(Syllabus) GEOLOGY - UPSC MAINS EXAM 2011

SYLLABI FOR THE EXAMINATION PART-B
MAIN EXAMINATION

GEOLOGY

PAPER - I

1. General Geology: The Solar System, Meteorites, Origin and interior of the earth and age of earth; Volcanoes- causes and products, Volcanic belts ; Earthquakes - causes , effects , Seismiczones of India; Island arcs ,
trenches and mid - oceanridges; Cont inental dr i f ts; Seaf loor 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 ; Hydrologyand environmental studies; Geomorphology of Indian subcontinent. Aerial photographs and their interpretationmerits and limitations; The Electromagnetic spectrum; Orbiting satellites and sensor systems; Indian Remote Sensing Satellites; Satellites data products; Applications of r e m o t e s e n s i 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 strainellips oidandstress- 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; Time-relationship between crystallization and deformation.

4. Paleontology: Species- def ini t ion 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; Evolutionary trend in Hominidae, Equidae and Proboscidae ; Siwalikfauna ; Gondwana flora and faunaandits 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 problemsCambrian/Precambrian, Permian/Triassic,  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; Waterbearing characteristics of rocks; Groundwater chemistry; Salt water intrusion; Types of wells; Drainage basin morphometry; Exploration for groundwater; Groundwater recharge; Problems and management of  Engineering properties of rocks; Geological invest igat ions for dams, tunnels highways, railway and bridges; Rock as construction material; Landslides-causes, prevention and rehabilitation; Earthquakeresistant structures.

PAPER - II

1. Mineralogy: Classification of crystals into systems and classes of symmetry; International system of crystallo graphic 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 metam orphicrocks ; 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, diopsideanorthite and diopside-wollastonite-silica systems; Bowen’s React ion Pr inciple; Magmatic differentation and assimilation; Petrogenetic significance of the textures and structures of igneous rocks; 

3. Sedimentary Petrology: structures and their significance; Heavy minerals and their significance; Sedimentary basins of India.

4. Economic Geology: Ore, ore minerals and gangue, 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 aluminium, chromium, copper, gold, iron, lead zinc, manganese, titanium, uranium 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 benef iciat ion 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; Elementary thermodynamics. Natural hazards-floods, mass wasting, costal hazards, earthquakes and volcanic act ivi ty and mi t igat ion; Envi ronmental 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.