its official website. As per Examination Notice No. 01/2027-GEOL, online applications opened on 2 September 2026 and will close on 22 September 2026. UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Exam 2027 suits postgraduate candidates in geology, geophysics, chemistry or hydrogeology who want a Group ‘A’ or Group ‘B’ scientific post in the Geological Survey of India or the Central Ground Water Board.
UPSC is recruiting for a total of 127 posts (tentative, liable to alteration) across two organisations: the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines, and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Ministry of Jal Shakti. A full discipline-wise and group-wise breakdown of the vacancies follows below. The notification does not specify individual places of posting for the recruited candidates. Candidates should check all details in the article below.
Information verified from the official UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination Notice No. 01/2027-GEOL dated 2 September 2026. Last verified: 2 September 2026.
The Union Public Service Commission is recruiting for 127 posts of Geologist, Geophysicist, Chemist, Assistant Geologist, Assistant Geophysicist and Assistant Chemist in the Geological Survey of India, and Scientist ‘B’ and Assistant-level posts in the Central Ground Water Board, through the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE), 2027, under Examination Notice No. 01/2027-GEOL. The last date to apply online is 22 September 2026 till 6:00 PM, at upsconline.nic.in. Selection is through a Preliminary Examination, a Main Examination and a Personality Test/Interview, and this notification covers the Preliminary stage only.
Quick summary of UPSC CGSE 2027 – 127 Geo-Scientist Posts
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), for Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) |
| Post | Geologist, Geophysicist, Chemist, Assistant Geologist, Assistant Geophysicist, Assistant Chemist (GSI); Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology/Chemical/Geophysics), Assistant Hydrogeologist, Assistant Chemist, Assistant Geophysicist (CGWB) |
| Total Vacancy | 127 (tentative) |
| Salary | Not mentioned in the official notification |
| Application Mode | Online only, at upsconline.nic.in |
| Eligibility | Master’s degree in the relevant geoscience/chemistry discipline, post-wise (see below) |
| Selection Process | Preliminary Examination → Main Examination → Personality Test/Interview |
| Last Date | 22 September 2026, 6:00 PM |
| Who Can Apply | Postgraduates aged 21–32 years (as on 1 January 2027) in geology, geophysics, chemistry or hydrogeology-related disciplines |
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About UPSC
The Union Public Service Commission conducts nationwide competitive examinations for recruitment to central government scientific, administrative and technical services. CGSE 2027 fills posts in two technical bodies: the Geological Survey of India, which works under the Ministry of Mines and carries out geological mapping and mineral exploration across the country, and the Central Ground Water Board, under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, which manages India’s groundwater resources. Selection through UPSC leads to a Group ‘A’ or Group ‘B’ central government scientific post.
Local context
For candidates in Darjeeling, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri and the rest of North Bengal, Kolkata is listed as an examination centre for both the Preliminary Examination and the Main Examination of CGSE 2027. Candidates from Sikkim and the North East can also look at Dispur (Guwahati), which is listed as a Main Examination centre, while Kolkata is available for the Preliminary stage. Centre allotment works on a first-apply-first-allot basis, and a centre can fill up and get frozen before the closing date, so applying early gives a better chance of getting the centre of choice.
This is added context, not part of the official notification: since Kolkata and Dispur are available, candidates based in North Bengal or Sikkim may not need to travel to a metro outside the region for this exam. Confirm final centre availability at the time of applying.
Important dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | 2 September 2026 |
| Online application start | 2 September 2026 |
| Last date to apply online | 22 September 2026, 6:00 PM |
| Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination | 10 January 2027 |
| Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination | 19 & 20 June 2027 |
The online application link will be disabled after 6:00 PM on 22 September 2026, and no application will be accepted after this time.
UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Exam 2027 – Vacancy details and salary
The salary or pay scale for these posts is not mentioned in the official notification.
Category-I: Geological Survey of India (Ministry of Mines)
| Post | Group | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Geologist | A | 29 |
| Geophysicist | A | 00 |
| Chemist | A | 07 |
| Assistant Geologist | B | 34 |
| Assistant Geophysicist | B | 35 |
| Assistant Chemist | B | 06 |
| Category-I Total | 111 |
Of these, 8 vacancies are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability: 1 Geologist [OH(OA/OL)]; 1 Chemist [HH]; 2 Assistant Geologists [1-OH(OA/OL) and 1-HH]; 3 Assistant Geophysicists [3-HH]; and 1 Assistant Chemist [HH].
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Category-II: Central Ground Water Board (Ministry of Jal Shakti)
| Post | Group | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology) | A | 05 |
| Scientist ‘B’ (Chemical) | A | 01 |
| Scientist ‘B’ (Geophysics) | A | 01 |
| Assistant Hydrogeologist | B | 07 |
| Assistant Chemist | B | 01 |
| Assistant Geophysicist | B | 01 |
| Category-II Total | 16 |
Of these, 2 vacancies are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability: 1 Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology) [HH] and 1 Assistant Hydrogeologist [LDCP].
Total: 127 posts (Category-I 111 + Category-II 16). The notification states this number is tentative and liable to alteration, and that appointments will be made temporarily in the first instance. A candidate can apply for one or both categories using a single application and a single fee.
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Eligibility (per post)
Age limit: a candidate must be between 21 and 32 years old on 1 January 2027, that is, born not earlier than 2 January 1995 and not later than 1 January 2006. This age limit applies to every post listed above.
Educational qualification, by stream
| Stream / Posts | Required qualification |
|---|---|
| Geologist (GSI, Group A) | Master’s degree in 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 |
| Assistant Geologist (GSI, Group B) | Master’s or Integrated Master’s degree in Geology, Applied Geology, Mineral Exploration, Marine Geology, or Earth Science |
| Geophysicist (GSI, Group A) and Scientist ‘B’ (Geophysics) (CGWB, Group A) | M.Sc. in Physics or Applied Physics; M.Sc. (Geophysics); Integrated M.Sc. (Exploration Geophysics); M.Sc. (Applied Geophysics); M.Sc. (Marine Geophysics); or M.Sc. (Tech.) (Applied Geophysics) |
| Assistant Geophysicist (GSI and CGWB, Group B) | M.Sc., M.Sc. (Tech), or Integrated M.Sc. in Geophysics, Exploration Geophysics, Applied Geophysics, Geo-Exploration, Marine Geophysics, Physics, Applied Physics, or Applied Geology |
| Chemist (GSI, Group A) and Scientist ‘B’ (Chemical) (CGWB, Group A) | M.Sc. in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, or Analytical Chemistry |
| Assistant Chemist (GSI and CGWB, Group B) | M.Sc. or Integrated M.Sc. in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Hydro-Chemistry, or Industrial Chemistry |
| Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology) (CGWB, Group A) and Assistant Hydrogeologist (CGWB, Group B) | Master’s degree in Geology, Applied Geology, Marine Geology, or Hydrogeology |
A candidate holding a qualifying degree in Geo-Exploration or Applied Geology can apply under either the Geophysics stream or the Geology/Hydrogeology stream, but must choose only one stream while filling the online application, and can apply for posts under that one stream only. Nationality: the candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from certain listed countries with the intention of settling permanently in India.
Age relaxation: up to 5 years for government servants in the corresponding department (GSI or CGWB); up to 5 years for SC/ST candidates; up to 3 years for OBC candidates; up to 5 years for Ex-servicemen (subject to conditions); and up to 10 years for Persons with Benchmark Disability.
Selection process
The selection process for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Exam 2027 runs through three stages, and this notification invites applications for Stage-I only.
- Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination – Objective type, two papers (General Studies and a stream-specific paper), 400 marks total, held on 10 January 2027.
- Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination – Descriptive type, three papers in the candidate’s stream, 600 marks total, held on 19 and 20 June 2027.
- Personality Test/Interview – 200 marks, with no minimum qualifying marks.
There is negative marking in the Preliminary Examination: one-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer, and there is no penalty for a question left blank. Calculators are not allowed in the Preliminary Examination; only non-programmable pocket calculators are allowed in the Main Examination’s descriptive papers.
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Application fee
Candidates are required to pay a fee of Rs. 200 for CGSE 2027, payable through net banking or Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card/UPI only. Female candidates and candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Persons with Benchmark Disability are exempted from this fee. OBC and EWS candidates are not exempted and must pay the full fee. The fee, once paid, is not refunded under any circumstances.
How to apply for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Exam 2027
- Register on the UPSC Online Application Portal to create an Account and generate a Universal Registration Number (URN), if not already registered.
- Complete the Universal Registration and the Common Application Form (CAF), including photo ID details, live photo capture, and uploading a signature signed three times on plain white paper in black ink.
- Fill the examination-specific module for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, 2027, including the choice of stream, category (or both categories), and preferred examination centre.
- Pay the application fee of Rs. 200 online (unless exempted), and submit the application before 22 September 2026, 6:00 PM.
Documents to keep ready:
- Certificate of age
- Certificate of educational qualification
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS), where applicable
- Certificate in support of age or fee concession, where applicable
- Certificate of Benchmark Disability, where applicable
- One photo ID — Aadhaar Card is strongly recommended by UPSC
Important links
- Official UPSC Notification PDF – Examination Notice No. 01/2027-GEOL
- UPSC Online Application Portal
- About UPSC – Union Public Service Commission
- Latest Government Jobs – All India
- Post Graduate Jobs
Should you apply for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Exam 2027?
UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Exam 2027 suits postgraduates in geology, geophysics, chemistry or hydrogeology who are looking for a permanent central government scientific career, since selection through UPSC leads to a Group ‘A’ or Group ‘B’ post in GSI or CGWB with long-term postings across India. With only 127 tentative posts spread across two categories and up to seven streams, competition is likely to be high among eligible postgraduates nationwide, since this is one of the very few all-India recruitment routes into government geoscience services. This is added context, not part of the official notification. One trade-off to weigh: this notification is only for the Preliminary stage, so a candidate will not know their final outcome until after the Main Examination in June 2027 and a subsequent Personality Test, a process that runs across most of the year. Candidates already employed in government service should also note the requirement to inform their department in writing before applying.
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FAQs on UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Exam 2027
What is the last date to apply for UPSC CGSE 2027?
The last date to apply online for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (Preliminary), 2027 is 22 September 2026, till 6:00 PM, at upsconline.nic.in. The application link will be disabled after this time, and no extension has been announced.
How many vacancies are there in UPSC CGSE 2027?
There are 127 tentative vacancies: 111 in the Geological Survey of India across Geologist, Geophysicist, Chemist and Assistant-level posts, and 16 in the Central Ground Water Board across Scientist ‘B’ and Assistant-level posts. The number is liable to alteration.
What is the age limit for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027?
Candidates must be between 21 and 32 years old on 1 January 2027, meaning born between 2 January 1995 and 1 January 2006. Age relaxation applies to SC/ST, OBC, PwBD, ex-servicemen and government servant candidates as per the notification.
Is UPSC CGSE a good option for an M.Sc. Geology or Geophysics graduate?
CGSE is one of the main nationwide routes for postgraduates in geology, geophysics, chemistry and hydrogeology to enter a permanent central government scientific service. This is added context, not part of the official notification. Candidates should weigh the multi-stage, roughly year-long selection process before applying.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I am Sandeep Khati, the founder of India Job Alerts. I hold a B.Tech in Computer Science from JGEC (2010). My career began as a Systems Engineer at TCS, and I have been active in the digital publishing space since 2011, starting with the launch of SearchDarjeeling.com and my work as a web developer and designer at Darjeeling Informatics.
Launched in April 2025, India Job Alerts is my most focused project to date. I am dedicated to publishing verified government and PSU job notifications for candidates in West Bengal, Sikkim, and across India. To guarantee accuracy, I personally cross-check every post against official notifications before publishing. Know more