The Kerala Public Service Commission has released the detailed syllabus for Assistant Engineer (Civil) in the Public Works Department (PWD) and Kerala State Housing Board (KSHB). This is a crucial exam for civil engineering graduates aiming to secure government jobs.
The PWD & KSHB AE exam is scheduled for December 11, 2025, and candidates must confirm their participation through the PSC profile by October 11, 2025.
Below is the complete subject-wise syllabus breakdown.
📌 Key Exam Dates
- Last Date for Confirmation: October 11, 2025
- Exam Date: December 11, 2025
- Click here for the official syllabus
🏗️ Mechanics of Solids & Structural Analysis (10 Marks)
- Stress and strain concepts
- Shear force & bending moment in beams
- Deflection of beams, column theory
- Truss analysis, virtual work
- Indeterminate structures, strain energy methods
- Moving loads, influence lines, arches
- Slope deflection, moment distribution, Kani’s method, Clapeyron’s theorem
🌊 Fluid Mechanics & Water Resources (10 Marks)
- Fluid statics, buoyancy, kinematics, dynamics
- Flow through orifices, notches, and pipes
- Boundary layer, drag, lift
- Hydraulic machines – turbines, pumps
- Open channel flow, hydraulic jump, dimensional analysis
- Hydrology: precipitation, runoff, infiltration, hydrographs
- Irrigation methods, crop water requirements
- Reservoirs – capacity, sedimentation, useful life
- Groundwater – aquifer properties, well yield estimation
🗺️ Surveying, Quantity Surveying & Valuation (10 Marks)
- Basics of surveying, leveling, contouring
- Theodolite survey, triangulation, errors
- Total station, GPS, remote sensing, GIS
- Estimation & rate analysis (RCC, bar bending schedules)
- Valuation methods, depreciation, rent fixation
🧱 Building Materials, Construction Technology & Management (20 Marks)
- Timber, mortar, steel, concrete (properties, admixtures, mix design)
- Foundations, masonry, floors, roofs, lintels, arches
- Tall buildings, prefabricated construction, slip form techniques
- Stairs, lifts, escalators, ramps
- Failures in RCC and steel structures, retrofitting
- Planning & scheduling, safety, ethics, quality management
🌱 Environmental Engineering (10 Marks)
- Water demand, population forecasting, water quality standards
- Water treatment units – sedimentation, filtration, disinfection
- Distribution systems, pumps, Hardy Cross method
- Wastewater characteristics, oxygen demand, sewer design
- Wastewater treatment units – ASP, trickling filters, septic tanks, UASB
- Air pollution sources, effects, legislation
🏗️ Design of Structures (20 Marks)
- RCC: beams, slabs, columns, footings, retaining walls, tanks
- Limit state method, shear, torsion, bond, serviceability
- Prestressed concrete basics
- Steel structures: bolted/welded joints, tension/compression members, beams, trusses
- Timber structures: columns, beams (concepts only)
🌍 Geotechnical Engineering (10 Marks)
- Soil classification, permeability, compaction
- Effective stress, shear strength, consolidation
- Stability of slopes, earth pressure theories
- Bearing capacity & settlement
- Foundations: shallow, deep, machine
- Site investigation: SPT, plate load test
- Ground improvement techniques
🚦 Transportation Engineering & Urban Planning (10 Marks)
- Highways: classification, alignment, geometric design
- Pavement materials, CBR method, construction, maintenance
- Traffic studies, control devices, accidents, safety
- Airports: site selection, terminal planning, lighting
- Railways: track design, operations, maintenance
- Tunnels: alignment, ventilation, drainage
- Harbours & docks types
- Urban planning: zoning, new town development, planning theories
Conclusion
The PWD & KSHB AE exam covers all major civil engineering subjects. With 100 marks distributed across structural, geotechnical, water resources, environmental, and transportation engineering, candidates must prepare strategically. Begin early, focus on high-weightage areas like Structural Design and Construction Technology, and revise consistently.
