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Civil Engineering Optional Syllabus for UPSC 2025

Complete syllabus guide for Civil Engineering Optional in UPSC Civil Services Examination. Master both papers with our comprehensive study material.

PAPER—I

1. Engineering Mechanics, Strength of Materials and Structural Analysis

  • 1.1 Engineering Mechanics:
  • - Units and Dimensions
  • - Laws of Motion
  • - Force Systems
  • - Friction
  • - Centroid and Centre of Gravity
  • - Simple and Compound Stresses
  • 1.2 Strength of Materials:
  • - Stresses and Strains
  • - Elastic Constants
  • - Bending Moments and Shear Forces
  • - Theory of Bending
  • - Torsion of Circular Sections
  • - Combined Stresses
  • 1.3 Structural Analysis:
  • - Static and Kinematic Indeterminacy
  • - Slope Deflection Method
  • - Moment Distribution Method
  • - Influence Lines
  • - Matrix Methods of Analysis

2. Design of Steel Structures

  • Working Stress and Limit State Methods
  • Design of Tension and Compression Members
  • Design of Beams and Beam-Columns
  • Built-up Sections
  • Design of Bolted and Welded Connections
  • Design of Simple Members
  • Design of Industrial Roofs
  • Principles of Ultimate Load Design

3. Design of Concrete and Masonry Structures

  • Limit State Design for Bending
  • Shear, Axial Compression and Combined Forces
  • Design of Beams
  • Slabs
  • Lintels
  • Foundations
  • Retaining Walls
  • Water Tanks
  • Principles of Pre-stressed Concrete Design
  • Materials, Methods and Systems of Pre-stressing
  • Losses in Pre-stress
  • Design of Simple Members and Determinate Structures

4. Construction Practice, Planning and Management

  • Construction Materials
  • Workability and Quality Control
  • Construction Methods and Equipment
  • Types of Equipment
  • Selection of Equipment
  • Preventive Maintenance
  • Construction Planning and Scheduling
  • Bar Charts and Network Techniques
  • Cost-Time Trade off
  • Monitoring and Control
  • Project Management Software

PAPER—II

1. Fluid Mechanics, Open Channel Flow and Hydraulic Machines

  • 1.1 Fluid Properties
  • 1.2 Fluid Statics
  • 1.3 Kinematics and Dynamics
  • 1.4 Navier's Stokes Equation
  • 1.5 Boundary Layer Theory
  • 1.6 Flow Through Pipes
  • 1.7 Open Channel Flow
  • - Uniform and Non-Uniform Flows
  • - Specific Energy and Critical Depth
  • - Gradually Varied Flow
  • - Hydraulic Jump
  • 1.8 Hydraulic Machines and Hydropower
  • - Various Pumps
  • - Air Vessels
  • - Hydraulic Turbines
  • - Power House

2. Geotechnical Engineering

  • Soil Properties and Classifications
  • Capillarity, Permeability and Seepage
  • Compressibility and Consolidation
  • Compaction Behaviour
  • Shear Strength Parameters
  • Earth Pressure Theories
  • Stability of Slopes
  • Foundation Types
  • Foundation Design Requirements
  • Pile Foundations
  • Ground Improvement Techniques

3. Transportation Engineering

  • Highway Planning
  • Geometric Design of Highways
  • Traffic Engineering
  • Highway Materials and Construction Methods
  • Design of Flexible and Rigid Pavements
  • Railway Engineering
  • Airport Engineering
  • - Planning and Design
  • - Terminal Buildings
  • - Navigation Systems
  • Harbour Engineering
  • - Layout
  • - Shipping Channels
  • - Coastal Protection

4. Environmental Engineering

  • Water Requirements
  • Water Quality Standards
  • Unit Processes for Water Treatment
  • Distribution Systems
  • Sewage Characteristics
  • Sewage Treatment
  • Air Pollution
  • - Sources and Effects
  • - Monitoring and Control
  • Noise Pollution
  • - Sources and Control
  • Environmental Impact Assessment

5. Surveying

  • Classification of Surveys
  • Distance Measurement
  • Levelling and Contouring
  • Theodolite Traversing
  • Total Station
  • Horizontal and Vertical Curves
  • Photogrammetric Surveying
  • Remote Sensing Concepts
  • GPS Concepts
  • GIS Basics

Recommended Study Resources

Essential Books

  • Strength of Materials by R.K. Bansal
  • Structural Analysis by R.C. Hibbeler
  • Design of Steel Structures by S.K. Duggal
  • Design of Concrete Structures by A.K. Jain
  • Fluid Mechanics by R.K. Bansal

Specialized References

  • Geotechnical Engineering by C. Venkatramaiah
  • Transportation Engineering by L.R. Kadiyali
  • Environmental Engineering by G.S. Birdie
  • Surveying by B.C. Punmia
  • IS Codes for Civil Engineering

Online Resources

  • NPTEL Video Lectures
  • MIT OpenCourseWare Civil Engineering
  • ASCE Digital Library
  • Engineering Software Tutorials
  • Structure Analysis Tools

Practice Materials

  • Previous Years' UPSC Civil Engineering Papers
  • Gate Study Materials for Civil Engineering
  • Solved Problems in Structural Analysis
  • Design Practice Problems
  • Engineering Drawing Practice Sets