The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 (CGSE 2027). The examination will be conducted for recruitment to various Group A and Group B Geo-Scientist posts under the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines, and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Ministry of Jal Shakti.

As per the notification, the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 notification was issued on September 2, 2026, while the last date to submit the online application is September 22, 2026, up to 6:00 PM. The UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Preliminary Examination is scheduled to be conducted on January 10, 2027, followed by the Main Examination on June 19 and 20, 2027.

The recruitment drive offers a total of 127 tentative vacancies across different Geo-Scientist disciplines. Eligible candidates with the prescribed Master’s degree qualifications in Geology, Geophysics, Chemistry, Hydrogeology and related disciplines can apply.

UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Recruitment 2027: Overview

The Commission has clarified that candidates must apply online only through the UPSC online application portal.

UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Vacancy 2027

The recruitment is divided into two major categories. Category-I covers posts under the Geological Survey of India, while Category-II covers posts under the Central Ground Water Board.

The notification mentions that the vacancies are tentative and liable to alteration. Appointments will initially be made on a temporary basis. Reservation will be applicable to eligible SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwBD candidates as per Government rules.

Category-I: Geological Survey of India Vacancies

The following posts are available under the Geological Survey of India, Ministry of Mines:

The notification specifically lists 29 Geologist, 7 Chemist, 34 Assistant Geologist, 35 Assistant Geophysicist and 6 Assistant Chemist vacancies, while the Geophysicist Group A vacancy is currently shown as zero.

Category-II: Central Ground Water Board Vacancies

The following posts are available under the Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation:

Thus, the combined tentative vacancy position is 111 vacancies in GSI + 16 vacancies in CGWB = 127 vacancies.

PwBD Reserved Vacancies

The notification also specifies vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).

In Category-I, 8 vacancies are reserved for PwBD candidates, including vacancies for Geologist, Chemist, Assistant Geologist, Assistant Geophysicist and Assistant Chemist.

In Category-II, 2 vacancies are reserved for PwBD candidates, including Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology) and Assistant Hydrogeologist.

Who Can Apply for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist 2027?

Candidates should carefully check nationality, age, educational qualification and physical fitness requirements before applying.

Admission to the examination at every stage is provisional. Issuance of an e-Admit Card does not mean that UPSC has finally verified or accepted the candidate’s eligibility. Original documents are verified at the later stage of the recruitment process.

Nationality Eligibility

A candidate must be:

• A Citizen of India, or
• A subject of Nepal, or
• A subject of Bhutan, or
• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
• A person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Candidates falling under the specified non-Indian categories must have the required eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India, wherever applicable.

UPSC Geo-Scientist Age Limit 2027

Candidates must have attained 21 years of age and must not have attained 32 years of age as on January 1, 2027.

Therefore, candidates must have been born:

Not earlier than January 2, 1995 and not later than January 1, 2006.

Candidates should also ensure that they satisfy the age requirement for each post for which they intend to compete.

Age Relaxation

The notification provides age relaxation for eligible categories.

• SC/ST candidates: Up to 5 years
• OBC candidates eligible for reservation: Up to 3 years
• Certain eligible Defence Services Personnel: Up to 3 years
• Eligible Ex-Servicemen: Up to 5 years
• Eligible ECOs/SSCOs: Up to 5 years
• Eligible PwBD candidates: Up to 10 years

Additional conditions apply to different categories, and candidates should refer to the prescribed rules before claiming relaxation.

Educational Qualification for UPSC Geo-Scientist Recruitment 2027

The educational qualification varies according to the post and stream.

Geologist Group A

Candidates applying for Geologist Group A in GSI must possess a Master’s degree in any of the prescribed disciplines, including:

• Geological Science
• Geology
• Applied Geology
• Geo-Exploration
• Mineral Exploration
• Engineering Geology
• Marine Geology
• Earth Science and Resource Management
• Oceanography and Coastal Areas Studies
• Petroleum Geosciences
• Geochemistry

The degree must be from a recognized university or institution meeting the conditions specified in the notification.

Geophysicist Group A and Scientist B (Geophysics)

Candidates for Geophysicist Group A in GSI and Scientist ‘B’ (Geophysics) Group A in CGWB must possess an eligible Master’s qualification such as:

• M.Sc. Physics
• M.Sc. Applied Physics
• M.Sc. Geophysics
• Integrated M.Sc. Exploration Geophysics
• M.Sc. Applied Geophysics
• M.Sc. Marine Geophysics
• M.Sc. (Tech.) Applied Geophysics

The qualification must be from a recognized university/institution as specified by UPSC.

Chemist Group A and Scientist B (Chemical)

For Chemist Group A in GSI and Scientist ‘B’ (Chemical) Group A in CGWB, candidates must have an eligible Master’s degree such as:

• M.Sc. Chemistry
• M.Sc. Applied Chemistry
• M.Sc. Analytical Chemistry

The degree must be from a recognized university or institution.

Scientist B (Hydrogeology) and Assistant Hydrogeologist

Candidates applying for Scientist ‘B’ (Hydrogeology) Group A or Assistant Hydrogeologist Group B in CGWB must possess a Master’s degree in:

• Geology
• Applied Geology
• Marine Geology
• Hydrogeology

from a recognized university/institution.

Assistant Chemist

For Assistant Chemist Group B in GSI and CGWB, candidates must possess an M.Sc. or Integrated M.Sc. in disciplines such as:

• Chemistry
• Applied Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Hydro-Chemistry
• Industrial Chemistry

from a recognized university or institute.

Assistant Geologist

Candidates for Assistant Geologist Group B in GSI must possess a Master’s or Integrated Master’s degree in subjects including:

• Geology
• Applied Geology
• Mineral Exploration
• Marine Geology
• Earth Science

from a recognized university or institute.

Assistant Geophysicist

Candidates applying for Assistant Geophysicist Group B in GSI or CGWB must have a relevant Master’s qualification such as:

• M.Sc. Geophysics
• M.Sc. (Tech.) Geophysics
• Integrated M.Sc. Geophysics
• Exploration Geophysics
• Applied Geophysics
• Geo-Exploration
• Marine Geophysics
• Physics
• Applied Physics
• Applied Geology

from a recognized university or institute.

Candidates Awaiting Their Master’s Result

Candidates who have appeared for an examination that would make them educationally qualified but whose results have not yet been declared may also apply, subject to the conditions specified by UPSC.

Candidates appearing provisionally must subsequently provide proof of passing the required qualification within the prescribed period if they qualify for the Personality Test/Interview. UPSC provides a 10-day window after declaration of the Main/Stage-II result for eligible candidates to update educational qualification details and upload proof.

Special Rule for Geo-Exploration and Applied Geology Candidates

Candidates holding a Master’s degree/M.Sc./M.Sc. (Tech.)/Integrated M.Sc. in Geo-Exploration or Applied Geology may be eligible for posts under either the Geophysics or Geology/Hydrogeology stream.

However, while completing the application, candidates must select the stream under which they wish to apply. A candidate can apply for posts under one stream/discipline only.

Physical Standards

Candidates must be physically fit according to the physical standards prescribed for admission to the examination and the concerned services/posts.

The relevant physical standards are specified in the Regulations in Appendix-II of the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 Rules published in the Gazette of India dated September 2, 2026.

UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Application Fee 2027

The application fee is ₹200 for candidates who are required to pay the fee.

The following candidates are exempted from payment of the examination fee, subject to the conditions in the notification:

• All Female candidates
• SC candidates
• ST candidates
• Eligible Persons with Benchmark Disabilities

There is no fee exemption for OBC/EWS candidates, who must pay the prescribed fee.

The fee can be paid through prescribed online payment modes, including net banking, Visa/Master/RuPay credit or debit cards and UPI.

The notification states that the fee, once paid, will not be refunded and cannot be kept in reserve for another examination.

UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist 2027 Application Dates

The important dates are as follows:

The online application deadline is specifically 6:00 PM on September 22, 2026.

How to Apply for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist 2027

Candidates must apply through the UPSC Online Application Portal.

The application process involves the Commission’s online modules, including:

1. Account Creation
2. Universal Registration (URN)
3. Common Application Form (CAF)
4. Examination-Specific Module

The Universal Registration Number (URN) is generated after registration and remains common for the candidate’s applications to UPSC examinations. The Application Number, on the other hand, is examination-specific and changes from one examination to another.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Candidates can follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the UPSC Online Application Portal.

Step 2: Complete the required Account Creation process.

Step 3: Complete Universal Registration and obtain the URN.

Step 4: Complete the Common Application Form (CAF).

Step 5: Upload the required photograph and complete the required live photograph capture.

Step 6: Upload the required signature as per the instructions.

Step 7: Enter the examination-specific information, including the applicable category, educational qualification, examination centre and service/post preferences.

Step 8: Pay the examination fee, wherever applicable.

Step 9: Carefully verify all details before submitting the application.

Step 10: Submit the application and retain the Application Number and URN for future communication.

UPSC has specifically advised candidates to read the profile/module-wise instructions before completing the form and keep the necessary documents ready in advance.

Photograph and Signature Requirements

Candidates must upload their photograph and also capture a live photograph while filling the Common Application Form.

The photograph and live photograph must be clear and comply with the instructions available on the application portal.

Candidates are also required to sign three times one below the other on plain white paper using black ink and upload the signature in the prescribed manner.

Documents Required

Candidates should keep scanned copies of the necessary documents ready for uploading.

Important documents include:

• Age/Date of Birth certificate
• Educational qualification certificate
• SC/ST/OBC/EWS certificate, wherever applicable
• Age or fee concession certificate, wherever applicable
• PwBD certificate, wherever applicable
• Other supporting documents required for claims made in the application

Original documents are required to be produced at the Personality Test/Interview stage.

Photo ID Required

Candidates must provide details of one valid photo identity document during the URN registration process.

Acceptable documents include:

• Aadhaar Card
• Voter Card/EPIC
• PAN Card
• Passport
• Driving Licence
• Any other Photo ID issued by the Central or State Government

The Commission strongly advises candidates to use Aadhaar for easier identity verification and authentication.

EWS and OBC Certificate Requirements

Candidates claiming EWS reservation must possess the required Income & Asset Certificate based on the financial year 2025-26. The certificate must be issued on or after April 1, 2026, and not later than the application closing date of September 22, 2026.

OBC candidates must produce an OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate based on the specified income years 2025-26, 2024-25 and 2023-24, issued on or after April 1, 2026 and by the application closing date.

Can Candidates Apply for Both Categories?

Yes.

A candidate may apply for one or both categories of posts, provided they satisfy the eligibility requirements.

Importantly, a candidate applying for both categories needs to submit only one application and pay the applicable examination fee only once.

UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Selection Process 2027

The selection process consists of three stages:

Stage I – Preliminary Examination

Stage II – Main Examination

Stage III – Personality Test/Interview

The Preliminary Examination is objective in nature, the Main Examination is descriptive/conventional, and candidates qualifying the Main Examination are called for the Personality Test. Marks obtained in the Preliminary and Main stages are counted for determining final merit, along with the Personality Test marks.

Stage I: Preliminary Examination Pattern

The Preliminary Examination consists of two objective-type papers.

There are different streams depending on the candidate’s discipline.

Each paper has a duration of 2 hours.

Negative Marking in Preliminary Examination

There is negative marking in the objective-type Preliminary Examination.

For every incorrect answer, one-third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.

However, there is no penalty for leaving a question unanswered.

Candidates are also not permitted to use calculators in the objective-type papers.

Shortlisting for the Main Examination

The Commission will prepare the list of candidates eligible for the Main Examination based on the prescribed qualifying criteria in the General Studies paper and stream-specific paper.

The number of candidates admitted to the Main Examination is expected to be approximately six to seven times the total approximate number of vacancies.

Marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination by candidates qualifying for the Main Examination will also be counted for determining the final order of merit.

Stage II: Main Examination

The Main Examination consists of three conventional/descriptive papers for each stream.

For the Geology stream, candidates have:

• Paper I – Geology – 200 marks
• Paper II – Geology – 200 marks
• Paper III – Geology – 200 marks

Total: 600 marks.

For Geophysics, the three papers carry 200 marks each, making a total of 600 marks.

For Chemistry, the three papers also carry 200 marks each, for a total of 600 marks.

For Hydrogeology, the Main Examination consists of:

• Paper I – Geology – 200 marks
• Paper II – Geology – 200 marks
• Paper III – Hydrogeology – 200 marks

Total: 600 marks.

Main Examination Language

The conventional-type Main Examination papers must be answered in English only. The question papers are also set in English.

Candidates should also note that all three Main Examination papers are compulsory for the relevant stream. Failure to appear in one or more prescribed papers can result in rejection of candidature and non-evaluation of the attempted portion of the Main Examination.

Stage III: Personality Test/Interview

Candidates qualifying the Main Examination are called for the Personality Test/Interview.

The Personality Test carries 200 marks.

The interview is intended to assess the candidate’s suitability for the relevant Geo-Scientist posts. The Commission will pay attention to qualities including:

• Leadership
• Initiative
• Intellectual curiosity
• Tact
• Social qualities
• Mental and physical energy
• Practical application
• Integrity of character
• Ability to adapt to field life

These qualities are particularly relevant because many Geo-Scientist responsibilities involve scientific investigation and field-based work.

Total Marks in UPSC Geo-Scientist Examination

The overall examination structure is:

The Preliminary Examination contributes 400 marks, the Main Examination 600 marks, and the Personality Test 200 marks to the overall merit structure.

UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Syllabus 2027

The syllabus is divided according to the candidate’s stream.

The General Studies paper is common to all streams, while the second Preliminary paper and Main Examination papers are discipline-specific.

The notification states that the General Studies paper is at approximately the level expected of a science graduate, while the stream-specific papers and Main Examination papers are broadly at the M.Sc. degree standard in the respective subjects. There is no practical examination.

General Studies Syllabus

The common General Studies paper includes:

• Current events of national and international importance
• History of India and Indian National Movement
• Indian and World Geography
• Physical, Social and Economic Geography
• Indian Polity and Governance
• Constitution and political system
• Panchayati Raj
• Public policy and rights issues
• Economic and Social Development
• Sustainable development
• Poverty and inclusion
• Demographics
• Social sector initiatives
• Environmental Ecology
• Biodiversity
• Climate Change
• General Science

Geology and Hydrogeology Syllabus

The Preliminary Geology/Hydrogeology syllabus includes areas such as:

Physical Geology: Origin and evolution of Earth, internal structure, atmosphere, earthquakes, volcanoes, continental drift, sea-floor spreading, isostasy, orogeny, plate tectonics, weathering, geomorphic processes and landforms.

Structural Geology: Stress and strain, rock rheology, folds, faults, Mohr’s circle, brittle and ductile deformation, geological mapping, outcrop patterns and stereographic projections.

The Main Geology syllabus further covers areas including physical geology and remote sensing, structural geology, sedimentology, paleontology, and several advanced areas of geological science. The syllabus specifically includes remote sensing concepts, electromagnetic spectrum, spectral signatures, digital image processing, LANDSAT/IRS/SPOT characteristics, aerial photography and image interpretation.

Sedimentology includes sedimentary rocks, textures, grain-size analysis, sediment transport, depositional environments, sedimentary structures, carbonate platforms, facies models and sequence stratigraphy.

Geophysics Syllabus

The Geophysics stream covers the prescribed areas of geophysics in the Preliminary and three Main Examination papers.

Candidates should prepare the discipline at the required postgraduate level and pay particular attention to fundamental concepts, numerical/application-oriented understanding and descriptive answers.

Chemistry Syllabus

The Chemistry stream covers the prescribed areas of Chemistry across the Preliminary and Main Examination.

The detailed syllabus includes areas of physical, inorganic and organic chemistry and associated advanced concepts. The Main Examination consists of three Chemistry papers of 200 marks each.

Hydrogeology Syllabus

Candidates applying for the Hydrogeology stream have Geology as the first two Main Examination papers and Hydrogeology as the third paper.

The three papers together carry 600 marks.

Examination Centres for Preliminary Examination

The Preliminary Examination is scheduled to be conducted at the following centres:

1. Ahmedabad
2. Bengaluru
3. Bhopal
4. Chandigarh
5. Chennai
6. Cuttack
7. Delhi
8. Dispur
9. Ghaziabad
10. Gurugram
11. Hyderabad
12. Jaipur
13. Jammu
14. Kolkata
15. Lucknow
16. Mumbai
17. Patna
18. Prayagraj
19. Shillong
20. Shimla
21. Thiruvananthapuram

UPSC has stated that centres may be changed at its discretion. For most centres, there is a ceiling on the number of candidates and allotment is made on a first-apply-first-allot basis. Therefore, candidates are advised to apply early if they want a preferred examination centre.

Main Examination Centres

The Main Examination will be conducted at:

• Bhopal
• Chennai
• Delhi
• Dispur (Guwahati)
• Hyderabad
• Kolkata
• Lucknow
• Mumbai
• Shimla

e-Admit Card

Eligible candidates will receive their e-Admit Card online through the Commission’s website.

No admit card will be sent by post.

Candidates who are eligible for the examination should download the e-Admit Card and carefully check all details.

Important Examination-Day Instructions

Candidates should pay special attention to the examination-day instructions.

Black ball pen must be used for writing and marking answers in the OMR sheet during the objective examination.

The use or possession of mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, cameras, pagers, programmable devices, storage media and other prohibited electronic equipment is strictly banned in the examination venue.

Candidates should also remember that entry to the examination venue closes 30 minutes before the commencement of each session. No candidate will be allowed entry after the closure of entry.

Face Authentication at Examination Centre

UPSC has stated that candidates will be required to undergo mandatory face authentication at the examination venue.

Candidates should report sufficiently early to complete face authentication, identity verification and frisking.

Application Withdrawal and Correction

Candidates should exercise extreme caution while submitting the application.

Once the application is submitted, candidates cannot withdraw the application and no correction, alteration or modification is permitted in the submitted application form.

UPSC does provide a one-time facility to update or modify the URN profile, but changes made to the URN profile do not automatically apply to applications that have already been submitted.

Service Preference

Candidates must indicate their order of preference for the participating services/posts for which they wish to be considered.

A candidate will not be considered for allocation to a service that has not been included in the submitted preference order, irrespective of merit, subject to the applicable conditions.

Candidates must opt for at least one service to be considered for service allocation.

How Final Selection and Merit Will Be Decided

Selection to the posts will be based on the candidate’s merit position, service/post preference and the number of vacancies available separately for the respective categories.

Candidates should therefore understand that merely qualifying one stage does not automatically guarantee appointment to a particular post.

Reservation Rules

Reservation benefits are available to eligible candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwBD categories, subject to the applicable Central Government rules and the availability of reserved vacancies.

Candidates must possess the required certificates in the prescribed format by the closing date of application.

Candidates should enter their category carefully because requests to subsequently change from one reserved category to another are generally not entertained under the notification.

What Candidates Should Keep Ready Before Applying

Before starting the application, candidates should keep the following ready:

• Aadhaar/valid photo ID
• Matriculation/Secondary certificate
• Master’s degree certificate or qualifying examination details
• Category certificate, if applicable
• EWS Income & Asset Certificate, if applicable
• OBC-NCL certificate, if applicable
• PwBD certificate, if applicable
• Photograph
• Live photograph facility
• Signature scanned according to UPSC specifications
• Active mobile number
• Active email ID
• Preferred examination centre
• Service/post preferences

Preparing these documents in advance can help candidates avoid errors and delays while completing the application.

Important Points Candidates Must Remember

Candidates should remember the following points before applying:

• 127 tentative vacancies have been announced.
• Applications are invited for the Preliminary Examination initially.
• The application deadline is September 22, 2026, up to 6:00 PM.
• The Preliminary Examination will be held on January 10, 2027.
• The Main Examination will be held on June 19 and 20, 2027.
• Candidates must satisfy the prescribed Master’s-level educational qualification.
• The basic age requirement is 21 to 32 years as on January 1, 2027, subject to applicable relaxation.
• The application fee is ₹200 for applicable candidates.
• Female, SC, ST and eligible PwBD candidates are exempted from the fee.
• Candidates can apply for one or both categories through a single application.
• Negative marking applies in the Preliminary Examination.
• The examination has three stages.
• Final merit involves Preliminary, Main and Personality Test marks.
• Candidates should carefully select their stream, centre and service preferences.
• The submitted application cannot subsequently be withdrawn or corrected.
• Face authentication is mandatory at the examination venue.
• Candidates should not carry prohibited electronic devices to the examination centre.

UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Recruitment 2027: What Happens After Applying?

After the application window closes, UPSC will process the applications and issue e-Admit Cards to eligible candidates.

Candidates will then appear for the Preliminary Examination on January 10, 2027. Those who qualify according to the prescribed criteria will be eligible to appear for the Main Examination on June 19 and 20, 2027.

Candidates who qualify the Main Examination will proceed to the Personality Test/Interview. Original eligibility documents will be verified at the later stage. Final selection will be made according to merit, preferences and available vacancies, subject to fulfillment of all applicable eligibility and medical/physical requirements.

UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Recruitment 2027: Helpline

UPSC has provided a dedicated helpline for candidates facing problems related to the application process.

Helpline: 011-24041001 / 011-40303444

Email: upscsoap@nic.in

The helpline is scheduled to operate from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on working days during the application period from September 2 to September 22, 2026.

Conclusion

The UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027 provides an opportunity for eligible postgraduate candidates in Geology, Geophysics, Chemistry, Hydrogeology and related disciplines to compete for scientific and technical positions under the Geological Survey of India and Central Ground Water Board.

With 127 tentative vacancies, the recruitment covers both Group A and Group B positions. Candidates interested in the examination should carefully verify their educational qualification, age, physical standards, category requirements and stream eligibility before submitting the application.

Since the application deadline is September 22, 2026, up to 6:00 PM, eligible candidates should complete the registration and application process well before the deadline and retain their URN and Application Number for future use.

FAQs on UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Recruitment 2027

How many vacancies are announced for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination 2027?

The notification mentions 127 tentative vacancies across GSI and CGWB.

When was the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist 2027 notification released?

The notification was released on September 2, 2026.

What is the last date to apply for UPSC Geo-Scientist 2027?

Candidates can submit the online application up to September 22, 2026, till 6:00 PM.

When will the UPSC Geo-Scientist Preliminary Examination 2027 be conducted?

The Preliminary Examination is scheduled for January 10, 2027.

When is the UPSC Geo-Scientist Main Examination 2027?

The Main Examination is scheduled for June 19 and 20, 2027.

What is the age limit for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist 2027?

Candidates must be 21 to 32 years old as on January 1, 2027, subject to applicable age relaxation.

What is the application fee?

The prescribed fee is ₹200 for candidates who are not exempted.

Are female candidates exempted from the application fee?

Yes. Female candidates are exempted from payment of the examination fee.

Can SC/ST candidates apply without paying the fee?

Yes. SC and ST candidates are exempted from the examination fee, subject to the notification’s conditions.

Can OBC candidates claim fee exemption?

No. The notification specifically states that OBC/EWS candidates do not receive fee exemption and are required to pay the prescribed fee.

Can a candidate apply for both GSI and CGWB categories?

Yes. An eligible candidate can apply for one or both categories using a single application and does not have to pay a separate fee for each category.

What is the selection process?

The selection process consists of Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and Personality Test/Interview.

Is there negative marking in the Preliminary Examination?

Yes. One-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for an incorrect answer. There is no penalty for an unanswered question.

What is the total marks for the Main Examination?

The Main Examination carries 600 marks.

How many marks does the Personality Test carry?

The Personality Test carries 200 marks.

Can final-year Master’s students apply?

Candidates who have appeared in or intend to appear in the qualifying examination may apply provisionally, subject to the conditions and subsequent submission of proof of qualification prescribed by UPSC.