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PSU & Engineering · BARC OCES

BARC OCES Syllabus and Exam Pattern

Scientific Officer Recruitment (Engineering Sciences & Technology)

Sections
9
Topics
66
Sub-topics
448
Stages
2
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The BARC OCES (Scientific Officer Recruitment (Engineering Sciences & Technology)) syllabus is organised into 9 sections: General Aptitude (Common), Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering and 3 more. Together they cover 66 topics and 448 sub-topics, tested in Paper I — General Aptitude and Paper II — Engineering Discipline. Below you will find every section's topics, the exam pattern and answers to common questions.

About the exam and pattern

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) conducts the OCES (Orientation Course for Engineering Graduates & Science Postgraduates) examination annually to recruit Scientific Officers. The written exam consists of a common General Aptitude paper (25 marks) followed by a discipline-specific engineering paper (150 marks). Candidates apply for one engineering discipline. Selection includes written exam followed by interview.

Exam pattern: Written Exam (General Aptitude + Engineering Discipline) + Interview

Where the marks are

Share of total marks by section

Paper II — Engineering Discipline

  • Mechanical Engineering13%150 marks · 75 Qs
  • Electrical Engineering13%150 marks · 75 Qs
  • Civil Engineering13%150 marks · 75 Qs
  • Chemical Engineering13%150 marks · 75 Qs
  • Computer Science & Engineering12%150 marks · 75 Qs
  • Electronics & Communication Engineering12%150 marks · 75 Qs
  • Instrumentation Engineering12%150 marks · 75 Qs
  • Metallurgical Engineering12%150 marks · 75 Qs

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  • Quantitative Aptitude

    ~9 marks

  • Logical & Analytical Reasoning

    ~8 marks

  • English Language & Comprehension

    ~5 marks

  • General Awareness & Current Affairs

    ~3 marks
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Exam pattern at a glance

Written Exam (General Aptitude + Engineering Discipline) + Interview

High-weightage BARC OCES topics

  1. 1Structural EngineeringCivil Engineering~18 marks
  2. 2Data Structures & AlgorithmsComputer Science & Engineering~16 marks
  3. 3Electrical MachinesElectrical Engineering~14 marks
  4. 4Process Calculations & ThermodynamicsChemical Engineering~14 marks
  5. 5Mass Transfer & Separation ProcessesChemical Engineering~14 marks
  6. 6Sensors & TransducersInstrumentation Engineering~14 marks
  7. 7Control Systems & Process ControlInstrumentation Engineering~14 marks
  8. 8Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulic MachinesMechanical Engineering~12 marks

BARC OCES section-wise syllabus

Mechanical Engineering

Paper II — Engineering Discipline · 8 topics · 57 sub-topics

  • Engineering Mathematics
  • Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulic Machines
  • Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer
  • Strength of Materials & Solid Mechanics
  • Theory of Machines & Machine Design
  • Manufacturing, Production & Industrial Engineering
  • Engineering Materials & Metallurgy
  • Nuclear Engineering & DAE Awareness
Full Mechanical Engineering syllabus

Civil Engineering

Paper II — Engineering Discipline · 7 topics · 50 sub-topics

  • Engineering Mathematics
  • Structural Engineering
  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Water Resources Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Transportation Engineering
  • Construction & Project Management
Full Civil Engineering syllabus

Chemical Engineering

Paper II — Engineering Discipline · 7 topics · 54 sub-topics

  • Process Calculations & Thermodynamics
  • Fluid Mechanics & Mechanical Operations
  • Heat Transfer
  • Mass Transfer & Separation Processes
  • Chemical Reaction Engineering
  • Process Control & Instrumentation
  • Chemical Technology & Process Safety
Full Chemical Engineering syllabus

Instrumentation Engineering

Paper II — Engineering Discipline · 7 topics · 49 sub-topics

  • Sensors & Transducers
  • Electrical & Electronic Measurements
  • Analog Electronics & Signal Conditioning
  • Digital Instrumentation & Data Acquisition
  • Control Systems & Process Control
  • Industrial & Analytical Instrumentation
  • Electrical Circuits & Power Electronics
Full Instrumentation Engineering syllabus

Metallurgical Engineering

Paper II — Engineering Discipline · 8 topics · 49 sub-topics

  • Engineering Mathematics
  • Thermodynamics & Kinetics
  • Extractive Metallurgy
  • Physical Metallurgy
  • Mechanical Behaviour & Testing
  • Materials Processing & Forming
  • Nuclear Metallurgy & DAE Materials
  • Corrosion & Surface Protection
Full Metallurgical Engineering syllabus

Frequently asked questions

What is the BARC OCES syllabus?

The BARC OCES syllabus has 9 sections: General Aptitude (Common), Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering and 1 more. Together they cover 66 topics and 448 sub-topics.

What is the BARC OCES exam pattern?

Written Exam (General Aptitude + Engineering Discipline) + Interview. Stages: Paper I — General Aptitude, Paper II — Engineering Discipline.

How many questions come from each BARC OCES section?

General Aptitude (Common): 25 questions (50 marks); Mechanical Engineering: 75 questions (150 marks); Electrical Engineering: 75 questions (150 marks); Civil Engineering: 75 questions (150 marks); Chemical Engineering: 75 questions (150 marks); Computer Science & Engineering: 75 questions (150 marks); Electronics & Communication Engineering: 75 questions (150 marks); Instrumentation Engineering: 75 questions (150 marks); Metallurgical Engineering: 75 questions (150 marks). Numbers can change with each notification.

Which BARC OCES topics carry the most marks?

By weightage in the syllabus data: Structural Engineering (Civil Engineering, ~18 marks), Data Structures & Algorithms (Computer Science & Engineering, ~16 marks), Electrical Machines (Electrical Engineering, ~14 marks), Process Calculations & Thermodynamics (Chemical Engineering, ~14 marks), Mass Transfer & Separation Processes (Chemical Engineering, ~14 marks).

How can I prepare for BARC OCES on Topicly?

Open any BARC OCES topic on this page and choose how to study it: step-by-step chat, quizzes, mock tests, formula sheets or a voice call with Sia, your personal teacher. Your progress is saved topic by topic, and it's free to start.

Is this the official BARC OCES syllabus?

It is compiled from the official BARC OCES notification and exam pattern for study purposes. The conducting body can change the syllabus, so always confirm with the latest official notification.

Compiled from official notifications for study purposes. Always confirm with the conducting body's latest notification.