Syllabus of UPSC CSE Geology Optional

1.

General Geology:

• The Solar System, Meteorites, Origin and interior of the earth and age of the 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; 
• Isostasy. 

2.

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 the Indian subcontinent. 
• Aerial photographs and their interpretation-merits and limitations; 
• The Electromagnetic spectrum; 
• Orbiting satellites and sensor systems; 
• Indian Remote Sensing Satellites; 
• Satellites data products; Applications of remote sensing in geology; 
• The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) - its applications.

3.

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; 
• The behavior of minerals and rocks under deformation conditions; 
• Folds and faults classification and mechanics; 
• Structural analysis of folds, foliations, lineations, joints, and faults, unconformities; Timerelationship between crystallization and deformation.

4.

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 paleoceanographic studies; 
• The evolutionary trend in Hominidae, Equidae, and Proboscidea; Siwalik fauna; 
• Gondwana flora and fauna and its importance; 
• Index fossils and their significance.

5.

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.

6.

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; 
• Saltwater 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 a construction material; 
• Landslides-causes, prevention, and rehabilitation; 
• Earthquake-resistant structures

1.

Mineralogy: 

• Classification of crystals into systems and classes of symmetry; 
• The 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 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; 
• Minerals assemblages Retrograde metamorphism; 
• Metasomatism and granitisation, migmatites, Granulite terrains of India.

3.

Sedimentary Petrology: 

• Sediments and Sedimentary rocks: 
• Processes of formation; diagenesis and lithification; 
• 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.

4.

Economic Geology: 

• Ore, ore minerals and gangue, the tenor of ore, classification of ore deposits; 
• Process of formation of minerals 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 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.