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Geology Optional Syllabus for UPSC 2025

Complete syllabus guide for Geology Optional in UPSC Civil Services Examination. Master both papers with our comprehensive study material.

PAPER—I

1. General Geology

  • - The Solar System, meteorites, origin and interior of the earth and age of earth
  • - Volcanoes—causes and products, Volcanic belts
  • - Earthquakes—causes, effects, seismic zones of India
  • - Island arcs, trenches and mid-ocean ridges
  • - Continental drift
  • - Seafloor spreading, plate tectonics
  • - Isostasy

2. Geomorphology and Remote Sensing

  • 2.1 Geomorphology:
  • - Basic concepts of geomorphology
  • - Weathering and soil formations
  • - Landforms, slopes and drainage
  • - Geomorphic cycles and their interpretation
  • - Morphology and its relation to structures and lithology
  • - Coastal geomorphology
  • - Applications in mineral prospecting, civil engineering, hydrology and environmental studies
  • - Geomorphology of Indian sub-continent
  • 2.2 Remote Sensing:
  • - Aerial photographs and their interpretation—merits and limitations
  • - The Electromagnetic spectrum
  • - Orbiting Satellites and Sensor Systems
  • - Indian Remote Sensing Satellites
  • - Satellite data products
  • - Applications of remote sensing in geology
  • - Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS)—applications

3. Structural Geology

  • - Principles of geologic mapping and map reading
  • - Projection diagrams
  • - Stress and strain ellipsoid and stress-strain relationships
  • - Strain markers in deformed rocks
  • - Behaviour of minerals and rocks under deformation conditions
  • - Folds and faults classification and mechanics
  • - Structural analysis of folds, foliations, lineations, joints and faults, unconformities
  • - Time-relationship between crystallization and deformation

4. Paleontology

  • - Species—definition and nomenclature
  • - Megafossils and Microfossils
  • - Modes of preservation of fossils
  • - Different kinds of microfossils
  • - Applications in correlation, petroleum exploration, paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic studies
  • - Evolutionary trend in Hominidae, Equidae and Proboscidae
  • - Siwalik fauna
  • - Gondwana flora and fauna and its importance
  • - Index fossils and their significance

5. Indian Stratigraphy

  • - Classification of stratigraphic sequences
  • - Distribution and classification of Precambrian rocks of India
  • - Stratigraphic distribution and lithology of Phanerozoic rocks of India
  • - Major boundary problems (Cambrian/Precambrian, Permian/Triassic, etc.)
  • - Climatic conditions and paleogeography of Indian sub-continent
  • - Igneous activity in Indian sub-continent
  • - Tectonic framework of India
  • - Evolution of the Himalayas

6. Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology

  • 6.1 Hydrogeology:
  • - Hydrologic cycle and genetic classification of water
  • - Movement of subsurface water; Springs
  • - Aquifer properties and classification
  • - Water-bearing characteristics of rocks
  • - Groundwater chemistry and salt water intrusion
  • - Types of wells
  • - Groundwater exploration and management
  • - Rainwater harvesting
  • 6.2 Engineering Geology:
  • - Engineering properties of rocks
  • - Geological investigations for dams, tunnels, highways, railway and bridges
  • - Rock as construction material
  • - Landslides—causes, prevention and rehabilitation
  • - Earthquake-resistant structures

PAPER—II

1. Mineralogy

  • - Classification of crystals into systems and classes of symmetry
  • - International system of crystallographic notation
  • - Use of projection diagrams
  • - Elements of X-ray crystallography
  • - Physical and chemical characters of rock forming silicate minerals
  • - Structural classification of silicates
  • - Common minerals of igneous and metamorphic rocks
  • - Minerals of carbonate, phosphate, sulphide and halide groups
  • - Clay minerals
  • - Optical properties of common rock forming minerals

2. Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

  • 2.1 Igneous Petrology:
  • - Generation and crystallisation of magmas
  • - Crystallisation systems (albite-anorthite, diopside-anorthite, etc.)
  • - Bowen's Reaction Principle
  • - Magmatic differentiation and assimilation
  • - Petrogenetic significance of igneous rocks
  • - Petrography and petrogenesis of various rock groups
  • - Carbonatites
  • - Deccan volcanic province
  • 2.2 Metamorphic Petrology:
  • - Types and agents of metamorphism
  • - Metamorphic grades and zones
  • - Phase rule and facies of metamorphism
  • - Textures and structures of metamorphic rocks
  • - Metamorphism of different rock types
  • - Retrograde metamorphism
  • - Metasomatism and granitisation
  • - Granulite terrains of India

3. Sedimentary Petrology

  • - Sediments and Sedimentary rocks: Formation processes
  • - Diagenesis and lithification
  • - Classification of clastic and non-clastic rocks
  • - Petrography and depositional environment
  • - Sedimentary facies and provenance
  • - Sedimentary structures and their significance
  • - Heavy minerals and their significance
  • - Sedimentary basins of India

4. Economic Geology

  • - Ore, ore mineral and gangue concepts
  • - Classification of ore deposits
  • - Processes of mineral deposit formation
  • - Controls of ore localisation
  • - Ore textures and structures
  • - Metallogenic epochs and provinces
  • - Geology of important Indian mineral deposits
  • - Coal and petroleum deposits in India
  • - National Mineral Policy
  • - Conservation and utilization of mineral resources
  • - Marine mineral resources and Law of Sea

5. Mining Geology

  • - Methods of prospecting (geological, geophysical, geochemical, geobotanical)
  • - Techniques of sampling
  • - Estimation of ore reserves
  • - Methods of exploration and mining
  • - Mineral beneficiation and ore dressing

6. Geochemistry and Environmental Geology

  • 6.1 Geochemistry:
  • - Cosmic abundance of elements
  • - Composition of planets and meteorites
  • - Earth's structure and element distribution
  • - Trace elements
  • - Crystal chemistry fundamentals
  • - Elementary thermodynamics
  • 6.2 Environmental Geology:
  • - Natural hazards and mitigation
  • - Environmental impacts of human activities
  • - Pollution types (ground, surface water, marine)
  • - Environmental protection measures in India
  • - Sea level changes: causes and impact

Recommended Study Resources

Essential Books

  • • Physical Geology by Arthur Holmes
  • • Principles of Physical Geology by G.H. Davis
  • • Structural Geology by M.P. Billings
  • • Introduction to Paleontology by A. Morley Davies
  • • Principles of Stratigraphy by J.L. Wilson

Reference Materials

  • • Economic Geology by U.G. Pohl
  • • Mineralogy by Berry & Mason
  • • Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology by M.G. Best
  • • Sedimentary Petrology by F.J. Pettijohn
  • • Engineering Geology by F.G. Bell

Practice Materials

  • • Previous Years' UPSC Geology Papers
  • • GATE Geology Practice Sets
  • • GSI (Geological Survey of India) Publications
  • • Online Practice Tests
  • • Geological Maps and Exercises

Online Resources

  • • NPTEL Geology Courses
  • • GSI Online Resources
  • • USGS Educational Resources
  • • Geological Software Tutorials
  • • Virtual Field Trips and Geological Demonstrations