Syllabus and Exam Pattern for TNPSC Combined Engineering Services Exam 2024
Eligibility Criteria
- Nationality: Candidates must be citizens of India.
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Technology in the relevant discipline from a recognized university.
- Age Limit: The age limit for the exam varies depending on the category of the candidate. Refer to the official notification for detailed information.
Exam Pattern
The TNPSC Combined Engineering Services Exam is conducted in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
- Main Examination (Written)
- Interview/Personality Test
Note: Candidates must clear the Preliminary Examination to be eligible for the Main Examination.
Preliminary Examination
Duration: 3 hours
Total Marks: 300
Number of Questions: 200
Type of Questions: Objective type (Multiple Choice Questions)
Negative Marking: 1/3 mark for each incorrect answer
Syllabus:
- General Studies:
- Current Events of National and International Importance
- History of India and Indian National Movement
- Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution of India, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
- Indian Economy and Geography – Economic Development, Planning, Poverty, Unemployment, Infrastructure, Agriculture, Industry, etc.
- General Science – Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environment, etc.
- General Mental Ability – Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, etc.
- Engineering Aptitude:
- Basic Concepts of Engineering – Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, etc.
- Engineering Drawing and Graphics
- Basic Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Basic Computer Science and Information Technology
Main Examination
Duration: 3 hours per paper
Total Marks: 1000
Number of Papers: 4
Type of Questions: Conventional (Descriptive)
Negative Marking: No negative marking
Syllabus:
Paper 1: Civil Engineering
- Building Materials and Construction: Properties of building materials, Concrete technology, Construction planning and management, Building services, etc.
- Structural Engineering: Analysis and design of structures, Structural analysis methods, Reinforced concrete structures, Steel structures, etc.
- Geotechnical Engineering: Soil mechanics, Foundation engineering, Ground improvement techniques, etc.
- Water Resources Engineering: Hydrology, Irrigation engineering, Water supply and sanitation, etc.
- Transportation Engineering: Highway engineering, Traffic engineering, Railway engineering, etc.
- Environmental Engineering: Air and water pollution control, Solid waste management, Environmental impact assessment, etc.
Paper 2: Mechanical Engineering
- Engineering Mechanics: Statics, Dynamics, Kinematics, etc.
- Strength of Materials: Stress and strain, Bending and torsion, Fatigue and fracture, etc.
- Fluid Mechanics and Machinery: Fluid properties, Fluid flow, Pumps and turbines, etc.
- Thermodynamics: Thermodynamic principles, Heat transfer, Power cycles, etc.
- Machine Design: Design of machine elements, Bearings, Gears, etc.
- Production Engineering: Manufacturing processes, Metal cutting, Machine tools, etc.
- Industrial Engineering: Production planning and control, Quality control, Operations research, etc.
Paper 3: Electrical Engineering
- Electrical Circuits and Networks: Circuit analysis, Network theorems, AC circuits, etc.
- Electrical Machines: DC machines, AC machines, Transformers, etc.
- Power Systems: Power generation, Transmission and distribution, Power system protection, etc.
- Control Systems: Feedback control systems, System analysis and design, etc.
- Electronics: Semiconductor devices, Amplifiers, Oscillators, etc.
- Digital Electronics: Logic gates, Digital circuits, Microprocessors, etc.
Paper 4: Electronics and Communication Engineering
- Electronic Devices and Circuits: Semiconductor devices, Amplifiers, Oscillators, etc.
- Digital Electronics: Logic gates, Digital circuits, Microprocessors, etc.
- Communication Systems: Analog and digital communication, Modulation and demodulation, etc.
- Microwave Engineering: Microwave devices, Transmission lines, Antennas, etc.
- Control Systems: Feedback control systems, System analysis and design, etc.
- Signal Processing: Analog and digital signal processing, etc.
Interview/Personality Test
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Total Marks: 100
- Objective: To assess the candidate’s personality, communication skills, general awareness, and suitability for the post.
Important Points to Remember
- The syllabus and exam pattern are subject to change. Candidates are advised to refer to the official notification for the latest information.
- The exam is conducted in Tamil and English languages.
- Candidates are advised to start their preparation early and focus on understanding the concepts rather than memorizing facts.
- Practice mock tests and previous years’ question papers to get familiar with the exam pattern and level of difficulty.
Sample Tables
Table 1: TNPSC Combined Engineering Services Exam – Preliminary Examination
| Subject | Number of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies | 100 | 100 |
| Engineering Aptitude | 100 | 200 |
| Total | 200 | 300 |
Table 2: TNPSC Combined Engineering Services Exam – Main Examination
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Civil Engineering | 250 |
| Paper 2 | Mechanical Engineering | 250 |
| Paper 3 | Electrical Engineering | 250 |
| Paper 4 | Electronics and Communication Engineering | 250 |
| Total | – | 1000 |
Note: The above tables are for illustrative purposes only. The actual number of questions and marks may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the eligibility criteria for the TNPSC Combined Engineering Services Exam?
Candidates must be citizens of India and possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Technology in the relevant discipline from a recognized university.
2. What is the age limit for the exam?
The age limit varies depending on the category of the candidate. Refer to the official notification for detailed information.
3. What is the exam pattern for the TNPSC Combined Engineering Services Exam?
The exam is conducted in three stages: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type), Main Examination (Written), and Interview/Personality Test.
4. What is the syllabus for the Preliminary Examination?
The syllabus includes General Studies and Engineering Aptitude. General Studies covers topics like Current Events, History, Polity, Economy, Geography, and General Science. Engineering Aptitude covers basic concepts of engineering, drawing, electrical and electronics, and computer science.
5. What is the syllabus for the Main Examination?
The syllabus is divided into four papers: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Electronics and Communication Engineering. Each paper covers specific topics related to the respective branch of engineering.
6. What is the duration and marking scheme for the Preliminary Examination?
The duration is 3 hours, with a total of 200 objective type questions carrying 300 marks. There is negative marking of 1/3 mark for each incorrect answer.
7. What is the duration and marking scheme for the Main Examination?
Each paper of the Main Examination is for 3 hours, with a total of 1000 marks for all four papers. The questions are conventional (descriptive) and there is no negative marking.
8. What is the format of the Interview/Personality Test?
The interview is for 30 minutes and carries 100 marks. It assesses the candidate’s personality, communication skills, general awareness, and suitability for the post.
9. When is the exam conducted?
The exam dates are announced in the official notification.
10. How can I apply for the exam?
Applications are submitted online through the official website of TNPSC.
11. What are the important resources for preparation?
Refer to the official syllabus, previous years’ question papers, and standard textbooks for preparation.
12. Are there any coaching classes available for the exam?
Yes, several coaching classes offer preparation programs for the TNPSC Combined Engineering Services Exam.
13. What are the career prospects after clearing the exam?
Successful candidates are appointed as Assistant Engineers in various government departments like Public Works Department, Highways Department, Water Resources Department, etc.
14. What is the salary and benefits for the post of Assistant Engineer?
The salary and benefits vary depending on the department and the candidate’s experience.
15. What are the important tips for exam preparation?
Start early, understand the concepts, practice mock tests, and stay updated with the latest syllabus and exam pattern.