Visakha Prashar
August 19, 2023 04:30
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Prepare for UPSC with Civil Engineering Optional. Learn from topper insights, recommended books and expert strategies to ace the exam.
Civil Engineering optional is best suited optional subject for the candidates who have similar background of civil engineering and architecture. In this Article, we will try to break down Civil Engineering in simple terms and present you a clear path to success in UPSC exams.
Civil Engineering Optional holds significant importance for candidates aspiring to pursue careers in civil engineering, infrastructure development, urban planning, and related fields. It serves as a platform for showcasing in-depth knowledge, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking abilities in the domain of civil engineering.
The Civil Engineering optional paper generally consists of two papers – Paper I and Paper II. Both papers are designed to assess the candidate’s understanding of concepts and their analytical abilities. Paper I is mostly numerical based and Paper II is more theoretical. Each paper is allocated 250 marks. Paper I is asked in two sections.
Both sections have four questions. Question 1 from section 1 and Question 5 from section 2 are compulsory. Out of the remaining 6 questions, candidates are allowed to choose their questions. Here, Candidates have to apply their strategy by picking the most mark-fetching questions where they feel they can write the best answer. Here is the exam pattern for Civil Engineering optional UPSC:
| UPSC Electrical Engineering Optional Exam Pattern | |
| Particular | Details |
| Total Papers | Two, Paper I and Paper II |
| Total Marks | 500 (250 Each) |
| Time allowed | 3 Hours for each paper |
| Sections | Section A and Section B |
| Questions | Total 8 questions with subparts |
| Compulsory Question | Question No. 1 and 5 |
| Marks Distribution | 10, 15, and 20 marker questions |
Optional subjects in Civil Engineering offer students the chance to specialize in specific areas of interest within the field. These subjects cover advanced topics such as structural analysis methods, concrete technology, geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering, transportation planning, structural dynamics, construction management, hydrology, surveying techniques, and construction materials.
The UPSC Civil Engineering Paper 1 weighs 250 marks. The syllabus covered is wide-ranged. Candidates must go through the UPSC Civil Engineering Syllabus before starting the preparation.
| 1. Engineering Mechanics, Strength of Materials and Structural Analysis. | 1.1 Engineering Mechanics :
1.2 Strength of Materials
1.3 Structural Analysis
|
| 2. Design of Structures: Steel, concrete and masonry structures. | 2.1 Structural Steel Design
2.2 Design of Concrete and Masonry Structures
|
| 3. Fluid Mechanics, open channel flow and Hydraulic Machines : | 3.1 Fluid Mechanics
3.2 Dimensional Analysis and Similitude: Buckingham’s Pi-theorem, dimensionless parameters. 3.3 Laminar Flow: Laminar flow between parallel, stationary and moving plates, flows through the tube. 3.4 Boundary layer:
3.5 Open channel flow
3.6 Hydraulic Machines and Hydropower
|
| 4. Geotechnical Engineering |
|
The UPSC Civil Engineering Paper 2 weighs 250 marks. The syllabus coveres a good number of topics. Aspirants must check the UPSC Civil Engineering Syllabus before starting the preparation.
| 1. Construction Technology, Equipment, Planning and Management | 1.1 Construction Technology
1.2 Construction
1.3 Construction Planning And Management
|
| 2. Surveying and Transportation Engineering | 2.1 Surveying :
2.2 Railways Engineering: Permanent way—components, types and their function-Functions and Design constituents of turn and crossing— Necessity of geometric design of track—Design of station and yards. 2.3 Highway Engineering :
|
| 3. Hydrology, Water Resources and Engineering : | 3.1 Hydrology : Hydrological cycle, precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, infiltration, overland flow, hydrograph, flood frequency analyses, flood routing through a reservoir, channel flow routing—Muskingum method.
3.2 Groundwater flow : Specific yield, storage coefficient, coefficient of permeability, confined and unconfined aquifers, aquifers, aquitards, radial flow into a well under confined and unconfined conditions. 3.3 Water Resources Engineering : Ground and surface water resources, single and multipurpose projects, storage capacity of reservoirs, reservoir losses, reservoir sedimentation. 3.4 Irrigation Engineering :
|
| 4. Environmental Engineering | 4.1 Water Supply : Predicting demand for water, impurities of water and their significance, physical, chemical and bacteriological analysis, waterborne diseases, standards for potable water.
4.2 Intake of Water: Water treatment: principles of coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation; slow-, rapid-, pressure, filters; chlorination, softening, removal of taste, odour and salinity. 4.3 Sewerage Systems: Domestic and industrial wastes, store sewage—separate and combined systems, flow through sewers, design of sewers. 4.4 Sewage Characterisation: BOD, COD, solids, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen and TOC. Standards of disposal in normal water courses and on land. 4.5 Sewage Treatment: Working principles, units, chambers, sedimentation tank, trickling filters, oxidation ponds, activated sludge process, septic tank, disposal of sludge, recycling of waste water. 4.6 Solid waste: Collection and disposal in rural and urban contexts, management of long-term ill-effects. |
| 5. Environmental pollution | Sustainable development. Radioactive wastes and disposal. Environmental impact assessment for thermal power plants, mines, river valley projects. Air pollution. Pollution control acts. |
The Civil Engineering optional paper in competitive exams evaluates candidates on their comprehensive understanding of core concepts, problem-solving abilities, and application of engineering principles. The Civil Engineering optional paper in the UPSC exam serves as a comprehensive evaluation of candidates’ proficiency in various facets of civil engineering. This optional paper covers core subjects including structural analysis and design, geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering, transportation engineering, hydrology, and construction management. The questions are meticulously crafted to gauge candidates’ depth of understanding in each subject area, requiring them to demonstrate adeptness in both theoretical concepts and practical applications. Numerical problems and engineering scenarios are frequently presented, necessitating candidates to exhibit strong problem-solving skills and the ability to apply engineering principles to real-world situations.
Analyzing the strategies of previous toppers can offer valuable insights into effective preparation techniques. Studying the topper copies provides aspirants with a roadmap to success, highlighting the key areas to focus on, time management strategies, and recommended resources.
Comprehensive and concise notes are indispensable for effective revision and conceptual clarity. Crafting well-organized notes covering essential topics can significantly enhance your preparation and retention of key concepts. We’ll explore strategies for note-taking and provide guidance on creating effective study materials.
Previous year questions serve as invaluable resources for understanding exam patterns, identifying recurring topics, and gauging the level of difficulty. Solving PYQs helps familiarize candidates with the exam format and enhances their problem-solving skills. We’ll discuss the significance of PYQs and offer tips for incorporating them into your study routine.
Selecting the right study materials is crucial for success in Civil Engineering optional exams. We’ll recommend a curated list of textbooks, reference guides, and supplementary resources tailored to the syllabus requirements. These books cover fundamental concepts, advanced topics, and practice exercises to aid comprehensive preparation.
| Civil Engineering Optional Books | |
| Book | Author |
| Engineering Mechanics | Irvin Shames |
| Strength of Materials | Stephen Timoshenko |
| Strength of Materials | S. Ramamrutham |
| Intermediate Structural Analysis | CK Wang |
| Theory of Structures | S. Ramamrutham |
| Design of Steel Structures | S Duggal |
| Prestressed Concrete | N Krishna Raju |
| Handbook Of Reinforced Concrete Design | SN Sinha |
| Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics Including Hydraulics Machines | Modi and Seth |
| Flow in Open Channels | K Subramanya |
| Basic and Applied Soil Mechanics | Gopal Ranjan and Rao |
| Soil Mechanics And Foundation Engineering | SK Garg |
| Construction, Planning, and Management | UK Srivastava |
| Irrigation Engineering | S.K. Garg |
| Building Construction | Arora and Bindra |
| Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering | S.K. Garg |
| Surveying | BC Punmia |
| Environmental Engineering (both volumes) | S.K. Garg |
Even though a limited number of candidates have chosen the Civil Engineering Optional, there are a few toppers who have achieved success in mains with this subject. Here is the list of IAS toppers who have Civil Engineering as an optional subject in the UPSC exam:
| IAS Toppers with Civil Engineering Optional | ||
| Topper | Rank | Marks |
| Praveen Kumar | AIR 7 (2020) | 287 |
| Abhishek Saraf | AIR 8 (2019) | 262 |
| Vinay Tiwari | AIR 193 (2014) | 291 |
| Avdhesh Meena | AIR 32 (2016) | 356 |
| Ashish Vasishtha | AIR 15 (2013) | 297 |
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of Civil Engineering Optional subject in UPSC IAS exam.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Strong Foundation- If you have a background in Civil Engineering, you already have a strong foundation in the subject matter. This can give you a significant head start in your UPSC preparation compared to candidates from non-engineering backgrounds.
Science-Based & Scoring: Civil engineering is a science-based subject, which means there’s less emphasis on rote learning and more on understanding concepts. This can be advantageous for scoring well in the exam, as good explanations and use of diagrams can impress examiners. Interview Justification: Choosing your engineering discipline as an optional is easily justifiable during the UPSC interview. Your expertise aligns with your educational background. Dual Exam Opportunity: In some cases, preparing for Civil Engineering optional can also benefit you in the Engineering Services Exam. There can be a significant overlap in foundational concepts. |
Vast Syllabus- The syllabus for Civil Engineering optional is quite vast, encompassing a wide range of topics. Covering everything in detail can be time-consuming and require a well-structured approach.
Lengthy Papers & Time Management- Both papers of the Civil Engineering optional are known to be lengthy. Effective time management skills are crucial to ensure you attempt all questions within the given time frame. Limited Overlap with GS (Double Edged Sword)- While the minimal overlap with GS can be a benefit for focused preparation, it also means you won’t gain any inherent advantage in the GS papers from studying your optional. |
Mastering Civil Engineering optional requires diligent preparation, strategic planning, and a thorough understanding of core concepts. By leveraging the resources and insights shared in this guide, you can embark on your journey towards success with clarity and confidence. Stay tuned for in-depth discussions, expert tips, and actionable advice to elevate your preparation to new heights. Let’s excel together in the dynamic world of Civil Engineering optional.
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