Junior Engineer (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Quantity Surveying and Contract)

Recruitment of junior engineers for central government departments such as the Central Public Works Department, Military Engineer Services and the Border Roads Organisation. Candidates sit one engineering stream throughout and both papers count toward merit.

200 questions · 120 minutes · 200 marks · 0.25 negative marking

SSC JE Exam Pattern

Eligibility

A diploma or degree in the relevant engineering branch, which varies by post. A candidate must attempt the part matching their stream in both papers; attempting a different part results in cancellation of candidature.

Typically 18 to 30 or 18 to 32 years depending on the post.

Selection Process

1. Paper-I — 200 questions for 200 marks in two hours: Reasoning 50, General Awareness 50 and General Engineering 100, with 0.25 deducted per wrong answer.
2. Paper-II — 100 questions for 300 marks in two hours, in the same engineering stream chosen for Paper-I. Questions are set at diploma level.
3. Document verification — Final merit is the aggregate of both papers.

SSC JE Syllabus

General Intelligence and Reasoning

• Analogies
• Similarities and differences
• Space visualization
• Problem solving
• Analysis
• Judgment
• Decision making
• Visual memory
• Discrimination
• Observation
• Relationship concepts
• Arithmetical reasoning
• Verbal and figure classification
• Arithmetical number series
• Abstract ideas and symbols
• Arithmetical computations
• Other analytical functions

General Awareness

• Current events
• History
• Culture
• Geography
• Economic scene
• General polity
• Scientific research
• India and its neighbouring countries

General Engineering

• Building materials
• Estimating, costing and valuation
• Surveying
• Soil mechanics
• Hydraulics
• Irrigation engineering
• Transportation engineering
• Environmental engineering
• Theory of structures
• Concrete technology
• RCC design
• Steel design
• Basic concepts
• Circuit law
• Magnetic circuit
• AC fundamentals
• Measurement and measuring instruments
• Electrical machines
• Fractional kilowatt motors and single-phase induction motors
• Synchronous machines
• Generation, transmission and distribution
• Estimation and costing
• Utilization of electrical energy
• Basic electronics
• Theory of machines and machine design
• Engineering mechanics and strength of materials
• Properties of pure substances
• First law of thermodynamics
• Second law of thermodynamics
• Air standard cycles for IC engines
• IC engine performance, combustion, cooling and lubrication
• Rankine cycle
• Boilers, classification, fittings and accessories
• Air compressors and their cycles
• Refrigeration cycles
• Principle of refrigeration plant
• Nozzles and steam turbines
• Properties and classification of fluids
• Fluid statics
• Measurement of fluid pressure

SSC JE Previous Year Cut-Off Marks

Qualifying Marks

Paper-I minimum: 30 per cent or 60 marks for unreserved, 25 per cent or 50 marks for OBC and EWS, and 20 per cent or 40 marks for other categories.

Exam Calendar

From recent cycles: the 2024 cycle held Paper-I in June with the result in August, while the 2025 cycle moved about six months later, holding Paper-I in December with the result the following March.

SSC JE FAQs

Do both papers count toward merit?

Yes. Final merit is the aggregate of Paper-I and Paper-II, unlike CGL and CHSL where the first stage only screens.

How much is deducted for a wrong answer?

0.25 marks in Paper-I.

Can I use a calculator?

JE is the exception among SSC exams: a scientific calculator is permitted in Paper-II only, along with slide rules and log and steam tables. Every other SSC examination prohibits calculators entirely.

Can I switch engineering stream between papers?

No. You must attempt the part matching your stream in both papers, and attempting a different part results in cancellation of candidature.

Are cut-offs published per stream?

Partly. Civil has its own list, while Electrical and Mechanical share one, so an Electrical candidate compares against the combined figure.

How many marks is Paper-II worth?

300 marks for 100 questions, so three marks per question.

Is there an interview or physical test?

Neither.

What is normalisation?

Where an examination runs across several shifts, raw marks are converted to a common scale so that sitting a harder shift is not a disadvantage. The normalised marks are what determine merit and cut-offs, which is why published cut-offs carry five decimal places. The governing methodology was superseded in June 2025 by a new one, so older material may cite the 2019 notice.

What level are the engineering questions set at?

Diploma in engineering level.