All About Engineering Services Exam /IES

All about Engineering Services Exam (ESE):

 

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. First day: General Studies + General English complete objective paper, for 200 marks

b. Second day: Paper I for 200 marks and Paper II for 200 marks of Objective type technical.

c. Third day: Paper I for 200 marks and Paper II for 200 marks of Descriptive type.

d. Personal Interview round contains another 200 marks.

e. So, total will be for 1000 marks for written and 200 marks for Personal Interview.

2. Frequently Asked Questions:

a. 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. Right now it’s: 30 years for General Merit 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.

b. Is preparation for GATE is enough?: In one way YES. Around 60% of IES syllabus will be GATE syllabus. So, we need to prepare extra subjects. Difference between GATE and IES is, in GATE we need to have in-depth analysis at least for important subjects. If you prepare only those subjects you may get 95 to 98 percentile. But here in IES preparation, we need to prepare all the subjects at least for Objective papers. We may not have to go that much in-depth.

i. Few subjects may be there in IES syllabus only. Those subjects need to be studied.

ii. We need to prepare for descriptive also as this part is not there in GATE.

c. When will we get results?:

i. Notification around March-april 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 November/December. Of course this depends on Department of allocation.

d. How many hours of preparation is needed daily?: Frankly this depend on individual. If you are strong in basics, it may not take much time to recap all the subjects. Daily 2 hours 6months before the exam, 5 hours before 3 months and 8 to 9 hours before one month is hopefully sufficient.

e. How many marks should we score to get selected?:

i. Around 50% of marks are more than enough independent of department. For written if you can score 450 to 500 marks you can expect interview call, of course selection also. If you can score more than 500, you will have a better edge.

ii. 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.

iii. If you get correct answer that to with proper explanation, you can expect 70% of allotted marks for that question.

f. To work for Indian Railways, how much rank I should get?: Upto 20^th rank for General Merit candidates can expect from Indian Railways. This is true for TCE and EEE officers only. For Civil this limit will be high.

g. Do they have separate cutoff for separate papers?:  There is separate cutoff  for first three objective Papers . Then your conventional papers copy will evaluate.

h. 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 2^nd year and 3^rd syllabus of your university will be UPSC syllabus. So, concentrate well on those subjects. That’s enough.

i. Can I work in my home state if I get selection?: Officially NO. If you take Railways, it have its departments spread all over India. They can place you anywhere in India. If you take Water Commission, you may have to work from Delhi only. But chances are there if you opt for Railways.

j. Will they give salary immediately after joining or after completion?: YES. They start pay you even in the training period also.

k. Is it facilities like car, bunglow will be given as soon as one completes the training and join the service?: It depends on the service. Quarters ll be provided in any service, and remaining like Car and all will be provided if work necessitates. Railways and CPWD is known for good fecilities.

l. Do we have group discussions in Personal Interview?: NO

m. Can I write IES in computer science?: NO. You have select one group from Telecommunications/Electrical/Mechanical/Civil.

n. How many number of seats for each branch?: It varies time to time. This year they notified 750 posts for all branches. Out of which around 150 can be expected for each branch for TCE/EEE. For Mechanical and Civil engineering Streams posts will be more.

• o. What is the order of precedence for the posts 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.

p. 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.

3. What are the departments, we can work as IES officers: You can visit UPSC website for details.

4. 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.,

5. About Interview:

1. The interview panel generally keeps you comfortable and more liberal. They expect you to be strong in your present area. You be strong in basic concepts, Current affairs like Terrorism, Recession/what is HOT at present, About railways.

2. First they start with few HR questions like tell me about yourself/current hot topics and after that, they start technical part (Mostly of Basics).

3. Interview panel contains 4 members (3+1) 3 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.

4. All over Interview will be around 85% technical and 15% non technical.

6. For presently working PSU guys who are targeting IES?: NOC is required if you are working in a Public Sector companies. I don’t think NOC is required for guys working with Pvt., sector. Bond transfer is not possible with UPSC. You have to clear NOC from your present working company and then join afresh in IES.

7. Pay of IES officer?: 15600 (Basic)+5400(Grade)+DA+HRA+others… Gross would be around 47000Rs per month.and it will be 2.26 times after 7th pay commission.

8. About Designation and Growth?: First designation would be Assistant Director/AEE or equivalent. Foremost promotion will be based on rank you get in IE exam. 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.

9. Already I am working in PSUs/Govt sector. Is it a good idea of writing ES exam?: IES is more of Management of technical matters. If you like only technical you can stay with present job only. If you wanna enjoy some Power/Management etc., you can try for IES.

10. About Physical Tests?: Very normal tests they conduct. Its like Eye/Blood/Urine/Inhale, Exhale. For Railways Eye power should be with in +/- 4.

11. I got GATE rank. Should I pursue M.Tech or should I continue my preparation for IES?: Pursue your M.Tech/M.E., then try for IES. You will have much time, good books, lecturers to prepare. It will be useful for Interview also.

12. I got less percentage in B.Tech. Can I try for IES?:YES. All exam need is sincere efforts. there are so many guys who have second division in their engineering and cracked this exam

13. 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.

14. What is the duration of Training period after selection?:This depends on allocated Department.

 

Question	In which month IES exam conducted?
Answer	Exam are conducted in month of June. Its 3 day procedure: On first day you have optional paper of general studies. On second day you have two optional paper of your respective branch. On third day you have two subjective paper of respective branch.
Question	What is age limit for IES exam?
Answer	21-30 years as on 1.8.2005.(Upper age limit relaxable for SCs/Sts, OBCs and certain other categories as specified in Para 3(ii) of Notice).
Question	I am just give my final year exam, shall I eligible for IES?
Answer	Yes you are eligible for the IES exam. You must be cleared your final year exam before interview.
Question	In which branch I shall appeared in IES Exam?
Answer	The Engineering Services Examination is conducted by the UPSC, India every year for the recruitment to the four categories of engineering services: Civil Engineering Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Electronics & telecommunication Engineering
Question	How many attempts are there for general category?
Answer	there is no restrictions over no of attempts rather there is age limit (between age 21 to 30).
Question	Can you provide some information on this examination?
Answer	Qualified candidates of Engineering Services Examination (or the Combined Engineering Services Examination, shortly known as CES) will be posted as any of the under mentioned positions in the four categories: Category-I Civil Engineering Indian Railway Service of Engineers Indian Railway Stores Service (Civil Engineering Posts) Central Engineering Service Military Engineer Services (IDSE-Building and Roads Cadre) Military Engineer Service (Surveyor of Works Cadre) Survey of India Service, Group ‘A’ (Civil Engineering Posts) Central Water Engineering Service (Civil Engineering Posts) Assistant Executive Engineer (Civil) in P & T Building Works (Group `A’) Service Central Engineering Service (Roads), Group `A’; Assistant Executive Engineer (Civil) in Border Roads Engineering Service Group `A’ Indian Ordnance Factories Service (Engineering Branch) Category-II Mechanical Engineering Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers Indian Railway Stores Service (Mechanical Engineering Posts) Central Water Engineering Service (Mechanical Engineering Posts) Central Power Engineering Service (Mechanical Engineering Posts) Indian Ordnance Factories Service (Engineering Branch) (Mechanical Engineering Posts) Indian Naval Armament Service (Mechanical Engineering Posts) Military Engineer Service (IDSE-Electrical and Mechanical Cadre) (Mechanical Engineering Posts) Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Service (Mechanical Engineering Posts) Assistant Executive Engineer (Elect. & Mech.) (Mechanical Engineering Posts) Border Roads Engineering Service, Group ‘A’; Assistant Manager (Factories). Department of Telecom (Telecom Factories Organization) Central Engineering Service (Roads) Group `A’ (Mechanical Engineering Posts) Assistant Executive Engineer Group `A’ (Mechanical Engineering Posts) in the Corps of E.M.E., Ministry of Defence Inspection Service Group ‘A’ (Mechanical Engineering Posts) Indian Supply Service Group’ A’ (Mechanical Engg. Posts). Group `B’ Services/Posts Assistant Engineer Group ‘B’ (Mechanical Engineering Posts) in the Corps of E.M.E., Ministry of Defence. Category-III Electrical Engineering Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers Indian Railway Stores Service (Electrical Engineering Posts) Central Electrical -& Mechanical Engineering Service (Electrical Engineering Posts) Indian Ordnance Factories Service (Engineering Branch) (Electrical Engineering Posts) Indian Naval Armament Service (Electrical Engineering Posts) Central Power Engineering Service (Electrical Engineering Posts) Assistant Executive Engineer (Electrical) in P &T Building Works (Group ‘A’) Service Military Engineering Service (IDSE-Electrical and Mechanical Cadre) (Electrical Engineering Posts) Assistant Manager (Factories), Department of Telecom (Telecom Factories Organization) Assistant Executive Engineer Group `A’ (Electrical Engineering Posts) in the Corps of E.M.E., Ministry of Defence Indian Inspection Service Group ‘A’ (Electrical Engineering Posts) Indian Supply Service Group `A’ (Electrical Engg. Posts). Group `B’ Services/Posts Assistant Engineer, Group `B’ (Electrical Engineering Posts) in the Corps of E.M.E., Ministry of Defence Category-IV Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering Group A Services/Posts Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers Indian Railway Stores Service (Telecommunication/ Electronics Engineering Posts) Indian Telecommunication Service Engineer in Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing/ Monitoring Organization; Ministry of Communications (Deptt. of Telecommunications) Indian Broadcasting (Engineers) Service Indian Ordnance Factories Service (Engineering Branch) (Electronics Engineering Posts) Indian Naval Armament Service (Electronics Engineering Posts) Central Power Engineering Service (Telecommunication Engineering Posts) Survey of India Service Group ‘A’ (Electronics and Telecom. Engineering Posts) Assistant Manager (Factories), Deptt. of Telecom (Telecom Factories Organization) Indian Inspection Service, Group `A’ (Electronics Engineering Posts) Indian Supply Service; Group `A’ (Electronics Engineering Posts) Assistant Executive Engineer Group ‘A’ (Electronics Engineering Posts) in the Corps of E.M.E., Ministry of Defence. Group B Services/Posts Assistant Engineer Group ‘B’ (Electronics Engineering Posts) in the Corps of E.M.E., Ministry of Defence
Question	What is the selection procedure for IES ?
Answer	The selection process of candidates who appear for the Engineering Services Examination conducted by the UPSC, India is based on the two levels. Written Test Personality Test Those who successfully qualify in the written examination are called for the Personality test, which is a Personal Interview kind of test. The total marks for the Personality test is 200 Marks. Readers are advised to refer to the Commission’s (Union Public Service Commission – UPSC) Notice for further details of the Examination when it is published in the Employment News and some of the other national news papers.
Question	Who can appear for this examination?
Answer	The eligibility conditions for appearing in the Indian Engineering Services Examination are mentioned here under: Candidates must be an Indian Nationals Age: Minimum age of the candidates must be 21 to 30 years on 1st August of the year of Examination. However, certain categories of persons including departmental candidates as specified in the Commission’s Notice as published in the national news papers such as Employment News etc. are eligible for age relaxation. Education: A degree in Engineering from a recognized university or equivalent. MSc degree or its equivalent with Wireless Communications, Electronics, Radio Physics or Radio Engineering as special subjects also acceptable for certain Services/posts only. Candidates appearing at their engineering degree or equivalent examination are also eligible to compete. Candidates qualifying on the result of the written part of the Examination will be required to submit the proof of passing the requisite examination along with their detailed application form to be filled up at that stage.

Career progression

• At the time of selection – Assistant Executive Engineer / Assistant Works Manager / Assistant Director.
• after 3–4 years of service (including probation period) – Executive Engineer / Works Manager / Deputy Director (equivalent to Under Secretary to Government of India).
• after 8 years of service – Superintending Engineer / Deputy General Manager / Joint Director (equivalent to Deputy Secretary to Government of India).
• after 13 years of service – Chief Engineer level-2 / Joint General Manager (equivalent to Director to Government of India).
• after 20 years of service – Chief Engineer / Additional General Manager (equivalent to Joint Secretary to Government of India).
• after 30 years of service – Engineer-in-Chief / Senior General Manager (equivalent to Additional Secretary to Government of India).
• after 34 years of service – Chairman / Director General / Managing Director (equivalent to Secretary to Government of India).

Promotions are subjected to availability of vacancies and may take more time than mentioned above. The age of superannuation is 60 years for all civil servants in India.

Functions of the officers

The nature of work performed by these bureaucrats largely depends on their engineering branch and the service or cadre they are recruited in. However, they can move to any cadre, organisation, agency, department, ministry or PSU of the Government of India. They are appointed in the posts analogous to their present one, either on deputation basis which is of a fixed tenure (at least 5 years and extensible) after which the officer returns to their parent cadre or on absorption basis where the official leaves the parent cadre and is “absorbed” permanently into the new cadre.