11/29/2020 Geology Optional -UPSC IFS Examination- Detailed booklist and References.

| Vejay-In-Jananam

Vejay-In-Jananam

HOME
EXPERIENCE
STORY
POEM
TRAVEL
COMEDY
IDEA
BOOK READS
POLITICS
TIME TO VOICE
CINEMA
SOCIAL MEDIA
I-BATCH – COLLEGE MEMORIES
UPSC
TECH
ABOUT ME

Geology Optional -UPSC IFS Examination- Detailed booklist

and References.

Posted by vejayinjananam on June 24, 2018 · 25 Comments

Geology optional – many fear to take this subject in hand solely because of lack of proper guidance and
books. I too started like every aspirant with some fear in mind.But with time progress , I fell in love with
geology . Those fossils ,rocks and hydrogeological structures amazed me. I enjoyed reading it. As a
result I have scored All India 3rd highest score and became Tamil Nadu topper in Geology.(So,You can
Trust me)

Since, there will be two months gap between Civils mains and IFS mains there will be a good bunch of
people taking geology and forestry as optional.So it is necessary to read in detail to be in good ranks.

Keep in mind:

Sit and analyse the syllabus

See the trend
Look at frequently asked questions.

As per the inputs given by my seniors and by my own experience following can be recognised.
Easy units:

https://vejayinjananam.com/2018/06/24/geology-optional-upsc-ifs-examination-detailed-booklist-and-references/ 1/12
11/29/2020 Geology Optional -UPSC IFS Examination- Detailed booklist and References. | Vejay-In-Jananam

Paper 1

Sec A

General Geology
Geomorphology and Remote sensing

Sec B

Paleontology
Hydro geology and Engineering Geology

Paper 2:
Sec A

Sedimentary rocks

Sec B

Economic geology
Geochemistry and Environmental Geology
Mining geology

Relatively difficult units:

Paper 1

Sec A

Structural Geology

Sec B

Startigraphy and Geology of India

Paper 2:
Sec A

Mineralogy
Igneous and metamorphic Petrology

Sec B

All are easy

Till 2016 IFS mains was before Civils Mains.So, relatively the competition was less as many feared to
take three optionals (two in IFS and one in Civils ) at same time.Now the time has changed.2017 there
was one month gap, now there will be two month gap.So you dont have privilige of reading only easier
https://vejayinjananam.com/2018/06/24/geology-optional-upsc-ifs-examination-detailed-booklist-and-references/ 2/12
11/29/2020 Geology Optional -UPSC IFS Examination- Detailed booklist and References. | Vejay-In-Jananam

part and leaving the rest to god. So be ready to prepare everything.

Book list:

Paper 1:

Sec A:

1. General Geology – Savindra Singh Physical geography – Geomorphology lesson – Around 10 units.
(Check syllabus – subtopics and do selective read) or KM Bhangar will be suffice (but too
comprehensive)
2. Geomorphology and Remote sensing – Savindra singh Physical geography -Geomorphology lesson
– Around 10 units (anyways u caught here…. )

Sub topics:

For remote sensing ,The Electromagnetic Spectrum , Applications of remote sensing in

geology.The Geographic Information System and its applications. Global Positioning System. –
Indian Forestry by Manikandan and Prabhu would be suffice – Chapter 1.
Orbiting satellites and sensor systems.Indian Remote Sensing Satellites – You have to prepare on
your own by searching internet.

3. Structural Geology – Strutural geology by Marland p Billings.

Sub topics :

Superposed deformation – A textbook of geology Mahapatra

.Introduction to petrofabrics – Read in net

Sec B:

1. Paleontology – KM Bhangar and Mahapatra

Sub topics:

Application of microfossils in correlation, petroleum exploration, paleo-climatic and pale

oceanographic studies – Prepare from net
evolutionary trend – Not present in Bhangar and Mahapatra – search in net and take notes
Evolutionary trend in Hominidae, Equidae and Probo-scidae – Search in net
Siwalik fauna – Search in net.

2. Stratigraphy and Geology of India – KM Bangar

Sub topic:

Tectonic framework of India. Evolution of the Himalayas. – Savindra Sing Physical Geography

https://vejayinjananam.com/2018/06/24/geology-optional-upsc-ifs-examination-detailed-booklist-and-references/ 3/12
11/29/2020 Geology Optional -UPSC IFS Examination- Detailed booklist and References. | Vejay-In-Jananam

3.Hydogeology and Engineering Geology – KM Bhangar and There is a telegram group for geology
books – search there by pu ing sub topics of this unit.

Sub topics:

Alkali-aggregate reaction – Search in net

Landslides causes, prevention and rehabilitation – Savindra singh Physical geography

Paper 2:

Sec A:

1. Mineralogy – KM Bhangar

2. Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology – KM Bhangar

Sub topics:

Crystallisation of albite-anorthite, diopside-anorthite and diopsidewollastonite- silica systems –

internet
ACF and AKF diagrams – Internet

3. Sedimentology – KM Bhangar

Heavy minerals and their significance. Sedimentary basins of India – Internet

Sec B

1. Economic Geology – KM Bhangar

Sub topics:

. Conservation and utilization of mineral resources. Marine mineral resources and Law of Sea –
Internet

2.Mining geology – Methods of prospecting – KM Bhangar – Biological and Chemical prospecting –

Internet

Subtopics:

Estimation of reserves of ore, Methods of exploration and mining metalic ores, industrial minerals
and marine mineral resources. Mineral beneficiation and ore dressing. – Internet

3.Geochemistry and Environmental Geology – Internet , 12th STD TamilNadu Chemistry book for
crystals , Savindra singh physical geo for Volcanoes etc…

Some tips:

https://vejayinjananam.com/2018/06/24/geology-optional-upsc-ifs-examination-detailed-booklist-and-references/ 4/12
11/29/2020 Geology Optional -UPSC IFS Examination- Detailed booklist and References. | Vejay-In-Jananam

Yes you need to mug up a lot but most of the time static portion is asked as a result you can get
good marks when you vomit there.
If you leave sub topics you cannot score – because UPSC started to ask some questions that are
not in general books like KM Bhangar . Eg: Petrofabrics. So dont leave any word in syllabus.
By just knowing basics of each word in syllabus you can get good marks in Geology as they are
asking “What is ….” kind of questions.
Before starting a unit – sit and read subtopics and collect material and then start reading.

PS: There is lot of internet reference I have put there. I have some materials but I cannot post it here as it
may amount to copyright violation.

If you want it mail me : Vejayanantham.ifs2018@gmail.com Will share it via google drive. First search in
my docs before searching on internet. Because you might find most in my docs itself. I don’t have time to
edit all my docs – may be I have put some funny things to remember in the exam in my notes (leave it –
we need some fun right ?).

“Humanity is giving hands to others and let them not to experience those suffering that you have faced”

All the best.

Filed under Exploring IFS, Geology Optional - IFS Mains, UPSC

Comments

25 Responses to “Geology Optional -UPSC IFS Examination- Detailed booklist and References.”
Sreedhar says:
June 25, 2018 at 9:25 am
Thanks for the guidance brother.

i
Rate This

Reply
Kishorekumar B R says:
June 25, 2018 at 10:16 pm
Thanks bro

https://vejayinjananam.com/2018/06/24/geology-optional-upsc-ifs-examination-detailed-booklist-and-references/ 5/12
11/29/2020 Geology Optional -UPSC IFS Examination- Detailed booklist and References. | Vejay-In-Jananam

Rate This

Reply
Tamil says:
June 28, 2018 at 2:00 am
Bro geology materials needed bro… mail. Id:tamilselvi.anbu@gmail.com

i
Rate This

Reply
DHILIPAN says:
July 21, 2018 at 7:46 pm
Thanks a lot brother…

i
Rate This

Reply
DHILIPAN says:
July 21, 2018 at 7:46 pm
Thanks a lot brother…

i
Rate This

Reply

vejayinjananam says:
July 21, 2018 at 9:09 pm
cool

https://vejayinjananam.com/2018/06/24/geology-optional-upsc-ifs-examination-detailed-booklist-and-references/ 6/12
11/29/2020 Geology Optional -UPSC IFS Examination- Detailed booklist and References. | Vejay-In-Jananam

i
Rate This

Reply
Yasar Arafath A says:
August 3, 2018 at 3:57 pm
Bro kindly share those materials with me. My mail id is yasarsparky92@gmail.com

i
Rate This

Reply
aditya singh says:
August 1, 2019 at 2:45 pm
sir please mail me your geology notes

i
Rate This

Reply
aditya singh says:
August 1, 2019 at 2:47 pm
sir please mail me your geology notes
mail id-adityavikram.believer@gmail.com

i
Rate This

Reply
PSC Result 2019 says:
November 3, 2019 at 11:49 pm
Get PSC Result 2019

https://vejayinjananam.com/2018/06/24/geology-optional-upsc-ifs-examination-detailed-booklist-and-references/ 7/12
11/29/2020 Geology Optional -UPSC IFS Examination- Detailed booklist and References. | Vejay-In-Jananam

i
Rate This

Reply
Vincy Rachel Varghese says:
April 5, 2020 at 2:53 pm
Great work with this detailed article. Thanks a lot for taking your time for clearing our doubts

i
Rate This

Reply

sahil goyal says:

April 11, 2020 at 2:06 am
An article worth the reading. U know I got to know about your blog for around a month. My
optional Geology was almost final. I din’t read a single article related to geology as an optional
because i knew when I will be serious, i will be reading that. Tk tk i was just looking around.

And today when I read this, M feeling like there is somebody guiding me. Love you for this
article. I hvnt started optional yet but i believe i will sail through with such articles and guidance.

i
Rate This

Reply

vejayinjananam says:
May 2, 2020 at 5:31 pm
Hello Sahil!. I am happy that my articles helped you to figure our your UPSC journey. All the
best.

https://vejayinjananam.com/2018/06/24/geology-optional-upsc-ifs-examination-detailed-booklist-and-references/ 8/12
11/29/2020 Geology Optional -UPSC IFS Examination- Detailed booklist and References. | Vejay-In-Jananam

i
Rate This

vejayinjananam says:
May 2, 2020 at 5:26 pm
All the best Vincy

i
Rate This

Reply
Ashutosh S says:
April 30, 2020 at 4:44 pm
“Humanity is giving hands to others and let them not to experience those suffering that you have
faced”
U won my heart by these words,sir.

i
Rate This

Reply

vejayinjananam says:
May 2, 2020 at 5:32 pm
Happy to hear from you Ashutosh!

i
Rate This

Reply
Ashutosh S says:
April 30, 2020 at 4:45 pm
https://vejayinjananam.com/2018/06/24/geology-optional-upsc-ifs-examination-detailed-booklist-and-references/ 9/12
11/29/2020 Geology Optional -UPSC IFS Examination- Detailed booklist and References. | Vejay-In-Jananam

Sir, kindly share those materials with me at my email id ashutoshh597@gmail.com

i
Rate This

Reply

vejayinjananam says:
May 2, 2020 at 5:33 pm
mail me. Vejayanantham.ifs2018@gmail.com

i
Rate This

Reply
Sri Lakshmi S says:
June 14, 2020 at 5:47 pm
Hi Sir,
I have mailed you for the google drive link for sources. Please reply,

i
Rate This

Reply
Praveen says:
October 28, 2020 at 10:33 am
Hello Anna,
First, I Thank you for making us aware of the job profile and opportunities in IFS, which helped me
to change my focus towards to IFS.
And I request you to send me your geological notes for reference.
-Thank you

https://vejayinjananam.com/2018/06/24/geology-optional-upsc-ifs-examination-detailed-booklist-and-references/ 10/12
11/29/2020 Geology Optional -UPSC IFS Examination- Detailed booklist and References. | Vejay-In-Jananam

i
Rate This

Reply
sachin says:
October 5, 2019 at 12:54 am
Sir please mail notes sachana123@gmail.com
Thanks for your help

i
Rate This

Reply

Trackbacks

Check out what others are saying...

N Jeykumaran IFS AIR-4, 2019, TN Rank 1 [TOPPERS STRATEGY] | IASBYHEART says:
March 20, 2019 at 12:22 am
[…] Geology Optional -UPSC IFS Examination- Detailed booklist and References. […]

i
Rate This

Reply
Geology optionals Booklist and Studytips by Vejayanantham IFS – Being IFS says:
October 7, 2019 at 2:18 pm
[…] was originally published in Vejayanantham blog. Visit blog to know more and get materials.
Follow his Instagram page at […]

i
https://vejayinjananam.com/2018/06/24/geology-optional-upsc-ifs-examination-detailed-booklist-and-references/ 11/12
11/29/2020 Geology Optional -UPSC IFS Examination- Detailed booklist and References. | Vejay-In-Jananam

Rate This

Reply
All My and IFS 2018 batch officers UPSC – IFS & CSE Articles,Videos,Answers and Materials
under One Roof | Vejay-In-Jananam says:
March 17, 2020 at 7:15 pm
[…] Geology optional […]

i
Rate This

Reply
Notes for untouched part of UPSC IFS Geology syllabus! | Vejay-In-Jananam says:
May 14, 2020 at 10:03 am
[…] Check my previous article on Geology preparation -Fundamentals
h ps://vejayinjananam.com/2018/06/24/geology-optional-upsc-ifs-examination-detailed-booklist-and-
re… […]

i
Rate This

Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Vejay-In-Jananam · First step of a budding IFS Officer….

https://vejayinjananam.com/2018/06/24/geology-optional-upsc-ifs-examination-detailed-booklist-and-references/ 12/12