UPSC CGGE (Combined Geo-Scientist) Free Mock Test
UPSC CGGE (Combined Geo-Scientist) (Combined Geo-Scientist) is part of India's Government Exams category, covering 4 topics. Kamiyab provides a free UPSC CGGE (Combined Geo-Scientist) Full Mock test — questions matched to the official exam pattern with real timing, instant scoring, and per-question explanations. Eligibility: Geo-Science degree. Aligned to the current 2026 official syllabus.
UPSC CGGE (Combined Geo-Scientist) mock is being built
We're working through the UPSC CGGE (Combined Geo-Scientist) previous-year papers to build a PYQ-grounded, expert-audited question bank. The syllabus, eligibility and exam pattern below stay accurate — the mock launches as soon as the bank clears audit. Live exams today: SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, and SSC MTS.
Topics covered
Topics are listed for reference. The mock launch unlocks once each topic's PYQ-grounded question bank is audited.
About UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGGE)
The Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (often written as CGGE) recruits MSc-level earth scientists into Group A scientific cadres of the Government of India. The hiring organisations have deep roots: the Geological Survey of India was founded in 1851 to map the country's mineral resources for the colonial railway and coal industry, and today is one of Asia's oldest scientific organisations, headquartered at Kolkata with regional offices in every state. The Central Ground Water Board, set up in 1970, is the apex agency for groundwater assessment, exploration and regulation under the Jal Shakti ministry. From 2018 onwards UPSC consolidated what were earlier two separate exams — the Geologists' Examination (for GSI) and the Junior Hydrogeologists' Examination (for CGWB) — into a single Combined Geo-Scientist Examination with a unified Prelims-Mains-Personality Test structure.
GSI officers do real field science: regional geological mapping at 1:50,000 scale, mineral exploration for strategic and critical minerals (lithium, REE, copper, gold, PGE), coal and lignite resource estimation, marine geosciences aboard research vessels (Samudra Ratnakar, Samudra Kaustubh, Samudra Saudikama), geotechnical investigations for major projects, landslide and earthquake hazard zonation, and palaeoseismology. Geophysicists run airborne and ground gravity-magnetic-electromagnetic surveys, seismic refraction profiles and well-logging campaigns. Chemists at GSI's Chemical Laboratories analyse rock, ore, water and soil samples by XRF, ICP-MS, AAS and wet chemistry to support exploration decisions. CGWB Junior Hydrogeologists are posted to regional offices across the country and run exploratory drilling, aquifer mapping (NAQUIM), groundwater quality monitoring and the country's water-level monitoring network.
Selection runs in three stages: Stage 1 is an objective Prelims with two papers held on a single day; Stage 2 is a conventional (subjective) Mains across three discipline-specific papers; Stage 3 is a Personality Test. Candidates choose ONE of four streams at the application stage and write all papers in that stream — Stream I (Geologist, GSI), Stream II (Geophysicist, GSI), Stream III (Chemist, GSI) and Stream IV (Junior Hydrogeologist/Scientist B, CGWB; Stream IV uses the same Geology papers as Stream I). Total vacancies across the four streams have ranged from roughly 50 to 150 per cycle depending on departmental indents — the 2024 cycle ran on the lower end of that band.
Conducted by: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Government of India — recruiting for the Geological Survey of India (GSI, Ministry of Mines) and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB, Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Jal Shakti)
Eligibility
- Stream I — Geologist (GSI, Group A) and Stream IV — Junior Hydrogeologist (CGWB, Scientist B, Group A)Age: 21 to 32 years for Geologist / Geophysicist / Chemist; 21 to 35 years for Junior Hydrogeologist (CGWB, Scientist B) on the reference date specified in the notification. Relaxations: SC/ST +5 years, OBC (non-creamy layer) +3 years, PwBD +10 years (further additive over SC/ST/OBC), ex-servicemen as per rules.
- Stream II — Geophysicist (GSI, Group A)Age: 21 to 32 years on the reference date specified in the notification. Same category-wise relaxations as above.
- Stream III — Chemist (GSI, Group A)Age: 21 to 32 years on the reference date specified in the notification. Same category-wise relaxations.
Exam Pattern
Stage-by-stage breakdown of the recruitment process.
Stage 1 — Preliminary Examination (objective, single day)
- Questions
- Paper I: 100 multiple-choice questions · Paper II: 100 multiple-choice questions
- Marks
- Paper I: 100 marks (1 mark per question) · Paper II: 300 marks (3 marks per question) · Prelims total: 400 marks
- Duration
- Paper I: 2 hours · Paper II: 2 hours
Stage 2 — Main Examination (conventional/subjective, written)
- Questions
- Each paper is part conventional / part long-answer with internal choice; structured questions, derivations, labelled diagrams and short essays. No General Studies paper at the Mains stage.
- Marks
- 200 marks per paper × 3 papers = 600 marks total (Mains)
- Duration
- 3 hours per paper (typically two papers in one day across the schedule)
Stage 3 — Personality Test (interview)
- Questions
- Not applicable — open-ended discussion
- Marks
- 200 marks
- Duration
- Typically 25-35 minutes
Syllabus
4 sections, 60 topics in total.
- General Studies — Prelims Paper I (common to all four streams)12 topics
- Geology — Prelims Paper II and Mains Papers I-III (Stream I Geologist and Stream IV Junior Hydrogeologist)17 topics
- Geophysics — Prelims Paper II and Mains Papers I-III (Stream II Geophysicist)14 topics
- Chemistry — Prelims Paper II and Mains Papers I-III (Stream III Chemist)17 topics
Preparation Strategy
Subject-wise strategy, a study plan and the books aspirants rely on for UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGGE).
Read the preparation guideRecent Changes to Know
- From 2018 UPSC consolidated the formerly separate Geologists' Examination (GSI) and Junior Hydrogeologists' Examination (CGWB) into a single Combined Geo-Scientist Examination with a unified Prelims-Mains-Personality Test structure — earlier each ran on its own cycle and pattern.
- Stream IV (Junior Hydrogeologist, Scientist B, CGWB) is now offered alongside the three GSI streams within the same exam, using the same Geology papers as Stream I — a candidate can apply to both Streams I and IV only if separately notified, otherwise streams are mutually exclusive at the application stage.
- Total vacancies have trended lower in recent cycles — the 2024 cycle ran with fewer total posts than the 2019-2022 average, reflecting slower departmental indents at GSI and CGWB. Always check the current notification for the exact stream-wise break-up before applying.
- Remote sensing and GIS have been integrated more deeply into the syllabus across all streams — expect MCQ and conventional questions on satellite imagery, digital image processing and GIS-based resource mapping in both Prelims and Mains.
- Critical minerals (lithium, cobalt, REE, graphite, gallium, nickel, niobium-tantalum) have been added as a current-affairs and applied-economic-geology focus area, following the Government of India's Critical Mineral Mission and the Reasi (J&K) lithium discovery.
Important Dates
- Notification
- UPSC typically issues the Combined Geo-Scientist notification in September each year, with the application window open through October. Detailed Application Form (DAF) for Mains-qualified candidates is released after the Prelims result.
- Exam
- Stage 1 Prelims is typically held in February (single day, two sessions — Paper I morning, Paper II afternoon). Stage 2 Mains runs over consecutive days in June or July. Stage 3 Personality Test is conducted at UPSC, Dholpur House, New Delhi, typically in October-November.
- Results
- Prelims results are released 4-6 weeks after the exam. Mains results follow 8-12 weeks after the Mains exam. The final selection list (post-Personality Test) is published in November-December, roughly 14-16 months after notification.
UPSC dates shift cycle-to-cycle. Always cross-check the current cycle's notification on upsc.gov.in and apply through upsconline.gov.in. The September-notification / February-Prelims rhythm has held over recent cycles but is not a statutory guarantee.
UPSC CGGE (Combined Geo-Scientist) preparation guides
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- Master Bank PO Exams While Working Full‑Time: A Practical RoadmapLearn how to juggle a day job and Bank PO preparation with realistic scheduling, free resources, and proven study techniques—stay focused, confident, and burnout‑free.
UPSC CGGE (Combined Geo-Scientist) mock test — frequently asked questions
What is the UPSC CGGE (Combined Geo-Scientist) eligibility?
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 / Petroleum Exploration from a recognised university (the notification lists the exact equivalent courses each cycle). Final-year MSc candidates may apply provisionally and must submit proof of passing by the Mains stage. Age: 21 to 32 years for Geologist / Geophysicist / Chemist; 21 to 35 years for Junior Hydrogeologist (CGWB, Scientist B) on the reference date specified in the notification. Relaxations: SC/ST +5 years, OBC (non-creamy layer) +3 years, PwBD +10 years (further additive over SC/ST/OBC), ex-servicemen as per rules. Nationality: Citizen of India, or subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or Tibetan refugee who came before 1 Jan 1962 with intent to settle permanently, or person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries with intent to settle..
What is the UPSC CGGE (Combined Geo-Scientist) exam pattern?
Stage 1 — Preliminary Examination (objective, single day) covers Paper I: General Studies (common to all four streams) · Paper II: Discipline-specific objective paper in the chosen stream (Geology / Geophysics / Chemistry; Stream IV writes the Geology paper). Paper I: 100 multiple-choice questions · Paper II: 100 multiple-choice questions questions for Paper I: 100 marks (1 mark per question) · Paper II: 300 marks (3 marks per question) · Prelims total: 400 marks marks, with negative marking of 1/3 of the marks for that question is deducted for every wrong answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty..
Is the UPSC CGGE (Combined Geo-Scientist) mock test on Kamiyab really free?
Yes, completely free. No payment and no hidden charges — every UPSC CGGE (Combined Geo-Scientist) full mock on Kamiyab is free to use.
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How many questions are there in the UPSC CGGE (Combined Geo-Scientist) mock test?
A Full Mock is built to match the real UPSC CGGE (Combined Geo-Scientist) exam pattern and timing — a complete, full-length paper. You can also practise a single topic on its own for a shorter, focused session.
Which subjects and topics are covered for UPSC CGGE (Combined Geo-Scientist)?
4 topics are covered for UPSC CGGE (Combined Geo-Scientist), including General Studies, Geology, Geophysics and more. Each topic can be practised on its own or combined into a full-length mock.
Are the UPSC CGGE (Combined Geo-Scientist) questions reliable and up to date with the latest syllabus?
Every question is hand-curated and kept aligned with the current official UPSC CGGE (Combined Geo-Scientist) syllabus, each with a short explanation. When the exam body revises the syllabus, the question bank is updated so you are not practising removed or out-of-syllabus topics.
Do I get the correct answers and explanations for UPSC CGGE (Combined Geo-Scientist)?
Yes. After you submit the test, every question shows the correct option along with a short explanation, so you can review and fix weak areas immediately.
Will the UPSC CGGE (Combined Geo-Scientist) mock test work on a low-end phone or slow connection?
Yes. Kamiyab runs in any modern mobile browser with no app install. The timer, scoring and explanations all work on basic Android phones and on slow networks.
How should I use Kamiyab to prepare for UPSC CGGE (Combined Geo-Scientist)?
Practise a single topic daily for focused revision, then take a full-length mock to simulate the real UPSC CGGE (Combined Geo-Scientist) timer and pressure. Read the explanations after every test and re-practise the topics where you score low.