In recent notice [F.No.10/5/2017-E.I(B)], UPSC has revised the scheme, pattern and syllabi of Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Examination.

The salient features of the same are as under:

1. The nomenclature of this Examination has been changed to “Combined Geo-Scientist Examination” in place of “Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Examination”.
2.  There will a three tier examination pattern i.e. (i) Stage-I : Preliminary Examination (ii) Stage-II : Main Examination (iii) Stage-III : Personality Test.
3. Preliminary Examination will screen the candidates for taking the Main Examination (Stage–II).
4. The Preliminary Examination will be of objective type having two Papers. Marks secured in this Examination will be counted for deciding the final merit.
5. The Preliminary Examination will be a Computer Based Examination.
6. The Main Examination will have three Papers for each Stream and all Papers will be of descriptive type. Marks secured in this Examination will be counted for deciding the final merit.
7. Existing General English Paper has been discontinued.
8. The Revised Scheme, Pattern and Syllabi of the Examination will be made effective from the 2020 Examination to give sufficient preparation time to the aspirants

This pattern is an attempt towards making all the UPSC exams on same pattern like CSE, IFS, IES. Now Combined Geo-Scientist Examination will also have the same pattern like these.

What does it means to the students?

The students who are looking to sit for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination in 2020 or after will have to make changes in the way they are preparing. The syllabus is now broader and requires more width of knowledge including General Studies (GS).

The expected changes in study pattern will be:

1. Reading Newspaper and keeping in touch with current affairs.
2. Reading History of India, Constitution of India (Polity), Indian and world Geography, Eco. and social development, Environment and General science
3. Practicing objective type questions for geology, hydrogeology and Geophysics depending upon the exam you are sitting for.
4. Personality test, which is stage III, is of 200 marks can become a deciding factor in determining selection. For that one must be very clear headed and must have the ability to form opinions and different perspective towards things going around him/her.

Geology Concepts will help the students to prepare for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, by designing course that will specifically target the new pattern.

All the Best!