UPSC CGSE 2027 — 127 Posts, Apply Online by 22 Sep (All India)

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the notification for the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE) 2027, inviting online applications for 127 tentative Group A and Group B vacancies of Geologist, Geophysicist, Chemist, and related posts in the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines, and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Ministry of Jal Shakti. UPSC CGSE 2027 recruitment is open to candidates aged 21 to 32 years holding a relevant Master's degree in Geology, Geophysics, Chemistry, or Hydrogeology, and the online application window runs from 2 September 2026 to 22 September 2026 (6:00 PM). This notification covers registration for the Preliminary Examination only; candidates who qualify will be separately permitted for the Main Examination. Selected candidates will work as scientific officers conducting geological surveys, mineral exploration, groundwater assessment, and geochemical or geophysical analysis under GSI or CGWB, depending on the category and post applied for. The selection process for UPSC CGSE 2027 consists of three stages: the Preliminary Examination (400 marks, objective type, two papers per stream) on 10 January 2027, the Main Examination (600 marks, conventional/descriptive type, three papers per stream) on 19–20 June 2027, and a Personality Test/Interview (200 marks). Marks from both the Preliminary and Main Examinations count toward the final merit, and selection for GSI and CGWB posts is strictly by merit position, category, candidate preference, and number of vacancies. The UPSC CGSE 2027 online application is available at upsconline.nic.in, where candidates must first complete Universal Registration to generate a lifetime Universal Registration Number (URN), then fill the Common Application Form and the CGSE-specific module. The last date to apply for UPSC CGSE 2027 is 22 September 2026, up to 6:00 PM. Application fee is ₹200 for General/OBC/EWS candidates; Female and SC/ST/PwBD candidates are exempt. Candidates must read the complete official UPSC CGSE 2027 notification PDF at upsc.gov.in before applying, since exam centre allotment is on a first-apply-first-allot basis with per-centre ceilings at most locations.

• Geologist / Assistant Geologist: Master's degree in 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, or Geochemistry, from a University incorporated by an Act of Central/State Legislature or a UGC-recognised deemed university.
• Geophysicist / Assistant Geophysicist / Scientist 'B' (Geophysics): M.Sc. in Physics, Applied Physics, Geophysics, Exploration Geophysics, Applied Geophysics, or Marine Geophysics, as applicable to the specific post.
• Chemist / Assistant Chemist / Scientist 'B' (Chemical): M.Sc. in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Hydro-Chemistry, or Industrial Chemistry.
• Scientist 'B' (Hydrogeology) / Assistant Hydrogeologist: Master's degree in Geology, Applied Geology, Marine Geology, or Hydrogeology.
• A Master's degree here means a postgraduate degree of a minimum of two years' duration after graduation, whether integrated or otherwise. Candidates awaiting their final-year qualifying result may also apply, subject to producing proof of having passed the exam before the Personality Test stage.
• No minimum percentage is specified in the notification for the qualifying Master's degree; a pass in the relevant subject is sufficient, but candidates should confirm exact eligibility norms in the full notification PDF, as this is an ambiguity worth verifying directly.

• Minimum age: 21 years; Maximum age: 32 years, as on 1 January 2027 (born not earlier than 2 January 1995 and not later than 1 January 2006)
• Government servants of GSI/CGWB applying for the corresponding post — 5 years relaxation
• SC/ST candidates — 5 years relaxation; OBC candidates — 3 years relaxation
• Disabled Defence Services personnel — 3 years relaxation; Ex-Servicemen — 5 years relaxation
• Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) — 10 years relaxation

• Master's degree in the relevant subject (Geology/Applied Geology for Geologist; Physics/Geophysics for Geophysicist; Chemistry for Chemist; Geology/Hydrogeology for Hydrogeology posts) from a recognised university
• Age: 21 to 32 years as on 1 January 2027 (born between 2 January 1995 and 1 January 2006)
• SC/ST — 5 years relaxation; OBC — 3 years relaxation; PwBD — 10 years relaxation
• Government servants of GSI/CGWB — 5 years relaxation for the corresponding post
• Ex-Servicemen — 5 years relaxation; disabled Defence Services personnel — 3 years relaxation
• Nationality: Citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who arrived before 1 January 1962 intending to settle permanently, or a person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries (subject to an eligibility certificate)
• Candidates awaiting final-year results may apply, subject to proof of passing before the Personality Test stage

₹200 for General/OBC/EWS candidates, payable online via net banking or Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card/UPI. Female candidates and SC/ST/PwBD candidates are exempt. Fee once paid is non-refundable.

• Group A posts (Geologist, Geophysicist, Chemist, Scientist 'B' — GSI/CGWB): Pay as per applicable Central Government Group A pay level under 7th Pay Commission — exact pay level not specified in this notification
• Group B posts (Assistant Geologist, Assistant Geophysicist, Assistant Chemist, Assistant Hydrogeologist): Pay as per applicable Central Government Group B pay level under 7th Pay Commission — exact pay level not specified in this notification
• Candidates should refer to the detailed cadre-specific pay rules on the official GSI or CGWB website for exact figures, since UPSC's own notification covers eligibility and exam process rather than final pay fixation

1. Visit the Commission's Online Application Portal at upsconline.nic.in
2. Create an account and complete Universal Registration to generate a Universal Registration Number (URN), valid for life across all UPSC examinations
3. Fill the Common Application Form (CAF), shared across UPSC exams
4. Fill the fourth, examination-specific module for CGSE 2027, including choice of examination centre
5. Upload your photograph, live photo capture, and signature as per the Commission's specifications
6. Pay the application fee of ₹200 online, if applicable (Female/SC/ST/PwBD exempt)
7. Review all entered details carefully, since no correction or withdrawal is permitted after submission except the one-time URN profile edit (which does not affect already-submitted applications)
8. Submit the application on or before 22 September 2026, 6:00 PM
9. Note that applications can be submitted online only — no other mode is accepted
10. Download and retain the system-generated confirmation for future reference