Syllabus of Combined Geo-Scientist (Main) Examination

Stage-II (Descriptive Type)

Geology : Paper-III

Section A. Economic geology
Ore minerals and industrial minerals; physical and optical properties of ore
minerals; ore textures and paragenesis; characteristics of mineral depositsspatial
and temporal distribution, rock-ore association; syngenetic and
epigenetic deposits, forms of ore bodies, stratiform and strata-bound deposits;
ore forming processes- source and migration of ore constituents and ore fluid,
mechanism of ore deposition; magmatic and pegmatitic deposits (chromite, Timagnetite,
diamond, Cu-Ni sulphide, PGE, REE, muscovite, rare metals);
hydrothermal deposits (porphyry Cu-Mo, greisen Sn-W, skarn, VMS and SEDEX
type sulphide deposits, orogenic gold); sedimentary deposits (Fe, Mn,
phosphorite, placer); supergene deposits (Cu, Al, Ni and Fe); metamorphic and
metamorphosed deposits (Mn, graphite); fluid inclusions in ore mineral
assemblage- physical and chemical properties, microthermometry; stable
isotope (S, C, O, H) in ore genesis- geothermometry, source of ore constituents;
global tectonics and mineralisation.
Section B. Indian mineral deposits and mineral economics
Distribution of mineral deposits in Indian shield; geological characteristics of
important industrial mineral and ore deposits in India- chromite, diamond,
muscovite, Cu-Pb-Zn, Sn-W, Au, Fe-Mn, bauxite; minerals used in refractory,
fertilizer, ceramic, cement, glass, paint industries; minerals used as abrasive,
filler; building stones.
Strategic, critical and essential minerals; India’s status in mineral production;
co-products and by-products; consumption, substitution and conservation of
minerals; National Mineral Policy; Mineral Concession Rules; marine mineral
resources and laws of the sea.
Section C. Mineral exploration
Stages of exploration; scope, objectives and methods of prospecting, regional
exploration and detailed exploration; geological, geochemical and geobotanical
methods; litho-, bio-, soil geochemical surveys, mobility and dispersion of
elements, geochemical anomalies; ore controls and guides; pitting, trenching,
drilling; sampling, assaying, ore reserve estimation; categorization of ore
reserves; geophysical methods- ground and airborne surveys; gravity, magnetic,
electrical and seismic methods of mineral exploration.
Section D. Fuel geology and Engineering geology
Coal and its properties; proximate and ultimate analysis; different varieties and
ranks of coal; concept of coal maturity, peat, lignite, bituminous and anthracite
coal; origin of coal, coalification process; lithotypes, microlithotypes and maceral
groups of coal; mineral and organic matter in coal; lignite and coal deposits of
India; origin, migration and entrapment of natural hydrocarbons; characteristics
of source and reservoir rocks; structural, stratigraphic and mixed traps;
geological, geochemical and geophysical methods of hydrocarbon exploration;
petroliferous basins of India; geological characteristics and genesis of major

types of U deposits and their distribution in India.Engineering properties of rocks; geological investigations in construction of
dams, reservoirs, tunnels, bridges, highways and coastal protection structures;
geologic considerations of construction materials.
Section E. Environmental geology and Natural hazards
Stefan-Boltzmann equation and planetary temperature; cause and effects of
global climate change; Earth’s radiation budget; greenhouse gases and effect;
examples of positive and negative feedback mechanisms; biogeochemical cycle of
carbon; geological investigations of nuclear waste disposal sites; marginal
marine environments- estuaries, mangroves and lagoons; ozone hole depletion,
ocean acidification, coral bleaching, Milankovitch cycle, sea level rise,
eutrophication and acid rain; environmental impacts of urbanization, mining
and hydropower projects; water pollution, water logging and soil erosion;
Himalayan glaciers; causes and consequences of earthquakes, volcanoes,
tsunami, floods, landslides, coastal erosion, droughts and desertification;
application of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) in
environmental management.