UPSC ESE Civil Syllabus 2027

Subject-wise and chapter-wise UPSC ESE Civil syllabus: 22 subjects, 192 chapters across Non-Technical and Technical, with the weightage each subject really got in 16 previous papers.

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UPSC ESE Civil Exam Pattern 2027

Stage I — Prelims (objective)

Section	Questions	Marks
Paper-I: General Studies & Engineering Aptitude	100	200
Paper-II: Civil Engineering	150	300

Duration: 2 hours (Paper-I) + 3 hours (Paper-II) · Negative marking: 1/3 of the marks assigned per wrong answer

Stage II — Mains (conventional/descriptive)

Section	Questions	Marks
Paper-I: Civil Engineering (descriptive)	—	300
Paper-II: Civil Engineering (descriptive)	—	300

Duration: 3 hours per paper · Negative marking: Not applicable

Stage III — Personality Test

Section	Questions	Marks
Interview	—	200

Duration: — · Negative marking: Not applicable

UPSC ESE Civil Syllabus — Non-Technical

Weightage = average number of questions per paper across the 16 real previous-year papers on this site.

Current Affairs & Development Issues

13 Q / paper5 chapter tests

National Importance Issues
International Importance Issues
Social Development
Economic Development
Industrial Development

Engineering Aptitude

14 Q / paper5 chapter tests

Logical Reasoning
Analytical Ability
Numerical Ability
Data Interpretation
Verbal Ability

Engineering Mathematics

12 Q / paper6 chapter tests

Engineering Mathematics
Numerical Analysis
Linear Algebra
Calculus
Differential Equations
Probability and Statistics

Design, Drawing & Safety

8.1 Q / paper5 chapter tests

General Principles of Design
General Principles of Drawing
Importance of Safety
Engineering Graphics
CAD Principles

Standards & Quality Practices

7.1 Q / paper4 chapter tests

Quality Practices in Production
Quality Practices in Construction
Quality Practices in Maintenance
Quality Practices in Services

Energy & Environment Basics

8.8 Q / paper14 chapter tests

Energy Conservation
Environmental Pollution
Environmental Degradation
Climate Change
Environmental Impact Assessment

Project Management Basics

7.8 Q / paper14 chapter tests

Basics of Project Management
Project Planning
Project Scheduling
Resource Management
Risk Management

Material Science & Engineering

8.1 Q / paper5 chapter tests

Basics of Material Science
Basics of Material Engineering
Material Properties
Material Structure
Engineering Materials

ICT in Engineering

11 Q / paper5 chapter tests

ICT Based Tools
Applications in Engineering
Networking
E-governance
Technology Based Education

Engineering Ethics & Values

10 Q / paper5 chapter tests

Ethics in Engineering Profession
Values in Engineering Profession
Professional Responsibility
Ethical Dilemmas
Codes of Conduct

Free Engineering Ethics & Values test →

UPSC ESE Civil Syllabus — Technical

Weightage = average number of questions per paper across the 16 real previous-year papers on this site.

RCC Design

12 Q / paper13 chapter tests

Limit state design for bending
shear
axial compression and combined forces
Design of beams
Slabs
Lintels
Foundations
Retaining walls
Tanks
Staircases
Principles of prestressed concrete design including materials and methods
Earthquake resistant design of structures
Design of Masonry Structure.

Surveying

11 Q / paper14 chapter tests

Classification of surveys
various methodologies
instruments & analysis of measurement of distances
elevation and directions
Field astronomy
Global Positioning System
Map preparation
Photogrammetry
Remote sensing concepts
Survey Layout for culverts
canals
bridges
road/railway alignment and buildings
Setting out of Curves.

Construction Management

11 Q / paper14 chapter tests

Construction - Planning
Equipment
Analysis of Rates of various types of works
Tendering Process and Contract Management
Quality Control
Productivity
Operation Cost
Land acquisition
Labour safety and welfare.

Transportation Engineering

14 Q / paper7 chapter tests

Highway Engineering
Geometric Design of Highways
Pavement Materials & Design
Traffic Engineering and Pavement Design
Railway Engineering
Airports and Harbours
Tunnels & Bridges

Building Materials

13 Q / paper18 chapter tests

Building Stones
Bricks and Tiles
Building Lime
Cement
Aggregates, Mortars & Concrete
Timber and Wood Products
Paints and Varnishes
Glass and Plastic
Insulating Materials
Masonry and Plaster Work
Arches and Lintels
Doors, Windows and Ventilators
Stairs
Floors and Floorings
Roofs and Roof Covering
Partition and Cavity Walls
Metals & Alloys
Construction Techniques

Strength of Materials

18 Q / paper9 chapter tests

Stress and Strain
Principal Stress and Theory of Failure
Bending Moment and Shear Force
Bending and Shear Stress
Slope and Deflection of Beams
Torsion and Shear Centre
Columns & Struts
Cylinders and Springs
Energy Methods & Virtual Work

Structural Analysis

8.4 Q / paper15 chapter tests

Statically Determinate Structures
Determinacy and Indeterminacy
Trusses
Arches & Cables
Influence Lines and Rolling Loads
Energy Methods
Force Method / Compatibility Method
Stiffness / Slope Deflection Method
Moment Distribution Method
Matrix Methods
Approximate Analysis
Plastic Analysis
Influence Line Diagrams
Unsymmetrical Bending & Shear Center
Curved Beams

Estimating & Costing

0.9 Q / paper7 chapter tests

Principles of Estimating
Building, Road and Canal Estimates
Rate Analysis & Specifications
Building Valuation and Rent Fixation
Quantity Estimation
Earthwork Calculation
Bar Bending Schedule

Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulics

13 Q / paper12 chapter tests

Fluid Properties
Fluid Statics
Kinematics of Flow
Bernoulli's Equation
Flow Measurement
Laminar & Turbulent Flow
Boundary Layer Theory
Flow Through Pipes
Open Channel Flow
Dimensional Analysis
Hydraulic Machines
Hydraulic Structures & Spillways

Hydrology & Irrigation

13 Q / paper12 chapter tests

Hydrological Cycle & Precipitation
Rainfall-Runoff Analysis
Hydrographs
Floods & Flood Routing
Groundwater & Wells
Water Requirement of Crops
Canals & Canal Design
Irrigation System Design
Diversion Headworks & Dams
Spillways & Energy Dissipators
Hydrology
River Engineering & Training

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Environmental Engineering

12 Q / paper14 chapter tests

Water Demand & Quality
Water Supply & Treatment
Distribution Systems
Sewage & Wastewater Collection
Sewage Treatment
Air Pollution Control
Noise Pollution
Solid Waste Management
Sewerage & Sanitation

Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engineering

14 Q / paper17 chapter tests

Index Properties of Soil
Classification of Soil
Permeability of Soil
Seepage Analysis
Compaction of Soil
Effective Stress & Capillarity
Stress Distribution in Soil
Consolidation
Shear Strength of Soil
Slope Stability & Landslides
Earth Pressure Theories
Shallow Foundations
Deep Foundations
Soil Exploration
Soil Stabilization
Dynamic Properties & Earthquake Geotechnics
Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering

UPSC ESE Civil Detailed Topics (Official Wording)

Source: upsc.gov.in — ESE 2027 Notice No. 02/2027-ENGG.

🧠 Prelims Paper-I — General Studies & Engineering Aptitude (200 marks, common to all)

1. Current Issues: Current issues of national and international importance relating to social, economic and industrial development
2. Engineering Aptitude: Logical reasoning and analytical ability
3. Engineering Mathematics & Numerical Analysis: Engineering Mathematics and Numerical Analysis
4. Design, Drawing & Safety: General principles of design, drawing, importance of safety
5. Standards & Quality: Standards and quality practices in production, construction, maintenance and services
6. Energy & Environment: Basics of energy and environment: conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, climate change, environmental impact assessment
7. Project Management: Basics of project management
8. Material Science: Basics of material science and engineering
9. ICT: Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) based tools and their applications in engineering such as networking, e-governance and technology based education
10. Ethics: Ethics and values in engineering profession

🏗️ Civil Engineering — Paper-I topics

Building Materials: Stone, lime, glass, plastics, steel, FRP, ceramics, aluminium, fly ash, basic admixtures, timber, bricks and aggregates: classification, properties and selection criteria · cement: types, composition, properties, uses, specifications and various tests · lime & cement mortars and concrete: properties and various tests · design of concrete mixes: proportioning of aggregates and methods of mix design
Solid Mechanics: Elastic constants, stress, plane stress, strains, plane strain, Mohr's circle of stress and strain, elastic theories of failure, principal stresses, bending, shear and torsion
Structural Analysis: Basics of strength of materials, types of stresses and strains, bending moments and shear force, concept of bending and shear stresses · analysis of determinate and indeterminate structures; trusses, beams, plane frames · rolling loads, influence lines, unit load method & other methods · free and forced vibrations of single degree and multi degree freedom system · suspended cables · concepts and use of Computer Aided Design
Design of Steel Structures: Principles of working stress methods, design of tension and compression members, design of beams and beam column connections, built-up sections, girders, industrial roofs, principles of ultimate load design
Design of Concrete & Masonry Structures: Limit state design for bending, shear, axial compression and combined forces · design of beams, slabs, lintels, foundations, retaining walls, tanks, staircases · principles of pre-stressed concrete design including materials and methods · earthquake resistant design of structures · design of masonry structure
Construction Practice, Planning & Management: Construction — planning, equipment, site investigation and management including estimation with latest project management tools and network analysis for different types of works · analysis of rates of various types of works · tendering process and contract management, quality control, productivity, operation cost · land acquisition · labour safety and welfare

🌊 Civil Engineering — Paper-II topics

Flow of Fluids, Hydraulic Machines & Hydro Power: (a) Fluid mechanics, open channel flow, pipe flow: fluid properties; dimensional analysis and modeling; fluid dynamics including flow kinematics and measurements; flow net; viscosity, boundary layer and control, drag, lift; principles in open channel flow, flow controls; hydraulic jump; surges; pipe networks · (b) Hydraulic machines and hydro power: various pumps, air vessels, hydraulic turbines — types, classifications & performance parameters; power house — classification and layout, storage, pondage, control of supply
Hydrology & Water Resources Engineering: Hydrological cycle, ground water hydrology, well hydrology and related data analysis; streams and their gauging; river morphology; flood, drought and their management; capacity of reservoirs · water resources engineering: multipurpose uses of water, river basins and their potential; irrigation systems, water demand assessment; resources — storages and their yields; water logging, canal and drainage design, gravity dams, falls, weirs, energy dissipaters, barrage, distribution works, cross drainage works and head-works and their design; concepts in canal design, construction & maintenance; river training, measurement and analysis of rainfall
Environmental Engineering: (a) Water supply: sources, estimation, quality standards and testing of water and their treatment; rural, institutional and industrial water supply; physical, chemical and biological characteristics and sources of water, pollutants in water and its effects, estimation of water demand; drinking water standards, water treatment plants, water distribution networks · (b) Waste water: planning & design of domestic waste water, sewage collection and disposal; plumbing systems; components and layout of sewerage system; planning & design of domestic waste-water disposal system; sludge management including treatment, disposal and re-use of treated effluents; industrial waste waters and effluent treatment plants including institutional and industrial sewage management · (c) Solid waste management: sources & classification of solid wastes along with planning & design of its management system; disposal system, beneficial aspects of wastes and utilization by civil engineers · (d) Air, noise pollution and ecology: concepts & general methodology
Geo-technical & Foundation Engineering: (a) Geo-technical: soil exploration — planning & methods, properties of soil, classification, various tests and inter-relationships; permeability & seepage, compressibility, consolidation and shearing resistance, earth pressure theories and stress distribution in soil; properties and uses of geo-synthetics · (b) Foundation: types of foundations & selection criteria, bearing capacity, settlement analysis, design and testing of shallow & deep foundations; slope stability analysis, earthen embankments, dams and earth retaining structures: types, analysis and design, principles of ground modifications
Surveying & Geology: (a) Surveying: classification of surveys, various methodologies, instruments & analysis of measurement of distances, elevation and directions; field astronomy, Global Positioning System; map preparation; photogrammetry; remote sensing concepts; survey layout for culverts, canals, bridges, road/railway alignment and buildings, setting out of curves · (b) Geology: basic knowledge of engineering geology & its application in projects
Transportation Engineering: Highways — planning & construction methodology, alignment and geometric design; traffic surveys and controls; principles of flexible and rigid pavements design · Tunneling — alignment, methods of construction, disposal of muck, drainage, lighting and ventilation · Railways systems — terminology, planning, designs and maintenance practices; track modernization · Harbours — terminology, layouts and planning · Airports — layout, planning & design

See the syllabus in real UPSC ESE Civil papers

16 previous-year papers, with the subject-wise question count of each.

UPSC ESE Civil previous year papers →

UPSC ESE Civil Syllabus — FAQs

What is the syllabus of UPSC ESE Civil 2027?

UPSC ESE Civil covers 22 subjects in 2 parts — Non-Technical, Technical. The subjects are RCC Design, Surveying, Construction Management, Transportation Engineering, Building Materials, Strength of Materials, Structural Analysis, Estimating & Costing, Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulics, Hydrology & Irrigation, Environmental Engineering, Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engineering, Current Affairs & Development Issues, Engineering Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, Design, Drawing & Safety, Standards & Quality Practices, Energy & Environment Basics, Project Management Basics, Material Science & Engineering, ICT in Engineering, Engineering Ethics & Values.

Which subjects carry the most questions in UPSC ESE Civil?

Across the 16 previous papers on CIVILGYAN, the most-asked subjects are Environmental Engineering (about 10 questions a paper), Construction Management (about 9 questions a paper), Strength of Materials (about 9 questions a paper), Quantitative Aptitude (about 7 questions a paper).

Is this the official UPSC ESE Civil syllabus?

The subject list follows the official notification (upsc.gov.in — ESE 2027 Notice No. 02/2027-ENGG.); the chapter split and the weightage come from real previous papers and our test series. Always confirm against the latest notification.

How do I practise the UPSC ESE Civil syllabus chapter by chapter?

The UPSC ESE Civil test series has 192 chapter tests and 20 full mocks built on this syllabus, each with a detailed solution. 2 tests are free to attempt.