GSI exam preparation - 2018

1. PREPARATION AND STRATEGY
UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist and
Geologist Examination, 2018(GSI)
Presented by
PRAMODA G
MSc in Geology
DoS In Earth Science,
University of Mysore

2. WhyWhy
Geologist…?Geologist…?

3. If you think about it, everything we have is either grown at the
surface, or taken from the ground. Look around you. Plastics,
metals, and nearly everything that isn't made from wood, is made
from something that was mined or otherwise extracted from the
ground. Geologists are needed because they are trained to find all of
these things in the earth. Additionally, geologists are necessary for
safety reason. Buildings, highways and other structures must be
build on safe, stable ground. Water quality is often monitored by
those with geology backgrounds. Design specifications for
earthquake resistant buildings are determined by geo-technical
engineers.
We would not have a modern society without geology.

5. Notification:- 21.03.2018
Exam Dates:- 29.06.2018 to 1.07.2018
For Notification
http://www.upsc.gov.in
For apply
https://upsconline.nic.in/

8. Candidate Written Test Personality
Test
Medical
Test
Geologist /
Hydrologist

9. Written
Examination
Paper Subject
Max.
Marks
Time
Allotted
Day
1 General English 100 3 hours
Day-I
2 Geology Paper I 200 3 hours
3 Geology Paper II 200 3 hours
Day-II
4 Geology Paper III 200 3 hours
5 Hydrogeology 200 3 hours Day-III

10. Compulsory Papers

11. General English
• Essay (30 to 40 marks)
• General awareness
• Environmental awarness
• Current affairs
• General Science.
• Précis Writing (20 to 25 marks)
• Make a meaningful sentence using the given word (05 to 10
marks)
• Correct the following sentences (05 to 10 marks)
• One word substitution
• Distinguish between the pair words by using each words in a
sentence (e.g., alter, altar)
• Use the phrases/expressions in a sentence.
• Write a paragraph for given words/phrases (e.g., Struggle with
your mind is the greatest struggle)

12. Cont.d
•Rewrite the following as directed with out
changing of its meaning:
• using ‘so…. that’, ‘between’, ‘but…. also’
• Rewrite as a simple sentence by combining two sentences
• make a complex sentence by combining two sentences
• rewrite as compound sentences
• Using pronouns

19. Paper – 1 General English - Books for Reference
General English:-
• A Compendium of Essays (01 Edition); Author- J.K.Chopra; Unique
Publishers (2010)
• Modern Essays: On all Debatable Issues (6th Edition); Author-
H.C.Mahajan; Publisher- S. Chand Publishing (2010)
• Any English grammar books.
• Daily The Hindu word list - https://gradeup.co/
General Geology:-
• Text book of Geology by Mahapathra
• Engineering geology by S K Bangar
• epgp.inflibnet.ac.in/UploadedContent.php
• https://www.slideshare.net/pramodgpramod

20. Subject Papers
Comprises two parts:

21. Subject Papers
Part-II: questions will be asked from 5 different sections.
Questions may be asked for (10+10+10) (15+10+5) (20+10) also.

22. Geology Paper I
•Geomorphology and Remote Sensing
•Structural Geology
•Geotectonics/Geodynamics
•Stratigraphy
•Palaeontology

23. Books for Reference
• The Principle of Geomorphology by Thornbury
• Principles and applications of Photogeology by Shiv N Panday
• Principles of Remote sensing by Patel Singh
• Structural Geology by S K Ghosh
• Structural Geology by M P Billings
• Field Geology by Lahee
• The Dynamic Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology by Brian J.
Skinner, Stephen C. Porter and Jeffery Park (2003)
• Physical Geology by Arthur. N. Straheler
• Geology of India vol-I & II by R Vaidyanatahan & M Ramakrishnan
• Text book of Palaeontology by Anatharam and Jain
• Invertebrate fossils - R. C. Moore, C. G. Lalickar and A. G. Fisher
• Vertebrate Palaeontology - A. S. Romer
GEOLOGY-IGEOLOGY-IGEOLOGY-IGEOLOGY-I

24. Geology Paper II
•Mineralogy
•Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
•Sedimentology
•Geochemistry
•Environmental Geology

25. Books for Reference
• Text book of Mineralogy by Dana.
• An introduction to rock forming minerals by Deer, Howie and Zussman.
• Rutley’s Elements of Mineralogy by H. H. Read
• Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology by M G Best
• Petrogenesis of metamorphic rocks by Winkler, H.G.F.
• Sedimentary rocks by Pettijohn
• Principles of Geochemistry by Brain Mason
• Environmental Geosciences by Arthur H Strahler and Alan Strahler
GEOLOGY-IIGEOLOGY-IIGEOLOGY-IIGEOLOGY-II

26. Geology Paper III
•Indian mineral deposits and mineral economics
•Ore genesis
•Mineral exploration
•Geology of fuels
•Engineering geology

27. Books for Reference
• India's mineral resources by Krishnaswamy S
• Mineral resources of Karnataka by B. P. Radhakrishna
• Mineral Economics by R. K. S. Sinha and N. L. Sharma
• Economic Mineral deposits Bateman, A.M.
• The geology of ore deposits - John M. Guilbert and charles. F.
Park, Jr. W. H. Freeman and Co.
• Geology of petroleum by A. I. Levorsen.
• Coal by H S Pareek
• Engineering and general geology by Parbin Singh
• Geological Methods in Mineral Exploration and Mining by Roger
Marjoribanks.
• Mining geology by McKinstry
GEOLOGY-IIIGEOLOGY-IIIGEOLOGY-IIIGEOLOGY-III

28. Hydrgeology
•Origin, occurrence and distribution of water
•Well hydraulics and well design
•Groundwater chemistry
•Groundwater exploration
•Groundwater problems and management

29. HYDROGEOLOGYHYDROGEOLOGYHYDROGEOLOGYHYDROGEOLOGY
Books for Reference
• Groundwater Hydrogeology by David K Todd
• Hydrogeology by S.N.Davis and R.J.M.Dewiest
• Groundwater in Karnataka by B P Radhakrishna
• Applied Ground-water Hydrology and Well Hydraulics by
Michael Kasnow
• Ground-Water Exploration by Afolalu Felix Olugbenga
• Marine Geology by James P Kennett, Prentice-Hall, 1982

30. Previous Year Question Paper and
materials links
You download from My google drive given below
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/0B02F3jKHWDKgOTJ4TFVrQ3pfQz
g
You can also download by UPSC website link given below
http://www.upsc.gov.in/examinations/question-papers
Materials link
https://chat.whatsapp.com/KXWNh91QDEsIQ2qvUbkuOS
https://t.me/joinchat/CIE2XhKzxz3c-KW25WqKZg
https://www.slideshare.net/pramodgpramod

31. Combined Geo-Scientist and Geologist Examination, 2016
I.Written Stage:
Minimum qualifying standard/marks# secured by the last
qualified candidate at written Exam stage called for Personality
Test. Marks secured is out of 700 marks.
S.No
.
Category General OBC SC ST PH – 1 PH – 2 PH - 3
1 Geologist 223 202 199 178
# Subject to minimum 15% marks in each paper for General, OBC,
SC & ST Candidates and 5% in each paper for PH-1, PH-2 and PH-
3 Candidates.

32. II. Final Stage
Minimum qualifying standard/marks secured by the last finally
recommended candidate for appointment. Marks secured is out of
900 marks.
S.No
.
Category General OBC SC ST PH – 1 PH – 2 PH - 3
1 Geologist 352 328 331 310
Vacancy for ST community has been filled up by a PH-3 category candidate of ST
Community

33.  Understand the subject while reading.
 Underline the technical words and important sentences while
reading
 Prepare your own notes
 Go through Previous Years Question Papers

34. Select the Question which you can answer well with
• Technical words/Geological words
• diagrams/flowcharts
• Good examples
• Field knowledge
Time management is important key for subjective papers.
• For Part-I:- 30 min
• For Part-II:- 25 min/section

35. Personality
Test
• To examine candidate’s knowledge on his/her subjects, area of
interest, way of conduct, self-confidence, overall personality,
leadership skills, initiative and intellectual curiosity and
adaptability.
• Conducted for 200 marks
• There is no set pattern or set of questions
• There will be 5 members in the interview panel/board.
• One IAS officer (heads the panel) and 4 specialists from
different fields of geology.

36. Important Tips for PT
• Brush up the knowledge regarding the latest National & International events and
latest development in your area of field.
• Identify your weak points, and focus on strengthening them.
• Dress properly for the Interview.
• Reach the interview place at least half an hour before the scheduled time
• While entering and before leaving the interviewing board greets them properly.
• Keep Cool and face the interview board with confidence, show a positive
attitude.
• Listen to the complete question first and then start replying.
• Maintain an eye contact with the interviewer (To show the confidence level and
attentiveness).
• Be specific while answering the questions. Do not give any vague answer. In
case, you do not know the answer of question politely tell them you do not know.
• Be clear and consistent in your views.

37. Prominent Interview Questions
• Tell briefly about yourself?
• Why are you interested for this post?
• What are your weak and strong points?
• Tell us something about your past experiences
• Why should we hire you?
• Do you prefer to work in a group?
• Can you work under pressure? /Can u handle work pressure?
• Give us an example of a challenging situation you've overcome.
• What do you look for in a job?
• What are your goals for the future?
• Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

38. Interview Questions
• Tell briefly about geology of your area?
• How will you identify the shearing in field? Write the diagram on
shear movements.
• Tell briefly about groundwater conditions of Karnataka?
• How will you determine the age of beds using the fossils?
• Why Ilkal granites are famous?
• Where do you find Komatiites? Explain Spinifix texture?
• By looking at the limb portion of a regional fold, how will you
identify the type of fold and direction of plunge?
• How will you correlate beds of same rock of two different
continents?
• Can we able do the mapping with out GPS and Toposheet?
• How will you identify the metamorphic rock in field?
• If bed rock is Amphibolite, what is the reason to have Red soil at
many places in India?

39. • Height and weight checkup
• Undergone any surgery/operation
• Suffering from any disease
Vision test
Blood Pressure
test
Chest scanning

41. Thank you
Someone is watching over you
It’s time for you to shine
Good Luck On Your Exams
The time has come for you to show
The knowledge that you’ve gained
With confidence you will face this task
Your focus throughout will remain
Don’t panic as you think
Be calm, have piece of
mind