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100+ Free UPSC Geo-Scientist Practice Questions

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In coordination chemistry, the number of ligand donor atoms directly bonded to a central metal ion is called the:

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Key Facts: UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam

2 papers

Objective Prelims papers

UPSC notification

100 + 300

Marks: GS Paper I + Subject Paper II

UPSC

1/3

Negative marking per wrong answer

UPSC

2 hours

Duration of each paper

UPSC

Rs 200

Application fee (exemptions apply)

UPSC notification

GSI & CGWB

Recruiting organisations

Ministry of Mines / Ministry of Water Resources

The UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination is a yearly objective test for GSI and CGWB posts. It has two papers: Paper I General Studies (100 marks) and a stream-specific Paper II (300 marks), each 2 hours with one-third negative marking. The Rs 200 fee is waived for Female/SC/ST/PwBD. Prelims is qualifying only.

Sample UPSC Geo-Scientist Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your UPSC Geo-Scientist exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination, which paper is common to all streams (Geology/Hydrogeology, Geophysics, and Chemistry)?
A.Paper I: General Studies
B.Paper II: Stream-specific subject
C.The Mains descriptive paper
D.The Personality Test
Explanation: Paper I of the Prelims is General Studies and is identical for every candidate regardless of the stream they apply for. It carries 100 marks. Paper II is the stream-specific objective subject paper carrying 300 marks.
2What is the negative marking penalty for each wrong answer in the Combined Geo-Scientist Preliminary objective papers?
A.One-third (1/3) of the marks assigned to that question
B.One-half (1/2) of the marks assigned
C.Full marks of the question
D.No negative marking applies
Explanation: UPSC deducts one-third of the marks allotted to a question for every incorrect answer in the objective Prelims papers. This is the standard penalty across most UPSC objective examinations and discourages blind guessing.
3The Combined Geo-Scientist Examination recruits officers primarily for which two government organisations?
A.Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)
B.ISRO and the Survey of India
C.ONGC and Coal India Limited
D.BARC and the National Geophysical Research Institute
Explanation: The exam fills Group 'A' and Group 'B' posts of Geologist, Geophysicist and Chemist in the Geological Survey of India (Ministry of Mines) and Scientist/Hydrogeologist posts in the Central Ground Water Board (Ministry of Water Resources). These are the two principal recruiting bodies.
4Which article of the Indian Constitution provides for the establishment of the Union Public Service Commission, the body that conducts the Geo-Scientist Examination?
A.Article 315
B.Article 280
C.Article 324
D.Article 148
Explanation: Article 315 provides for a Public Service Commission for the Union and for each State. The UPSC is therefore a constitutional body. Article 320 lists its functions, including conducting examinations for appointments to the services of the Union.
5Which of the following rivers does NOT originate in India?
A.Brahmaputra
B.Godavari
C.Krishna
D.Narmada
Explanation: The Brahmaputra originates as the Yarlung Tsangpo near Mansarovar in Tibet (China) and enters India in Arunachal Pradesh. The Godavari, Krishna and Narmada all rise within Indian territory in the Western Ghats or central highlands.
6The 'Quit India Movement' of 1942 was launched by Mahatma Gandhi from which session of the Indian National Congress?
A.Bombay (Gowalia Tank) session
B.Lahore session
C.Lucknow session
D.Tripuri session
Explanation: On 8 August 1942 the All India Congress Committee passed the Quit India resolution at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay, where Gandhi gave the 'Do or Die' call. The movement demanded an immediate end to British rule.
7In the Indian banking system, which institution acts as the lender of last resort and regulates monetary policy?
A.Reserve Bank of India
B.State Bank of India
C.NABARD
D.SEBI
Explanation: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), established in 1935, is the central bank. It formulates monetary policy, issues currency, and acts as the lender of last resort to commercial banks during liquidity crises. The repo rate is one of its key policy tools.
8Which gas is the most abundant greenhouse gas contributing to anthropogenic global warming by total radiative forcing?
A.Carbon dioxide
B.Methane
C.Nitrous oxide
D.Ozone
Explanation: Carbon dioxide (CO2), mainly from fossil-fuel combustion and deforestation, contributes the largest share of anthropogenic radiative forcing despite having a lower per-molecule warming potential than methane, because it is emitted in far greater quantities and persists for centuries.
9Which of the following is a fundamental right guaranteed under Part III of the Indian Constitution?
A.Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32)
B.Right to Property (Article 300A)
C.Directive Principles of State Policy
D.Fundamental Duties (Article 51A)
Explanation: The Right to Constitutional Remedies under Article 32 allows citizens to approach the Supreme Court directly to enforce fundamental rights. B. R. Ambedkar called it the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution. It falls within Part III (Fundamental Rights).
10The Tropic of Cancer passes through how many Indian states?
A.Eight
B.Five
C.Ten
D.Three
Explanation: The Tropic of Cancer (23.5 degrees N) passes through eight Indian states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram. This line roughly divides India into tropical and subtropical zones.

About the UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam

The Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination is conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit Geologists, Geophysicists and Chemists for the Geological Survey of India (Ministry of Mines) and Junior Hydrogeologists/Scientists for the Central Ground Water Board (Ministry of Water Resources). Stage I (Prelims) is fully objective and consists of two papers: Paper I, General Studies (100 marks, common to every candidate), and Paper II, a stream-specific subject paper (300 marks) in Geology/Hydrogeology, Geophysics, or Chemistry. Each paper lasts two hours and applies one-third negative marking for wrong answers. The Prelims is qualifying in nature — its marks decide admission to the descriptive Mains examination but are not counted in the final merit, which is based on the Mains and a 200-mark Personality Test.

Questions

240 scored questions

Time Limit

2 hours per paper (4 hours total across two papers)

Passing Score

UPSC sets the qualifying cut-off each year; Prelims is screening/qualifying only

Exam Fee

Rs 200 (no fee for Female/SC/ST/PwBD candidates) (Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), New Delhi)

UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam Content Outline

100 marks

Paper I: General Studies

Common to all streams: current affairs, Indian history and the national movement, Indian and world geography, polity and governance, economic and social development, environment and ecology, and general science

300 marks

Paper II: Geology / Hydrogeology

Stream I subject paper: physical and structural geology, mineralogy, igneous and metamorphic petrology, sedimentology, palaeontology, stratigraphy, economic geology, and hydrogeology

300 marks

Paper II: Geophysics

Stream II subject paper: solid-earth geophysics, seismology, geomagnetism, gravity, geophysical prospecting, electromagnetism, mathematical methods, remote sensing, and radiometry

300 marks

Paper II: Chemistry

Stream III subject paper: chemical periodicity and bonding, acids and bases, quantitative inorganic analysis, gaseous state, thermodynamics and equilibrium, electrochemistry, kinetics, and organic chemistry

How to Pass the UPSC Geo-Scientist Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: UPSC sets the qualifying cut-off each year; Prelims is screening/qualifying only
  • Exam length: 240 questions
  • Time limit: 2 hours per paper (4 hours total across two papers)
  • Exam fee: Rs 200 (no fee for Female/SC/ST/PwBD candidates)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

UPSC Geo-Scientist Study Tips from Top Performers

1Treat Paper I General Studies seriously — although it carries fewer marks than Paper II, qualifying both papers is essential and weak GS preparation sinks many strong subject candidates.
2Solve UPSC's released previous-year Geo-Scientist Prelims papers to calibrate the M.Sc.-level depth of your stream's Paper II.
3Practise under one-third negative marking so you learn when an educated guess is worth the risk and when to leave a question blank.
4Master core formulae and classifications (Darcy's Law, Bowen's series, IUGS naming, seismic velocities, periodic trends) since the objective format rewards quick recall.
5Build a current-affairs habit covering national and international events, government schemes, and science-and-technology developments for the GS paper.
6Revise diagrams and concept maps — folds and faults, plate boundaries, the geological time scale, and aquifer cross-sections translate directly into objective questions.
7Take full 2-hour timed mocks for each paper to build stamina and pace across the four-hour Prelims day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist (Preliminary) Examination?

It is an annual objective examination conducted by UPSC to recruit Geologists, Geophysicists and Chemists for the Geological Survey of India and Junior Hydrogeologists/Scientists for the Central Ground Water Board. The Prelims has two objective papers and is the first of three selection stages.

How is the Preliminary examination structured?

There are two objective papers. Paper I is General Studies (100 marks, common to all streams) and Paper II is the stream-specific subject paper (300 marks) in Geology/Hydrogeology, Geophysics, or Chemistry. Each paper is 2 hours long.

Is there negative marking?

Yes. One-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for every wrong answer in the objective papers, so candidates should answer carefully and avoid blind guessing.

What is the application fee?

The application fee is Rs 200. Female, SC, ST and Persons with Benchmark Disability candidates are exempt from paying the fee.

Is the Prelims counted in the final merit list?

No. The Preliminary examination is qualifying (screening) only. Its marks decide who advances to the descriptive Mains, but the final merit is based on the Mains examination plus the 200-mark Personality Test.

Who is eligible to apply?

Candidates generally need a Master's degree in the relevant discipline (such as M.Sc. Geology/Geological Sciences, Geophysics, Physics, or Chemistry) and must meet UPSC age limits, usually 21-32 years as on 1 January of the exam year, with category relaxations.

Which organisations do successful candidates join?

Selected candidates are appointed to Group 'A' and Group 'B' posts in the Geological Survey of India under the Ministry of Mines and in the Central Ground Water Board under the Ministry of Water Resources.

How many stages are there after Prelims?

Two more. Candidates who qualify the Prelims sit the descriptive Mains (three subject papers of 200 marks each), and those who clear the Mains attend a 200-mark Personality Test (interview).