Candidates who appeared in the UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist (CGSE) Preliminary Examination on 08 February 2026 can now check their results. The Union Public Service Commission has declared the Prelims shortlist on 03 March 2026 — just 23 days after the examination. The CGSE is a specialized UPSC examination that recruits scientists and technical officers for premier central government geoscience bodies including the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), and related organizations. With only 85 posts available across highly specialized categories, this is an intensely competitive and prestigious scientific recruitment.
UPSC Geo Scientist Pre Result 2026 – Key Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination Name | Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE) 2025 |
| Posts Covered | Geologist, Geophysicist, Chemist, Scientist B (Hydrology/Chemical/Geophysics), Asst. Hydrologist, Asst. Chemist, Asst. Geophysicist |
| Total Vacancies | 85 Posts |
| Application Period | 03 – 23 September 2025 |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 08 February 2026 |
| Prelims Admit Card | 30 January 2026 |
| Prelims Result Declared | 03 March 2026 |
| Next Stage | Mains Examination |
| Application Fee | ₹200/- (General/OBC) | Free (SC/ST/PwD/Female) |
| Age Limit | 21 – 32 Years |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC CGSE 2025 – Complete Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 03 September 2025 |
| Application Last Date | 23 September 2025 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 23 September 2025 |
| Prelims Admit Card | 30 January 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | 08 February 2026 |
| Preliminary Result Declared | 03 March 2026 |
| Mains Examination | To be Announced |
| Mains Result | To be Announced |
| Personality Test / Interview | To be Announced |
| Final Merit List | To be Announced |
UPSC CGSE 2025 – Application Fee (For Reference)
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC Candidates | ₹200/- |
| SC / ST / PwD Candidates | Free (No Fee) |
| Female Candidates (All Categories) | Free (No Fee) |
UPSC CGSE 2025 – Age Limit
| Criteria | Age |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 Years |
| Maximum Age | 32 Years |
| Age Relaxation | As per GoI norms for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Ex-Servicemen |
UPSC CGSE 2025 – Post-Wise Vacancy & Eligibility (Total: 85 Posts)
| Post Name | Group | Posts | Minimum Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geologist (Category I) | Group A | 16 | Master’s degree in Geology, Earth Science, or related field (completed or final year) |
| Geophysicist (Category I) | Group A | 6 | Master’s degree in Physics, Applied Physics, Geophysics, Marine Geophysics, or equivalent (completed or final year) |
| Chemist (Category I) | Group A | 2 | Master’s degree in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, or Analytical Chemistry from a recognized Indian university (completed or final year) |
| Scientist B – Hydrology (Category II) | Group A | 13 | Master’s degree in Geology, Applied Geology, Marine Geology, or equivalent from a recognized Indian university (completed or final year) |
| Scientist B – Chemical (Category II) | Group A | 1 | Master’s degree in Geology, Applied Geology, Marine Geology, or equivalent (completed or final year) |
| Scientist B – Geophysics (Category II) | Group A | 1 | Master’s degree in Geology, Applied Geology, Marine Geology, or equivalent (completed or final year) |
| Assistant Hydrologist | Group B | 31 | Master’s degree in Geology, Applied Geology, Marine Geology, or Hydrology from a recognized university |
| Assistant Chemist | Group B | 4 | Postgraduate or Integrated PG degree in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Hydro-Chemistry, or Industrial Chemistry |
| Assistant Geophysicist | Group B | 11 | M.Sc. in Physics, Applied Physics, Geophysics, Applied Geophysics, Marine Geophysics, or M.Sc. (Tech.) in Applied Geophysics |
| Total | 85 |
About UPSC CGSE Recruiting Organizations: The Combined Geo-Scientist Examination recruits for central government geoscience bodies including the Geological Survey of India (GSI) — India’s premier earth science agency; the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) — under Ministry of Jal Shakti; and other Ministry of Mines/Science & Technology organizations. These are Group A Gazetted officer positions offering excellent research-oriented careers with significant field work across India.
Final Year Students Are Eligible: Candidates who are in the final year of their Master’s degree in the relevant subject can appear in the UPSC Geo Scientist examination and are eligible to be shortlisted in the preliminary result. However, they must complete the degree before the Mains examination or before joining, as specified in the official notification.
How to Download UPSC Geo Scientist Pre Result 2026 – Step-by-Step
- Visit the official UPSC portal: upsc.gov.in (direct link in Important Links below).
- Navigate to the Examination / Results section on the homepage.
- Click on “Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE) Preliminary Result 2025” or “UPSC Geo Scientist Pre Result 2026”.
- The result is available as a PDF shortlist. Use Ctrl+F to search for your Roll Number.
- If your Roll Number appears, you are shortlisted for the Mains examination. Download the PDF and take a printout.
- Monitor upsc.gov.in for the Mains examination schedule and admit card notification.
What Happens After UPSC Geo Scientist Prelims Result 2026?
- Mains Examination: UPSC will announce the Mains (Main Examination) schedule for CGSE shortlisted candidates. The Mains is a conventional (written) examination — significantly more detailed and technical than the Prelims. It typically covers specialized subject papers in the candidate’s discipline (Geology/Geophysics/Chemistry/Hydrology).
- Personality Test (Interview): Candidates qualifying the Mains are called for a Personality Test (interview) conducted by a UPSC Board. This assesses scientific aptitude, communication, and suitability for geoscience officer roles.
- Final Merit List: Based on combined Mains + Personality Test scores. Final allocation to post and organization is made based on merit and preferences.
- Document Verification & Medical: Original degree certificates, category documents, and identity proofs are verified. A basic medical examination is also conducted before joining.
Begin Mains Preparation Immediately: The UPSC Geo Scientist Mains is a highly technical examination with specialist papers in Geology, Geophysics, Chemistry, or Hydrology at the postgraduate level. The gap between Prelims shortlisting and Mains is typically 2–4 months. Begin topic-wise subject revision immediately — do not wait for the Mains schedule announcement.
UPSC Geo Scientist Pre Result 2026 – Important Links
| Action | Link |
|---|---|
| Download UPSC Geo Scientist Pre Result 2026 | Click Here – upsc.gov.in |
| Download Official CGSE Notification | Available on Official Portal |
| Official UPSC Website | upsc.gov.in |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – UPSC Geo Scientist Pre Result 2026
Q1. When was the UPSC Geo Scientist Pre Result 2026 declared?UPSC officially declared the Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE) Preliminary Result 2026 on03 March 2026. The Preliminary examination was held on 08 February 2026. Candidates can download the shortlist PDF from upsc.gov.in and search for their Roll Number.
Q2. How many posts are there in UPSC Geo Scientist CGSE 2025?Total85 postsacross 9 categories: Geologist Group A (16), Geophysicist Group A (6), Chemist Group A (2), Scientist B Hydrology (13), Scientist B Chemical (1), Scientist B Geophysics (1), Assistant Hydrologist Group B (31), Assistant Chemist Group B (4), and Assistant Geophysicist Group B (11).
Q3. What is the next stage after the UPSC Geo Scientist Preliminary Result?Candidates shortlisted in the Prelims will be called for theMains Examination— a detailed technical written exam in the candidate’s specific discipline. After Mains, qualifiers appear for thePersonality Test (Interview). Final selection is based on Mains + Interview combined performance.
Q4. What is the eligibility for UPSC Geo Scientist 2025?All posts require aMaster’s degree in a relevant science discipline. Geologist requires M.Sc. Geology/Earth Science; Geophysicist requires M.Sc. Physics/Geophysics; Chemist requires M.Sc. Chemistry; Scientist B and Assistant posts require similar PG qualifications in geology, physics, or chemistry streams.Final year PG studentsare also eligible to appear (subject to completing the degree before joining).
Q5. What organizations recruit through UPSC Geo Scientist CGSE?The Combined Geo-Scientist Examination primarily recruits for theGeological Survey of India (GSI)— India’s premier earth science body, and theCentral Ground Water Board (CGWB)— under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Both are prestigious scientific organizations where officers conduct geological surveys, mineral exploration, groundwater assessment, and geophysical investigations across India.
Q6. What was the UPSC Geo Scientist Prelims exam pattern?The CGSE Preliminary examination is an objective-type (MCQ) screening test. It typically has two papers — one in General Studies (common for all candidates) and one in the candidate’s specific subject (Geology/Geophysics/Chemistry). The Prelims is qualifying in nature — scores are not counted in the final merit; only Mains + Personality Test scores are used for the final ranking.
Q7. What was the application fee for UPSC Geo Scientist CGSE 2025?The application fee was₹200/-for General and OBC candidates.SC, ST, PwD, and all female candidateswere exempt from the fee. The application window ran from 03 to 23 September 2025. The application process is now closed — this is for reference only.