Hello aspirant!!
Here are the steps to become Geologist or Research Associate for Geology :
Complete 10+2 examination and then pursue graduation in geology,earth sciences or related field.
After graduation candidate can go for higher studies like M.Sc. and P.h.D in geology as most of the job position requires masters qualification.
You can go for jobs in private sector as geologist on the basis of bachelor's degree in geology.
To be geologist in governmental sector you can appear for combined geo-scientist exam and work as Geologist ,Geophysicist.


Hope it helps

Hello Samaita!

I assume you are from science background as you are aspiring to be a research associate. I will let you know that mathematics is a very important criterion for geosciences.

As you want to pursue research, first of all a BSc degree in either geology or complementary important subjects like Physics and mathematics is required. If you go for BS-MS integrated course in IISER Kolkata for Earth and environmental sciences , you will directly end up with a reserach fellowship for geoscience. Same happens if you take geology as a major subject in your BS degreee for Physics in IISc and MSc integrated Physics in NISER . These are the best institutes for research related activities so far.

Nevertheless, you can go for a BSc in geology followed by a MSc degree in top institutes like:-

• St. Xaviers College, Bombay
• Presidency College, Calcutta
• Jadavpur University, Calcutta
• Delhi university
• Banaras Hindu University

Otherwise you can go for Post graduate courses like MSc or MTech or integrated Ph.D by clearing IIT JAM for geology in IITs like:-

• IIT- Roorkee
• IIT Bombay
• IIT- Kharagpur
• IIT- Bhubaneshwar

The career opportunities in government sector will emerge in ONGC as a petroleum geologist, Coal India and at GSI(Geological survey of India). Lits of opportunities are there in private sector too.

You can read the article below to get full information in detail about colleges, scope, eligibilty, entrance exams, etc:-

https://www.careers360.com/courses/geology-course

All the best!