EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

The Staff Selection Commission has set certain criteria in terms of educational qualifications for the aspirants interested in applying for the Junior Engineer posts with the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). The specified educational qualification forms a crucial part of the SSC-JE eligibility criteria.

SSC-JE Syllabus

1. General Intelligence and Reasoning: The SSC JE syllabus associated with General Reasoning will comprise both verbal and non-verbal types. The test may include questions associated with topics such as analogies, similarities, differences, space visualization, problem-solving, analysis, judgement, decision-making, visual memory, discrimination, observation, and relationship concepts. The other topics include questions designed to test the candidate’s abilities to deal with abstract ideas and symbols and their relationships, arithmetical computations, and other analytical functions.

2. General Awareness: In this section, the officials test the candidate’s general awareness about different events happening around us. Along with this, officials also test the application of the knowledge from time to time. The officials aim to test the ability of the candidates in knowledge implementation across different segments. These segments might have an association with the regular duties of a Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Junior Engineer. The topics that are commonly asked in this section relate to India and neighbouring countries in terms of History, Geography, Economics, General Polity, and Scientific Research, etc. Candidates must keep a note that they will not require to possess any specific field knowledge in this section of the SSC-JE exam.

Now, let us dive into the General Engineering part of the SSC JE exam for the 2024 session.

Part-A Civil Engineering: Building materials, Estimating, Costing and Valuation, Surveying, Soil Mechanics, Hydraulics, Irrigation Engineering, Transportation Engineering, and Environmental Engineering. Structural Engineering forms an important part of the SSC-JE syllabus for the Civil Engineering stream. The topics that one must read in this segment include the Theory of Structures, Concrete Technology, RCC Design, and Steel Design.

Part-B (Electrical Engineering): In this segment, the important topics present are basic concepts, AC Fundamentals, Magnetic Circuits, Measurement and Measuring instruments, Electrical Machines, Synchronous Machines, Fractional Kilowatt Motors, and single phase induction Motors, Synchronous Machines, Generation, Transmission and Distribution, Estimation and Costing, Basic Electronics, and Utilization and Electrical Energy.

Part C (Mechanical Engineering): The next part of the mechanical engineering stream comprises the Theory of Machines and Machine Design, Engineering Mechanics, and Strength of Materials. The other topics present in this part are Properties of Pure Substances, 1st and 2nd Laws of Thermodynamics, Air standard cycles for IC Engines, IC Engine Performance, IC Engine Cooling and Lubrication, Rankine cycle, Boilers, Classification, Specification, Fitting and Accessories, and Air Compressors and their cycles, Refrigeration cycles with Principle of Refrigeration Plant, and Nozzles and Steam Turbines. Other topics present in the SSC-JE syllabus include Basic Principles, Properties and Classification of Fluids, Fluid Statics and Kinematics, Measurement of Fluid Pressure, Dynamics of ideal fluids, Measurement of Flow rate, Hydraulic Turbines, Centrifugal Pumps, and Classification of Steel.

After discussing the Part-I part of the syllabus, let us find out the relevant topics present in the Part-II of the SSC JE syllabus.

Part A (Civil and Structural Engineering)

Building Materials: Physical and Chemical properties, classification, standard tests, uses, and manufacture/quarrying of materials. The materials crucial in these processes are building stones, cement (Portland), asbestos products, wood and timber products, laminates, bituminous materials, varnishes, and paints.

Estimating, Costing, and Valuation: Analysis of rates, Estimate, glossary of technical terms, methods and unit of measurement, Brick work (Modular and Traditional Bricks), RCC work, Shuttering, Timber work, Painting, Flooring, Plastering, Boundary wall, Brick building. Along with this, other important topics include Centre line method, Bar bending schedule, Septic tank, Mid-section formula, Trapezoidal formula, Simpson’s rule, cost estimate of septic tank, Flexible pavements, Tube well, and isolates and combined footings, Valuation – Value and Cost, Scrap value, Salvage and assessed value, sinking fund, depreciation, obsolescence, and methods of valuation.

Surveying: This part forms a critical part of the Civil and Structural Engineering niche. The topics present in this segment of the SSC-JE syllabus include Principles of surveying, measurement of distance, working of the prismatic compass, compass traversing, chain surveying, local attraction, plane table surveying, theodolite traversing and adjustment, Levelling, Definitions of the words/terms used in levelling, contouring, refraction, and curvature corrections. Other topics associated with Civil and Structural Engineering in the SSC-JE syllabus include temporary and permanent adjustments of dumpy level, methods of contouring, use of contour map, tachometric survey, and curve setting, earthwork calculation, and advanced surveying equipment.

Soil Mechanics: It is one of the unique topics associated with the Civil Engineering syllabus. This section comprises several topics that are important from the SSC-JE 2024 exam point of view. This includes the origin of soil, phase diagram, Definitions-void ratio, porosity, degree of saturation, water content, specific gravity of soil grains, unit weighs, density index and interrelationship of different parameters, Grain size distribution curves, and their uses, Index properties of soil, Atterberg’s limits, ISI soil classification, plasticity chart, Permeability of soil, co-efficient of permeability, and determination of coefficient of permeability, Unconfined and confined aquifers, effective stress, and quick sand.

Other topics present in this segment are Consolidation of soils, Principles and degrees of consolidation, pre-consolidation pressure, normally consolidated soil, e-log p curve, and computation of ultimate settlement with tests such as Direct shear test, Vane shear test, and Triaxial test. Other topics associated with the Soil Mechanics include Soil compaction, Laboratory compaction test, Earth pressure theories, Soil compaction, Laboratory compaction test, Maximum dry density and optimum moisture content, active and passive earth pressures, and bearing capacity of soils, plate load test, and standard penetration test.

Hydraulics: This interesting section of Civil Engineering includes fluid properties, hydrostatics, Bernoulli’s theorem with the application, flow through pipes, flow in open channels, flumes, spillways, turbines, and pumps.

Irrigation Engineering: This section includes topics such as definition, necessity, benefits, ill effects of irrigation, types, and methods of irrigation, Hydrology – Measurement of rainfall, run-off coefficient, rain gauge, losses from precipitation, evaporation, and infiltration, etc. Apart from this, other topics present in this section include Water requirement of crops, duty, delta and delta period, Kharif and Rabi Crops, Command Area, Time factor, Crop ratio, Overlap allowance, Irrigation efficiencies, different types of canals and canal irrigation, loss of water in canals, canal lining.

Other crucial topics present in this segment include types and advantages, Shallow and deep wells, Failure of weirs and permeable foundation, Slit, and Scour, Theories such as Kennedy’s theory of critical velocity, Lacey’s theory of uniform flow; Definition of flood, causes, and effects, methods of flood control, and water logging, preventive measures, land reclamation, Characteristics of affecting fertility of soils, purposes, methods, description of land and reclamation processes, and major irrigation projects in India.

Transportation Engineering: This section includes topics such as Highway Engineering (cross-sectional elements), geometric design, series of tests, different types and materials in pavements – aggregates and bitumen, Design of flexible and rigid pavements. These designs include Water Bound Macadam (WBM) and Wet Mix Macadam (WMM), Gravel Road, and Bituminous construction, Rigid pavement joint, pavement maintenance, Highway drainage, and Railway Engineering – Components of permanent way (sleepers, ballast, fixtures, and fastening), track geometry, points and crossings, track junction, stations, and yards. The other topics include Traffic Engineering – Different traffic survey, speed-flow density, and their interrelationships, intersections, and interchanges, traffic signals, traffic operations, signs, and markings, and road safety.

Environmental Engineering: Civil engineers need to know the crucial aspects associated with environmental engineering. This includes Quality of water, source of water supply, purification of water, distribution of water, the need for sanitization, sewerage systems, different types of servers such as circular, and oval ones, sewer appurtenances, and sewage treatments. Other important topics present in environmental engineering include solid waste management (types and effects), engineered management systems; Air pollution – pollutants, causes, and effects, control Noise pollution – cause, health effects, and control.

Now, let us dive into the important topics for Structural Engineering.

Theory of structures: Elasticity constants, types of beams (determinate and indeterminate), bending moment, and shear force diagrams of simply supported, cantilever, and overhanging beams. Other topics include moment of area, moment of inertia for rectangular and circular sections, bending moment, shear stress for tee, channel, and compound sections, chimneys, dams and retaining walls, eccentric loads, slope deflection of simply supported and cantilever beams, critical load and columns, Torsion of circular section.

Concrete Technology: This segment of the SSC-JE syllabus of Structural Engineering includes properties, advantages and uses of concrete, cement aggregates, water-cement ratio, importance of water quality, mix design, storage, batching, placement, and compaction. The other topics associated with this topic include finishing, curing, and quality control of concrete, hot and cold weather concreting, repair, and maintenance of concrete structures.

RCC Design: The RCC Design section includes RCC beams-flexural strength, shear strength, bond strength, and design of singly reinforced and double reinforced beams, cantilever beams, T-beams, and lintels. Apart from this, RCC Design also includes one-way and two-way slabs, isolated footings, reinforced brickworks, columns, staircases, retaining walls, and water tanks.

Steel Design: Steel Design and construction of steel columns, beams, roof trusses, and plate girders.

Part-B (Electrical Engineering)

Basic concepts: Concepts of resistance, inductance, capacitance, and various factors affecting them. Along with this, other important topics in the subject of the SSC-JE exam include Concepts of current, voltage, power, energy, and their units.

Circuit law: This section includes the major Kirchhoff’s law along with the Simple Circuit solution using network theorems.

Magnetic Circuit: This segment linked with the circuits comprises topics such as Concept of flux, mmf, reluctance, magnetic materials, magnetic calculations for conductors of different configurations, (e.g., solenoidal, straight, circular), Electromagnetic induction, self, and mutual induction.

AC Fundamentals: Instantaneous, peak, RMS and average values of alternating waves, Representation of sinusoidal wave form, simple series, and parallel AC Circuits comprising RL and C, Tank Circuit Poly Phase System – star and delta connection, and 3 phase power, DC and sinusoidal response of R-Land R-Circuit.

Measurement and measuring instruments: The important topics in the section include Measurement of power (1-phase and 3-phase, both active and non-active) and energy, 2 wattmeter method of 3 phase power measurement, Measurement of frequency and phase angle, Ammeter and voltmeter (both moving iron and moving oil type), extension of range wattmeter. The other topics present in this segment of Part-B (Electrical Engineering) include Multimeters, Megger, Energy meter, Earth Fault detection, AC Bridges, Use of CRO, Signal Generator, CT, PT, and their uses.

Electrical Machines: This part of the syllabus is divided into three parts. It includes a) DC Machine – Construction, Basic Principles of DC motors and generators, their characteristics, speed control, starting of DC Motors Method of braking motor, losses, and DC Machines efficiency. b) 1 phase and 3 phase transformers – Construction, Principles of operation, equivalent circuit, voltage regulation, OC and SC tests, Effect of voltage, losses, and efficiency, frequency and wave form on losses, Parallel operation of 1 phase or 3 phase transformers, and Auto transformers. c) 3-phase induction motors, rotating magnetic field, principles of operation, equivalent circuit, torque-speed characteristics, starting and speed control of 3 phase induction motors, Methods of breaking, effect of voltage and frequency variation on torque speed characteristics. Another topic that forms a crucial part of this section’s SSC-JE syllabus is Fractional Kilowatt Motors and Single Phase Induction Motors with their characteristics and applications.

Synchronous Machines: In this topic, certain aspects related to the SSC-JE syllabus are covered. This includes the Generation of a 3-phase emf armature reaction, voltage regulation, parallel operation of two alternators, synchronizing, control of active and reactive power, and applications of synchronous machines.

Generation, Transmission, and Distribution: This section includes different types of power stations, certain factors such as load factor, diversity factor, and demand factor; cost of generation, inter-connection of Power stations, Power factor improvement, different types of faults and tariffs, short circuit current for symmetrical faults. Apart from this, Switchgears – rating of circuit breakers, Principles of arc extinction by oil and air, HRC Fuses, and Protection against earth leakage or over current, Buccholtz relay, Merz-Price system of protection of generators and transformers, protection of feeders and bus bars, Lightning arresters, transmission and distribution systems. Along with this, several other topics are also included in the syllabus. This includes conductor materials comparison, efficiency of different systems; Cable – different types of cables, cable rating, and derating factor.

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