Wednesday, July 2, 2014

All about UPSC IES / Engineering Services Exam


Indian Engineering Services (भारतीय अभियांत्रिकी सेवाएं) or Engineering services exam IES/ESE are the top most engineering jobs in India, that meet the technical and managerial functions of the Government of India. IES is middle management positions in the bureaucracy are filled through IES exam.Every year large no of candidate from different branches of engineering appear for the exam for limited no of seat. IES officers are selected by the union government on the recommendations made by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). A combined four-stage competitive examination (comprising six tests), called the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) is conducted by the UPSC for recruitment to the Indian Engineering Services.

IES 2012 Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates applying for Engineering Services Exam should have an engineering degree from a recognized institute or be in their final year. Also candidates with MSc. Degree or equivalent in Wireless Communications, Electronics, Radio Physics or Radio Engineering will be eligible for certain posts only. A candidate should be more than 21 years and less than 30 years of age as on 1st August, 2015. There are relaxations in age limit for various reserved categories. A candidate should be medically and physically fit according to the specified requirements. The candidates have to be a citizen of India and that he or she should be mentally as well as physically sound during the recruitment process. Observation of any time of trauma related o body or brain will directly result in terminating of the recruitment call.

IES 2015 Important Dates / Notification

DATE OF NOTIFICATION: Generally Feb to March

LAST DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS One month after the notification

UPSC Indian Engineering Service Examination – IES 2015 Exam Date: Visit UPSC

Online Application Form – visit http://www.upsc.gov.in/
For details of cutoff mark previous year -- visit this link

The Engineering Services Examination is a two stages process i.e. Written Tests & Personality Test. Exam is conducted all over India on various center for 03 days. Candidates those who qualify the written Exam are called for personality test/Interview which usually taken at Dohlpur house Delhi. The written tests are of 1000 marks while personality test is of 200 marks. There is minimum cutoff in general ability paper for your reference visit this link

Selections are made for the following services and posts, two additional departments are added i.e sl no (ix) and (x) since 2013

(i) Indian Railway Service of Engineers.

(ii) Indian Railway Stores Service (Civil Engineering Posts).

(iii) Central Engineering Service.

(iv) Indian Defense Service of Engineers (Civil Engineering Posts).

(v) Central Water Engineering (Gr. ‘A’) Service (Civil Engineering Posts).

(vi) Central Engineering Service (Roads) Group-A (Civil Engineering posts).

(vii) Assistant Executive Engineer (Civil) in the Border Roads Engineering Service, (Gr. ‘A’)

(viii) Assistant Executive Engineer (QS&C) in Military Engineering Service, Gr.’A’.

(ix) Survey of India Gr ‘A’ service

(x) Indian inspection Service (Asst.Dir. Grade-1)


Exam Details:

1. Structure of exam: It contains 5 papers (3 objective papers of 2 hours duration each + 2 descriptive papers of 3 hours duration each), out of which one objective paper with General Studies, 2more objective papers with Engineering and 2 descriptive papers with Engineering.


a. Day-1 : General Studies(60question) + General English(60 question) objective paper (01), for 200 marks, Duration 02 hours 120 questions


b. Day-2 : Paper I for 200 marks/120 question and Paper II for 200 marks/120 question of Objective type branch paper, Duration 02 + 02 hours for each paper,

c. Day-3 : Paper I for 200 marks and Paper II for 200 marks of Subjective type.total duration of exam 03+03 hurs for each paper.


d. The final stage of exam i.e personality test carries 200 marks.


e. Total marks 1000 written + 200 Interview/personality test


 Frequently Asked Questions:


1. Is there any constraint on No. of attempts?

 There is no constraint on Number of attempts. You can write any number of times if you are in the age limit specified by UPSC. Presently as is: 30 years for General candidates, 33 years for OBC, and 35 years for SC/ST and other relaxations are also there. Visit www.upsc.gov.in for complete details.

 2. Is preparation for GATE is enough?

 In one way YES. Around 60% of IES syllabus will be GATE syllabus. So, you need to prepare extra subjects. As in gate you may prepare in depth only few papers to achieve 95 percentile above but here in IES it needs a greater coverage as well as depth knowledge to answer the subjective paper. The interesting thing in IES is there is more repetition in all papers, so to score a good mark it is must to solve at least 10 year papers and most importantly subjective practice.

3. How much preparation is sufficient?

Well this vary considerably from candidate to candidate, if you are good at your branch papers then a consistent preparation of 4-6 months is enough. Daily 2 hours 6months before the exam, 5 hours before 3 months and 8 to 9 hours before one month is hopefully sufficient.

4. How to prepare for the general aptitude test?

Many of us really worried for this paper,well in my point of view you can take it little light as more labor less mark but try to at least score 60 marks above. It is best to give equal importance to this paper also. There are many materials available from reputed coaching classes are available in market and that is sufficient.


5. When will we get results?:


i. Notification around January- March of every year


ii. Written exam will be in the month of June every year


iii. Written results will be in the month of January


iv. Interview conduction at UPSC will be in the month of March


v. Final selection of candidates will be in the month of May/June


vi. Medical fitness test will be in the month of September


vii. Training will start from mostly in November/December for IRSE. For others it depends upon Department of allocation.

6. How many marks should we score to get selected?


a. For Civil engineering if you score more than 350 out of 1000 marks you will definitely get a call for interview but difficult to make in to the final list visit link , so try to score above 430-450 above to make into final list.


b. Here one important thing is, you have to score maximum marks in Objective only. If you can score 120 to 140 marks in objective papers, stress will be less on Descriptive papers.


c. In subjective correct answer with proper explanation, can fetch you good marks. Don’t waste your time by bluffing unsure answer, write in legible handwriting with figures.


7. To work for Indian Railways, how much rank I should get?

Up to 40-50th rank for Civil General Merit candidates can expect from Indian Railways. Considerably less i.e. up to 10-20th rank for other branches.

8. Am presently studying B.Tech/B.E., in which way should I prepare for ES?

 If you are in final year/pre final year now, you can start preparing for ES exam. Otherwise, my opinion is you better concentrate on building of basics. Normally 2nd year and 3rd syllabus of your university will be UPSC syllabus. So, concentrate well on those subjects. That’s enough.


9. Can I work in my home state if I get selection?

Initially No. but after serving a minimum time period of 03 years you can ask for transfer to home state in CWES, but in other departments like BRES chances are very less.

10. Will they give salary immediately after joining or after completion?

Yes.. Your entry pay is of scale Rs.15600-39100 and Grade pay 5400 Approx. 50,000 as on June 2014

11. Is it facilities like car, bungalow will be given as soon as one completes the training and join the service?

Type -4 quarters will be provided in any service depending on availability and place of posting , and remaining like Car and all will be provided if work necessitates. Railways, CPWD,MES is known for good facilities .


12. Do we have group discussions in Personal Interview?  NO


13.Can I write IES in computer science?

NO. You have select one group from Telecommunications/Electrical/Mechanical/Civil.


14. How many number of seats for each branch?:

It varies time to time. This year they notified 582 posts for all branches. Out of which around 200 can be expected for each branch for Civil.


15 What is the order of preference applicants prefer?

First Railways. After that, CPWD,MES,NHAI,CWC,BRO etc., Facilities are better in Railways and MES. But work wise hectic and more responsible jobs. Its a 24 hrs job in Railways. Even taking of leave in some places also would be difficult. In the sense, more responsible and powerful post.


16. What are the physical standards we need to meet?

Eye power should be within + or -4, and there should not be color blindness for Railways. Color blinded people may be allotted for Stores.


17. Scope of IES for Girls?
Scope for girls is fine. All services may not fit for girls. Good services for girls, CWC, P&T(Telecom)etc.,


18. All about Personality Test?

1.The interview/personality test generally condoucted in UPSC Dohlpur house Delhi.

2. The interview panel generally keeps you comfortable and more liberal. They expect you to be strong in your present area. You are required to be strong in basic concepts, for civil engineering they may ask RCC PSC and mostly from Fluid Mech, Current affairs..


3. They start with generally question like tell your roll no, date of birth, and about yourself basically to make you comfortable with panel.


4. Interview panel contains 5 members (4+1) 4 tech persons and 1 Panel Head. Continue your explanation till you ask you to stop. Answer Boldly. Maintain good Communication. They may give some white sheets and may ask you to write/draw/explain something. Please don’t even try to bluff, if you have no idea about the topic.


5. The interview is mostly technical in nature with some mix of non technical.


19. For candidates presently working with PSU/Govt. Organization targeting IES?

NOC is required if you are working in a Public Sector companies. NOC is not required for guys working with Pvt., sector. Bond transfer is not possible with UPSC. You have to clear NOC from your present organization and then join afresh in IES. If you are central govt. employee to get service continuity and pay protection required to apply through proper chancel.


20. Designation and carrier Growth?

First designation would be Assistant Director/AEE or equivalent. Your first promotion will be on basis of IES Rank but in some dept. like CWES it is time bound irrespective of IES rank. You can except your first promotion after 3-4 of your service including years of probation. After that promotions will depend on Seniority and other factors like confidential reports. Growth will be faster in some departments like Railways and slower in others like CWC.


21. Already I am working in PSUs/Govt. sector. Is it a good idea of writing ES exam?

Well it is the social status and view point, IES is more of Management of technical matters. If you like only technical you can stay with present job only. If you want to enjoy some Authority/power/Management etc., you can try for IES.


22. About Physical Tests?:

It is generally test like Eye/Urine/Inhale/Exhale/B.P/Weight/height. For Railways Eye power should be within +/- 4.No blood test is done.


23. I got GATE rank. Should I pursue M.Tech or continue my preparation for IES?

It advisable to get into Masters and continue your preparation, if you make in ES you can ask for job extension else you have your degree great!!


24. I got less percentage in B.Tech. Can I try for IES?:

 YES you can try..


25. If I donot get selection, will all of my efforts go in vain?

 NO. All most 90% of Public Sector Units are following ES exam pattern to recruit their engineers. If you prepare for IES, you can crack most of the PSUs/Govt., sector jobs. Most of PSUs give questions from old question papers of ES exam.


26. What is the duration of Training period after selection?

This depends on allocated Department. Generally varies from six months to one year.


Some preparation tips:


1. Old Question Papers:
Very good source to know about the exam. Normally there will not be any considerable twists/difficulty compared to old question papers. 30 to 35% of the questions will be repetitive (At least same models) even. You will get an idea about important subjects/topics. For objective papers try to study everything in the syllabus and for descriptive see old question papers and decide important subjects/topics. Ultimately we require around 430-450 marks not 1000 out of 1000. So, be practical and decide. Especially for General Studies and General English paper, old question papers are must. See question papers from 2000 onwards. For General Studies part, see conventional part (Geography,History,Polity), and don’t forget to check with current affairs only from old question papers.


2. About postal course:
Its fine if you are a working professnal and can’t quit job and good at basics. But it always better choice if can join a coaching. You may make into IES through postal Course but getting a good rank is bit tough.

3. About Class room course:
 Right now you need not join for class room training, if you are targeting in 2010. They may not be able to complete syllabus in time, and for your preparation also time will be less. YES, if you are targeting for IES 2011, you can join in one of the good coaching centers. Then will complete the syllabus. Time will be there for you to practice. Many tests you can write. You can compare with others. You can get good funda. Ultimately, when you write the Engg Services exam, you should feel as if its a practice paper. You should do regular practice like that.

IES Syllabus 2012 Civil Engineering:-

Civil Engineering Paper 1:-

1. BUILDING MATERIALS
Timber : Different types and species of structural timber, density-moisture relationship, strength in different directions, defects, influence of defects on permissible stress, preservation, dry and wet rots, codal provisions for design, Plywood.

Bricks : Types, Indian Standard classification, absorption, saturation factor, strength in masonry, influence of morter strength on masonry strength.

Cement : Compounds of, different types, setting times, strength.

Cement Mortar : Ingredients, proportions, water demand, mortars for plastering and masonry.

Concrete : Importance of W/C Ratio, Strength, ingredients including admixtures, workability, testing for strength, elasticity, non-destructive testing, mix design methods.

2. SOLID MECHANICS

Elastic constants, stress, plane stress, Mohr’s circle of stress, strains, plane strain, Mohr’s circle of strain, combined stress; Elastic theories of failure; Simple bending, shear; Torsion of circular and rectangular sections and simple members.

3. STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

Analysis of determinate structures - different methods including graphical methods.

Analysis of indeterminate skeletal frames - moment distribution, slope-deflection, stiffness and force methods, energy methods, Muller-Breslau principle and application.

Plastic analysis of indeterminate beams and simple frames - shape factors.

4. DESIGN OF STEEL STRUCTURES (IS 800:2007),pattern changed since 2013, check with previous question paper
Principles of working stress method. Design of connections, simple members, Built-up sections and frames, Design of Industrial roofs. Principles of ultimate load design. Design of simple members and frames.

5. DESIGN OF CONCRETE AND MASONRY STRUCTURES
Limit state design for bending, shear, axial compression and combined forces. Codal provisions for slabs, beams, walls and footings. Working stress method of design of R.C. members.
Principles of prestressed concrete design, materials, methods of prestressing, losses. Design of simple members and determinate structures. Introductions to prestressing of indeterminate structures.

Design of brick masonry as per I.S. Codes.

6. CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE, PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

Concreting Equipment:
Weight Batcher, Mixer, vibrator, batching plant, concrete pump.
Cranes, hoists, lifting equipment.

Earthwork Equipment :
Power shovel, hoe, dozer, dumper, trailers and tractor, rollers, sheep foot rollers, pumps.

Construction, Planning and Management :
Bar chart, linked bar chart, work-break down structures, Activity - on - arrow diagrams. Critical path, probabilistic activity durations; Event-based networks.

PERT network: Time-cost study, crashing; Resource allocation.

Civil Engineering Paper 2:-

1. (a) FLUID MECHANICS, OPEN CHANNEL FLOW, PIPE FLOW:

Fluid Properties, Pressure, Thrust, Buoyancy; Flow Kinematics; Integration of flow equations; Flow measurement; Relative motion; Moment of momentum; Viscosity, Boundary layer and Control, Drag, Lift; dimensional Analysis, Modelling;

Cavitation; Flow oscillations; Momentum and Energy principles in Open channel flow, Flow controls, Hydraulic jump, Flow sections and properties; Normal flow, Gradually varied flow; Surges; Flow development and losses in pipe flows, Measurements; Siphons; Surges and Water hammer; Delivery of Power Pipe networks.

(b) HYDRAULIC MACHINES AND HYDROPOWER:
Centrifugal pumps, types, performance parameters, scaling, pumps in parallel; Reciprocating pumps, air vessels, performance parameters; Hydraulic ram; Hydraulic turbines, types, performance parameters, controls, choice; Power house, classification and layout, storage, pondage, control of supply.

2. (a) HYDROLOGY :
Hydrological cycle, precipitation and related data analyses, PMP, unit and synthetic hydrographs; Evaporation and transpiration; Floods and their management, PMF; Streams and their gauging; River morphology; Routing of floods; Capacity of Reservoirs.

(b) WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING :
Water resources of the globe: Multipurpose uses of Water: Soil-Plant-Water relationships, irrigation systems, water demand assessment; Storages and their yields, ground water yield and well hydraulics; Waterlogging, drainage design; Irrigation revenue; Design of rigid boundary canals, Lacey’s and Tractive force concepts in canal design, lining of canals; Sediment transport in canals; Non-Overflow and overflow sections of gravity dams and their design, Energy dissipators and tailwater rating; Design of headworks, distribution works, falls, cross-drainage works, outlets; River training.

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

3. (a) WATER SUPPLY ENGINEERING :
Sources of supply, yields, design of intakes and conductors; Estimation of demand; Water quality standards; Control of Water-borne diseases; Primary and secondary treatment, detailing and maintenance of treatment units; Conveyance and distribution systems of treated water, leakages and control; Rural water supply; Institutional and industrial water supply.

(b) WASTE WATER ENGINEERING:
Urban rain water disposal; Systems of sewage collection and disposal; Design of sewers and sewerage systems; pumping; Characteristics of sewage and its treatment, Disposal of products of sewage treatment, streamflow rejuvenation Institutional and industrial sewage management; Plumbing Systems; Rural and semi-urban sanitation.

(c) SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
Sources, classification, collection and disposal; Design and Management of landfills.

(d) AIR AND NOISE POLLUTION AND ECOLOGY:
Sources and effects of air pollution, monitoring of air pollution; Noise pollution and standards; Ecological chain and balance, Environmental assessment.

4 (a) SOIL MECHANICS:
Properties of soils, classification and interrelationship; Compaction behaviour, methods of compaction and their choice; Permeability and seepage, flow nets, Inverted filters; Compressibility and consolidation; Shearing resistance, stresses and failure; soil testing in laboratory and in-situ; Stress path and applications; Earth pressure theories, stress distribution in soil; soil exploration, samplers, load tests, penetration tests.

(b) FOUNDATION ENGINEERING :
Types of foundations, Selection criteria, bearing capacity, settlement, laboratory and field tests; Types of piles and their design and layout, Foundations on expansive soils, swelling and its prevention, foundation on swelling soils.

5. (a) SURVEYING :
Classification of surveys, scales, accuracy; Measurement of distances - direct and indirect methods; optical and electronic devices; Measurement of directions, prismatic compass, local attraction; Theodolites - types; Measurement of elevations - Spirit and trigonometric levelling; Relief representation; Contours; Digital elevation modelling concept; Establishment of control by triangulations and traversing - measurements and adjustment of observations, computation of coordinates; Field astronomy, Concept of global positioning system; Map preparation by plane tabling and by photogrammetry; Remote sensing concepts, map substitutes.

(b) TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING :
Planning of highway systems, alignment and geometric design, horizontal and vertical curves, grade separation; Materials and construction methods for different surfaces and maintenance: Principles of pavement design; Drainage.

Traffic surveys, Intersections, signalling: Mass transit systems, accessibility, networking.
Tunnelling, alignment, methods of construction, disposal of muck, drainage, lighting and ventilation, traffic control, emergency management.

Planning of railway systems, terminology and designs, relating to gauge, track, controls, transits, rolling stock, tractive power and track modernisation; Maintenance; Appurtenant works; Containerisation.
Harbours - layouts, shipping lanes, anchoring, location identification; Littoral transport with erosion and deposition; sounding methods; Dry and Wet docks, components and operational Tidal data and analyses.
Airports - layout and orientation; Runway and taxiway design and drainage management; Zoning laws; Visual aids and air traffic control; Helipads, hangers, service equipment.

IES Preparation Tips & Tricks:-

· Selection of Books:- It is advisable not to go through a lot of books. Instead go through one quality book on each topic, which clarifies your basic concept Selective books are necessary for selected topics.
· Practice:- All you have to do is practice that’s all for IES. You have to do same example problems thrice. You have to read same topic in the SAME book thrice. You are done. You can expect IES. Frankly IES don’t need any talent, but perseverance and consistency in preparation.
· Practice full-length mock test, comprising of all the sections, within the fixed time period.
· Get acquainted with the latest examination pattern and syllabus of the exam.
· Divide your time efficiently. Make sure that sufficient time is dedicated to prepare each paper.
· Go through the previous years’ question papers. Compare them and see what types of questions are repeated every year.
· Read Newspaper and articles, watch TV news especially the morning bulletin, quiz contests, etc, surf websites in order to prepare for General Ability Test section, and pay attention to grammar, in order to minimize mistakes.
· General studies preparation is not much difficult task to do. We need to prepare last 10 years question papers for conventional side (Polity, Geography, History etc.,). Get an idea. Take year book and prepare least those mentioned topics from that. For current affairs, take Civil Services Chronicle from January to April. Prepare NCERT 9thstandard and 10 standard Geography books.

Books Suggested for preparation

· Strength of Materials: B C Punamia,S Ramamurtham,Gere & Temoshenko
· Structural Analysis: Negi, S Ramamurtham, C K Vang
· Concrete Structures: Punamia & Jain, H J Shah
· Prestressed Concrete : Krishna raju
· Steel Structures: S.K Duggal (based on IS 800:2007) 
· Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engineering: B.C Punamia
· Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics: Modi & Seth, R K Bansal, Subramanyam
· Hydrology: Subramanyam
· Irrigation: S K Garg
· Highway Engineering: Khanna & Jasto, Kadiyali
· Airport Engineering: S.P bindra
· Railway Engineeing: S.C. Saxena & S.P.Arora

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