Geology Syllabus Explorer

An interactive guide to Paper I & Paper II for aspiring geologists. Dive deep into the Earth's wonders.

PAPER I: Core Geological Principles

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, seismic of zone of India
  • Island arcs, trenches and mid-ocean ridges
  • Continental drift
  • 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 Indian sub-continent.
  • Aerial photographs and their interpretation—merits and limitations;
  • The Electromagnetic spectrum. Orbiting Satellites and Sensor Systems.
  • Indian Remote Sensing Satellites. Satellite data products;
  • Applications of remote sensing in geology;
  • The Geographic Information System (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.
  • 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—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;
  • Evolutionary trend in Hominidae, Equidae and Proboscidae. Siwalik fauna.
  • Gondwana flora and fauna and its importance; Index fossils and their significance.
5. Indian Stratigraphy
  • Classification of stratigraphic sequences: lithostrati-graphic, biostratigraphic, chrono-stratigraphic 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 sub-continent 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; 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 highways, railway and bridges; Rock as construction material;
  • Landslides causes, prevention and rehabilitation; Earthquake-resistant structures.

PAPER II: Specialized Geological Studies

1. Mineralogy
  • Classification of crystals into systems and classes of symmetry; 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 crystallisation of magmas.
  • Crystallisation 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
  • Sedimentas 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 mineral and gangue, tenor of ore. Classification of ore deposits;
  • Processes of formation of mineral deposits; Controls of ore localisation;
  • Ore texures 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.
5. Mining Geology
  • Methods of prospecting—geological, geophysical, geochemical and geobotanical;
  • Techniques of sampling. Estimation of reserves of 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, costal 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.

Visual Component Showcase

This section demonstrates styling capabilities for various UI elements, adaptable for diverse educational content.

Styled Timeline Example

Event 1: Ancient Era

Description of a significant event or period.

Event 2: Middle Period

Key developments and changes.

Event 3: Modern Discovery

Recent findings or breakthroughs.

CSS Bar Chart Example

Hypothetical Data Visualization:

A
B
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D

Bars animate on load (CSS transition).

Conceptual Flowchart Example

Step 1: Input
Step 2: Process
Step 3: Output