APSC Assistant Geologist Syllabus 2026

APSC Assistant Geologist Syllabus 2026

This syllabus update provides the detailed topic‑wise breakdown for the Screening Test Paper‑II (Geology) required for the Assistant Geologist post conducted by the Assam Public Service Commission.

Short Information

The syllabus is released by the Directorate of Geology and Mining, Assam (Mines and Minerals Department) under the APSC notification dated 17 July 2026. It covers five posts – Assistant Geologist, Chemist, Drilling Engineer, Assistant Mining Engineer and Geophysicist – each with a common Paper‑I and a post‑specific Paper‑II. The exam consists of two papers, each carrying 100 marks and a duration of 2 hours.

Exam Pattern

Paper‑I (Common for All Posts) – General Studies

Paper‑II (Post‑wise) – Subject Paper

Assistant Geologist – Geology

Chemist – Chemistry (Gauhati University Syllabus)

Drilling Engineer – Mechanical Engineering

Assistant Mining Engineer – Mining and Geology

Geophysicist – Geophysics

Negative marking and qualifying marks are not mentioned in the official notification.

Subject‑wise Syllabus

Assistant Geologist – Paper‑II: Geology

• Structural Geology: stress and strain, ductile deformation, brittle deformation, faults and folds, thrust systems, strike‑slip faults, shear zones, rheology, graphical interpretation of structures
• Seismology: earthquake terminology, seismic waves, magnitude scales, focal depth, peak ground acceleration, peak ground velocity, palaeoseismology
• Mineralogy: chemical composition of minerals, X‑ray crystallography, ionic bonding, mineral transformation, exsolution in rock‑forming silicates
• Thermodynamics: laws of thermodynamics, Gibbs free energy, Clausius‑Clapeyron equation, Raoult’s law, Henry’s law
• Geoinformatics: remote sensing, photogrammetry, thermal remote sensing, microwave remote sensing, image processing, GIS
• Geomorphology and Quaternary Geology: Quaternary Period divisions, dating methods, Quaternary climate and tectonics, stratigraphy, sedimentary records from India
• Hydrogeology: hydrologic cycle, groundwater occurrence and movement, Darcy’s law, well hydraulics, groundwater assessment
• Climatology and Oceanography: atmospheric composition, precipitation, weather disturbances, ocean classification
• Igneous Petrology: magma generation, geochemical characteristics, phase equilibria, IUGS classification, major igneous rock types
• Metamorphic Petrology: regional metamorphic textures, P‑T‑t paths, mineral assemblages, geothermometry, geobarometry
• Geochemistry and Isotope Geology: crust‑mantle geochemical systems, radiogenic and stable isotopes, statistics in geology
• Engineering Geology: engineering properties of soil and rocks, dams and reservoirs, tunnel construction geotechnics
• Economic Geology: genesis of ore deposits, metallic and non‑metallic mineral deposits of India, radioactive minerals, mineral prospecting, exploration, mining methods
• Sedimentology: textural elements, sedimentary structures, depositional environments, genetic classification of sedimentary rocks
• Surveying and Mapping: types of surveys, GPS/GNSS, geologic surveying, field mapping
• Stratigraphy: principles of stratigraphy, Indian stratigraphy from Precambrian to Cenozoic, stratigraphy of Northeast India
• Geodynamics: plate tectonics, sea‑floor spreading, Himalayan tectonics, planetary geology
• Palaeontology: micropalaeontology, foraminifers, vertebrate palaeontology, palynology
• Fuel Geology: origin of coal, sampling, petrography, utilization of coal, nature and origin of petroleum, reservoir rocks, drilling and exploration of petroleum
• Fluvial System: drainage basin evolution, fluvial processes and landforms, fluvial depositional environments
• Environmental Geology: pollution and hazards due to mining, landslides, floods, water pollution

How to Download Syllabus

1. Visit the official APSC website at https://apsc.nic.in.
2. Locate the notification dated 17 July 2026 for the Screening Test.
3. Click the “Download Syllabus” link corresponding to the Assistant Geologist post.
4. The PDF file will open; click the download icon to save the syllabus to your device.
5. Verify the downloaded file matches the official notification date before beginning preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the APSC Exam syllabus 2026?
The syllabus includes Paper‑I General Studies covering Constitution, current affairs, Indian economy, geography, science and technology, culture and history of Assam, and the national movement. Paper‑II is subject‑specific Geology for the Assistant Geologist post, divided into groups covering structural geology, mineralogy, petrology, economic geology, stratigraphy, palaeontology, fuel geology and related topics.

Q2. What is the exam pattern for APSC Exam Syllabus 2026?
The Screening Test comprises two papers, Paper‑I and Paper‑II, each worth 100 marks and lasting 2 hours. Paper‑I contains 100 objective‑type questions. The number of questions in Paper‑II is not specified in the official notification.

Q3. How many questions are asked in the APSC Assistant Geologist exam?
Paper‑I (General Studies) has 100 objective questions. The exact number of questions for Paper‑II (Geology) is not specified in the official notification.

Q4. Where can I download the APSC Exam syllabus PDF?
The official syllabus PDF is available on the APSC website (https://apsc.nic.in). A direct link to the Assistant Geologist syllabus PDF is provided in the Important Links table.

Q5. Is the APSC Assistant Geologist syllabus the same as the syllabus for Chemist, Drilling Engineer, Assistant Mining Engineer, or Geophysicist?
Paper‑I (General Studies) is identical for all five posts. Paper‑II differs by post: Geology for Assistant Geologist, Chemistry for Chemist, Mechanical Engineering for Drilling Engineer, Mining and Geology for Assistant Mining Engineer, and Geophysics for Geophysicist.