SSC JE Syllabus 2026: Detailed Paper 1 & Paper 2 Exam Pattern
Manish
Jun 13, 2026 12:06 PM IST
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The SSC JE 2026 selection process consists of two Computer-Based Tests (CBT). Paper I features 200 questions across General Intelligence & Reasoning (50), General Awareness (50), and General Engineering (100), with a negative marking of 0.25 marks per incorrect answer. Paper II focuses on your chosen engineering discipline (Civil, Electrical, or Mechanical) with 300 marks for 100 questions, applying a negative marking of 1 mark per wrong answer.
SSC JE Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026- Overview
The recruitment process comprises two stages: a screening Paper 1 and a merit-based Paper 2, followed by document verification. The competitive SSC JE 2026 exam will fill 1,731 vacancies across Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical engineering streams.
Paper 1 is an objective-type online assessment consisting of 200 questions worth 200 marks to be completed in a 2-hour duration. It is divided into three core sections:
Subject
Number of Questions
Maximum Marks
Exam Duration
General Awareness
50
50
2 Hours
General Intelligence and Reasoning
50
50
General Engineering (Civil & Structural / Electrical / Mechanical) – any one branch
100
100
Total
200
200
Negative Marking: A penalty of 0.25 marks applies to every incorrect answer in Paper 1, while unattempted questions remain unaffected.
General Intelligence & Reasoning Syllabus
This section evaluates both verbal and non-verbal reasoning, testing your aptitude in handling abstract concepts, arithmetical computations, symbolic logic, and analytical problem-solving. Total: 50 questions, 50 marks.
Classification
Analogy
Coding-Decoding
Paper Folding Method
Matrix
Word Formation
Venn Diagram
Direction and Distance
Blood Relations
Series
Verbal reasoning
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Seating Arrangement
Puzzles & Seating Arrangement
General Awareness Syllabus
This section assesses your knowledge of current events, history, science, culture, and general world awareness. Total: 50 questions, 50 marks.
Paper 2 is an advanced technical examination. Candidates must answer questions related to their specific engineering branch. It carries a total of 300 marks for 100 objective-type questions to be completed in 2 hours, with each correct answer worth 3 marks.
This paper is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) assessing technical proficiency. Candidates must attempt 100 questions (3 marks each) based on their chosen discipline:
Subjects
No. of Questions
Maximum Marks
Duration & Timings
Part A – General Engineering (Civil & Structural) OR Part B – General Engineering (Electrical) OR Part C – General Engineering (Mechanical)
100
300
2 Hours
Negative Marking: A deduction of 1 mark per incorrect answer applies in Paper 2. Since each question carries 3 marks, strategic answering is vital to avoid score reduction.
Civil & Structural Engineering Syllabus – Paper 2 (Part A)
A. Civil Engineering Topics
Topics
Sub-Topics
Building Materials
Physical and chemical properties
Classification, Standard Tests, Uses and Manufacture/Quarrying of Materials
Estimating, Costing, and Valuation
Estimate, a glossary of technical terms, analysis of rates, methods and unit of measurement, Items of work – earthwork, Brick work (Modular & Traditional bricks), RCC work, Shuttering, Timber work, Painting, Flooring, and Plastering.
Boundary wall, Brick building, Water Tank, Septic tank, Bar bending schedule, Centre line method, Mid-section formula, Trapezoidal formula, Simpson’s rule.
Cost estimate of Septic tank, flexible pavements, Tube well, isolates and combined footings, Steel Truss, Piles, and pile-caps.
Valuation – Value and cost, scrap value, salvage value, assessed value, sinking fund, depreciation and obsolescence, methods of Valuation.
Surveying
Principles of surveying, measurement of distance, chain surveying.
Working on the prismatic compass, compass traversing, bearings, local attraction, plane table surveying.
The theodolite traversing, adjustment of theodolite, Leveling, Definition of terms used in leveling, contouring, curvature, and refraction corrections.
Temporary and permanent adjustments of dumpy level, methods of contouring.
Uses of a contour map, tachometric survey, curve setting
Origin of soil, phase diagram, Definitions-void ratio, porosity, degree of saturation, water content, the specific gravity of soil grains, unit weights, density index, and interrelationship of different parameters, Grain size distribution curves, and their uses.
Index properties of soils, Atterberg’s limits, ISI soil classification, and plasticity chart.
Permeability of soil, coefficient of permeability, determination of coefficient of permeability, Unconfined and confined aquifers, effective stress, quicksand, consolidation of soils, Principles of consolidation, degree of consolidation, pre-consolidation pressure, normally consolidated soil, e-log p curve, computation of ultimate settlement.
Shear strength of soils, direct shear test, Vane shear test, Triaxial test.
Soil compaction, Laboratory compaction test, Maximum dry density and optimum moisture content, earth pressure theories, active and passive earth pressures, Bearing capacity of soils, plate load test, standard penetration test.
Hydraulics
Fluid properties and hydrostatics, measurements of flow.
Bernoulli’s theorem and its application.
Flow-through pipes.
Flow in open channels, weirs, flumes, spillways, pumps, and turbines.
Irrigation Engineering
Definition, necessity, benefits, 2II effects of irrigation, types, and methods of irrigation.
Hydrology – Measurement of rainfall, runoff coefficient, rain gauge.
Losses from precipitation – evaporation, infiltration, etc. Water requirement of crops, duty, delta and base period, Kharif and Rabi Crops, Command area, Time factor, Crop ratio, Overlap allowance, Irrigation efficiencies.
Different types of canals, types of canal irrigation, loss of water in canals. Canal lining – types and advantages. Shallow and deep to wells, the yield from a well.
Weir and barrage, Failure of weirs and permeable foundation, Slit, and Scour, Kennedy’s theory of critical velocity.
Lacey’s theory of uniform flow.
Definition of flood, causes, and effects, methods of flood control, water logging, preventive measure.
Components of the permanent way -Sleepers, ballast, fixtures and fastening, track geometry, points and crossings, track junction, stations, and yards.
Traffic Engineering – Different traffic survey, speed-flow-density, and their interrelationships, intersections, and interchanges, traffic signals, traffic operation, traffic signs and markings, road safety.
Environmental Engineering
Quality of water, source of water supply, purification of water, distribution of water, need of sanitation, sewerage systems, circular sewer, oval sewer, sewer appurtenances, sewage treatments.
Air pollution – pollutants, causes, effects, control.
Noise pollution – cause, health effects, control.
B. Structural Engineering Topics
Topics
Sub-Topics
Theory of Structures
Elasticity constants, types of beams – determinate and indeterminate, bending moment and shear force diagrams of simply supported, cantilever, and overhanging beams.
Moment of area and moment of inertia for rectangular & circular sections, bending moment, and 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
Properties, Advantages and uses of concrete, cement aggregates, the importance of water quality, water-cement ratio
Workability, mix design, storage, batching, mixing, placement, compaction, finishing and curing of concrete.
Quality control of concrete, hot weather and cold weather concreting repair, and maintenance of concrete structures.
RCC Design
RCC beams-flexural strength, shear strength, bond strength, design of singly reinforced and double reinforced beams, cantilever beams.
T-beams, lintels.
One-way and two-way slabs, isolated footings. Reinforced brick works, columns, staircases, retaining walls, water tanks (RCC design questions may be based on both Limit State and Working Stress methods).
Steel Design
Steel design and construction of steel columns
Beams roof trusses plate girders.
Electrical Engineering Syllabus – Paper 2 (Part B)
Topics
Sub-Topics
Basic Concepts
Concepts of resistance, inductance, capacitance, and various factors affecting them.
Concepts of current, voltage, power, energy, and their units.
Circuit law: Kirchhoff‟s law, Simple Circuit solution using network theorems.
Magnetic Circuit: Concepts of flux, mmf, reluctance, Different kinds of magnetic materials, Magnetic calculations for conductors of different configuration e.g. straight, circular, solenoidal, etc.
Electromagnetic induction, self, and mutual induction.
AC Fundamentals
Instantaneous, peak, R.M.S., and average values of alternating waves.
Representation of sinusoidal waveform, simple series and parallel AC Circuits consisting of R.L. and C, Resonance, Tank Circuit.
Poly Phase system – star and delta connection, 3 phase power, DC and sinusoidal response of R-Land R-C circuit.
Measurement and Measuring Instruments
Measurement of power (1 phase and 3 phase, both active and re-active) and energy, 2 wattmeter method of 3 phase power measurement.
Measurement of frequency and phase angle.
Ammeter and voltmeter (both moving oil and moving iron type), the extension of range wattmeter, Multimeters, Megger, Energy meter AC Bridges.
Use of CRO, Signal Generator, CT, PT, and their uses.
Earth Fault detection.
Electrical Machines
D.C. Machine – Construction, Basic Principles of D.C. motors and generators, their characteristics, speed control, and starting of D.C. Motors. Method of braking motor, Loss, and efficiency of D.C. Machines.
1 phase and 3 phase transformers – Construction, Principles of operation, equivalent circuit, voltage regulation, O.C. and S.C. Tests, Losses, and efficiency.
Effect of voltage, frequency, and waveform on losses. Parallel operation of 1 phase /3 phase transformers.
Autotransformers.
3 phase induction motors, rotating magnetic field, the principle of operation, equivalent circuit, torque-speed characteristics, and starting and speed control of 3 phase induction motors.
Methods of braking, the effect of voltage, and frequency variation on torque speed characteristics.
Fractional Kilowatt Motors and Single Phase Induction Motors
Characteristics and applications.
Synchronous Machines – Generation of 3-phase e.m.f. armature reaction, voltage regulation, parallel operation of two alternators, synchronizing, control of active and reactive power.
Starting and applications of synchronous motors.
Generation, Transmission, and Distribution
Power factor improvement, various types of tariffs, types of faults, short circuit current for symmetrical faults.
Switchgears – the rating of circuit breakers, Principles of arc extinction by oil and air, H.R.C. Fuses, Protection against earth leakage / over current, etc. Buchholtz relay, Merz-Price system of protection of generators & transformers, protection of feeders and bus bars.
Lightning arresters, various transmission and distribution systems, comparison of conductor materials, the efficiency of the different systems.
Cable – Different types of cables, cable rating, and derating factor.
Different types of power stations, Load factor, diversity factor, demand factor, cost of generation, inter-connection of power stations.
Estimation and Costing
Estimation of lighting scheme, electric installation of machines, and relevant IE rules.
Earthing practices and IE Rules.
Utilization of Electrical Energy
Illumination
Electric heating
Electric welding
Electroplating
Electric drives and motors.
Basic Electronics
Working on various electronic devices e.g. P N Junction diodes, Transistors (NPN and PNP type) BJT, and JFET.
Simple circuits using these devices.
Mechanical Engineering Syllabus – Paper 2 (Part C)
Topics
Sub-Topics
Theory Of Machines and Machine Designs
Concept of a simple machine, Four bar linkage and link motion, Flywheels, and fluctuation of energy
Power transmission by belts – V-belts and Flat belts, Clutches – Plate and Conical clutch, Gears –Type of gears, etc.
Engineering Mechanics and Strength of Materials
Equilibrium of Forces, Law of motion, Friction, Concepts of stress and strain, Elastic limit.
Elastic constants, Bending moments and shear force diagram, Stress in composite bars, etc.
Thermal Engineering
Properties of Pure Substance1st & 2nd Law of Thermodynamics
Air standard Cycles for IC Engines.
Rakhine Cycle of steam
Boilers
Fluid Mechanics Machinery
Properties & Classification of fluid
Fluid Statics
Measurement of Fluid Pressure
Fluid Kinematics
Dynamics of Ideal Fluids
Measurement Of Flow Rate Basic Principles
Hydraulic Turbines
Centrifugal Pumps
Classification Of Steels
Important Topics with High Weightage
Civil Engineering: RCC Design, Soil Mechanics, Theory of Structures, Surveying, Hydraulics, Concrete Technology
Electrical Engineering: Electrical Machines, AC Fundamentals, Generation, Transmission & Distribution, Measurement Instruments, Basic Concepts & Circuit Law
Mechanical Engineering: Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Theory of Machines, Strength of Materials, Refrigeration Cycles
FAQs
The SSC JE 2026 examination consists of two papers. Paper 1 evaluates General Reasoning (50 marks), General Awareness (50 marks), and Core Engineering (100 marks). Paper 2 is an advanced technical test of 300 marks in the candidate's specific field of expertise.
Ans. The SSC JE selection process involves two Computer-Based Tests (Paper I and Paper II) to shortlist candidates for the final vacancy list.
Yes. Paper 1 carries a negative marking of 0.25 marks, and Paper 2 carries a penalty of 1 mark for each incorrect response. Unattempted questions do not incur a penalty.
Yes, both Paper 1 and Paper 2 of the SSC JE 2026 exam are administered online as Computer-Based Tests (CBT).
Paper 1: 200 questions, 200 marks, 2-hour duration, 0.25 negative marks. Paper 2: 100 technical questions, 300 marks (3 per question), 2-hour duration, 1 mark negative penalty.
The engineering section of the SSC JE exam is designed at the level of a Diploma in Engineering (Civil/Electrical/Mechanical) from an AICTE-recognized institution.