EXCEL Institute of Engineering Studies & Examinations, AURANGABAD.: I.E.S. ( Information and Question Papers)

I.E.S.

Indian Engineering Services abbreviated as IES are the civil services that meet the technical and managerial functions of the Government of India. Like most countries, the Government of India recruits its civil servants and officials on the basis of merit, the middle management positions in the bureaucracy are filled through competitive exams. Large number of candidates take these exams, competing for limited posts. 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 remain the most sought-after careers for the engineering graduates in India. In the year 2010, a total of 157,649 candidates applied for 434 vacancies (includes all branches and cadres). In 2011, a total number of 693 candidates were recommended for appointments in these four lists include 317 General, 209 Other Backward Classes, 113 Scheduled Castes and 54 Scheduled Tribes (including 44 candidates belonging to Physically Handicapped category). ESE 2012 was conducted for the recruitment of candidates to as many as 560 posts, which also includes 47 vacancies available only for the PH (physically handicapped) category.ESE 2013 was conducted for the recruitment of candidates to as many as 763 posts, which also includes 19 vacancies available only for the PH (physically handicapped) category.

IES officers carry high respect and stature in society and are able to manage activities in diverse areas. Government spending comprises more than 15 percent of India's GDP and given the extent of tasks and functions managed by the public sector, this extends to a fairly broad segment of the economy covering the railways, roads, defense, manufacturing, inspection, supply, construction, public works, power, telecommunications, etc.All appointments to the Group A services are made by the President of India.

Educational qualifications

At least a bachelor's degree in Engineering (B.E. / B. Tech) from a recognised university or equivalent. M.Sc degree or its equivalent with Wireless Communications, Electronics, Radio Physics or Radio Engineering as special subjects also acceptable for certain services / posts only.

Mechanical Engineering

Border Roads Engineering Service (Border Roads Organisation)
Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Service (Central Public Works Department)
Central Engineering Service (Ministry of Road Transport & Highways)
Central Power Engineering Service (Central Electricity Authority)
Central Water Engineering Service (Central Water Commission)
Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (EME), Indian Army
Indian Defence Service of Engineers (Military Engineer Services)
Indian Inspection Service (Directorate General of Supply and Disposals)
Indian Naval Armament Service (Directorate General of Naval Armament Inspection)
Indian Naval Stores Service (Indian Navy)
Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS)
Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers
Indian Railway Stores Service
Indian Supply Service (Directorate General of Supply and Disposals)

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.

Scheme of Examination
Paper I (Objective type)	General Ability Test (Part A: General English) (Part B: General Studies)	200 Marks
Papers II & III (Objective type)	Civil Engineering / Mechanical Engineering / Electrical Engineering / Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering	200 Marks for each paper
Papers IV & V (Conventional type)	Civil Engineering / Mechanical Engineering / Electrical Engineering / Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering	200 Marks for each paper
	Total marks for written examination	1000 Marks
Interview	Personality Test	200 Marks

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUES ABOUT I.E.S

1)student at least must be pass or either in final year in any technical degree or equivalent degree in any stream(e.g mechanical, civil, electronics, electrronics and telecommunication, metallurgy engineering, chemical egineering, production engineering......e.t.c)
2) i.e.s exam is held only for four branches, mechanical, civil, electrical, electrical & telecomminication.
3)but another stream(e.g chemical, instrumentation, production, metallurgy e.t.c) student can also apply for any of above four stream(mech, civil, electrical, e & t) which sylllabus is more similar with your branch syllabus.
4)in eligibility criteria no any no. of attempt limited, only age limited.
5)forum notification is advertise in upsc website.
6)exam pattern is both subjective and objective.
7)total five papers exam(3obj+2subj) is held within three continuous day(e..g friday-saturday-sunday).
8)online forum submission facility is also available on upsc website.
9)student must be in final year of his degree copletion or either is passed out.

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 January 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 20th 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?: Many say cutoff is there only for General Studies paper not to others. This depend on selection team of UPSC. When I wrote the exam, there should not have any cutoff even for General Studies, as I did not write well.

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 2nd year and 3rd 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 434 posts for all branches. Out of which around 60 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 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.

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 36,000Rs per month.

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. We got one guy(B.Lakshmi Narayana Rank: 9) got selection with just around 55%. If you are determined, you can get it.

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.

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 500 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 2002 onwards. For General Studies part, see conventional part (Geography,History,Polity) only from old question papers.

2. About postal course: We strongly donot recommend postal course for Engg Services Exam. Class room training is a good idea to crack IES. Even without coaching also one can get. Basics are very important for this exam, and I donot think any postal course fit completely for this. Rather than going for Postal course, it would be better if one can analyze old question papers and study from standard books.

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.

Click on the links below to download question papers (objective & descriptive) of Indian Engineering Services Exam.

Pages

I.E.S. ( Information and Question Papers)

I.E.S.

Educational qualifications

Mechanical Engineering

Career progression