Geology Syllabus Subject For UPSC

Geology Syllabus Subject For UPSC

Geology is the science that deals with the dynamics and physical history of the earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the physical, chemical, and biological changes that the earth has undergone or is undergoing. Geology optional focuses on the candidates’ understanding of the basic concepts of geology. The aspirants should be able to apply this knowledge to solve the problems of sustainable development and disaster management.

The Geology Optional topics include concepts of general geology, remote sensing, India’s geomorphology, and stratigraphy, mining, economic geology, and their application to sustainable development and disaster management.

Geology Syllabus Exam Pattern: –

The optional paper carries 500 marks distributed between two papers of 250 marks each.

Paper I Syllabus:

  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 drifts; 
  • Seafloor spreading, Plate tectonics; 
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  1. Geomorphology and Remote Sensing: 
  • 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 of geomorphology in mineral prospecting, civil engineering; 
  • Hydrology and environmental studies; 
  • Geomorphology of Indian subcontinent. 
  • Aerial photographs and their interpretation-merits and limitations; 
  • The Electromagnetic spectrum; 
  • Orbiting satellites and sensor systems; 
  • Indian Remote Sensing Satellites; 
  • Satellite’s data products; Applications of remote sensing in geology; 
  • The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) – its applications.
  1. Structural Geology: 
  • Principles of geologic mapping and map reading, Projection diagrams, Stress and strain ellipsoid and stress-strain relationships of elastic, plastic and viscous materials; 
  • Strain markers in deformed rocks; 
  • Behaviour of minerals and rocks under deformation conditions; 
  • Folds and faults classification and mechanics; 
  • Structural analysis of folds, foliations, lineation’s, joints and faults, unconformities; Time-relationship between crystallization and deformation.
  1. Palaeontology: 
  • Species- definition and nomenclature; 
  • Megafossils and Microfossils; 
  • Modes of preservation of fossils; 
  • Different kinds of microfossils; 
  • Application of microfossils 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.
  1. Indian Stratigraphy:
  • Classification of stratigraphic sequences: lithostratigraphic, biostratigraphic, chronostratigraphic and magnetostratigraphic and their interrelationships; 
  • Distribution and classification of Precambrian rocks of India;
  • Study of stratigraphic distribution and lithology of Phanerozoic rocks of India with reference to fauna, flora and economic importance; 
  • Major boundary problems- Cambrian/Precambrian, Permian/Triassic, Cretaceous/Tertiary and Pliocene/Pleistocene; 
  • Study of climatic conditions, paleogeography and igneous activity in the Indian subcontinent in the geological past; 
  • Tectonic framework of India; Evolution of the Himalayas.
  1. Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology: 
  • Hydrologic cycle and genetic classification of water; 
  • Movement of subsurface water; Springs; 
  • Porosity, permeability, hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity and storage coefficient, classification of aquifers; 
  • Water-bearing characteristics of rocks; Ground-water chemistry; 
  • Salt water intrusion; Types of wells; 
  • Drainage basin morphometry; Exploration for groundwater; 
  • Groundwater recharge; Problems and management of groundwater; 
  • Rainwater harvesting; 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 Syllabus:

  1. Mineralogy: 
  • Classification of crystals into systems and classes of symmetry; 
  • International system of crystallographic notation; 
  • Use of projection diagrams to represent crystal symmetry; 
  • Elements of X-ray crystallography. 
  • Physical and chemical characters of rock forming silicate mineral groups; 
  • Structural classification of silicates; 
  • Common minerals of igneous and metamorphic rocks; 
  • Minerals of the carbonate, phosphate, sulphide and halide groups; 
  • Clay minerals. 
  • Optical properties of common rock forming minerals;
  • Pleochroism, extinction angle, double refraction, birefringence, twinning and dispersion in minerals.

2.Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology: 

  • Generation and crystallization of magmas; 
  • Crystallization of albite-anorthite, diopside-anorthite and diopside-wollastonite-silica systems; 
  • Bowen’s Reaction Principle; 
  • Magmatic differentation and assimilation; 
  • Petrogenetic significance of the textures and structures of igneous rocks; 
  • Petro-graphy and petrogenesis of granite, syenite, diorite, basic and ultrabasic groups, charnockite, anorthosite and alkaline rocks; 
  • Carbonatites; Deccan volcanic province. Types and agents of metamorphism; Metamorphic grades and zones; Phase rule; 
  • Facies of regional and contact metamorphism; 
  • ACF and AKF diagrams; 
  • Textures and structures of metamorphic rocks; 
  • Metamorphism of arenaceous, argillaceous and basic rocks; 
  • Mineral’s assemblage’s Retrograde metamorphism; 
  • Metasomatism and granitisation, migmatites, Granulite terrains of India.

3.Sedimentary Petrology: 

  • Sediments and Sedimentary rocks: 
  • Processes of formation; digenesis and lithification; 
  • Clastic and non-clastic rockstheir classification, 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 minerals and gangue, tenor of ore, classification of ore deposits; 
  • Process of formation of minerals deposits; 
  • Controls of ore localization; 
  • Ore textures and structu-res; 
  • Metallogenic epochs and provinces; 
  • Geology of the important Indian deposits of aluminium, chromium, copper, gold, iron, lead zinc, manganese, titanium, uranium and thorium and industrial minerals; 
  • Deposits of coal and petroleum 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 and geobotanical; Techniques of sampling; 
  • Estimation of reserves or ore; 
  • Methods of exploration and mining metallic ores, industrial minerals, marine mineral resources and building stones; 
  • Mineral beneficiation and ore dressing.

6.Geochemistry and Environmental Geology: 

  • Cosmic abundance of elements; 
  • Composition of the planets and meteorites; 
  • Structure and composition of Earth and distribution of elements; 
  • Trace elements; 
  • Elements of crystal chemistry, types of chemical bonds, coordination number; Isomorphism and polymorphism; 
  • Elementary thermodynamics. 
  • Natural hazards-floods, mass wasting, coastal hazards, earthquakes and volcanic activity and mitigation; 
  • Environmental impact of urbanization, mining, industrial and radioactive waste disposal, use of fertilizers, dumping of mine waste and fly ash; 
  • Pollution of ground and surface water, marine pollution; 
  • Environment protection – legislative measures in India; 
  • Sea level changes: 
  • causes and impact.