Ananya Gupta
September 27, 2023 01:15
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Get comprehensive guidance on Geology optional for UPSC CSE exam including syllabus, exam pattern, recommended books, strategies, and past year question papers for effective preparation.
Choosing Geology as an optional subject for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) presents a unique advantage to candidates with a keen interest in Earth sciences and a solid background in geology or related fields. Geology is an interdisciplinary subject that integrates knowledge of the Earth’s physical structure, its history, and the processes that act upon it. This subject offers a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from the fundamentals of mineralogy and petrology to the complex dynamics of plate tectonics, geohazards, and their significance in natural resource management.
This article aims to serve as a comprehensive guide for candidates considering Geology as their optional subject. It will explore the depth and breadth of the exam syllabus. Moreover, the article will offer access to past year question papers (PYQs) to help aspirants gauge the types of questions posed and the expected level of difficulty. Additionally, it will suggest essential books and resources crucial for acquiring a thorough understanding and mastery of Geology as an optional subject.
The UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam provides Geology as an optional subject, comprising two papers: Paper I and Paper II. The Geology syllabus encompasses a broad spectrum of topics across various domains such as Physical Geology, Mineralogy, Petrology, Stratigraphy, Paleontology, and Economic Geology. This diverse range of topics ensures a comprehensive understanding of the Earth’s composition, structure, processes, and history, which is crucial for addressing environmental issues, natural resource management, and contributing to scientific and technological advancements.
Each of the Geology optional papers in the UPSC CSE exam carries 250 marks, making a total of 500 marks for the optional subject. The syllabus for the Geology Optional in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) spans a diverse array of topics across several core areas of geology, highlighting the subject’s extensive and in-depth scope. Below is a broad outline of the syllabus:
The Table below contains the syllabus of Geology Optional for the UPSC Optional Paper I:
| Topics | Sub Topics |
| 1. General Geology |
|
| 2. Geomorphology and Remote Sensing |
|
| 3. Structural Geology |
|
| 4. Palaeontology |
|
| 5. Indian Stratigraphy |
|
| 6. Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology |
|
The Table below contains the syllabus of Geology Optional for the UPSC Optional Paper II:
| Topics | Sub Topics |
| 1. Mineralogy |
|
| 2. Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology |
|
| 3. Sedimentary Petrology |
|
| 4. Economic Geology |
|
| 5. Mining Geology |
|
| 6. Geochemistry and Environmental Geology |
|
The exam pattern for the Geology Optional in the UPSC Mains Exam is structured as follows:
| Paper | Marks | Number of Questions | Compulsory Questions | Choice Questions | Duration |
| Paper I | 250 | 5 | Questions 1 and 5 | Choose 3 out of the remaining | 3 Hours |
| Paper II | 250 | 5 | Questions 1 and 5 | Choose 3 out of the remaining | 3 Hours |
For candidates selecting Geology as an optional subject in the UPSC exam, accessing the right resources is essential for a comprehensive grasp of the subject and effective coverage of the syllabus. Geology, encompassing diverse topics such as Mineralogy, Petrology, Stratigraphy, Paleontology, and Economic Geology, demands a wide-ranging set of books for thorough preparation. Below is a curated list of essential books for Geology Optional Paper I and Paper II, designed to aid candidates in their study.
| S.No. | Book | Author(s) |
| 1 | Fundamentals of Physical Geology | S.K. Ghosh |
| 2 | Textbook of Geology | P.K. Mukherjee |
| 3 | Engineering and General Geology | Parbin Singh |
| 4 | Principles of Petrology | G.W. Tyrrell |
| 5 | Mineralogy | Dexter Perkins |
| 6 | Structural Geology | Marland P. Billings |
| 7 | Palaeontology: An Introduction | P.S. Bansal |
| S.No. | Book | Author(s) |
| 1 | Sedimentary Rocks in the Field | Maurice E. Tucker |
| 2 | Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | John D. Winter |
| 3 | Economic Geology | U. Prasad |
| 4 | Applied Hydrogeology of Fractured Rocks | B.B.S. Singhal & R.P. Gupta |
| 5 | Geochemistry | William M. White |
| 6 | Environmental Geology | Keller |
| 7 | Principles of Engineering Geology | K.M. Bangar |
To achieve success in the Geology optional for the UPSC CSE, it is vital to have a detailed and focused approach to preparation, given the breadth and depth of the syllabus. The following strategies and tips are crafted to guide aspirants in navigating through Geology as their optional subject efficiently:
The table below contains the direct PDF links of the Previous Year Question Papers of Geology Optional Paper I and Paper II:
| UPSC CSE Geology Optional PYQ 2023 | |
| UPSC CSE Geology Optional Paper I (2023) | UPSC CSE Geology Optional Paper II (2023) |
| UPSC CSE Geology Optional PYQ 2022 | |
| UPSC CSE Geology Optional Paper I (2022) | UPSC CSE Geology Optional Paper II (2022) |
| UPSC CSE Geology Optional PYQ 2021 | |
| UPSC CSE Geology Optional Paper I (2021) | UPSC CSE Geology Optional Paper II (2021) |
| UPSC CSE Geology Optional PYQ 2020 | |
| UPSC CSE Geology Optional Paper I (2020) | UPSC CSE Geology Optional Paper II (2020) |
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