UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE) 2027 Notification for 127 Group A & B Posts

UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist (CGSE) 2027 Recruitment Notification Out: Apply Online for 127 Group A & B Posts

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE), 2027. This is a significant opportunity for aspiring geologists, geophysicists, chemists, and hydrogeologists to join prestigious Group A and Group B positions within the Geological Survey of India (GSI) under the Ministry of Mines and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. A total of 127 tentative vacancies have been announced, inviting online applications from eligible candidates.

Candidates holding a Master's degree in relevant fields and meeting the age criteria (21-32 years as of January 1, 2027) can submit their applications through the UPSC's online portal. The application window opens on September 2, 2026, and closes on September 22, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The selection process involves a rigorous three-stage examination: a Preliminary Examination, a Main Examination, and a Personality Test/Interview.

UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 – Overview

UPSC CGSE 2027 Vacancy Details (Tentative) – 127 Posts

UPSC has announced 127 tentative vacancies across two main categories, with positions in both the Geological Survey of India and the Central Ground Water Board. Candidates can apply for one or both categories using a single application and fee payment. These numbers are subject to change.

Category-I: Geological Survey of India (Ministry of Mines) – 111 Vacancies

PwBD Reserved Vacancies: 8 posts (1 Geologist [OH(OA/OL)], 1 Chemist [HH], 2 Assistant Geologist [1-OH(OA/OL), 1-HH], 3 Assistant Geophysicist [HH], 1 Assistant Chemist [HH]).

Category-II: Central Ground Water Board (Ministry of Jal Shakti) – 16 Vacancies

PwBD Reserved Vacancies: 2 posts (1 Scientist 'B' (Hydrogeology) [HH], 1 Assistant Hydrogeologist [LDCP]).

UPSC CGSE 2027 Eligibility Criteria

Nationality

Applicants must be either:

• A Citizen of India, or
• A Subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
• A Tibetan refugee who arrived in India before January 1, 1962, with the intent of permanent settlement, or
• A Person of Indian Origin who has migrated from specific countries (Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries, Vietnam) with the intent of permanent settlement in India (subject to an eligibility certificate from the Government of India).

Educational Qualification (as on the cut-off date)

Candidates must possess a Master's degree (minimum two years duration after graduation) from a recognized University/Institution in the relevant field for the desired post. Candidates awaiting their final year results are also eligible to apply, provided they submit proof of passing before the Personality Test.

Age Limit (as on January 1, 2027)

• Minimum Age: 21 years
• Maximum Age: 32 years
• Candidates must have been born not earlier than January 2, 1995, and not later than January 1, 2006.

Age Relaxation

Upper age limit relaxations are applicable as per Government of India rules:

• SC/ST Candidates: Up to 5 years
• OBC Candidates: Up to 3 years
• Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD): Up to 10 years
• Government Servants (GSI/CGWB): Up to 5 years (for corresponding posts)
• Disabled Defence Services Personnel: Up to 3 years
• Ex-servicemen: Up to 5 years

UPSC CGSE 2027 Application Fee

A non-refundable application fee of ₹200/- (Rupees Two Hundred Only) is prescribed. The fee can be paid online using net banking, Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card, or UPI.

Exemptions: Female candidates and candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) categories are completely exempted from paying the application fee.

Note: OBC and EWS candidates are required to pay the full prescribed fee.

UPSC CGSE 2027 Selection Process

The selection for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 is a comprehensive three-stage process designed to assess candidates thoroughly:

1. Stage-I: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type) – This stage serves as a screening test to shortlist candidates for the Main Examination. Marks obtained in the Preliminary Exam are counted towards the final merit.
2. Stage-II: Main Examination (Conventional/Descriptive Type) – Candidates who qualify in the Preliminary Examination will appear for the Main Examination. Marks from this stage are also crucial for determining final merit.
3. Stage-III: Personality Test/Interview – Candidates who clear the Main Examination will be called for a Personality Test/Interview. This stage evaluates a candidate's overall suitability for the posts.

Final selection for GSI and CGWB posts is based strictly on the merit position achieved across all stages, considering candidate preference and the number of vacancies in each category.

UPSC CGSE 2027 Exam Pattern Details

The examination consists of three stages:

Stage-I: Preliminary Examination (400 Marks)

• Type: Objective Type, multiple-choice questions.
• Structure: Two papers per stream.
• Negative Marking: Yes, for wrong answers.
• Paper-I (General Studies): 100 marks, 2 hours duration. Common for all streams.
• Paper-II (Stream-Specific): 300 marks, 2 hours duration.
• Streams: Geology/Hydrogeology, Geophysics, Chemistry. Each stream has a specific Paper-II.

Stage-II: Main Examination (600 Marks)

• Type: Conventional/Descriptive Type.
• Structure: Three papers per stream.
• Dates: June 19th and 20th, 2027.

Stage-III: Personality Test/Interview (200 Marks)

• Evaluates suitability, communication skills, and general awareness.

The marks secured in both the Preliminary and Main Examinations contribute to the final merit list.

UPSC CGSE 2027 Examination Centres

Candidates must select their preferred examination centres during the online application process. Early application is advised as centres are allotted on a first-apply-first-allot basis and may have a ceiling, except for Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad.

• Preliminary Examination Centres (21): Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cuttack, Delhi, Dispur, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jammu, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Prayagraj (Allahabad), Shillong, Shimla, Thiruvananthapuram.
• Main Examination Centres (9): Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, Dispur (Guwahati), Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Shimla.

Documents Required for Application and Interview

Candidates should keep the following documents ready for the online application process and for subsequent stages like the Personality Test:

• Valid Government Photo ID: Aadhaar Card (highly recommended), Voter Card, PAN Card, Passport, or Driving Licence.
• Date of Birth Proof: Matriculation/Secondary School Certificate.
• Educational Qualification Certificates: Master's degree mark sheets and certificates for the relevant discipline.
• Category Certificates: SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwBD certificates, if applicable, in the prescribed format and within the validity period.
• Photograph: Recent passport-size coloured photograph (as per UPSC specifications).
• Signature: Clear scanned image of your signature (as per UPSC specifications).

How to Apply Online for UPSC CGSE 2027

Follow these steps to successfully apply for the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027:

1. Visit the Official Portal: Go to the Union Public Service Commission's Online Application Portal at upsconline.nic.in.
2. One-Time Registration (OTR): If you are a new user, complete the One-Time Registration to generate a Universal Registration Number (URN). This URN is valid for all future UPSC examinations.
3. Fill Common Application Form (CAF): Log in with your URN and password. The Common Application Form (CAF) details, shared across UPSC exams, will be pre-filled from your OTR profile.
4. Complete CGSE Specific Module: Navigate to the examination-specific module for CGSE 2027. Here, you will select your preferred posts/categories (GSI/CGWB), choose examination centres, and provide other relevant details.
5. Upload Documents: Upload your recent photograph (including live photo capture if prompted) and scanned signature strictly according to the Commission's specified dimensions and file size.
6. Pay Application Fee: If applicable to your category, proceed to pay the ₹200 application fee online using net banking, credit/debit card, or UPI.
7. Review and Submit: Carefully review all the entered information. Once satisfied, submit your application. Note that no withdrawal, correction, or alteration is permitted after submission, except for the one-time URN profile edit facility which does not impact already submitted applications.
8. Print Confirmation: After successful submission and fee payment, download and print a copy of your application form for future reference.

Important Instructions and Warnings for Candidates

• Electronic Devices Prohibited: Mobile phones, pagers, smartwatches, Bluetooth devices, and any similar electronic equipment are strictly banned inside the examination venue, even if switched off.
• Entry Closure: Entry to the examination venue will close 30 minutes before the commencement of each session. No candidate will be allowed entry after this time, under any circumstances.
• Mandatory Authentication: All candidates must undergo mandatory face authentication and identity verification at the examination venue.
• Writing Instrument: Only black ball pens are permitted for writing and marking on the OMR sheet. The use of pencils and ink pens is not allowed.
• Negative Marking: Be aware that there will be negative marking for incorrect answers in the Objective Type papers of the Preliminary Examination.
• e-Admit Cards: Admit Cards will only be issued online on the UPSC website, usually on the last working day of the week preceding the examination. No physical admit cards will be sent by post.
• Answer Key Representations: Candidates can submit online representations regarding question papers and provisional answer keys within 5 days from the 3rd day of the examination until 6:00 PM of the 7th day. Representations by email, post, or hand will not be accepted.

Important Links

• Official Notification PDF: Click Here
• Apply Online: Click Here
• UPSC Official Website: Click Here