The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has come out with the notification for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE) 2027, opening the door for postgraduates in Geology, Geophysics, Chemistry and Hydrogeology to compete for 127 posts across the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).
Aspirants who have been preparing for a Group ‘A’ scientific career in the central government now have a fresh opportunity, and the window to apply online opened on 02 September 2026 and will remain open till 22 September 2026. This article walks through everything a candidate needs to know before applying — dates, vacancy break-up, eligibility, fee, pay scale, exam pattern and the step-by-step application process.
UPSC CGSE 2027 Notification – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Name of Examination | Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE) 2027 |
| Examination Notice No. | 01/2027-GEOL |
| Total Posts | 127 (Tentative, subject to change) |
| Recruiting Departments | Geological Survey of India (GSI) & Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) |
| Level of Exam | National |
| Mode of Application | Online only |
| Application Window | 02 September 2026 to 22 September 2026 |
| Prelims Exam Stage | Preliminary Examination (this notification) |
| Official Website | Click Here |
UPSC CGSE 2027 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release | 02 September 2026 |
| Start of Online Application | 02 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Online Application | 22 September 2026 (up to 6:00 PM) |
| Window to Edit Application (Form Correction) | As notified separately by UPSC |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced (usually 3 weeks before exam) |
| Preliminary Examination Date | 10 January 2027 |
| Main Examination (tentative) | 19 & 20 June 2027 |
Candidates are advised not to wait for the last date since the application server tends to slow down closer to the deadline, and last-minute technical glitches can cost a serious aspirant an entire year.
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Vacancy Details
A total of 127 tentative vacancies have been notified across two recruiting bodies. The numbers below can be revised by UPSC before the recruitment cycle is completed.
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 |
| Sub-Total | – | 111 |
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 |
| Sub-Total | – | 16 |
Grand Total: 127 posts (111 under GSI + 16 under CGWB). Reservation for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwBD categories will apply as per extant Government of India norms, and the category-wise break-up is available in the official notification.
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UPSC CGSE 2027 – Educational Qualification
Eligibility differs by post and stream, and candidates must hold a relevant postgraduate degree from a recognised university. The broad requirement for each stream is summarised below.
| Post / Stream | Qualification Required |
| Geologist / Assistant Geologist | Master’s degree in Geology, Applied Geology, Geological Science, Geo-Exploration, Mineral Exploration, Engineering Geology, Marine Geology, Earth Science, Oceanography & Coastal Studies, Petroleum Geosciences or Geochemistry |
| Geophysicist / Assistant Geophysicist / Scientist ‘B’ (Geophysics) | M.Sc. in Physics, Applied Physics, Geophysics, Exploration Geophysics, Applied Geophysics or Marine Geophysics |
| Chemist / Assistant Chemist / Scientist ‘B’ (Chemical) | M.Sc. in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic/Organic Chemistry, Hydro-Chemistry or Industrial Chemistry |
| Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology) / Assistant Hydrogeologist | Master’s degree in Geology, Applied Geology, Marine Geology or Hydrogeology |
Candidates who are in the final semester or awaiting their postgraduate result may also apply provisionally, subject to producing proof of having passed the qualifying examination at the stage prescribed by the Commission.
Nationality
A candidate must be a citizen of India. Applicants should refer to the detailed nationality clause in the official notification for any exceptions applicable to specific posts.
Age Limit
The minimum age to apply is 21 years, and the upper age limit is 32 years, both reckoned as on 01 January 2027. In other words, only those candidates born between 02 January 1995 and 01 January 2006 (both dates inclusive) are eligible to apply. Age relaxation is admissible to candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, ex-servicemen and other categories specified by Government of India rules; the exact number of relaxation years for each category is detailed in the official notification and should be verified before applying.
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
| General / OBC / EWS Male Candidates | Rs. 200/- |
| Female Candidates (All Categories) | Nil |
| SC / ST Candidates | Nil |
| PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability) | Nil |
The fee can be paid online through net banking, credit card, debit card, or by cash at any branch of the associated bank via a generated pay-in slip. Once paid, the application fee is generally non-refundable, so candidates should double-check their eligibility before making the payment.
UPSC CGSE 2027 Selection Process
Selection to the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 is a three-stage process, and only candidates who clear each stage move on to the next:
- Preliminary Examination — objective type, used to shortlist candidates for the Main Examination
- Main Examination — descriptive/conventional type, subject-specific papers
- Personality Test / Interview — for candidates who qualify the Main Examination
A distinctive feature of this exam (unlike the UPSC Civil Services Examination) is that the marks scored in the Preliminary Examination are also counted while preparing the final merit list, in addition to the Main Examination and Interview marks. This makes strong performance in the Prelims equally important for the final outcome.
Salary / Pay Scale
Selected candidates will be placed on the pay matrix applicable to Central Government scientific posts, as per the 7th Central Pay Commission recommendations, along with Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance and field/travel allowances as applicable.
| Post Category | Pay Level / Basic Pay (Approximate) |
| Group ‘A’ Posts (Geologist, Geophysicist, Chemist, Scientist ‘B’) | Pay Level 10, Basic Pay starting around Rs. 56,100/- per month |
| Group ‘B’ Posts (Assistant Geologist, Assistant Geophysicist, Assistant Chemist, Assistant Hydrogeologist) | Pay Level as prescribed for the respective Group ‘B’ post, plus applicable allowances |
Along with the pay, selected officers get access to other government service benefits such as National Pension System (NPS), medical facilities, leave travel concession, and promotional avenues within GSI and CGWB. Exact pay levels for each post are notified in the detailed advertisement and may be confirmed there.
Exam Pattern
The Preliminary Examination for CGSE 2027 is an objective-type test with two papers carrying a combined total of 400 marks. The subject of Paper-II depends on the stream (Geology/Hydrogeology, Geophysics, or Chemistry) chosen by the candidate.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
| Paper-I | General Studies | 100 | 2 Hours |
| Paper-II | Stream-specific subject (Geology/Hydrogeology, Geophysics or Chemistry) | 300 | 2 Hours |
| Total | – | 400 | – |
The Main Examination, held later for candidates who qualify the Prelims, is descriptive in nature and carries 600 marks across subject-specific conventional papers. The Personality Test that follows carries 200 marks. Final merit is drawn from the combined score of Main Examination and Interview, together with the Preliminary Examination marks as applicable under the scheme.
Negative marking is applicable for wrong answers in the objective-type Preliminary papers, so candidates should attempt questions carefully rather than guessing at random.
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UPSC CGSE 2027 How to Apply
Candidates must apply online through the UPSC application portal. The broad steps are given below:
- Visit the official UPSC online application portal at upsconline.nic.in.
- Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) if not already registered, or log in with existing OTR credentials.
- Fill the Common Application Form (CAF) with personal, academic and communication details.
- Select the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 module and choose your stream — Geology, Geophysics or Chemistry — carefully, since it decides your Paper-II subject.
- Choose your preferred Preliminary Examination centres from the list of notified cities.
- Upload your recent photograph and signature as per the prescribed size and format.
- Pay the applicable examination fee online (fee is waived for female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates).
- Preview the filled application carefully and verify every field before submission.
- Submit the form on or before 22 September 2026, up to 6:00 PM.
- Save and print a copy of the submitted application and the fee receipt for future reference.
Applications submitted after the closing date and time will not be accepted under any circumstances, so candidates should keep their documents ready in advance and avoid applying on the last day.
Documents Required for UPSC CGSE 2027
- Valid photo identity proof (Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, voter ID, etc.)
- Matriculation or secondary school certificate for date of birth proof
- Postgraduate degree certificate and mark sheets in the relevant subject
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS), where applicable
- PwBD certificate, where applicable
- Recent passport-size photograph in the prescribed format
- Signature scanned as per UPSC specifications
- Fee payment receipt, if the fee is applicable
Keeping scanned copies of all the above documents ready before starting the form will help candidates complete the application smoothly and avoid last-minute upload errors.
Important Links
| Link | Purpose |
| Click here | Apply Online for UPSC CGSE 2027 |
| Click here | Download Official Notification PDF and Check Updates |
Candidates are strongly advised to read the complete official notification on upsc.gov.in before filling the form, since it carries the final and authoritative version of eligibility, reservation, and other conditions.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When was the UPSC CGSE 2027 notification released?
The notification for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 was released by UPSC on 02 September 2026.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for UPSC CGSE 2027?
The online application window closes on 22 September 2026 up to 6:00 PM.
Q3. How many total vacancies are there in UPSC CGSE 2027?
A total of 127 tentative vacancies have been notified across the Geological Survey of India and the Central Ground Water Board.
Q4. What is the age limit for UPSC CGSE 2027?
Candidates must be between 21 and 32 years of age as on 01 January 2027, with age relaxation applicable for reserved categories.
Q5. What is the application fee for UPSC CGSE 2027?
The application fee is Rs. 200/- for General, OBC and EWS male candidates. Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempt from paying the fee.
Q6. What educational qualification is required for UPSC CGSE 2027?
A relevant postgraduate (Master’s) degree in Geology, Geophysics, Chemistry, Hydrogeology or an allied subject is required, depending on the post and stream chosen.
Q7. When will the UPSC CGSE 2027 Preliminary Examination be held?
The Preliminary Examination is scheduled to be conducted on 10 January 2027.
Q8. Are Prelims marks counted in the final UPSC CGSE merit list?
Yes, unlike the Civil Services Examination, the marks scored in the Preliminary Examination of CGSE are counted along with the Main Examination and Interview marks for the final merit.
Q9. What is the selection process for UPSC CGSE 2027?
Selection involves three stages: the Preliminary Examination, the Main Examination, and the Personality Test/Interview.
Q10. What is the starting salary for posts under UPSC CGSE 2027?
Group ‘A’ posts carry a starting basic pay of around Rs. 56,100/- per month (Pay Level 10), along with applicable allowances, while Group ‘B’ posts are placed at their respective prescribed pay levels.
Q11. How can I apply for UPSC CGSE 2027?
Candidates need to apply online through upsconline.nic.in by completing One-Time Registration, filling the Common Application Form, selecting the exam module and stream, uploading photograph/signature, paying the fee (if applicable), and submitting the form before the deadline.
Q12. Can final-year postgraduate students apply for UPSC CGSE 2027?
Yes, candidates awaiting their final postgraduate result may apply provisionally, subject to producing proof of passing at the stage prescribed by UPSC.
Disclaimer
This article has been prepared for general informational purposes only, based on publicly available details of the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE) 2027 notification. While every effort has been made to keep the details accurate and updated, vacancy numbers, dates, fee structure and other particulars are subject to change at the discretion of the Union Public Service Commission.
Readers are strongly advised to verify all details from the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) and the official notification PDF before taking any action related to the application, exam or selection process. This website is not affiliated with UPSC or any government body, and does not take responsibility for any loss arising from reliance on the information provided here.