APSC Syllabus 2026 - obtain Examination format Paper I in addition to II

APSC Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 - Overview

APSC Exam Pattern 2026

The examination format below is common in structure across all five posts, since each post has the same Paper-I as well as a post-specific Paper-II. Each paper is conducted separately.

Paper-I Assessment pattern (Common for All Posts) - General Studies

Paper-II Examination format (Post-wise) - Subject Paper

The number of questions for Paper-II is not specified in the authorized announcement for any of the five posts.

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APSC Exam Syllabus 2026

The syllabus for each post is divided into Paper-I (General Studies, common to all posts) along with Paper-II (subject-specific). Full subject-wise topics for all five posts are listed below.

1. Paper-I: General Studies (Common for All Five Posts)

Constitution as well as Political System of India

Current events of National as well as International Importance

It is informed that, Indian Economy as well as Planning Process of India

Geography of India, Assam as well as World

Role of Science in addition to Technology in India

Culture as well as History of Assam, India along with World

Indian National Movement with special reference to Assam

2. Assistant Geologist Syllabus - Paper-II: Geology

(A) Structural Geology as well as Seismology

Structural Geology: stress along with strain, ductile in addition to brittle deformation, faults in addition to folds, thrust systems, strike-slip faults, shear zones, rheology, in addition to graphical interpretation of structures

The official notification states that, Seismology: earthquake terminology, seismic waves, magnitude scales, focal depth, peak ground acceleration in addition to velocity, along with palaeoseismology

As per the official update, (B) Mineralogy, Crystal Chemistry in addition to Thermodynamics in Geology

It is informed that, Mineralogy: chemical composition of minerals, X-ray crystallography, ionic bonding, mineral transformation in addition to exsolution in rock-forming silicates

Thermodynamics: laws of thermodynamics, Gibbs free energy, Clausius-Clapeyron equation, Raoult's along with Henry's laws

(C) Geoinformatics, Geomorphology as well as Quaternary Geology

The conducting body has announced that, Geoinformatics: remote sensing, photogrammetry, thermal along with microwave remote sensing, image processing, in addition to GIS

Geomorphology as well as Quaternary Geology: Quaternary Period divisions, dating methods, Quaternary climate in addition to tectonics, stratigraphy, in addition to sedimentary records from India

(D) Hydrogeology, Climatology along with Oceanography

The official notification states that, Hydrogeology: hydrologic cycle, groundwater occurrence along with movement, Darcy's law, well hydraulics, in addition to groundwater assessment

Candidates should note that, Climatology in addition to Oceanography: atmospheric composition, precipitation, weather disturbances, as well as ocean classification

(E) Igneous as well as Metamorphic Petrology

It is informed that, Igneous Petrology: magma generation, geochemical characteristics, phase equilibria, IUGS classification, along with major igneous rock types

It is informed that, Metamorphic Petrology: regional metamorphic textures, P-T-t paths, mineral assemblages, geothermometry as well as geobarometry

(F) Geochemistry, Isotope Geology in addition to Engineering Geology

The conducting body has announced that, Geochemistry in addition to Isotope Geology: crust-mantle geochemical systems, radiogenic as well as stable isotopes, statistics in geology

Engineering Geology: engineering properties of soil along with rocks, dams in addition to reservoirs, tunnel construction geotechnics

(G) Economic Geology

Genesis of ore deposits, metallic along with non-metallic mineral deposits of India, radioactive minerals, as well as methods of mineral prospecting, exploration in addition to mining

(H) Sedimentology, along with Surveying in addition to Mapping

Candidates should note that, Sedimentology: textural elements, sedimentary structures, depositional environments, genetic classification of sedimentary rocks

Interested applicants should know that, Surveying as well as Mapping: types of surveys, GPS/GNSS, geologic surveying as well as field mapping

(I) Stratigraphy along with Geodynamics

Stratigraphy: principles of stratigraphy, Indian stratigraphy from Precambrian to Cenozoic, stratigraphy of Northeast India

Geodynamics: plate tectonics, sea-floor spreading, Himalayan tectonics, as well as planetary geology

According to the latest notice, (J) Palaeontology as well as Fuel Geology

Palaeontology: micropalaeontology, foraminifers, vertebrate palaeontology, in addition to palynology

Fuel Geology: origin, sampling, petrography in addition to utilization of coal; nature in addition to origin, reservoir rocks, drilling as well as exploration of petroleum

It is informed that, (K) Fluvial System as well as Environmental Geology

Fluvial System: drainage basin evolution, fluvial processes as well as landforms, fluvial depositional environments

Environmental Geology: pollution in addition to hazards due to mining, landslides, floods, as well as water pollution

3. Chemist Syllabus - Paper-II: Chemistry (Based on Gauhati University Syllabus)

As per the official update, Group 1: Inorganic Chemistry

Bonding in polyhedral boranes along with carboranes, organoboranes, chemistry of Al, Ga, In in addition to Tl

Fullerenes, silicates, clays, zeolites, in addition to organometallic compounds of Li, Be, Mg in addition to Hg

Chemistry of second along with third transition series elements, bonding in coordination compounds (VBT, CFT, ligand field theory)

The official notification states that, Electronic spectra in addition to magnetic properties of transition metal complexes

Mechanism of inorganic reactions, nuclear in addition to radiochemistry, in addition to introduction to solid state chemistry

Organometallic chemistry: metal carbonyls, metal alkyls, carbenes, as well as catalytic reactions

Group 2: Modern Methods of Analysis

Characterization of inorganic along with organic molecules using IR, Raman, NMR, EPR, Mössbauer, UV-visible, MS, in addition to LC-MS

It is informed that, Thermal methods (TGA, DTA, DTG, DSC), diffraction techniques (powder in addition to single crystal XRD)

Separation techniques (GC, HPLC, GPC), along with electro-analytical methods (polarography, cyclic voltammetry)

Group 3: Physical Chemistry

Equilibrium along with non-equilibrium thermodynamics, statistical thermodynamics, polymer chemistry

Sampling as well as data analysis: standard deviation, linear regression, correlation coefficient

Group 4: Experiments on Conductometric Titrations

Strength comparison along with determination of components of binary in addition to ternary mixtures by conductometric titration

The department has confirmed that, Determination of degree of hydrolysis as well as concentration by conductance measurement

Candidates should note that, Group 5: Spectroscopy

Fundamentals of absorption in addition to emission spectroscopy, rotational, vibrational in addition to Raman spectroscopy

Electronic spectroscopy including UV-visible, fluorescence in addition to phosphorescence spectroscopy

Group 6: Organic Chemistry

Oxidation reactions (Sharpless, Jacobsen, Shi epoxidation, Baeyer-Villiger, Wacker oxidation)

Reduction reactions (catalytic hydrogenation, metal-based reductions, hydride transfer reagents)

Candidates should note that, Qualitative analysis of binary mixtures (solid-solid, solid-liquid, liquid-liquid)

Group 7: Catalysis Science as well as Technology

Catalyst synthesis in addition to preparation, zeolites, mesoporous materials in addition to clays

Energy along with catalysis: oil refining, steam reforming, hydrotreating, along with fuel cells

Group 8: X-ray Crystallography

The official notification states that, Crystalline state, principles of X-ray diffraction, X-ray diffraction in practice

The department has confirmed that, Applications of powder along with single-crystal X-ray diffraction, macromolecular crystallography

Group 9: Green Chemistry

Essentials along with principles of green chemistry, green chemistry metrics, waste production as well as prevention

Catalysis as well as sustainability, feedstock chemicals from biomass, along with designing sustainable solutions

4. Drilling Engineer Syllabus - Paper-II: Mechanical Engineering

The official notification states that, Statics: application of equilibrium equations

Dynamics: equations of motion, simple harmonic motion, work energy along with power

Theory of Machines: links along with mechanisms, gears, governors, balancing, vibration of bars

Mechanics of Solids: stress-strain, Hooke's law, bending moments in addition to shear force diagrams, torsion of beams

Manufacturing Science: metal cutting, machining processes, casting as well as welding methods

Production Management: method along with time study, product design, break-even analysis, routing

Interested applicants should know that, Thermodynamics: laws of thermodynamics, Carnot, Rankine, Otto in addition to Diesel cycles

The conducting body has announced that, Fluid Mechanics: hydrostatics, continuity equation, Bernoulli's theorem, laminar in addition to turbulent flow

Heat Transfer: conduction, fins, heat transfer coefficient, heat exchangers

Energy Conversion: compressors, hydraulic pumps along with turbines, boilers, power plant layout

Interested applicants should know that, Environmental Control: refrigeration cycles, refrigerants, psychrometrics, cooling in addition to dehumidification

The department has confirmed that, 5. Assistant Mining Engineer Syllabus - Paper-II: Mining along with Geology

Interested applicants should know that, Unit 1: Basic Concepts of Mining along with Geology

The official notification states that, Mining terminology, mineral along with energy resources, engineering as well as economic geology basics, ore in addition to gangue, ore formation processes, Indian mineral deposits, seismic zones of India

Unit 2: Mine Development as well as Surveying

Methods of access to deposits, underground drivage, drilling principles along with machines, explosives along with blast design

It is informed that, Mine surveying: levelling, theodolite, tacheometry, triangulation, GPS/DGPS, GIS in addition to drone survey in mining

The conducting body has announced that, Unit 3: Geomechanics in addition to Ground Control

Geotechnical properties of rocks, rock mass classification, theories of rock failure, subsidence, rock bursts

Design of pillars, roof supporting systems, as well as mine filling

Aspirants are advised that, Unit 4: Mining Methods along with Machinery

Surface mining layout in addition to mechanization, underground coal mining (bord in addition to pillar, longwall), underground metal mining

Mining machinery: haulages, conveyors, hoisting systems, crushers, continuous miners

Unit 5: Surface Environment, Mine Ventilation, along with Underground Hazards

Air, water in addition to soil pollution control, Environmental Impact Assessment, mine ventilation systems in addition to networks

Underground hazards from mine gases, fires, explosions, dust as well as inundation; mine rescue as well as safety

As per the official update, Unit 6: Mine Economics, Mine Planning, Mine Management

Mineral resource classification, discounted cash flow analysis, mine valuation in addition to investment analysis

According to the latest notice, Sampling methods, reserve estimation, cutoff grade, pit planning, PERT/CPM, in addition to budgetary control

Unit 7: Mine Legislation

According to the latest notice, Approval of Mining Plan along with Mine Closure Plan, grant of mining lease, environment in addition to forest clearances

Regulatory framework: National Mineral Policy 2019, Mineral Concession Rules, Mines Act 1952, Coal Mine Regulation 2017, DGMS circulars

Aspirants are advised that, 6. Geophysicist Syllabus - Paper-II: Geophysics

Interested applicants should know that, Mathematics along with Physics: vector calculus, differential equations, Fourier analysis, numerical methods, classical mechanics, electromagnetism

General Geology: physical geology, geomorphology, mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, stratigraphy, plate tectonics

Gravity along with Magnetic Methods: Earth's gravity as well as magnetic fields, anomalies, corrections, data processing in addition to interpretation

Seismic Methods: elastic wave theory, seismic refraction in addition to reflection, seismology as well as crustal studies

Aspirants are advised that, Electrical along with Electromagnetic Methods: resistivity methods, self-potential, induced polarization, TEM/FDEM/MT, borehole geophysics

Radiometric in addition to Thermal Methods: natural radioactivity, gamma-ray surveys, geothermal in addition to heat-flow studies

Applied in addition to Exploration Geophysics: mineral, coal in addition to groundwater exploration, oil along with gas exploration basics, engineering in addition to environmental geophysics

Remote Sensing, GIS in addition to Computing: principles of remote sensing, GIS applications, geophysical modeling along with inversion

Candidates should note that, Field Work as well as Practical: geophysical instruments, field survey techniques, technical report writing

How to Prepare for APSC Assistant Geologist Exam 2026

The department has confirmed that, Start with the authorized syllabus PDF in addition to mark out topics under each group therefore you know exactly what to cover in Geology, rather than relying on generic geology reference books alone.

Since Paper-I (General Studies) is common across all five posts, build a separate, ongoing routine for current affairs along with Assam-specific history in addition to culture rather than leaving it for the last week.

Break Paper-II preparation into the lettered groups (A to K for Assistant Geologist, or the equivalent groups/units for other posts) as well as set weekly targets for each group.

Use standard postgraduate-level geology, chemistry, mechanical engineering, mining engineering, or geophysics textbooks aligned to the specific topics listed in the syllabus, since the exam is objective along with topic-specific.

Practice previous year question papers of APSC screening tests for technical posts to get familiar with the difficulty level in addition to question style, even though PYQs specific to this exact notification are not yet available.

Revise diagram-based as well as numerical topics (structural geology diagrams, thermodynamics equations, spectroscopy principles) separately, since these are commonly tested through applied questions rather than direct definitions.