Geology Optional Syllabus

Here is the official UPSC Geology Optional syllabus for Paper I and Paper II, arranged paper by paper and unit by unit. Under each unit we give the official text first, then break it into numbered topics, so you can track your preparation and match every previous year question to its topic.

Source. UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 notification (Examination Notice No. 05/2026-CSE, dated 04.02.2026, pp. 68–70), upsc.gov.in. The Geology syllabus has been unchanged in recent years.

Scheme. Two papers of 250 marks each (total 500), 3 hours each. Each paper has two sections (A and B) of four questions each; Questions 1 and 5 are compulsory, and three more are attempted with at least one from each section. The syllabus itself is not divided into sections. Paper I has six units (General Geology; Geomorphology and Remote Sensing; Structural Geology; Paleontology; Indian Stratigraphy; Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology); Paper II has six units (Mineralogy; Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology; Sedimentary Petrology; Economic Geology; Mining Geology; Geochemistry and Environmental Geology).

Syllabus at a glance

Paper	Unit	Topics
Paper I	1. General Geology	5
Paper I	2. Geomorphology and Remote Sensing	6
Paper I	3. Structural Geology	5
Paper I	4. Paleontology	5
Paper I	5. Indian Stratigraphy	6
Paper I	6. Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology	6
Paper II	1. Mineralogy	5
Paper II	2. Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology	7
Paper II	3. Sedimentary Petrology	5
Paper II	4. Economic Geology	6
Paper II	5. Mining Geology	4
Paper II	6. Geochemistry and Environmental Geology	6

Paper I

1. General Geology

1.1 Solar system and the earth

• Solar system
• Meteorites
• Origin, interior and age of the earth

1.2 Volcanoes

• Causes and products
• Volcanic belts

1.3 Earthquakes

• Causes and effects
• Seismic zones of India

1.4 Plate tectonics

• Island arcs, trenches and mid-ocean ridges
• Continental drift
• Seafloor spreading
• Plate tectonics

1.5 Isostasy

2. Geomorphology and Remote Sensing

2.1 Geomorphic processes and landforms

• Basic concepts
• Weathering and soil formation
• Landforms, slopes and drainage
• Geomorphic cycles

2.2 Structural and coastal geomorphology

• Morphology in relation to structure and lithology
• Coastal geomorphology

2.3 Applied geomorphology and India

• Mineral prospecting, civil engineering, hydrology and environment
• Geomorphology of the Indian sub-continent

2.4 Aerial photographs

• Interpretation
• Merits and limitations

2.5 Remote sensing

• Electromagnetic spectrum
• Satellites and sensor systems
• Indian Remote Sensing Satellites
• Data products
• Applications in geology

2.6 GIS and GPS

3. Structural Geology

3.1 Geologic mapping and projections

• Geologic mapping and map reading
• Projection diagrams

3.2 Stress and strain

• Stress and strain ellipsoid
• Elastic, plastic and viscous behaviour
• Strain markers
• Behaviour of rocks under deformation

3.3 Folds

• Classification and mechanics
• Structural analysis

3.4 Faults and joints

• Classification and mechanics of faults
• Joints

3.5 Foliations, lineations and unconformities

• Foliation
• Lineation
• Unconformities
• Crystallization–deformation relationships

4. Paleontology

4.1 Species and fossilisation

• Species definition and nomenclature
• Modes of preservation of fossils

4.2 Microfossils

• Kinds of microfossils
• Use in correlation, petroleum exploration, palaeoclimate and palaeoceanography

4.3 Megafossils

• Morphology, evolution and distribution of the main megafossil groups

4.4 Vertebrate evolution

• Hominidae
• Equidae
• Proboscidea
• Siwalik fauna

4.5 Gondwana flora and fauna; Index fossils

5. Indian Stratigraphy

5.1 Stratigraphic classification

• Lithostratigraphic, biostratigraphic, chronostratigraphic and magnetostratigraphic units

5.2 Precambrian of India

• Distribution and classification of Precambrian rocks

5.3 Phanerozoic of India

• Palaeozoic
• Mesozoic (incl. Gondwana)
• Cenozoic
• Fauna, flora and economic importance

5.4 Boundary problems

• Cambrian/Precambrian
• Permian/Triassic
• Cretaceous/Tertiary
• Pliocene/Pleistocene

5.5 Palaeoclimate and palaeogeography

• Climatic conditions
• Palaeogeography
• Igneous activity in the geological past

5.6 Tectonic framework of India and the Himalayas

• Tectonic framework of India
• Evolution of the Himalayas

6. Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology

6.1 Occurrence and movement of groundwater

• Hydrologic cycle
• Genetic classification of water
• Movement of subsurface water
• Springs

6.2 Aquifers

• Porosity, permeability, hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity and storage coefficient
• Classification of aquifers
• Water-bearing characteristics of rocks

6.3 Groundwater chemistry and salt water intrusion

6.4 Groundwater exploration and management

• Types of wells
• Drainage basin morphometry
• Exploration
• Recharge
• Problems and management
• Rainwater harvesting

6.5 Engineering geology

• Engineering properties of rocks
• Dams, tunnels, highways, railways and bridges
• Rock as construction material

6.6 Landslides and earthquake-resistant structures

• Landslides: causes, prevention and rehabilitation
• Earthquake-resistant structures

Paper II

1. Mineralogy

1.1 Crystallography

• Crystal systems and symmetry classes
• Crystallographic notation
• Projection diagrams

1.2 X-ray crystallography

1.3 Silicate minerals

• Rock-forming silicate groups
• Structural classification of silicates
• Minerals of igneous and metamorphic rocks

1.4 Non-silicate and clay minerals

• Carbonate, phosphate, sulphide and halide groups
• Clay minerals

1.5 Optical mineralogy

• Optical properties
• Pleochroism, extinction angle, double refraction, birefringence, twinning and dispersion

2. Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

2.1 Magma generation and crystallisation

• Generation and crystallisation of magmas
• Binary and ternary systems
• Bowen’s reaction principle

2.2 Magmatic differentiation and assimilation

2.3 Igneous textures and structures

2.4 Igneous rock types

• Granite, syenite, diorite
• Basic and ultrabasic rocks
• Charnockite, anorthosite and alkaline rocks
• Carbonatites
• Deccan volcanic province

2.5 Metamorphism: types, grades and facies

• Types and agents
• Grades and zones
• Phase rule
• Facies
• ACF and AKF diagrams

2.6 Metamorphic textures and rocks

• Textures and structures
• Metamorphism of arenaceous, argillaceous and basic rocks
• Mineral assemblages

2.7 Retrograde metamorphism, metasomatism and granulites

• Retrograde metamorphism
• Metasomatism and granitisation
• Migmatites
• Granulite terrains of India

3. Sedimentary Petrology

3.1 Sedimentary processes

• Processes of formation
• Diagenesis and lithification

3.2 Sedimentary rocks

• Clastic and non-clastic rocks: classification, petrography and depositional environment

3.3 Facies and provenance; Heavy minerals

• Sedimentary facies
• Provenance
• Heavy minerals

3.4 Sedimentary structures

3.5 Sedimentary basins of India

4. Economic Geology

4.1 Ore genesis

• Ore, ore mineral, gangue and tenor
• Classification of ore deposits
• Processes of formation
• Controls of ore localisation
• Ore textures and structures

4.2 Metallogenic epochs and provinces

4.3 Indian metallic deposits

• Aluminium, chromium, copper, gold, iron, lead, zinc, manganese, titanium, uranium and thorium

4.4 Industrial minerals of India

4.5 Coal and petroleum in India

4.6 Mineral policy and marine resources

• National Mineral Policy
• Conservation and utilization
• Marine mineral resources and Law of the Sea

5. Mining Geology

5.1 Prospecting

• Geological, geophysical, geochemical and geobotanical methods

5.2 Sampling and reserve estimation

• Sampling techniques
• Estimation of ore reserves

5.3 Exploration and mining methods

• Metallic ores, industrial minerals, marine resources and building stones

5.4 Mineral beneficiation and ore dressing

6. Geochemistry and Environmental Geology

6.1 Cosmic and earth geochemistry

• Cosmic abundance of elements
• Composition of planets and meteorites
• Composition of the earth and distribution of elements
• Trace elements

6.2 Crystal chemistry and thermodynamics

• Chemical bonds
• Coordination number
• Isomorphism and polymorphism
• Elementary thermodynamics

6.3 Natural hazards

• Floods, mass wasting, coastal hazards, earthquakes and volcanic activity
• Mitigation

6.4 Environmental impact

• Urbanization, mining, industrial and radioactive waste
• Fertilizers
• Mine waste and fly-ash

6.5 Pollution and environmental protection

• Pollution of ground and surface water
• Marine pollution
• Legislative measures in India

6.6 Sea level changes

Total: 66 numbered topics across 10 units.

Last updated: 31 October 2026