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Syllabus changes in ESE 2017

Author: BNSS Shankar, M.Tech (IITK)
Analysis of Syllabus changes in the revised scheme of ESE 2017

Revised scheme of Engineering Services Examination (effective from 2017)

Stage - I (Engineering services Preliminary Examination)
(Objective papers) Duration Max Marks
Paper - I General studies and
(Common for all candidates) engineering aptitude paper 2 hr 200
Engineering discipline - Specific
Paper - II paper (CE/ME/EE/E&T) 3 hr 300
Stage - I Sub Total 500
Minimum qualifying marks for each paper should be at the discretion of the commission.
Only those candidates qualifying at this Stage to be permitted to appear for Stage-II
examination
Stage - II (Engineering services Mains Examination)
(Conventional papers) Duration Max Marks
Engineering discipline - Specific
Paper - I paper I (CE/ME/EE/E&T) 3 hr 300
Engineering discipline - Specific
Paper - II paper II (CE/ME/EE/E&T) 3 hr 300
Stage - II Sub Total 600
Stage I + Stage - II Sub Total 1100
Only those candidates qualifying at this stage (i.e, stage I + stage II) to be permitted to appear
for stage - III examination
Stage - III Personality Test 200
Stage I + Stage II + Stage III Grand total 1300
Only those candidates qualifying at this Stage (i.e. Stage I + Stage II + Stage III) to be included
in the Final Merit List of Engg. Services Exam. Thus the marks secured by the candidates in the
Stage-I (Objective type papers) of the Engineering Services Examination should be added to the
marks secured in the Stage-II (Conventional type papers) of the Examination and Stage-III
(Personality Test) and accordingly, such marks secured by the candidates in Stage-I should also
be counted for merit.

What are the major changes?

1. Written exam will be in two stages: Preliminary (objective) and Mains (conventional).
If you clear prelims, then only you will be eligible for mains
2. Grand total marks are increased from 1200 to 1300 in written examination, and
weightage of various subjects are as follows:

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Topic Revised scheme Old scheme

General studies 40% (200 Marks out of 500) 20% (200 Marks out of 1000)
Technical subjects Objective 60% (300 marks out of 500) 40% (400 marks out of 1000)
Technical subjects 55% (600 marks out of 1100) 40% (400 marks out of 1000)
Conventional Because, marks secured in
objective and conventional
papers will be considered to
give eligibility for stage III

General Studies and Engineering Aptitude

Note: Stage I - Paper I, Objective type, Common to all Candidates, 2 hours duration,
200 Marks maximum

Revised Syllabus Old Syllabus

1. Current issues of national and international Part A: General English. The
importance relating to social, economic and industrial question paper in General
development English will be designed to test
2. Engineering Aptitude covering Logical reasoning the candidates understanding
and Analytical ability of English and workmanlike use
3. Engineering Mathematics and Numerical Analysis of words.
4. General Principles of Design, Drawing, Importance Part B: General Studies: The
of Safety paper in General Studies will
5. Standards and Quality practices in production, include knowledge of current
construction, maintenance and services events and of such matters as of
6. Basics of Energy and Environment : Conservation, everyday observation and
environmental pollution and degradation, Climate experience in their scientific
Change, Environmental impact assessment aspects as may be expected of
7. Basics of Project Management an educated person. The paper
8. Basics of Material Science and Engineering will also include questions on
9. Information and Communication Technologies History of India and Geography
(ICT) based tools and their applications in Engineering of a nature which candidates
such as networking, e-governance and should be able to answer
technology based education. without special study.
10. Ethics and values in Engineering profession

What are the major changes?

1. General English is not mentioned in the new scheme
2. General studies and engineering aptitude is fully revised. This is a very big change and so
in depth preparation is compulsory as marks secured in every stage will be considered for
final merit
3. Aptitude (logical and analytical) and engineering mathematics are included.
4. Classical general studies like history, geography, life sciences etc, topics are not
mentioned
5. Design, drawing, project management, environmental issues, ICT tools are new topics in
this section
6. Ethics and values are also added here which are already present in civil services
examination

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7. Questions from all the 10 topics mentioned above shall be set. Marks for each Topic may
range from 5% to 15% of the total marks in the paper
8. In conclusion, there is increase in this portion

Electrical Engineering
Note: Contents for syllabi of both the Papers together for Stage-I objective type PaperII and
separately for Stage-II Conventional type Paper-I and Paper II
Paper I
Revised Syllabus Old Syllabus
1. Engineering Mathematics 1. EM Theory
2. Electrical Materials 2. Electrical Materials
3. Electric Circuits and Fields 3. Electrical Circuits
4. Electrical and Electronic Measurements 4. Measurements and Instrumentation
5. Computer Fundamentals 5. Control Systems
6. Basic Electronics Engineering

What are the major changes?

1. Engineering mathematics and Computer fundamentals are new subjects in paper I
2. Electrical Circuits and EM Theory are merged into single subject and named as Electric
Circuits and Fields
3. Control systems subject is moved to paper II
4. Basic Electronics Engineering is new topic in paper I, but contents are not new
Paper II
Revised Syllabus Old Syllabus
1. Analog and Digital Electronics 1. Electrical Machines and Power transformers
2. Systems and Signal Processing 2. Power Systems
3. Control Systems 3. Analog and Digital electronics and circuits
4. Electrical Machines 4. Microprocessors
5. Power Systems 5. Communication Systems
6. Power Electronics and Drives 6. Power Electronics

What are the major changes?

1. Systems and Signal processing is new subject in paper II
2. Microprocessors and Communication systems are merged into Analog and digital
electronics Subject
3. Electrical Machines and Power transformers name is changed to Electrical machines
4. Power electronics subject name is changed to Power electronics and drives
Let us analyze the subject wise changes

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Paper I
Subject 1: Engineering Mathematics
Revised Syllabus Old Syllabus
Matrix theory, Eigen values & Eigen vectors, system of linear equations, Not applicable
Numerical methods for solution of non-linear algebraic equations and
differential equations, integral calculus, partial derivatives, maxima and
minima, Line, Surface and Volume Integrals. Fourier series, linear,
nonlinear and partial differential equations, initial and boundary value
problems, complex variables, Taylors and Laurents series, residue
theorem, probability and statistics fundamentals, Sampling theorem,
random variables, Normal and Poisson distributions, correlation and
regression analysis.
What are the major changes?
1. This is new subject in ESE. But this subject is already present in GATE, hence, same
preparation is useful for both the exams
2. One important thing is, this subject will be there in conventional papers as well for EE
3. If you observe the sub topics, all are very much essential for electrical engineer. For
example,
Line, Surface and Volume Integrals are useful for EM fields.
Fouries series analysis is useful for Power electronics and Signals
Probability and random variables are useful for Communication systems
Numerical methods for solution of non-linear algebraic equations and
differential equations are useful for load flow analysis in power systems
Matrix theory, Eigen value analysis is useful for control systems and
power systems
Hence, dont get panic, strong mathematical knowledge will help you in understanding
the engineering subjects in more deeper
Paper I
Subject 2: Electrical Materials
Revised Syllabus Old Syllabus
Electrical Engineering Materials, crystal Band Theory, Conductors, Semi-conductors
structures and defects, ceramic materials, and Insulators. Super-conductivity. Insulators
insulating materials, magnetic materials for electrical and electronic applications.
basics, properties and applications; ferrities, Magnetic materials. Ferro and ferri magnetism.
ferro-magnetic materials and components; Ceramics, Properties and applications. Hall
basics of solid state physics, conductors; effect and its applications. Special semi
Photo- conductivity; Basics of Nano materials conductors.
and super conductors.

What are the major changes?

1. There are no major changes
2. Few topics like Photo- conductivity; Basics of Nano materials are added. These topics
will be useful for study of Solar panel systems which are also included in Power systems
(paper - II)
3. Materials like ferrites are specifically mentioned because they will be used in SMPS
circuits in power electronics

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Paper I
Subject 3: Electric Circuits and Fields
Revised Syllabus Old Syllabus
Circuit elements, network graph, KCL, Electric Circuits:
KVL, Node and Mesh analysis, ideal Circuits elements. Kirchoffs Laws. Mesh and
current and voltage sources, nodal analysis. Network Theorems and
Thevenins, Nortons, Superposition applications. Natural response and forced
and Maximum Power Transfer response. Transient response and steady state
theorems, transient response of DC and response for arbitrary inputs. Properties of
AC networks, Sinusoidal steady state networks in terms of poles and zeros. Transfer
analysis, basic filter concepts, two-port function. Resonant circuits. Three phase
networks, three phase circuits, circuits. Two-port networks. Elements of two-
Magnetically coupled circuits, Gauss element network synthesis.
Theorem, electric field and potential EM theory:
due to point, line, plane and spherical Electric and magnetic fields. Gausss Law and
charge distributions, Amperes and Amperes Law. Fields in dielectrics, conductors
Biot-Savarts laws; inductance, and magnetic materials. Maxwells equations.
dielectrics, capacitance; Maxwells Time varying fields. Plane-Wave propagating
equations. in dielectric and conducting media.
Transmission lines.
What are the major changes?
1. Previous Electrical Circuits and EM Theory are merged into single subject in the revised
syllabus. There is reduction in the syllabus for this portion
2. Network synthesis topic is not but, Magnetically coupled circuits are specifically
mentioned in the revised syllabus
3. Plane-Wave propagation and transmission lines topics are not mentioned in the revised
syllabus
Paper I
Subject 4: Electrical and Electronic Measurements
Revised Syllabus Old Syllabus
Principles of measurement, accuracy, precision Units and Standards. Error analysis,
and standards; Bridges and potentiometers; measurement of current, Voltage, power,
moving coil, moving iron, dynamometer and Power-factor and energy. Indicating
induction type instruments, measurement of instruments. Measurement of resistance,
voltage, current, power, energy and power inductance, Capacitance and frequency. Bridge
factor, instrument transformers, digital measurements. Electronic measuring
voltmeters and multi-meters, phase, time and instruments. Digital Voltmeter and frequency
frequency measurement, Q-meters, counter. Transducers and their applications to
oscilloscopes, potentio metric recorders, error the measurement of nonelectrical quantities
analysis, Basics of sensors, Transducers, basics like temperature, pressure, flow-rate
of data acquisition systems displacement, acceleration, noise level etc.
Data acquisition systems. A/D and D/A
converters
What are the major changes?
1. There are no major changes
2. Q-meters are specifically mentioned in the revised syllabus
3. A/D and D/A converters are moved to paper II

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Paper I
Subject 5: Computer fundamentals
Revised Syllabus Old Syllabus
Number systems, Boolean algebra, arithmetic functions, Not applicable
Basic Architecture, Central Processing Unit, I/O and
Memory Organization; peripheral devices, data
representation and programming, basics of Operating
system and networking, virtual memory, file systems;
Elements of programming languages, typical examples
What are major changes?
1. This is new subject and major change in paper I
2. Number systems, Boolean algebra, arithmetic functions were present in paper II earlier as
part of digital electronics, but these are in paper I now
3. This subject is very useful in learning about computer peripherals as everyone is using
computer in their day to day activities
Paper I
Subject 6: Basic Electronics Engineering
Revised Syllabus Old Syllabus
Basics of Semiconductor diodes and transistors and Not applicable
characteristics, Junction and field effect transistors (BJT,
FET and MOSFETS), different types of transistor
amplifiers, equivalent circuits and frequency response;
oscillators and other circuits, feedback amplifiers
What are the major changes?
1. This is new subject and not a major change in paper I
2. If you observe the topics, these are all part of EDC portion and earlier in paper II. Hence,
no need to be panic
Paper II
Subject 1: Analog and Digital electronics
Revised Syllabus Old Syllabus
Operational amplifiers characteristics and Semiconductor device physics, PN
applications, combinational and sequential junctions and transistors, circuit models and
logic circuits, multiplexers, multi-vibrators, parameters, FET, Zener, tunnel, Schottky,
sample and hold circuits, A/D and D/A photodiodes and their applications, rectifier
converters, basics of filter circuits and circuits, voltage regulators and multipliers,
applications, simple active filters; switching behavior of diodes and transistors.
Microprocessor basics- interfaces and Small signal amplifiers, biasing circuits,
applications, basics of linear integrated frequency response and improvement,
circuits; Analog communication basics, multistage amplifiers and feed-back amplifiers,
Modulation and demodulation, noise and D.C. amplifiers, coupling methods, push pull
bandwidth, transmitters and receivers, signal amplifiers, operational amplifiers, wave shaping
to noise ratio, digital communication basics, circuits. Multivibrators and flipflops and their
sampling, quantizing, coding, frequency and applications. Digital logic gate families,
time domain multiplexing, power line carrier universal gates combinational circuits for
communication systems arithmetic and logic operational, sequential
logic circuits. Counters, registers, RAM and
ROMs.

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What are the major changes?

1. This not a new subject but few changes are done. However, extra syllabus is not added
2. EDC portion is moved to paper I
3. Number systems, Boolean algebra, arithmetic functions were present in digital electronics
earlier, but these are moved to paper I now. No changes in remaining portion of digital
electronics. Digital logic gate families are not specified in the revised syllabus
4. A/D and D/A converters were in paper I earlier but now, moved to paper II
5. Microprocessors and Communication systems are merged into Analog and digital
electronics Subject in the revised syllabus
Paper II
Subject 2: Systems and Signal Processing
Revised Syllabus Old Syllabus
Representation of continuous and discrete-time signals, shifting Not applicable
and scaling operations, linear, time-invariant and causal systems,
Fourier series representation of continuous periodic signals,
sampling theorem, Fourier and Laplace transforms, Z transforms,
Discrete Fourier transform, FFT, linear convolution, discrete
cosine transform, FIR filter, IIR filter, bilinear transformation.
What are the major changes?
1. This is new subject in ESE. But this is already present in GATE, hence, same preparation
is useful for both the exams
2. In additional GATE syllabus, few topics are new here like Discrete Fourier transform,
FFT, linear convolution, discrete cosine transform, FIR filter, IIR filter, bilinear
transformation
Paper II
Subject 3: Control systems
Revised syllabus Old syllabus
Principles of feedback, transfer function, Mathematical modeling of physical systems.
block diagrams and signal flow graphs, Block diagrams and signal flow graphs and their
steady-state errors, transforms and their reduction. Time domain and frequency domain
applications; Routh-hurwitz criterion, analysis of linear dynamical system. Errors for
Nyquist techniques, Bode plots, root loci, lag, different type of inputs and stability criteria for
lead and lead-lag compensation, stability feedback systems. Stability analysis using
analysis, transient and frequency response Routh-Hurwitz array, Nyquist plot and Bode
analysis, state space model, state transition plot. Root locus and Nichols chart and the
matrix, controllability and observability, estimation of gain and phase margin. Basic
linear state variable feedback, PID and concepts of compensator design. State variable
industrial controllers matrix design. Sampled data system and
performance of such a system with the samples
in the error channel. Stability of sampled data
system. Elements of non-linear control
analysis. Control system components,
electromechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic
components
What are the major changes?
1. This subject was in paper I earlier, but moved to paper II in the revised syllabus

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2. Certain topics are not mentioned specifically in the revise syllabus like non linear control
analysis, electromechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic components and Stability of sampled
data system
3. But, linear state variable feedback, PID and industrial controllers are specifically
mentioned in the revised syllabus
4. In conclusion, there is reduction in the controls syllabus
Paper II
Subject 4: Electrical Machines
Revised syllabus Old syllabus
Single phase transformers, three phase Magnetic Circuits - Analysis and
transformers - connections, parallel operation, Design of Power transformers. Construction
auto-transformer, energy conversion principles, and testing. Equivalent circuits. Losses and
DC machines -types, windings, generator efficiency. Regulation. Auto-transformer,
characteristics, armature reaction and 3-phase transformer. Parallel operation. Basic
commutation, starting and speed control of concepts in rotating machines. EMF, torque,
motors, Induction motors - principles, types, basic machine types. Construction and
performance characteristics, starting and speed operation, leakage losses and efficiency. D.C.
control, Synchronous machines - performance, Machines. Construction, Excitation methods.
regulation, parallel operation of generators, Circuit models. Armature reaction and
motor starting, characteristics and applications, commutation. Characteristics and performance
servo and stepper motors analysis. Generators and motors. Starting and
speed control. Testing, Losses and efficiency.
Synchronous Machines. Construction. Circuit
model. Operating characteristics and
performance analysis. Synchronous reactance.
Efficiency. Voltage regulation. Salient-pole
machine, Parallel operation. Hunting. Short
circuit transients. Induction Machines.
Construction Principle of operation. Rotating
fields. Characteristics and performance
analysis. Determination of circuit model.
Circle diagram. Starting and speed control.
Fractional kW motors. Single phase
synchronous and induction motors.
What are the major changes?
1. There are no changes in this subject
2. Earlier, detailed syllabus was given, but now syllabus is mentioned briefly and covers
wide range of the syllabus
Paper II
Subject 5: Power Systems
Revised Syllabus Old Syllabus
Basic power generation concepts, steam, gas Types of Power Stations, Hydro,
and water turbines, transmission line models Thermal and Nuclear Stations. Pumped storage
and performance, cable performance, plants. Economics and operating factors.
insulation, corona and radio interference, Power transmission lines. Modeling and
power factor correction, symmetrical performance characteristics. Voltage control.
components, fault analysis, principles of Load flow studies. Optimal power system

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protection systems, basics of solid state relays operation. Load frequency control.
and digital protection; Circuit breakers, Radial Symmetrical short circuit analysis.
and ring-main distribution systems, Matrix Z-Bus formulation. Symmetrical
representation of power systems, load flow Components. Per Unit representation.
analysis, voltage control and economic Fault analysis. Transient and steady-state
operation, System stability concepts, Swing stability of power systems. Equal area
curves and equal area criterion. HVDC criterion. Power system Transients. Power
transmission and FACTS concepts, Concepts system Protection Circuit breakers. Relays.
of power system dynamics, distributed HVDC transmission.
generation, solar and wind power, smart grid
concepts, environmental implications,
fundamentals of power economics.
What are the major changes?
1. This is not new subject but considerable changes are done
2. In the generation side, Nuclear power plants were not mentioned but Gas power plants
are specified in the revised syllabus
3. Radial and ring-main distribution systems are specifically mentioned in the revised
syllabus
4. Digital protection is specifically mentioned in the revised syllabus
5. FACTS concepts are specifically mentioned in the revised syllabus. For more details,
refer power electronics section
6. Distributed generation, solar and wind power, smart grid concepts, environmental
implications are newly introduced in the revised syllabus. This is a very big change in
this subject
Paper II
Subject 6: Power electronics and Drives
Revised Syllabus Old Syllabus
Semiconductor power diodes, transistors, Power Semiconductor devices. Thyristor.
thyristors, triacs, GTOs, MOSFETs and IGBTs Power transistor, GTOs and MOSFETs.
- static characteristics and principles of Characteristics and operation. AC to DC
operation, triggering circuits, phase control Converters; 1- phase and 3-phase DC to DC
rectifiers, bridge converters - fully controlled Converters. AC regulators. Thyristor
and half controlled, principles of choppers and controlled reactors; switched capacitor
inverters, basis concepts of adjustable speed dc networks. Inverters; single-phase and 3-phase.
and ac drives, DC-DC switched mode Pulse width modulation. Sinusoidal modulation
converters, DC-AC switched mode converters, with uniform sampling. Switched mode power
resonant converters, high frequency inductors supplies.
and transformers, power supplies
What are the major changes?
1. This is not new subject but considerable changes are done
2. There are no changes in the devices portion
3. AC regulators and Thyristor controlled reactors, switched capacitor networks are not
mentioned in the revised syllabus. But, to know about FACTs concepts in power systems,
it is highly recommended to prepare this topic as well. Because, TCR and SVC are the
basic FACTS controllers and are applications of AC Voltage regulators

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4. basis concepts of adjustable speed dc and ac drives are specifically mentioned in the
revised syllabus. Even though, it was not mentioned earlier, lot of questions from drives
portion were there in previous ESE papers
5. Resonant converters, high frequency inductors and transformers, power supplies are
newly introduced in the revised syllabus. It is a very big change in this subject
6. Switched Mode Power Supplies was the topic in old syllabus, but it is given in the detail
as DC-DC switched mode converters, DC-AC switched mode converters. No change in
this portion

For your reference, Old scheme of examination is given below:

Scheme of Examination - till ESE 2016
Max
Subject Duration Marks
Section I - Objective papers
General Ability test
(Part A: General English)
(Part A: General Aptitude) 2 hr 200
Specialization -
CE/ME/EE/E&T Paper - I 2 hr 200
Specialization -
CE/ME/EE/E&T Paper - II 2 hr 200
Section II - Conventional Papers
Specialization -
CE/ME/EE/E&T Paper - I 3 hr 200
Specialization -
CE/ME/EE/E&T Paper - II 3 hr 200
Written Exam TOTAL 1000
Interview 200
Grand TOTAL 1200

Thats all I have.

Still, If you have any queries, drop me an email to: electrical.mentor@gmail.com

With best wishes,

BNSS Shankar, M.Tech (IITK)
Electrical Mentor

Change is Constant and we should welcome it for self and society

development

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