RRB JE 2024 Syllabus and Exam Patterns for CBT 1 & CBT 2
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) conducts the Junior Engineer (JE) examination to recruit competent individuals for various technical posts in the Indian Railways. This blog will provide a comprehensive guide to the RRB JE 2024 syllabus and exam patterns for both Computer Based Test 1 (CBT 1) and Computer Based Test 2 (CBT 2).
RRB JE 2024: Overview
The RRB JE exam is a national level competitive test conducted in two stages: CBT 1 and CBT 2. Candidates who clear both stages are then called for document verification and medical examination.
CBT 1: Exam Pattern and Syllabus
CBT 1 is the first stage of the RRB JE examination. It is a screening test, and its scores are used to shortlist candidates for the next stage.
Exam Pattern
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Number of Questions: 100
- Total Marks: 100
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark will be deducted for each wrong answer
Syllabus
The syllabus for CBT 1 includes:
- Mathematics: Number systems, BODMAS, Decimals, Fractions, LCM and HCF, Ratio and Proportion, Percentages, Mensuration, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Elementary Statistics, etc.
- General Intelligence and Reasoning: Analogies, Alphabetical and Number Series, Coding and Decoding, Mathematical operations, Relationships, Syllogism, Jumbling, Venn Diagram, Data Interpretation and Sufficiency, Conclusions and Decision Making, Similarities and Differences, Analytical reasoning, Classification, Directions, Statement – Arguments and Assumptions, etc.
- General Awareness: Knowledge of Current affairs, Indian geography, culture and history of India including freedom struggle, Indian Polity and constitution, Indian Economy, Environmental issues concerning India and the World, Sports, General scientific and technological developments, etc.
- General Science: Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences (up to 10th Standard CBSE syllabus)
CBT 2: Exam Pattern and Syllabus
- Candidates who clear CBT 1 are eligible to appear for CBT 2. The marks obtained in this stage are used for the final merit list.
Exam Pattern
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Number of Questions: 150
- Total Marks: 150
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark will be deducted for each wrong answer
Syllabus
The syllabus for CBT 2 includes:
- General Awareness: 15 questions –Knowledge of Current affairs, Indian geography, Culture and history of India, including the freedom struggle, Indian Polity and Constitution, Indian Economy, Environmental issues concerning India and the World, Sports, General scientific and technological developments, etc.
- Physics and Chemistry: 15 questions – Questions on 12th standard Physics and Chemistry.
- Basics of Computers and Applications: 10 questions – Computers and their architecture, Input & Output devices, MS Office, Storage devices, Operating Systems, Internet and Email, Websites & Web Browsers, Networking, Computer Virus
- Basics of Environment and Pollution Control: 10 questions – Basics of Environment, The adverse effect of environmental pollution, Pollution control strategies, Types of pollution, Waste Management, Global warming, Acid rain, Ozone depletion
5. Technical Abilities: 100 questions
Subject | Topics |
Engineering Mechanics | – Force (resolution of force, moment of force, force system, composition of forces), Equilibrium, Friction, Centroid and Center of gravity, Simple machines. |
Building Construction | – Building components (substructure, superstructure), type of structure (load bearing, framed and composite structures). |
Building materials | – Masonry materials (stones, bricks, and mortars), Timber and miscellaneous materials (glass, plastic, fibre, aluminium steel, galvanized iron, bitumen, PVC, CPVC, and PPF). |
Construction of substructure | – Job layout, earthwork, foundation (types, dewatering, cofferdams, bearing capacity). |
Construction of superstructure | – Stone masonry, brick masonry, Hollow concrete block masonry, composite masonry, cavity wall, doors and windows, vertical communication (stairs, lifts, escalators), scaffolding and shoring. |
Building finishes | – Floors (finishes, process of laying), walls (plastering, pointing, painting), and roofs (roofing materials including RCC). |
Building maintenance | – Cracks (causes, type, repairs- grouting, guniting, epoxy etc.), settlement (causes and remedial measures), and rebaring techniques. |
Building drawing | – Conventions (type of lines, symbols), planning of building (principles of planning for residential and public buildings, rules and byelaws), drawings (plan, elevation, section, site plan, location plan, foundation plan, working drawing), perspective drawing. |
Concrete Technology | – Properties of various types/grades of cement, properties of coarse and fine aggregates, properties of concrete (water cement ratio, properties of fresh and hardened concrete), Concrete mix design, testing of concrete, quality control of concrete (batching, formwork, transportation, placing, compaction, curing, waterproofing), extreme weather concreting and chemical admixtures, properties of special concrete (ready mix, RCC, pre-stressed, fibre reinforced, precast, high performance). |
Surveying | – Types of survey, chain and cross staff survey (principle, ranging, triangulation, chaining, errors, finding area), compass survey (principle, bearing of line, prismatic compass, traversing, local attraction, calculation of bearings, angles and local attraction) levelling (dumpy level, recording in level book, temporary adjustment, methods of reduction of levels, classification of levelling, tilting level, auto level, sources of errors, precautions and difficulties in levelling), contouring (contour interval, characteristics, method of locating, interpolation, establishing grade contours, uses of contour maps), area and volume measurements, plane table survey (principles, setting, method), theodolite survey (components, adjustments, measurements, traversing), Tacheometric survey, curves (types, setting out), advanced survey equipment, aerial survey and remote sensing. |
Computer Aided Design | – CAD Software (AutoCAD, Auto Civil, 3D Max etc.), CAD commands, generation of plan, elevation, section, site plan, area statement, 3D view. |
GeoTechnical Engineering | – Application of GeoTechnical Engineering in design of foundation, pavement, earth retaining structures, earthen dams etc., physical properties of soil, permeability of soil and seepage analysis, shear strength of soil, bearing capacity of soil, compaction and stabilisation of soil, site investigation and subsoil exploration. |
Hydraulics | – Properties of fluid, hydrostatic pressure, measurement of liquid pressure in pipes, fundamentals of fluid flow, flow of liquid through pipes, flow through open channels, flow measuring devices, hydraulic machines. |
Irrigation Engineering | – Hydrology, investigation and reservoir planning, percolation tanks, diversion headworks. |
Mechanics of Structures | – Stress and strain, shear force and bending moment, moment of inertia, stresses in beams, analysis of trusses, strain energy. |
Theory of structures | – Direct and bending stresses, slope and deflection, fixed beam, continuous beam, moment distribution method, columns. |
Design of Concrete Structures | – Working Stress method, Limit State method, analysis and design of singly reinforced and doubly reinforced sections, shear, bond and development length, analysis and design of T Beam, slab, axially loaded column and footings. |
Design of Steel Structures | – Types of sections, grades of steel, strength characteristics, IS Code, Connections, Design of tension and compression members, steel roof truss, beams, column bases. |
Transportation Engineering | – Railway Engineering (alignment and gauges, permanent way, railway track geometrics, branching of tracks, stations and yards, track maintenance), Bridge engineering (site selection, investigation, component parts of bridge, permanent and temporary bridges, inspection and maintenance), Tunnel engineering (classification, shape and sizes, tunnel investigation and surveying, method of tunnelling in various strata, precautions, equipment, explosives, lining and ventilation). |
Highway Engineering | – Road Engineering, investigation for road projects, geometric design of highways, construction of road pavements and materials, traffic engineering, hill roads, drainage of roads, maintenance and repair of roads. |
Environmental Engineering | – Environmental pollution and control, public water supply, domestic sewage, solid waste management, environmental sanitation, and plumbing. |
Advanced Construction Techniques and Equipment | – Fibres and plastics, artificial timber, advanced concreting methods (underwater concreting, ready mix concrete, tremix concreting, special concretes), formwork, prefabricated construction, soil reinforcing techniques, hoisting and conveying equipment, earth moving machinery (excavation and compaction equipment), concrete mixers, stone crushers, pile driving equipment, working of hot mix bitumen plant, bitumen paver, floor polishing machines. |
Estimating and Costing | – Types of estimates (approximate, detailed), mode of measurements and rate analysis. |
Contracts and Accounts | – Types of engineering contracts, Tender and tender documents, payment, specifications. |
Conclusion
The RRB JE exam is a golden opportunity for engineering graduates to secure a government job in the Indian Railways. Understanding the exam pattern and syllabus is the first step towards effective preparation. Good luck with your preparation for RRB JE 2024!
Disclaimer: The syllabus and exam pattern mentioned in this blog are based on the RRB JE 2018 notification. Candidates are advised to refer to the official RRB website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.