Geology Syllabus for UPSC Mains – Geology is one of the 48 optional subjects offered by UPSC for the UPSC Mains Exam. It is mostly preferred by candidates who have studied Geology in their graduation. It is a scientific subject, one which is objective in nature. The answers are not interpretation-based and are concrete. Geology optional is an easy-to-understand, straightforward subject- thus making it a scoring choice for the interested aspirants. However, it is worth noting that the syllabus is specialised and a little on the heavier side. Thus, take up the Geology Optional only if you’ve studied it in graduation or you are highly interested un the subject. Read the article further to check the syllabus in detail, as well as preparation tips and booklist for the Geology Optional Syllabus.
Table of Contents
Syllabus of Geology Optional For UPSC
Geology Optional Syllabus For Paper-1
Paper I for geology optional syllabus consists of topics such as general geology, geomorphology and remote sensing, structural geology, paleontology, engineering geology etc. The major topics and sub-topics are classified below.
| Topic | Sub-topics |
| General Geology |
|
| Geomorphology and Remote Sensing | Geomorphology:
Remote Sensing & GIS:
|
| Structural Geology |
|
| Palaeontology |
|
| Indian Stratigraphy |
|
| Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology |
|
Geology Optional Syllabus For Paper-2
Paper-2 for geology optional consists of topics like minerology. igneous and metamorphic petrology, sedimentary petrology, economic geology among others. The classification of topics and sub-topics is as follows.
| Topic | Sub-topics |
| Mineralogy | • Classification of crystals into systems & symmetry classes
• International system of crystallographic notation • Projection diagrams for representing crystal symmetry • Basics of X-ray crystallography • Physical & chemical characters of silicate mineral groups • Structural classification of silicates • Common minerals of igneous & metamorphic rocks • Carbonate, phosphate, sulphide & halide group minerals • Clay minerals • Optical properties of common rock-forming minerals • Pleochroism • Extinction angle • Double refraction & birefringence • Twinning • Dispersion in minerals |
| Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | • Generation & crystallization of magmas
• Crystallization systems: albite–anorthite, diopside–anorthite, diopside–wollastonite–silica • Bowen’s Reaction Principle • Magmatic differentiation & assimilation • Petrogenetic significance of igneous textures & structures • Petrography & petrogenesis of: granite, syenite, diorite, basic & ultrabasic rocks, charnockite, anorthosite, alkaline rocks • Carbonatites • Deccan Volcanic Province • Types & agents of metamorphism • Metamorphic grades & zones • Phase rule • Facies of regional & contact metamorphism • ACF & AKF diagrams • Textures & structures of metamorphic rocks • Metamorphism of arenaceous, argillaceous & basic rocks • Mineral assemblages • Retrograde metamorphism • Metasomatism & granitisation • Migmatites • Granulite terrains of India |
| Sedimentary Petrology | • Sediments and sedimentary rocks – processes of formation
• Diagenesis & lithification • Clastic & non-clastic rocks – classification, petrography, depositional environment • Sedimentary facies & provenance • Sedimentary structures & significance • Heavy minerals & their significance • Sedimentary basins of India |
| Economic Geology | • Ore, ore minerals, gangue; tenor of ore
• Classification of ore deposits • Processes of ore deposit formation • Controls of ore localization • Ore textures & structures • Metallogenic epochs & provinces • Major Indian mineral deposits: aluminium, chromium, copper, gold, iron, lead–zinc, manganese, titanium, uranium, thorium, industrial minerals • Coal & petroleum deposits in India • National Mineral Policy • Conservation & utilization of mineral resources • Marine mineral resources • Law of the Sea |
| Mining Geology | • Methods of prospecting: geological, geophysical, geochemical, geobotanical
• Sampling techniques • Reserve estimation for ores • Exploration & mining methods for metallic ores, industrial minerals, marine minerals, building stones • Mineral beneficiation & ore dressing |
| Geochemistry and Environmental Geology | • Cosmic abundance of elements
• Composition of planets & meteorites • Earth’s structure & elemental distribution • Trace elements • Crystal chemistry – chemical bonds, coordination number • Isomorphism & polymorphism • Basics of thermodynamics • Natural hazards: floods, mass wasting, coastal hazards, earthquakes, volcanic activity; mitigation • Environmental impacts of urbanization, mining, industry • Radioactive waste disposal • Agricultural impact: fertilizer usage • Mine waste & fly ash dumping • Water pollution – groundwater, surface water, marine pollution • Environmental protection laws in India • Sea level changes – causes & impacts |
How to Prepare Geology Optional For UPSC
Now that you’ve read the syllabus for Geology Optional, it is important to have an idea of how to prepare geology optional for UPSC. Mentioned below is the topic wise preparation strategy for geology optional for UPSC.
Topic-Wise Preparation Strategy For Geology Optional Paper-1
General Geology
-
Being a basic concept, it is extremely important yet easy to understand.
-
Some of the important topics that are frequently asked from this topic are earthquakes, tectonic plates, the age of the earth, and the formation of the universe.
-
You can refer to Principles of engineering geology by KP Banger to cover all these topics extensively.
-
There is a significant overlap between this topic and the syllabus of Geography in UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains GS-Paper 1.
Geomorphology and Remote Sensing
-
Focus on the basic subtopics such as the formation of rivers, mountains and soil while studying the concepts of geomorphology.
-
Further, some important must-read topics from this topic include Indian satellites and other technologies used for remote sensing, the advantages and limitations of remote sensing, Control and prevention of disasters.
-
Keep an eye on the latest current affairs related to this topic to substantiate your answers with the related events. You can read remote sensing-related topics from the website of the national remote sensing authority.
Structural Geology
-
This is again one of the most basic topics in the syllabus. Most students must have read topics belonging to this section at the school level. Hence, it is easier to understand and grasp.
-
You can read Structural Geology by Marland P Billings to cover all the subtopics of this section.
Palaeontology
-
This is a very factual and static part of the syllabus. It deals with ancient life forms and fossils. Some of the important topics include the evolution of humans, horses and elephants.
-
To grasp this topic well, set tables for each of these species and follow the pattern to remember and understand the course of evolution better.
-
The difference between different types of fossils is yet another important topic in this section. The mode and process of fossilization are also often repeatedly asked in exams.
Indian stratigraphy
-
In this section, you need to focus on types of rocks and the geological time scale, and the regions where they are found.
-
For this section as well, it is best to set tables that will help you to remember the answers better.
Hydrogeology and engineering geology
-
The topic is all about the different climatic and geological structure of the areas and how it influences the types of materials to be used for undertaking different engineering projects in the area.
Topic-Wise Preparation Strategy For Geology Optional Paper-2
Mineralogy
- In this section, Properties of different minerals found in the rocks and their uses are generally asked. Hence. focus on rocks and minerals that are found abundantly in India.
- In the past few years, applied questions are also being asked from this chapter. Hence, your preparation and answer writing style should be accordingly adapted.
Igneous and metamorphic petrology
- You must have covered the topics included in this section in school.
- One of the most important sections of this topic is Sedimentary petrology. You must study this section while keeping in mind as many examples from India as you can.
Economic geology
- This chapter requires you to have a thorough understanding of the economic conditions of the country and how it affects geology positively or negatively.
- Focus on understanding how geology can influence overall economic development.
- Focus on the distribution of coal and petroleum and the different kinds of ores and minerals used in the industries.
- Read about industries and the raw materials used in those industries.
- Further, National mineral policy, marine mineral resources and laws of sea are also some of the important topics from this section.
Mining and geochemistry and environmental geology
- This is an important chapter owing to the number of notable mines in India. Have a clear understanding of how mining works, where to mine and recognized mining areas.
- Geochemistry is largely about different types of elements and why some are rare while others are found in abundance. Read all of them in detail.
- Further, natural hazards, pollution, urbanization and similar topics and their effects on the earth’s terrain and its modification is studied under environmental geology.
- This is an easy topic but demands frequent revision to master the concepts.
Booklist for Geology Optional For UPSC
Some of the books that you can refer to cover the syllabus of Geology optional for UPSC are mentioned below. However, you do not have to read these books from cover to cover. Be syllabus specific and read-only those portions which are relevant to the exam.
Here are a few books you can refer to while covering the syllabus of Geology Optional for UPSC.
| Book Title | Author(s) |
| Engineering and General Geology | Parbin Singh |
| Delta Sedimentation: East Coast of India | I.B. Singh & A.S.R. Swamy |
| Geology and Evolution of the Indian Plate | S.M. Naqvi |
| Berkeley University Notes on Palaeontology | Berkeley University |
| General Geology | G.B. Mahapatra |
| The Elements of Palaeontology | Rhona M. Black |
| Palaeontology | Jain & Anantharaman |
| Structural Geology | Marland P. Billings |
| Trends in Objective Geology | Aussif Sayeed |
| Text Book of Geology | P.K. Mukherjee |
| Concise Geology | P.K. Mukherjee |
| Geologic Settings and Petroleum Systems of India’s East Coast Offshore Basins: Concepts and Applications | Ravi Bastia |
| Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | J.D. Winter |
| Groundwater Hydrology | David Todd |
| Principles of Engineering Geology | K.M. Bangar |
| Economic Geology: Economic Mineral Deposits | U. Prasad |
| Rutley’s Elements of Mineralogy | Rutley |
| Dimensions of Himalayan Geology | A.K. Biyani |
| Early Man in Eastern Himalayas: North-East India and Nepal | A.K. Sharma |
| Geological Maps | D.K. Awasthi |
| Mineral Exploration: Recent Strategies | S. Rajendran |
This is the complete overview of the Geology Optional for UPSC including the syllabus, booklist and preparation strategy. Make sure you remain syllabus-specific while reading the books prescribed for Geology optional for UPSC.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the syllabus for Geology Optional?
Geology Optional comprises 2 papers, Paper I and Paper II. The topics covered in paper I are General Geology, Geomorphology, Structural Geology, Palaeontology, Indian Stratigraphy, Hydrogeology, Engineering Geology. Topics covered in Paper 2 are Mineralogy, Petrology, Sedimentology, Economic Geology, Mining Geology, Geochemistry, Environmental Geology. The complete list of sub-topics are given in the article above.
2. Is geology a good optional subject for UPSC Mains?
Yes, if the candidate has an interest or prior background in the subject, geology can be a good choice of optional subject. The syllabus is static, questions are direct, and answers can supplemented with diagrams- thus making it a scoring choice.
3. Is geology optional scoring?
Yes geology optional is highly scoring because the syllabus is static, answers are objective in nature and questions are often repeated. Thus, it is easy to score highly in this subject.
4. Does geology optional help in General Studies?
Geology has a very limited overlap with General Studies. Some overlap can be found in topics such as disaster management, geography (physical geography), environment and ecology, and in essay topics related to natural resources.
