The UPSC Scientist-B recruitment for the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) includes three disciplines:
- Scientist-B (Atmospheric Sciences)
- Scientist-B (General Meteorology)
- Scientist-B (Instrumentation)
Selection may be based on Recruitment Test (RT) + Interview if the number of applications is high. Otherwise, candidates may be shortlisted directly for interview.
Exam Pattern (Expected Recruitment Test)
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Subject Knowledge | 80-90 | 80-90 |
| General Awareness | 5-10 | 5-10 |
| Reasoning & Aptitude | 5-10 | 5-10 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Type: Objective MCQs
Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Interview: 100 Marks (Expected)
Scientist-B (General Meteorology) Detailed Syllabus
Physics
- Classical Mechanics
- Thermodynamics
- Heat Transfer
- Waves and Oscillations
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Optics
- Modern Physics
- Nuclear Physics
Mathematics
- Differential Calculus
- Integral Calculus
- Differential Equations
- Vector Calculus
- Probability
- Statistics
- Linear Algebra
- Numerical Methods
Meteorology
- Atmospheric Structure
- Atmospheric Thermodynamics
- Dynamic Meteorology
- Synoptic Meteorology
- Climatology
- Tropical Meteorology
- Monsoon Systems
- Weather Forecasting
- Numerical Weather Prediction
- Remote Sensing
- Radar Meteorology
- Satellite Meteorology
Computer Applications
- Programming Basics
- Data Analysis
- Scientific Computing
- Numerical Modelling
Scientist-B (Atmospheric Sciences) Detailed Syllabus
Atmospheric Physics
- Radiation Processes
- Cloud Physics
- Aerosols
- Boundary Layer Meteorology
- Atmospheric Chemistry
Dynamic Meteorology
- Equations of Motion
- Atmospheric Circulation
- Geostrophic Wind
- Cyclones & Anticyclones
- Jet Streams
Ocean & Climate Science
- Ocean Dynamics
- Air-Sea Interaction
- ENSO
- Climate Change
- Global Warming
Remote Sensing
- Satellite Meteorology
- Weather Radar
- GIS Applications
- Climate Modelling
Numerical Weather Prediction
- Forecast Models
- Data Assimilation
- Statistical Forecasting
Scientist-B (Instrumentation) Detailed Syllabus
Electronic Devices
- Semiconductor Physics
- Diodes
- Transistors
- FET
- MOSFET
Analog Electronics
- Amplifiers
- Operational Amplifiers
- Oscillators
- Filters
Digital Electronics
- Logic Gates
- Boolean Algebra
- Flip-Flops
- Counters
- Registers
- Microprocessors
Measurements & Instrumentation
- Sensors
- Transducers
- Measurement Systems
- Calibration Techniques
- Data Acquisition Systems
Communication Systems
- Analog Communication
- Digital Communication
- Satellite Communication
- Radar Systems
Control Systems
- Transfer Functions
- Stability Analysis
- PID Controllers
- State Space Analysis
Signal Processing
- Fourier Transform
- Laplace Transform
- Digital Signal Processing
- Sampling Theory
General Awareness
- Current Affairs
- Indian Geography
- Environment
- Climate Change
- Government Schemes
- Science & Technology
- Indian Economy
- International Organizations
Reasoning & Aptitude
- Number Series
- Coding-Decoding
- Analogy
- Blood Relations
- Direction Sense
- Percentage
- Profit & Loss
- Ratio & Proportion
- Time & Work
- Data Interpretation
Recommended Preparation Strategy
- General Meteorology: Focus on Physics + Mathematics + Meteorology.
- Atmospheric Sciences: Focus on Atmospheric Physics, Climate Science, NWP, Remote Sensing.
- Instrumentation: Focus on Electronics, Instrumentation, Control Systems, Communication Systems.
- Read IMD reports, weather bulletins, and current developments in climate science regularly.
Difficulty Level: Comparable to GATE + CSIR-NET + UPSC Recruitment Test standard for the respective discipline.
detailes syllabus, priviour year exam waitage, all tables, FAQs, official link
UPSC Scientist-B Recruitment Examination 2026
Detailed Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Previous Year Weightage, FAQs & Official Links
Recruitment Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission |
| Department | India Meteorological Department |
| Post Name | Scientist-B |
| Disciplines | Atmospheric Sciences, General Meteorology, Instrumentation |
| Total Vacancies | 46 Posts |
| Pay Level | Level-10 (7th CPC) |
| Selection Process | Shortlisting + Interview OR Recruitment Test + Interview |
| Job Location | All India |
UPSC may conduct a Recruitment Test (RT) if applications are received in large numbers. Otherwise, candidates may be shortlisted directly for interview.
Vacancy Distribution
| Post | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Scientist-B (General Meteorology) | 30 |
| Scientist-B (Instrumentation) | 9 |
| Scientist-B (Atmospheric Sciences) | 7 |
| Total | 46 |
Expected Exam Pattern
Recruitment Test (If Conducted)
| Section | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Core Technical Subject | 80-90% |
| General Awareness | 5-10% |
| Aptitude & Reasoning | 5-10% |
| Total | 100% |
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | CBT (Online) |
| Question Type | MCQ |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 2 Hours (Expected) |
| Negative Marking | UPSC Rules Applicable |
Previous Year Topic Weightage (Expected Analysis)
General Meteorology
| Topic | Approx. Weightage |
|---|---|
| Atmospheric Thermodynamics | 15-18% |
| Dynamic Meteorology | 15-20% |
| Synoptic Meteorology | 10-12% |
| Climatology | 8-10% |
| Weather Forecasting | 10-12% |
| Numerical Weather Prediction | 8-10% |
| Remote Sensing & Radar | 8-10% |
| Physics & Mathematics | 20-25% |
Atmospheric Sciences
| Topic | Approx. Weightage |
|---|---|
| Atmospheric Physics | 15-20% |
| Atmospheric Chemistry | 8-10% |
| Climate Change | 10-15% |
| Ocean-Atmosphere Interaction | 10-15% |
| Dynamic Meteorology | 15-20% |
| Remote Sensing | 10-12% |
| NWP Models | 10-15% |
Instrumentation
| Topic | Approx. Weightage |
|---|---|
| Analog Electronics | 15-18% |
| Digital Electronics | 15-20% |
| Instrumentation Systems | 20-25% |
| Communication Systems | 10-15% |
| Control Systems | 10-15% |
| Signal Processing | 10-12% |
| Sensors & Transducers | 8-10% |
Weightage is based on previous UPSC scientific recruitment trends and subject relevance analysis.
Detailed Syllabus
Scientist-B (General Meteorology)
Unit 1: Atmospheric Structure
- Composition of atmosphere
- Vertical temperature profile
- Atmospheric layers
- Hydrostatic equilibrium
- Atmospheric pressure
Unit 2: Atmospheric Thermodynamics
- Ideal gas laws
- First law of thermodynamics
- Adiabatic processes
- Stability and instability
- Lapse rates
- Potential temperature
Unit 3: Dynamic Meteorology
- Forces acting on atmosphere
- Coriolis force
- Geostrophic wind
- Gradient wind
- Cyclones and anticyclones
- General circulation
Unit 4: Synoptic Meteorology
- Air masses
- Fronts
- Weather systems
- Monsoon systems
- Tropical cyclones
Unit 5: Climatology
- Climate classification
- Climate variability
- Global warming
- ENSO
- Monsoon variability
Unit 6: Numerical Weather Prediction
- Weather models
- Data assimilation
- Forecast verification
Unit 7: Remote Sensing
- Satellite meteorology
- Weather radar
- Doppler radar
- GIS applications
Scientist-B (Atmospheric Sciences)
Atmospheric Physics
- Radiation laws
- Radiative transfer
- Cloud microphysics
- Aerosols
- Atmospheric electricity
Atmospheric Chemistry
- Ozone chemistry
- Greenhouse gases
- Air pollution
- Photochemical reactions
Climate Science
- Climate modelling
- Climate change
- IPCC concepts
- Carbon cycle
Oceanography
- Ocean circulation
- Air-sea interaction
- ENSO
- Indian Ocean Dipole
Dynamic Meteorology
- Equations of motion
- Atmospheric waves
- Vorticity
- Jet streams
Remote Sensing & GIS
- Satellite sensors
- Radar meteorology
- GIS techniques
Scientist-B (Instrumentation)
Analog Electronics
- PN Junction
- Diodes
- BJT
- FET
- MOSFET
- Amplifiers
- Operational Amplifiers
Digital Electronics
- Number Systems
- Logic Gates
- Boolean Algebra
- Flip-Flops
- Counters
- Registers
Microprocessors & Microcontrollers
- 8085
- 8086
- Embedded Systems
- Interfacing
Instrumentation
- Sensors
- Transducers
- Measurement Techniques
- Calibration
- Data Acquisition Systems
Communication Systems
- Analog Communication
- Digital Communication
- Modulation Techniques
- Satellite Communication
Control Systems
- Transfer Functions
- Stability Analysis
- Root Locus
- Frequency Response
Signal Processing
- Fourier Transform
- Laplace Transform
- Z-Transform
- DSP Fundamentals
General Awareness
| Topics |
|---|
| Current Affairs |
| Science & Technology |
| Indian Geography |
| Environment |
| Climate Change |
| Government Schemes |
| International Organizations |
| Indian Economy |
Reasoning & Aptitude
| Topics |
|---|
| Number Series |
| Coding-Decoding |
| Analogy |
| Blood Relations |
| Direction Sense |
| Percentage |
| Profit & Loss |
| Ratio & Proportion |
| Time & Work |
| Data Interpretation |
Interview Weightage
| Category | Minimum Marks |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | 50 |
| OBC | 45 |
| SC / ST / PwBD | 40 |
Interview carries significant importance in final selection.
Best Books
| Subject | Recommended Book |
|---|---|
| Meteorology | Atmospheric Science by Wallace & Hobbs |
| Dynamic Meteorology | Holton |
| Climatology | Critchfield |
| Electronics | Sedra & Smith |
| Instrumentation | A.K. Sawhney |
| Control Systems | Nagrath & Gopal |
| Communication | Simon Haykin |
Official Links
UPSC Official Website
UPSC Online Recruitment Application
IMD Official Website
India Meteorological Department (IMD)
FAQs
Q1. Is there a written exam for UPSC Scientist-B 2026?
Yes. UPSC may conduct a Recruitment Test if applications are large in number. Otherwise direct interview shortlisting may be done.
Q2. What is the difficulty level?
Generally comparable to GATE, CSIR-NET and UPSC technical recruitment examinations.
Q3. Which subject carries maximum weightage?
The core technical subject contributes around 80-90% of the Recruitment Test.
Q4. Is negative marking expected?
UPSC may apply negative marking as per Recruitment Test rules if the test is conducted.
Q5. What is the salary of Scientist-B?
Level-10 of the 7th CPC with allowances.
Q6. Is the post permanent?
Yes, Scientist-B is a regular Central Government Group-A Gazetted post.
Q7. Can MSc Physics candidates apply?
Yes, depending on the specific eligibility conditions prescribed for the concerned discipline in the notification.
Q8. Which subject should be prioritized?
Focus on Atmospheric Thermodynamics, Dynamic Meteorology, Remote Sensing, Weather Forecasting, Instrumentation Systems, and Electronics as these are the most frequently emphasized areas.
Q9. Is interview mandatory?
Yes. Final selection involves an interview stage.
Q10. Where can previous question papers be found?
Check the UPSC recruitment section and previous recruitment test notices on the UPSC website.