About UPSC – IFoS Geology Optional
Syllabus for Geology Optional
Previous Year Questions
Geology Optional is a smart and strategic choice for the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) Examination, and it also works well for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE). It’s widely regarded as one of the most scoring and accessible optional subjects, even for those without a geology background.
What makes Geology stand out is its concept-driven syllabus, minimal overlap with General Studies, and a clear, straightforward prep path. Candidates from science, engineering, and even non-science backgrounds often manage to pick up the subject quickly and complete the syllabus in just a few months.
One of its biggest advantages: Geology is one of the few optionals approved for IFoS. So if you’re aiming for both IFoS and CSE, choosing Geology means you don’t need a separate optional—saving time and keeping your preparation focused.
With the right strategy and resources, Geology Optional can give you a real edge in IFoS and also support your chances in UPSC Mains.
Why Choose Geology Optional?
- Ease of Understanding: The subject emphasizes fundamental concepts over rote memorization, making it approachable for those new to geology.
- Static and Predictable: Geology is a largely static subject, meaning the syllabus doesn’t change frequently and there’s minimal current affairs linkage. This makes preparation more focused and less stressful.
- Scoring Potential: With a well-defined syllabus and predictable question patterns, Geology offers high scoring opportunities in the mains examination.
- Dual Advantage for UPSC – CSE Aspirants: Geology is one of the approved optional subjects for the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) exam. Choosing it allows candidates to prepare a single optional subject for both CSE and IFoS, streamlining their preparation process.
- Manageable Syllabus: The syllabus is concise and can typically be covered within 4–6 months of dedicated study.
Paper I
Section – A
Section – B
General Geology
The Solar System, meteorites, the origin and interior of the Earth. Radioactivity and age of earth; Volcanoes- causes and products, volcanic belts. Earthquakes, causes, effects, earthquake belts, seismicity of India, intensity and magnitude, seismographs. Island arcs, deep sea trenches and mid-ocean ridges. Continental drift evidences and mechanics; seafloor spreading, plate tectonics. Isostasy, orogeny and epeirogeny. Continents and oceans.
Geomorphology and Remote Sensing: Basic concepts of geomorphology. Weathering and mass wasting. Landforms, slopes and drainage. Geomorphic cycles and their interpretation. Morphology and its relation to structures and lithology. Applications of geomorphology in mineral prospecting, civil engineering, hydrology and environmental studies. Geomorphology of the Indian subcontinent. Aerial photographs and their interpretation-merits and limitations. The Electron-magnetic Spectrum. Orbiting satellites and sensor systems. Indian Remote Sensing Satellites. Satellite data products. Applications of remote sensing in geology. The Geographic Information System and its applications. Global Positioning System.
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, lineations, joints and faults, unconformities. Superposed deformation. Time relationship between crystallization and deformation. Introduction to petro-fabrics.
Paleontology: 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 palaeoceanographic studies. Morphology, geological history and evolutionary trend in Cephalopoda, Trilobita, Brachiopoda, Echinoidea and Anthozoa. Stratigraphic utility of Ammonoidea, Trilobita and Graptolitoidea. Evolutionary trend in Hominidae, Equidae and Proboscidea. Siwalik fauna. Gondwana flora and its importance.
Stratigraphy and Geology of India: Classification of stratigraphic sequences: litho-stratigraphic, biostratigraphic, chronostratigraphic and magneto-stratigraphic 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.
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. Groundwater 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 and bridges. Rock as construction material. Alkaliaggregate reaction. Landslides-causes, prevention and rehabilitation. Earthquake-resistant structures.
Paper II
Section – A
Section – B
Mineralogy: Classification of crystals into systems and classes of symmetry. International system of crystallographic notation. Use of projection diagrams to represent crystal symmetry. Crystal defects. Elements of X-ray crystallography. Petrological microscope and accessories. Optical properties of common rock forming minerals. Pleochroism, extinction angle, double refraction, birefringence, twinning and dispersion in minerals. Physical and chemical characters of rock forming slilicate mineral groups. Structural classification of silicates. Common minerals of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Minerals of the carbonate, phosphate, sulphide and halide groups.
Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology: Generation and crystallization of magma. Crystallization of albite-anorthite, diopside-anorthite and diopside-wollastonite-silica systems. Reaction principle. Magmatic differentiation and assimilation. Petrogenetic significance of the textures and structures of igneous rocks. Petrography 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 assemblages Retrograde metamorphism. Metasomatism and granitization, migmatites, Granulite terrains of India.
Sedimentology: Sedimentary rocks: Processes of formation, diagenesis and lithification. Properties of sediments. Clastic and non-clastic rocks-their classification, petrography and depositional environment. Sedimentary facies and provenance. Sedimentary structures and their significance. Heavy minerals and their significance. Sedimentary basins of India.
Economic Geology: Ore, ore minerals and gangue, tenor of ore, classification of ore deposits. Process of formation of mineral deposits. Controls of ore localization. Ore textures and structures. Metallogenic epochs and provinces. Geology of the important Indian deposits of aluminum, chromium, copper, gold, iron, lead, zinc, manganese, titanium, uranium, 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 the Sea.
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 and marine mineral resources. Mineral beneficiation and ore dressing.
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, landslides, coastal erosion, earthquakes and volcanic activity and mitigation. Environmental impact of urbanization, open-cast mining, industrial and radioactive waste disposal, use of fertilizers, dumping of mine waste and fly ash. Pollution of ground and surface water, marine pollution, environmental protection legislative measures in India.
