Tamil Nadu Public Service Commissions Geology Syllabus

Paper - I


Unit - I : General Geology
Origin of the Earth; Age of the Earth; Interior of the Earth; Colcanoes:- Effects and causes; Earthquakes:- Effects and causes; Isostasy.

Unit - II : Geomorphology
Landforms - their types and developments - Classification of shore lines and their evolution - submarine canyons - Ceosynclines - Island arcs - Plate tectonics.

Unit - III : Structural Geology
Mechanics and causes of folding - Classification of faults - Recognition of faults in the filed by different criterin - Kinds of unconformity and their recognition in the filed - Brunton compass and its uses.

Unit - IV : Remote Sensing
Elementary mathematical concepts of photogrammetry - Interpretation of Aerial photographs as applied to Geology - Photographic images, tone, texture, drainage and landform - Application of satellite data in mineral, groundwater and oil exploration.

Unit - V : Paleontology
Field and Laboratory techniques of Micropaleontology - Application of Micropaleontology in oil exploration - Evolution and stratigraphic importance of Ammonoids, Trilobites and Graptolites - Gondwana flora - their significance and paleoclimatic conditions.

Unit - VI : Stratigraphy
Modern methods of stratigraphic correlation - cretaceous - Eocene boundary problems with special reference to Tamil nadu nature and Age of the Deccan Traps - Cretaceous of Trichy - Classification and economic importance of Dharwar and Cuddapah.

Unit - VII : Crystallography
Stereographic and Gnomonic projections of natural crystals of normal classes of Tetragonal and Orthorhombic systems - Derivation of 32 classes of symmetry - Napier's theorem - Equations of a normal - Bragg's law - x-ray diffraction method.

Unit - VIII : Optics
Optical properties of Uniaxial and Biaxial crystals - Birefringence - optic axial angle - Determination of Anorthite content and Twin laws using U-stage - Optical anamolies.

Unit - IX : Mineralogy-I
Description, Physical, Chemical and Optical properties of Feldspars, Feldspathoids, Pyroxene, Amphibole, Olivine and Mica.

Unit - X : Mineralogy-II
Description and paragenesis of the following :- Chlorite, Zeolite, Zircon, Topaz, Tourmaline, Sillimanite, Kyanite, Andalusite, Corundum, Cordierite and Beryl.

Paper - II


Unit - I : Igneous Petrology - I
Classification of Igneous rocks - Petrography and petrogenesis of Granites, Alkaline Rocks, Anorthosites, Carbonatite, Ultramafics.

Unit - II : Igneous Petrology -II
Study of Forsterite - Silica, Albite - Anorthite - Diopside systems - Bowen's Reaction Principle - Diversity of Igneous rocks variation diagrams - Crystallisation of Basaltic magma.

Unit - III : Sedimentary And Metamorphic Petrology
Mechanical analysis of sediments - Heavy minerals and their significance - Lithification and Diagenesis - Depth zones and Facien concept - study of Migmatites and Granulites - ACF and AFM diagrams.

Unit - IV : Economic Geology-I
Classification of ore minerals - Geological thermometry - processes of ore formation - minerals used for the following Industries,cement, Refractory and ceramics.

Unit - V : Economic Geology II
Mineralogy, origin, uses and distribution of the following:- Iron, Manganese, copper, Aluminium , Barite, Graphite, Asbestos and Quartz - occurrence and origin of coal and petroleum in India.

Unit - VI : Hydrogeology
Hydrologic cycle - origin of Groundwater - vertical distribution of Groundwater - Aquifers - Groundwater movement - Groundwater quality - Groundwater pollution.

Unit - VII : Engineering And Mining Geology
Geological investigation pertaining to Dam foundation, Reservoir sites and Tunnelling - Engineering properties of rocks - Types of sampling - ore reserve estimation - Mining methods.

Unit - VIII : Geoexploration
Electrical and magnetic methods of Geophysical prospecting - Prospecting for Radioactive minerals - Geochemical classification of Elements - Trace Elements - Geochemical Prospecting.

Unit - IX : Environmental Geology
Environmental impacts due to mining and mineral processes - Renewable and non-renewable resources - Environmental effects of large dams - Environmental hazards due to landslide and flooding.

Unit - X : Regional Geology
Cenomanian marine transgression of Trichy region - Neyveli Lignite deposits - Graphite beds of Sivaganga - Rare Earth deposit of Manavalakurichi - Magnesite of chalk hills salem - Granite Industries of Tamil Nadu.