UPSC CGSE 2027: 127 Geo-Scientist Posts, Check Eligibility, Dates and Apply Online

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has issued a notification regarding the schedule of the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE) 2027 for candidates aspiring for government jobs in the fields of geology, geophysics, chemistry, and hydrogeology. A total of 127 provisional posts have been released for the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).

Candidates fulfilling the eligibility criteria can fill an online application between September 2 and September 22, 2026. The recruitment process will be conducted in three stages, which are Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Interview/Personality Test.

UPSC CGSE 2027 at a Glance

The vacancies are divided between the Geological Survey of India under the Ministry of Mines and the Central Ground Water Board under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

What is the UPSC CGSE 2027 Recruitment?

Combined Geo-Scientist Examination is announced to choose candidates for scientific and technical posts related to geology, geophysics, chemistry, and groundwater. The 2027 notification is issued as Examination Notice No. 01/2027-GEOL. This notification is specifically for the Preliminary Examination. The candidates who qualify will be permitted to move to the Main Examination.

Where Are the 127 Vacancies?

The 127 tentative posts are spread across two government organizations. 

Geological Survey of India: 111 Posts

The GSI category also includes 8 vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disability, according to the notification.

Central Ground Water Board: 16 Posts

Among all the vacancies, two of them are reserved for persons with Benchmark Disability. Candidates can apply for one or both categories through a single application and fee payment.

Check Your Eligibility Before Applying

To be eligible, applicants have to fulfil the nationality conditions, qualification requirements, and age requirements as given in the official notification.

Nationality Eligibility

The applicants have to fulfil the clause of nationality given by the UPSC. This consists of Indians and a few specified categories of Nepalese, Bhutanese, Tibetan refugees, and persons of Indian origin, subject to the conditions given in the notification.

Qualification Requirement

The required qualification depends on the post and subject chosen.

The minimum qualification required is a postgraduate degree that is approved by the university and meets conditions prescribed by the UPSC board on duration. Those candidates who have not received their final result yet are also eligible to apply but need to comply with the rules in obtaining proof that they have cleared the examination before the Personality Test.

Age criteria for UPSC CGSE

 Candidates for the 2027 examination have to fulfill the following age criteria: 

 The age of the candidate should be 21 years on the date of the examination.

• The age limit should not exceed 32 years on 1 January 2027
• Candidates should have been born between 2 January 1995 and 1 January 2006.

 The age limit is relaxed for candidates belonging to the SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, as well as government employees, as per the regulations prescribed. 

 Application Fee 

 The application fee for UPSC CGSE 2027 is ₹200.  

There is no application fee for females and candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwBD categories. For those candidates who belong to the OBC and EWS categories, the appropriate fees should be paid. Payments can be made through the available online payment options.

Important Dates You Should Remember

Candidates are required to complete the application well before the closing date to avoid last-minute problems.

The UPSC helpline will be available from September 2 to September 22, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

How are Candidates Chosen?

There are three main steps in the selection process:

Stage 1 – Preliminary Test

Initially, candidates have to clear the Preliminary Test, which will be conducted in the form of multiple-choice questions.

Stage 2 – Main Examination

The Main Examination comprises descriptive papers on the selected subjects.

Stage 3 – Personality Test/Interview

Candidates who pass the Main Examination undergo a Personality Test/Interview.

The ultimate decision is made based on merit, category, and the number of available vacancies.

UPSC CGSE Exam Pattern 2027

For example, the stream of Geology/Hydrogeology has papers on General Studies with a total of 100 marks and some other subject papers with a total of 300 marks in the Preliminary Examination. Similar subject-based papers are prescribed for Geophysics and Chemistry streams.

The marks obtained in the Preliminary and Main Exams are counted towards the final merit as specified in the examination rules.

Where Will the UPSC CGSE Exam Be Held?

The Preliminary Examination will be conducted at 21 centres, including:

• Ahmedabad
• Bengaluru
• Bhopal
• Chandigarh
• Chennai
• Delhi
• Dispur
• Ghaziabad
• Gurugram
• Hyderabad
• Jaipur
• Jammu
• Kolkata
• Lucknow
• Mumbai
• Patna
• Prayagraj
• Shillong
• Shimla
• Thiruvananthapuram

There will be 9 Exam Centres, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Bhopal, Dispur and Shimla.

Candidates should apply early as centers are allotted based on the principle of first-apply-first-allocated, depending upon available capacity.

Documents to Keep Ready

Candidates should prepare the required documents before filling out the online form.

• Aadhaar Card or another valid identity document
• Matriculation/Secondary School certificate
• Master’s degree certificates and marksheets
• Category certificate, wherever applicable
• Photograph
• Signature

Candidates who belong to reserved categories should make sure that their certificates are in the required format and are valid according to the applicable rules. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply Online

The overall application process for this can be completed online. Here are the key steps you need to follow:

1. Go to the Official Application Portal of UPSC.
2. Make an account and fill out the Universal Registration.
3. Get the Universal Registration Number.
4. Fill out the Common Application Form.
5. Choose the appropriate application module for CGSE 2027.
6. Provide the needed information about your personal life and education.
7. Select an examination centre.
8. Upload your picture, a video of yourself, and your signature according to the instructions given.
9. Pay ₹200 if applicable.
10. Review the application and submit.
11. Keep a copy of the sent application form for your records.

All applications must be sumitted online no later than 22 September 2026, at 6 p.m.

Important Exam-Day Instructions

The following instructions must be considered by candidates during the course of exam preparation:

• The presence of mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth, and similar devices is strictly prohibited inside the exam venue.
• Entry to the venue closes 30 minutes before the commencement of the exam.
• Face authentication as well as identity proof is mandatory.
• Only black colored ball pens should be used for OMR filling.
• Wrong answers carry negative marking in objective-type papers.
• e-Admit Cards can be downloaded online and will not be sent by post.
• Candidates need to keep in mind the UPSC instructions regarding representations against questions and answers.

The UPSC CGSE 2027 recruitment is a good opportunity for candidates who have the relevant Master’s degree in geology, geophysics, chemistry, and hydrogeology. With 127 expected vacancies, candidates must check their eligibility both in terms of qualifications and age before applying. 

The Preliminary Examination will take place on 10 January 2027. Interested candidates must apply before 22 September 2026, 6.00 pm, and adhere to all the instructions of the UPSC during recruitment.