Geology Optional Syllabus

VAJIRAM & RAVI
Institute for IAS Examination
OPTIONAL SYLLABUS
GEOLOGY
Geology Optional Syllabus
Paper I
Section A
(i) General Geology
The Solar System, meteorites, 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; sea-floor spreading, plate tectonics. Isostasy,
orogeny and epeirogeny. Continents and oceans.
(ii) 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 Indian sub-continent.
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 System and its applications. Global Positioning
System.
(iii) 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.
Section B
(iv) Palaeontology
Species definition and nomenclature. Megafossils and Microfossils. Modes of

preservation of fossils. Different kinds of micro fossils. Application of microfossils in
correlation, petroleum exploration, paleo-climatic and pale oceanographic studies,
Morphology, geological history and evolutionary trend in Cephalopoda, Trilobita,
Brachiopoda, Echi-noidea and Anthozoa, Stratigraphic utility of Ammonoidea,
Trilobita and Graptoloidea, Evolutionary trend in Hominidae, Equidae and
Probo-scidae. Siwalik fauna, Gondwana flora and its importance.
(v) Stratigraphy and Geology of India
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.
(vi) 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. 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. Alkali-aggregate reaction.
Landslides causes, prevention and rehabilitation. Earthquake-resistant structures.
Paper II
Section A
(i) 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 silicate mineral groups. Structural
classification of silicates. Common minerals of igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Minerals of the carbonate, phosphate, sulphide and halide groups.
(ii) Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
Generation and crystallisation of magma. Crystallisation 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. Minerals assemblages, Retrograde metamorphism. Metasomatism and
granitisation, migmatites, granulite terrains of India.
(iii) 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.
Section B
(iv) Economic Geology
Ore, ore minerals and gangue, tenor of ore, classification of ore deposits. Process of
formation of minerals deposits. Controls of ore localisation. 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 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.
(v) Mining Geology
Methods of prospecting-geological, geophysical, geo-chemical and geo-botanical,

Techniques of sampling. Estimation of reserves of ore, Methods of exploration and
mining metallic ores, industrial minerals and marine mineral resources. Mineral
beneficiation and ore dressing.
(vi) 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, environment

protection-legislative measures in India.
Click Here for
Geology: OPTIONAL Indian Forest Service

SUBJECTS PROGRAMME Coaching
Contact Us At
01141004700
Get Directions
Delhi Centre Chennai Centre
VAJIRAM & RAVI

Institute for IAS Examination

Geology Optional Syllabus

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Geology Optional Syllabus

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Geology Optional Syllabus

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

VAJIRAM & RAVI

Institute for IAS Examination

(i) General Geology

(ii) Geomorphology and Remote Sensing

Basic concepts of geomorphology. Weathering and mass wasting. Landforms,

Aerial photographs and their interpretation merits and limitations. The

(iii) Structural geology

Species definition and nomenclature. Megafossils and Microfossils. Modes of

(v) Stratigraphy and Geology of India

Classification of stratigraphic sequences: lithostratigraphic, biostratigraphic,

(vi) Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology

Hydrologic cycle and genetic classification of water. Movement of subsurface water,

Groundwater recharge. Problems and management of groundwater, Rainwater

Classification of crystals into systems and classes of symmetry. International

Petrological microscope and accessories. Optical properties of common rock

(ii) Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

Generation and crystallisation of magma. Crystallisation of albite-anorthite,

Sedimentary rocks: Processes of formation, diagenesis and lithification, Properties

(iv) Economic Geology

(v) Mining Geology

Methods of prospecting-geological, geophysical, geo-chemical and geo-botanical,

Cosmic abundance of elements, Composition of the planets and meteorites,

Pollution of ground and surface water, marine pollution, environment

Geology: OPTIONAL Indian Forest Service

Delhi Centre Chennai Centre

VAJIRAM & RAVI

You might also like