SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD candidates get reservation benefits as per government rules.

Candidate must be either: Citizen of India
Subject of Nepal or Bhutan
Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962
Indian origin person migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or East African countries

Stage 1: Preliminary Examination

Objective Type Questions

Negative Marking: 1/3rd for each wrong answer

Paper	Duration	Marks
Paper-I: General Studies	2 Hours	100
Paper-II: Subject Paper	2 Hours	300

Total-400 Mark

Stage 2: Main Examination (Descriptive)

Paper	Duration	Marks
Paper-I:	3 Hours	200
Paper-II:	3 Hours	200
Paper-III:	3 Hours	200

Total — 600

Stage 3: Personality Test / Interview
Marks: 200

Cracking the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2026 requires a smart strategy, consistent practice, and time management. Here’s a complete guide:

General Awareness & Current Affairs
Daily Newspaper Reading: Read The Hindu or Indian Express for 30 minutes every day.
Monthly Magazines: Use Pratiyogita Darpan or online PDFs for quick revision.
Static GK: Cover History, Geography, Polity, and Economy from NCERT books (Class 6–10).
Daily Revision: Make short notes of important facts and revise weekly.

Reasoning Ability
Start with Basics: Learn concepts of series, coding-decoding, analogy, puzzles, and syllogisms.
Daily Practice: Solve at least 20 reasoning questions every day to build accuracy.
Time-Bound Practice: Set a timer to finish reasoning sets quickly.

Numerical Aptitude
Concept Clarity: Focus on percentages, ratios, averages, time & work, simple & compound interest.
Practice Regularly: Solve 15–20 math questions daily to improve speed.
Learn Shortcuts: Practice mental math tricks to save time in calculations.

Mock Tests & Previous Papers
One Mock Test Per Week: Start with weekly mock tests, then increase frequency.
Analyze Mistakes: Review weak areas and work on them before the next test.
Previous Papers: Solve at least 4 years of papers to understand question trends.

Time Management Strategy
2–3 Hours Study Daily: Split time between GK, Reasoning, Maths, and Current Affairs.
Last 15 Days: Focus only on revision and mock tests

1. Visit the official website: Click here2. Register using Universal Registration Number (URN)

3. Fill the Common Application Form (CAF) with personal, educational, and category details

4. Upload documents: Photograph, Signature, ID proof

5. Pay application fee (Rs. 200/– for General/OBC, Free for SC/ST/Female/PwBD)

6. Submit and download the confirmation page

1. Understand the Syllabus: Cover all topics from Geology, Geophysics, Chemistry, Hydrogeology, and General Studies.2. Practice Previous Papers: Check last 5 years’ papers for exam trends.

3. Use Standard Books:

Geology: P.K. Mukherjee
Geophysics: A.K. Saxena
Chemistry: P. Bahadur, O.P. Tandon

4. Make Notes: Prepare short notes for revision.

5. Mock Tests: Practice online test series to improve speed & accuracy.

Best Books for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2026

General Studies: Lucent GK, NCERT Books
Geology: Principles of Engineering Geology by K.M. Bangar
Geophysics: An Introduction to Geophysics by P.K. Mukherjee
Chemistry: Physical Chemistry by P. Bahadur, O.P. Tandon

Q1. What is the last date to apply for UPSC CGSE 2026?The last date to apply is 23rd September 2025.

Q2. When will the Preliminary exam be held?

On 8th February 2026.

Q3. How many vacancies are there in UPSC CGSE 2026?

Around 80+ vacancies for Geologists, Geophysicists, Chemists, and Scientists.

Q4. What is the age limit for the exam?

21 to 32 years as of 1st January 2026, with relaxations for reserved categories.

Q5. Is there negative marking in the Prelims?

Yes, 1/3rd mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.

Join WhatsApp

Join Telegram

Conclusion

The UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2026 is a golden opportunity for aspirants aiming for prestigious posts in GSI and CGWB. With proper preparation, understanding of syllabus, and time management, you can secure a top rank. Apply before the deadline and start preparing today.