The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) is a premier public sector undertaking in India, engaged in the development of hydroelectric power. Every year, NHPC conducts the Junior Engineer (JE) examination to recruit talented diploma engineers across Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical disciplines.
The NHPC JE exam is one of the most sought-after technical exams for diploma holders, as it offers stable government employment, attractive salary, and immense career growth. To help aspirants succeed, we’ve created a complete and detailed syllabus guide that covers all subjects, topics, and preparation tips.
📊 NHPC JE Exam Pattern
The NHPC JE exam follows a Computer-Based Test (CBT) pattern. The exam is objective type (MCQ) and conducted in both English and Hindi.
| Section | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Technical (Civil / Electrical / Mechanical) | 140 | 140 | 3 Hours |
| II | General Awareness | 30 | 30 | |
| III | Reasoning Ability | 30 | 30 | |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 180 Minutes |
✅ Marking Scheme:
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+1 mark for every correct answer
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–0.25 mark for each incorrect answer
✅ Exam Mode: Online (CBT)
✅ Language: English & Hindi
✅ Type of Paper: Objective (Multiple Choice)
🧠 NHPC JE General Syllabus (Common for All Branches)
1️⃣ General Intelligence & Reasoning
This section tests logical thinking and problem-solving ability.
Important topics include:
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Analogies, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations
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Number and Alphabet Series
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Directions, Seating Arrangement, Puzzles
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Syllogism, Statement & Assumptions, Decision Making
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Visual Reasoning, Data Interpretation
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Non-Verbal Reasoning, Ranking, Classification
2️⃣ General Awareness
This section evaluates your knowledge of current events and general topics.
Key topics:
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Current Affairs (National & International)
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Indian History, Polity, Economy & Geography
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Environment and General Science
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Awards, Sports, Important Days
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Indian Culture & Heritage
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Recent Government Schemes and Policies
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Famous Personalities & Books
⚙️ NHPC JE Technical Syllabus (Branch-Wise)
🏗️ A. NHPC JE Civil Engineering Detailed Syllabus
| Subject | Detailed Topics |
|---|---|
| Building Materials | Classification, Properties of Cement, Bricks, Timber, Aggregates, Lime, Bitumen, Tests on Materials |
| Surveying | Principles, Linear & Angular Measurement, Levelling, Contouring, Theodolite Survey, Tachometry, EDM, Total Station, Error Adjustments |
| Hydraulics & Fluid Mechanics | Properties of Fluids, Flow Types, Bernoulli’s Theorem, Flow Measurement Devices, Pipes, Open Channel Flow, Turbines, Pumps |
| Soil Mechanics | Index Properties, Permeability, Compaction, Consolidation, Shear Strength, Bearing Capacity, Earth Pressure Theories |
| Irrigation & Hydrology | Water Requirement, Canals, Dams, Weirs, Reservoirs, Groundwater Hydrology, Flood Control |
| RCC & Steel Design | Design of Beams, Slabs, Columns, Footings, Limit State & Working Stress Methods, Welded & Bolted Joints |
| Transportation Engineering | Highway Materials, Pavement Design, Railway Engineering, Airport Layout, Traffic Engineering |
| Environmental Engineering | Water Treatment, Sewage Systems, Pollution Control, Solid Waste Management, Air and Noise Pollution |
| Estimation & Costing | Rate Analysis, Earthwork Calculation, Measurement of Works, Valuation, Abstract of Cost |
| Construction Management | CPM, PERT, Contract Management, Labour Laws, Quality Control, Safety in Construction |
⚡ B. NHPC JE Electrical Engineering Detailed Syllabus
| Subject | Detailed Topics |
|---|---|
| Basic Electrical Concepts | Units, Ohm’s Law, Kirchhoff’s Laws, Electrical Power & Energy, Series & Parallel Circuits |
| Circuit Theory | Network Theorems (Thevenin, Norton, Superposition), Resonance, Mesh & Nodal Analysis, AC Circuits |
| Magnetic Circuits | Flux, MMF, Reluctance, Inductance, Hysteresis, Eddy Currents |
| Electrical Machines | DC Generators, Motors, Transformers, Induction & Synchronous Machines, Testing & Characteristics |
| Measurement & Instrumentation | Energy Meters, Wattmeter, CRO, CT/PT, Multimeter, Transducers, Bridge Circuits |
| Power Systems | Generation, Transmission & Distribution, Fault Analysis, Substations, Tariffs, Load Curves |
| Switchgear & Protection | Fuses, Circuit Breakers, Relays, Earthing, Protection of Generators & Transformers |
| Basic Electronics | Semiconductor Theory, Diodes, Transistors, Amplifiers, Rectifiers, Logic Gates |
| Utilization of Electrical Energy | Electric Heating, Welding, Illumination, Traction, Battery Maintenance |
| Estimation & Costing | Electrical Wiring Systems, Load Estimation, Power Factor Improvement, Cable Selection |
🔧 C. NHPC JE Mechanical Engineering Detailed Syllabus
| Subject | Detailed Topics |
|---|---|
| Engineering Mechanics | Laws of Motion, Friction, Equilibrium, Free Body Diagrams, Moments, Trusses, Centroid, Moment of Inertia |
| Strength of Materials | Stress, Strain, Bending, Shear, Torsion, Deflection of Beams, Columns, Elastic Constants |
| Thermodynamics | Laws, Processes, Cycles (Otto, Diesel, Carnot), Boilers, Condensers, IC Engines, Refrigeration |
| Theory of Machines | Mechanisms, Cams, Gears, Governors, Balancing, Vibration, Flywheels |
| Fluid Mechanics & Machinery | Flow Types, Bernoulli’s Equation, Turbines, Pumps, Hydraulic Devices, Flow Measurements |
| Heat Transfer | Conduction, Convection, Radiation, Heat Exchangers, Insulation |
| Manufacturing Processes | Casting, Welding, Machining, Metal Forming, Powder Metallurgy, CNC Machines |
| Machine Design | Design of Shafts, Bearings, Springs, Joints, Couplings, Levers, Keys |
| Metrology & Quality Control | Measurement Systems, Gauges, Comparators, Surface Finish, Tolerance |
| Industrial Engineering | Production Planning, Time Study, Work Measurement, Inventory Control, Plant Layout |
🧩 NHPC JE Selection Process
The NHPC JE recruitment process includes:
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Computer-Based Test (CBT)
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Document Verification (DV)
The final merit list is prepared based on marks obtained in the CBT only. There is no interview.
💡 NHPC JE Preparation Tips
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| 🧠 Understand the Syllabus | Go through each topic in your branch and focus on high-weightage subjects. |
| 📚 Use Standard Books | Refer to R.S. Khurmi (Mechanical), B.L. Theraja (Electrical), and S.K. Duggal (Civil). |
| 🧾 Solve Previous Papers | Practice old NHPC & other PSU papers to get familiar with question style. |
| 🕒 Time Management | Divide your study time between technical, reasoning, and GK sections. |
| 🧮 Take Mock Tests | Regular online tests improve accuracy and confidence. |
| 📖 Revise Formula Sheets | Prepare short notes for last-minute revision. |
❓ NHPC JE – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the exam pattern of NHPC JE?
👉 The exam consists of 200 questions — 140 from technical subjects, 30 from reasoning, and 30 from general awareness.
Q2. Is there negative marking in the NHPC JE exam ?
👉 Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer.
Q3. What is the mode of the NHPC JE exam?
👉 The exam is conducted online (Computer-Based Test).
Q4. Which books are best for NHPC JE preparation?
👉 For Civil – S.K. Duggal, For Electrical – B.L. Theraja, For Mechanical – R.S. Khurmi and Rajput.
Q5. How can I prepare for NHPC JE in less time?
👉 Focus on core subjects, practice previous papers, and revise frequently-used formulas.
The NHPC Junior Engineer (JE) syllabus is extensive but highly structured. A disciplined preparation strategy focused on technical subjects, along with reasoning and general awareness, can ensure success. Regular practice, revision, and conceptual clarity are key to cracking this competitive exam and securing a government engineering position with NHPC.
