GATE 2023 Question Paper GG Geology & Geophysics

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering

GATE 2023
Question Paper
GATE is an entrance examination conducted in India that
primarily tests the comprehensive understanding of
undergraduate subjects in engineering and sciences for
admission into technical postgraduate programs.

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General Aptitude (GA)
Q.1 – Q.5 Carry ONE mark Each

Q.1 The village was nestled in a green spot, _______ the ocean and the hills.

(A) through

(B) in

(C) at

(D) between

Q.2 Disagree : Protest : : Agree : _______

(By word meaning)

(A) Refuse

(B) Pretext

(C) Recommend

(D) Refute

Page 1 of 34

Q.3 A ‘frabjous’ number is defined as a 3 digit number with all digits odd, and no two
adjacent digits being the same. For example, 137 is a frabjous number, while 133 is
not. How many such frabjous numbers exist?

(A) 125

(B) 720

(C) 60

(D) 80

Q.4 Which one among the following statements must be TRUE about the mean and the
median of the scores of all candidates appearing for GATE 2023?

(A) The median is at least as large as the mean.

(B) The mean is at least as large as the median.

(C) At most half the candidates have a score that is larger than the median.

(D) At most half the candidates have a score that is larger than the mean.

Page 2 of 34

Q.5 In the given diagram, ovals are marked at different heights (h) of a hill. Which one
of the following options P, Q, R, and S depicts the top view of the hill?

(A) P

(B) Q

(C) R

(D) S

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Q.6 – Q.10 Carry TWO marks Each

Q.6 Residency is a famous housing complex with many well-established individuals
among its residents. A recent survey conducted among the residents of the complex
revealed that all of those residents who are well established in their respective fields
happen to be academicians. The survey also revealed that most of these
academicians are authors of some best-selling books.

Based only on the information provided above, which one of the following
statements can be logically inferred with certainty?

(A) Some residents of the complex who are well established in their fields are also
authors of some best-selling books.

(B) All academicians residing in the complex are well established in their fields.

(C) Some authors of best-selling books are residents of the complex who are well
established in their fields.

(D) Some academicians residing in the complex are well established in their fields.

Page 4 of 34

Q.7 Ankita has to climb 5 stairs starting at the ground, while respecting the following
rules:

1. At any stage, Ankita can move either one or two stairs up.
2. At any stage, Ankita cannot move to a lower step.

Let 𝐹(𝑁) denote the number of possible ways in which Ankita can reach the 𝑁 𝑡ℎ
stair. For example, 𝐹(1) = 1, 𝐹(2) = 2, 𝐹(3) = 3.

The value of 𝐹(5) is _______.

(A) 8

(B) 7

(C) 6

(D) 5

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Q.8 The information contained in DNA is used to synthesize proteins that are necessary
for the functioning of life. DNA is composed of four nucleotides: Adenine (A),
Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G). The information contained in DNA
can then be thought of as a sequence of these four nucleotides: A, T, C, and G. DNA
has coding and non-coding regions. Coding regions—where the sequence of these
nucleotides are read in groups of three to produce individual amino
acids—constitute only about 2% of human DNA. For example, the triplet of
nucleotides CCG codes for the amino acid glycine, while the triplet GGA codes for
the amino acid proline. Multiple amino acids are then assembled to form a protein.

Based only on the information provided above, which of the following statements
can be logically inferred with certainty?

(i) The majority of human DNA has no role in the synthesis of proteins.
(ii) The function of about 98% of human DNA is not understood.

(A) only (i)

(B) only (ii)

(C) both (i) and (ii)

(D) neither (i) nor (ii)

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Q.9 Which one of the given figures P, Q, R and S represents the graph of the following
function?

𝑓(𝑥) = | |𝑥 + 2| − |𝑥 − 1| |

(A) P

(B) Q

(C) R

(D) S

Page 7 of 34

Q.10 An opaque cylinder (shown below) is suspended in the path of a parallel beam of
light, such that its shadow is cast on a screen oriented perpendicular to the direction
of the light beam. The cylinder can be reoriented in any direction within the light
beam. Under these conditions, which one of the shadows P, Q, R, and S is NOT
possible?

(A) P

(B) Q

(C) R

(D) S

Page 8 of 34

PART A: COMPULSORY SECTION FOR ALL CANDIDATES
Q.11 – Q.17 Carry ONE mark Each

Q.11 Which of the following is a chronostratigraphic unit?

(A) Member

(B) Stage

(C) Acme Zone

(D) Period

Q.12 During contact metamorphism, with increasing temperature,

(A) the ratio of volume to surface area of mineral grains increases.

(B) the ratio of volume to surface area of mineral grains decreases.

(C) the reaction kinetics becomes slower.

(D) hydrous minerals become more stable.

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Q.13 The dimension of dynamic viscosity is

(A) M1L−1T−2

(B) M1L−1T−1

(C) M0L2T−1

(D) M0L0T0

Q.14 At a depth of about 400 km inside the Earth, which one of the following occurs?

(A) Conversion of most silicates to perovskite structure

(B) Conversion of plagioclase-peridotite to spinel-peridotite

(C) Transformation of olivine to spinel structure

(D) Conversion of spinel-peridotite to plagioclase-peridotite

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Q.15 Equatorial radius of which one of the following planets is closest to that of the
Earth?

(A) Mercury

(B) Venus

(C) Mars

(D) Neptune

Q.16 Variation of Bouguer anomaly obtained along a profile after applying all the
necessary corrections is due to

(A) topographic undulation above the datum plane.

(B) increase in densities of crustal rocks with depth.

(C) lateral density variations.

(D) vertical density contrast across Moho.

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Q.17 The heat production (Qr) of a granitic rock due to decay of the radioactive elements
U, Th and K having concentration CU, CTh, and CK, respectively, is given by the
expression

𝑄𝑟 = 𝛼𝐶𝑈 + 𝛽𝐶𝑇ℎ + 𝛾𝐶𝐾

Which one of the following correctly represents the relation between the magnitude
of coefficients , ,  (in Wkg−1)?

(A) >>

(B) <>

(C) ><

(D) <<

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Q.18 – Q.26 Carry TWO marks Each

Q.18 Which one of the following Phanerozoic periods has the shortest duration of time?

(A) Cambrian

(B) Devonian

(C) Cretaceous

(D) Silurian

Q.19 Based on the given mineral proportions, which one of the following statements is
CORRECT?

Rock Mineral Proportion

X Olivine : Orthopyroxene : Clinopyroxene :: 50 : 30 : 20

Y Plagioclase : Alkali feldspar : Quartz :: 25 : 45 : 30

Z Biotite : Plagioclase : Alkali feldspar : Quartz :: 20 : 25 : 35 : 20

(A) Y is more felsic compared to X & Z

(B) X is more felsic compared to Y & Z

(C) Z is more felsic compared to X & Y

(D) Y is the most felsic and Z is the most mafic

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Q.20 The CORRECT sequence(s) of electromagnetic radiations in terms of increasing
wavelength is/are

(A) Gamma ray < UV < Near-IR

(B) X-ray < Visible light < Thermal IR

(C) Microwave < Visible light < Radio wave

(D) Microwave < Thermal IR < Near-IR

Q.21 Which of the given folds is/are represented by the stereoplot?

(A) Horizontal fold

(B) Vertical fold

(C) Upright fold

(D) Recumbent fold

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Q.22 The bulk density and water content of a soil are 1800 kg/m3 and 18%, respectively.
The dry density of the soil calculated from the given information is
______________ kg/m3. [round off to 2 decimal places]

Q.23 In a seismic reflection survey over a two-layered Earth model having densities and
seismic velocities 1=2000 kg/m3, V1=1800 m/s for the first layer and 2=3000
kg/m3, V2=2100 m/s for the second layer, the normal incidence P-wave reflection
coefficient is ______________. [round off to 3 decimal places]

Q.24 The resistivity of a rock, 100% saturated with water of resistivity 0.25 m, is 60
m. Assuming tortuosity and cementation exponents to be 1 and 2, respectively,
the porosity of the rock is __________ (in %). [round off to 2 decimal places]

Q.25 Let us consider that a student misses cancelling the self-potential between potential
electrodes before injecting current into the subsurface, in a Wenner electrical
resistivity survey using DC resistivity meter over a horizontally stratified Earth. In
direct and reverse modes of measurement (when current flows from C1 to C2 and
C2 to C1, respectively) with the same magnitude of current flow, the potential
differences recorded are +158 mV and −214 mV, respectively. The self-potential
between the potential electrodes before injecting current was _________mV.
[in integer]

Page 15 of 34

Q.26 For the given figure, considering Pratt’s model of isostatic compensation at the crust
mantle boundary, the crustal density (𝜌1 ) that explains 1.5 km deep lake is
__________kg/m3. (Consider density of water 𝜌𝑤 = 1000 kg/m3) [round off to 2
decimal places]

Page 16 of 34

PART B (SECTION 1): FOR GEOLOGY CANDIDATES ONLY
Q.27 – Q.44 Carry ONE mark Each

Q.27 Which one of the following mineral pairs shows solid solubility through coupled
substitution of elements?

(A) Albite - Anorthite

(B) Albite - Orthoclase

(C) Grossular - Andradite

(D) Jadeite - Aegirine

Q.28 The behavior of trace elements in magmatic systems follows

(A) Henry’s Law

(B) Raoult’s Law

(C) Fick’s Second Law

(D) First Law of Thermodynamics

Page 17 of 34

Q.29 Choose the CORRECT statement regarding crystallization of a single feldspar of
composition Or50Ab50 in the Albite-Orthoclase system.

(A) The mineral can form in hypersolvus but not in subsolvus feldspar system.

(B) The mineral can form in subsolvus but not in hypersolvus feldspar system.

(C) The mineral can crystallize in both hypersolvus and subsolvus feldspar system.

(D) The mineral can crystallize neither in hypersolvus nor in subsolvus feldspar
system.

Q.30 Given ΔVr and ΔSr are the volume and entropy of reaction, respectively, the most
suitable conditions for the reaction to be used as a geothermometer are

(A) small ΔVr but large ΔSr

(B) small ΔSr but large ΔVr

(C) positive ΔVr but negative ΔSr

(D) negative ΔVr but positive ΔSr

Page 18 of 34

Q.31 In which one of the given mass extinction events, global cooling that resulted in
glaciation and lowering of sea level, is considered as major cause of extinction for
more than 50% of marine fauna?

(A) Cretaceous – Paleogene

(B) Permian – Triassic

(C) Ordovician – Silurian

(D) Holocene

Q.32 Processes of fossilization affecting an organism from its death to burial under
sediments come under the study of

(A) Biostratinomy

(B) Biostratigraphy

(C) Taphonomy

(D) Taxonomy

Page 19 of 34

Q.33 The dip and dip direction of the lee side of a straight crested ripple on modern
sediments are found to be 15 and N10W, respectively. Considering unidirectional
water movement, the flow direction is towards

(A) N10W

(B) N70E

(C) S10E

(D) S70W

Q.34 Rhodocrosite in hand specimen is most likely to be confused with certain varieties
of

(A) Wollastonite

(B) Orthoclase

(C) Gypsum

(D) Biotite

Q.35 Which of the following is NOT an essential property of a mineral?

(A) Natural occurrence

(B) Regular internal structure

(C) Fixed composition

(D) Solid state

Page 20 of 34

Q.36 The number of lattice points in a face-centered cubic unit cell is

(A) 1

(B) 2

(C) 3

(D) 4

Q.37 All the faces of an octahedron can be collectively symbolized by

(A) 111

(B) [111]

(C) (111)

(D) {111}

Q.38 Shallow-focus earthquakes with tensional focal mechanism are characteristic of

(A) subduction zones.

(B) continental shear zones.

(C) transform faults.

(D) mid-ocean ridges.

Page 21 of 34

Q.39 90% of the bulk Earth is constituted of Fe, Si, O and

(A) Al

(B) Ca

(C) Mg

(D) Na

Q.40 Which of the following is/are slope stabilization method(s)?

(A) Bolting

(B) Application of shotcrete

(C) Use of impression packer

(D) Use of geogrid

Q. 41 The amount of Fe in a sample of 25 g of pyrrhotite (FeS) is ____________ g.
(Atomic wt. of Fe = 55.85 and S = 32.06) [round off to 2 decimal places]

Q.42 The rate of spreading about a symmetric spreading center at the middle of a 4000
km wide sea is 40 mm/year. The spreading began ________ million years before

present. [in integer]

Page 22 of 34

Q.43 A vertical aerial photograph is obtained over flat terrain with a 30 cm focal-length
camera lens from an altitude of 18288 m. If the width of a dolerite dyke on this
vertical photograph is 2 mm, its actual width on the terrain is ____________ m.
[round off to 2 decimal places]

Q.44 The decay constant of a radioactive isotope is 1.21 × 10−4 year−1. The half-life of
the isotope is _________________ years. [round off to nearest integer]

Page 23 of 34

Q.45 – Q.65 Carry TWO marks Each

Q.45 The given outcrop pattern on a flat topography represents

(A) antiform with axial culmination.

(B) horizontal fold.

(C) plunging antiform.

(D) synform with axial depression.

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Q.46 Match the following fossil taxa in Group I with their corresponding features in
Group II.

Group I Group II

P. Bryozoa 1. Denticles

Q. Ostracoda 2. Chamber

R. Foraminifera 3. Carapace

S. Conodont 4. Zooid

(A) P-4, Q-3, R-2, S-1

(B) P-3, Q-4, R-2, S-1

(C) P-4, Q-1, R-2, S-3

(D) P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-2

Page 25 of 34

Q.47 In the given schematic diagram, cross beds are exposed on a vertical rock face. The
feature XY (bold line) represents a/an

(A) reactivation surface.

(B) foreset of cross bed.

(C) scoured channel base.

(D) angular unconformity.

Page 26 of 34

Q.48 The schematic diagram represents thin section of a carbonate rock. The type of
cement formed by large calcite crystals is known as

(A) overgrowth cement.

(B) poikilotopic cement.

(C) isopachous cement.

(D) meniscus cement.

Page 27 of 34

Q.49 Based on the three statements given below, choose the CORRECT option.

Statement I: Echinoids have water vascular system.

Statement II: Delthyrium and pedicle foramen are found in the brachial valve of
brachiopods.

Statement III: Cardinal teeth, adductor muscles and chondrophore are found in
bivalves.

(A) Statements I and III are correct, statement II is incorrect.

(B) Statements II and III are correct, statement I is incorrect.

(C) Statements I and II are correct, statement III is incorrect.

(D) Statements I, II and III are correct.

Q.50 The total number of symmetry elements in the crystal class represented by the point
group 4/m3̅2/m is

(A) 21

(B) 22

(C) 23

(D) 24

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Q.51 The ratio of bridging to non-bridging oxygen atoms in the amphibole structure is

(A) 4:11

(B) 5:6

(C) 2:7

(D) 1:2

Q.52 Match the following basins in Group I with their corresponding formations in Group
II.

Group I Group II

P. Cauvery 1. Lohardih

Q. Damodar 2. Tiratgarh

R. Chattisgarh 3. Raniganj

S. Indravati 4. Kallamedu

(A) P-4, Q-3, R-1, S-2

(B) P-3, Q-4, R-2, S-1

(C) P-4, Q-1, R-3, S-2

(D) P-2, Q-3, R-1, S-4

Page 29 of 34

Q.53 Based on the three statements given below, choose the CORRECT option.

Statement I: Gigantopithecus is a genus of the family Hominidae

Statement II: Equus is a living genus of the family Equidae

Statement III: Gomphotherium is a genus belonging to the order Proboscidea

(A) Statements I and II are correct, statement III is incorrect.

(B) Statements I and III are correct, statement II is incorrect.

(C) Statements II and III are correct, statement I is incorrect.

(D) Statements I, II and III are correct.

Q.54 In porphyry copper deposits, the order of alteration zones from the intrusive body
outwards is

(A) propylitic→argillic→phyllic→potassic

(B) argillic→phyllic→potassic→propylitic

(C) potassic→phyllic→argillic→propylitic

(D) potassic→argillic→phyllic→propylitic

Page 30 of 34

Q.55 Which is the CORRECT sequence of ore minerals in their increasing order of
reflectance?

(A) Galena, Sphalerite, Magnetite, Pyrite

(B) Magnetite, Sphalerite, Galena, Pyrite

(C) Sphalerite, Magnetite, Galena, Pyrite

(D) Galena, Magnetite, Sphalerite, Pyrite

Q.56 Which of the following stratigraphic successions is/are arranged in CORRECT
chronological order?

(A) Muth Quartzite-Syringothyris Limestone-Fenestella Shale-Panjal Volcanics

(B) Barakar Formation-Bijori Formation-Pachmarhi Formation-Bagra Formation

(C) Chiravati Group-Papaghni Group-Nallamalai Group-Kurnool Group

(D) Kaimur Group-Semri Group-Bhander Group-Rewa Group

Page 31 of 34

Q.57 Which of the following options represent(s) simultaneous crystallization of two
minerals in the given feature(s) ?

(A) Granophyric texture

(B) Myrmekite

(C) Corona of orthopyroxene around anhedral olivine

(D) Cumulate pyroxene with interstitial plagioclase

Q.58 Which of the following textures suggest(s) post-kinematic growth of the mentioned
mineral?

(A) Randomly oriented chlorite grain aggregates pseudomorphing porphyroblast

(B) Garnet porphyroblast wrapped by external foliation

(C) Foliation defining biotite wrapping around a porphyroblast

(D) Porphyroblastic garnet containing helicitic fold as internal schistosity

Page 32 of 34

Q.59 In the schematic cross-section of a hill, a planar discontinuity intersects a planar
slope face. Using kinematic analysis, which of the following conditions favor(s)
plane failure to occur?

(A) The dip of the discontinuity surface is less than that of the slope face.

(B) Friction angle on the discontinuity surface is more than the dip of the slope face.

(C) Friction angle on the discontinuity surface is less than the dip of the discontinuity.

(D) The dip direction of the discontinuity surface is same as that of the slope face.

Q.60 In a drainage basin, the number of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th order streams are 240,
40, 8, 2 and 1, respectively. The average of all calculated bifurcation ratios is
____________. [round off to 2 decimal places]

Q.61 A sandstone follows Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion. If the uniaxial compressive
strength and the angle of the internal friction of the sandstone are 7 MPa and 30,

respectively, the calculated cohesion of the rock is _______________ MPa. [round
off to 2 decimal places]

Page 33 of 34

Q.62 At a certain depth in the crust, the maximum and minimum principal compressive
stresses are 150 MPa and 75 MPa, respectively, which lead to normal faulting. If
the average density of the crust is 2700 kg/m3, the crustal depth of fracture initiation
according to Anderson’s theory of faulting is ________________ km.
(𝑔 = 10 m/s2) [round off to one decimal place]

Q.63 A cylindrical soil sample of 10 cm diameter is tested in a constant-head
permeameter. A volume of 250 cm3 of water is collected in 5 minutes when the
constant-head difference between tapping points 15 cm apart is 5 cm. Considering
Darcy flow, the absolute value of coefficient of permeability in cm/s is
____________. ( = 3.14) [round off to 3 decimal places]

Q.64 The minimum anion-to-cation radius ratio at which a 3-fold coordination becomes
possible is __________. [round off to 2 decimal places]

Q.65 The mole fraction of jadeite in the pyroxene of composition
(Ca0.667Na0.333Fe2+0.121Fe3+0.125Mg0.546Al0.208)Si2O6 is _________. [round off to 3
decimal places]

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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