Civil Engineering Optional: answer writing, test series and mentorship
UPSC-style normalization across all 48 optionals26 tests (12 sectional + 14 full-length), each evaluated by experts within 2 hours, with model answers written around your own style. Every test gets your All-India rank and your Civil Engineering rank.
Papers set on UPSC's own pattern, a verified model answer for every question, every copy evaluated in about 2 hours, and a plan made for your hours.
Choose how you prepare for Civil Engineering
Three programmes, one standard: every paper set on UPSC's own pattern, every answer evaluated in about 2 hours, a verified model answer for every question.
Daily answer writing
A 50-mark paper every weekday, module by module through the whole syllabus. Write 35 minutes a day and never fall out of practice.
- Every module tested, the heavy ones again and again
- Real UPSC questions mixed with new ones of the same standard
- Evaluated in about 2 hours, with a model answer
- Your practice days; papers held when you fall behind
Mentorship
Everything you need to clear Civil Engineering: study material, a personal plan made for your hours, a test for every module, weekly and topic tests, full UPSC mocks and a mentor.
- Complete, comprehensive study material for every module, designed to score high in Mains: foundation, full notes, quick revision
- A personal plan for your hours and exam date, re-dated when you slip
- Read first, then the module's test; weekly, topic and mock tests in UPSC form
- Every copy reviewed; mentor calls and progress reports
Test series
Topic tests and full-length mocks, each a copy of a real UPSC paper's structure, with an All India Rank after every test.
- Mocks exactly in UPSC form: 8 questions, Q1 and Q5 compulsory, attempt 5
- Every question written for its probability of coming in 2027, printed beside it
- All India Rank and Civil Engineering rank after every test
- Change your test dates after joining
PYQ Topicwise · ₹750
Every Civil Engineering question UPSC has asked (2014–2026), arranged topic by topic, with how many marks each topic has carried year after year.
PYQ Solutions · ₹1,750
A model answer to every previous year question (2014–2026), module by module: worked step by step, with the figures a topper draws. Get one module free on WhatsApp.
GS + Essay + Civil Engineering: opening soon
The same three programmes for GS + Essay + Civil Engineering. Prices below; tell us on WhatsApp and we will message you the day it opens.
| Programme | 4 months | 8 months | 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily answer writing | ₹17,999 | ₹27,999 | ₹34,999 |
| Mentorship | ₹49,999 | ₹79,999 | ₹99,999 |
| Test series | Lite ₹17,999 · Full ₹29,999 | ||
GS + Essay: opening soon
The same three programmes for GS + Essay. Prices below; tell us on WhatsApp and we will message you the day it opens.
| Programme | 4 months | 8 months | 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily answer writing | ₹11,999 | ₹19,999 | ₹24,999 |
| Mentorship | ₹34,999 | ₹54,999 | ₹69,999 |
| Test series | Lite ₹12,999 · Full ₹21,999 | ||
Count the tests, not just the price
A test series is usually 8 to 16 tests. Here every rupee buys far more evaluated writing.
Up to 215 papers, each read, marked and returned with a model answer in about 2 hours.
26 tests in the full series: topic tests and mocks that copy real UPSC papers.
Up to 95 tests, with the study material, your personal plan and your mentor at no extra cost.
| What you get | Daily answer writing | Test series | Mentorship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Every copy evaluated in about 2 hours - marks, comments on each answer and a verified model answer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| A test on every module of the syllabus - nothing left untested | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| Weekly and topic tests that build the speed and stamina of the real exam | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Full mocks set exactly like the UPSC paper, every question written for its probability of coming in 2027 | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| All India Rank after every test - know exactly where you stand | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Complete, comprehensive study material, designed to score high in UPSC Mains - foundation, full notes and quick revision for every module | — | — | ✓ |
| Your own day-by-day study plan, built around your hours - it re-plans itself when you fall behind | — | — | ✓ |
| A mentor beside you - every copy reviewed, mentor calls and progress reports | — | — | ✓ |
Who sets the papers? How good are they?
The question every serious aspirant asks. Here is exactly how every Civil Engineering paper is made, and you can check one before you pay.
Built on UPSC's own paper
Each mock copies the structure of a recent UPSC paper: its sections, its questions and parts, its marks. Q1 and Q5 with five 10-mark parts, attempt five, at least one from each section, exactly as in the exam hall.
Weighted by 12 years of UPSC marks
Every topic and module gets questions in proportion to the marks UPSC has given it. You practise most what UPSC asks most.
Real PYQs and new questions of the same standard
Previous-year questions sit beside new questions written to the UPSC standard, each checked against the syllabus and given its chance of coming in 2027.
A verified model answer for every question
Worked step by step, with the figures a topper draws, checked before it is printed. You get it with your evaluated copy.
Reviewed and approved by our faculty
No paper reaches you before it is reviewed and approved. The approval is printed on every page of the paper.
Evaluated in about 2 hours
Your copy comes back marked question by question, with what you missed and how to write it better, while the paper is still fresh in your mind.
See it before you join
Judge the papers, the model answers and the plan yourself.
Write a free test
Get a real Civil Engineering paper on WhatsApp, write it, send it back and get it evaluated free. We also send you a solved paper and the sample plans.
- Open WhatsApp
- Tap the camera
- Scan this code
- Tap Send
A solved paper
One of our daily papers with its full model answers: see the standard of the questions and how every answer is written.
- Open WhatsApp
- Tap the camera
- Scan this code
- Tap Send
A sample personal plan
Day by day from the coming Monday: what to read, which test comes when, the revision weeks and the mocks, made for 6 hours a day. Preview the first weeks here; get the whole plan on WhatsApp.
- Open WhatsApp
- Tap the camera
- Scan this code
- Tap Send
Questions aspirants ask us
Who sets the question papers?
Every paper is built on the structure of a real UPSC paper and on 12 years of UPSC's marks for each topic, mixes real PYQs with new questions of the same standard, and is reviewed and approved by our faculty before it reaches you. Download the solved sample above and judge it yourself.
Who writes the model answers?
Every question has a model answer worked out step by step, with figures where a topper would draw one, checked before it is printed. You receive it with your evaluated copy.
How fast is the evaluation, and what do I get back?
About 2 hours after you submit. Your copy comes back marked question by question with comments, your marks, the model answer and, in the test series and mocks, your All India Rank.
How do I write and submit?
Print the paper or write on plain A4 sheets with margins, scan the pages into one PDF named with the test code, and send it on WhatsApp or upload it in the IndianCivils app.
Daily answer writing, test series or mentorship: which one is for me?
Daily answer writing keeps you writing every day through the syllabus. The test series checks you in exam conditions with topic tests and full mocks. Mentorship does both and adds the material, a personal plan and a mentor: the complete preparation for the optional.
What if I fall behind my plan?
In the mentorship your plan is re-dated around your real pace. In daily answer writing new papers wait while you have several unwritten ones, so nothing piles up.
Test series timetable
12 topic tests, then 14 full UPSC mocks, at the weekend, from your batch's first week. A free weekend follows every mock, to work on its evaluation.
| Test | Type | What it covers | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Topic test | Paper I - Topic test 1: Engineering Mechanics, Strength of Materials and Structural Analysis | Week 1 · Sat (FN) |
| 2 | Topic test | Paper II - Topic test 2: Construction Technology, Equipment, Planning and Management | Week 2 · Sat (FN) |
| 3 | Topic test | Paper I - Topic test 3: Engineering Mechanics, Strength of Materials and Structural Analysis | Week 3 · Sat (FN) |
| 4 | Topic test | Paper II - Topic test 4: Surveying and Transportation Engineering | Week 4 · Sat (FN) |
| 5 | Topic test | Paper I - Topic test 5: Design of Structures | Week 5 · Sat (FN) |
| 6 | Topic test | Paper II - Topic test 6: Surveying and Transportation Engineering | Week 6 · Sat (FN) |
| 7 | Topic test | Paper I - Topic test 7: Fluid Mechanics, open channel flow and Hydraulic Machines | Week 7 · Sat (FN) |
| 8 | Topic test | Paper II - Topic test 8: Hydrology, Water Resources and Engineering | Week 8 · Sat (FN) |
| 9 | Topic test | Paper I - Topic test 9: Geotechnical Engineering | Week 9 · Sat (FN) |
| 10 | Topic test | Paper II - Topic test 10: Environmental Engineering | Week 10 · Sat (FN) |
| 11 | Topic test | Paper I - Topic test 11: Geotechnical Engineering | Week 11 · Sat (FN) |
| 12 | Topic test | Paper II - Topic test 12: Environmental pollution | Week 12 · Sat (FN) |
| 13 | Full mock | Paper I - Full mock 1 | Week 13 · Sat (FN) |
| 14 | Full mock | Paper II - Full mock 1 | Week 13 · Sat (AN) |
| 15 | Full mock | Paper I - Full mock 2 | Week 15 · Sat (FN) |
| 16 | Full mock | Paper II - Full mock 2 | Week 15 · Sat (AN) |
| 17 | Full mock | Paper I - Full mock 3 | Week 17 · Sat (FN) |
| 18 | Full mock | Paper II - Full mock 3 | Week 17 · Sat (AN) |
| 19 | Full mock | Paper I - Full mock 4 | Week 19 · Sat (FN) |
| 20 | Full mock | Paper II - Full mock 4 | Week 19 · Sat (AN) |
| 21 | Full mock | Paper I - Full mock 5 | Week 21 · Sat (FN) |
| 22 | Full mock | Paper II - Full mock 5 | Week 21 · Sat (AN) |
| 23 | Full mock | Paper I - Full mock 6 | Week 23 · Sat (FN) |
| 24 | Full mock | Paper II - Full mock 6 | Week 23 · Sat (AN) |
| 25 | Full mock | Paper I - Full mock 7 | Week 25 · Sat (FN) |
| 26 | Full mock | Paper II - Full mock 7 | Week 25 · Sat (AN) |
The Lite series takes 6 of these topic tests and 3 mock rounds. Dates don't suit you? Change your test dates after joining.
Civil Engineering Optional syllabus
The UPSC syllabus this test series covers, topic by topic.
Civil Engineering - PAPER-I · 4 topics, 19 modules
- Engineering Mechanics, Strength of Materials and Structural Analysis
- Engineering Mechanics: 1.1 Engineering Mechanics : Units and Dimensions, SI Units, Vectors, Concept of Force, Concept of particle and rigid body; Concurrent, Non- Concurrent and parallel forces in a plane, moment of force free body diagram, conditions of equilibrium, Principle of virtual work, equivalent force system; First and Second Moment of area, Mass moment of Inertia; Static Friction; Kinematics and Kinetics: Kinematics in cartesian Co-ordinates, motion under uniform and non-uniform acceleration, motion under gr
Strength of Materials: 1.2 Strength of Materials : Simple Stress and Strain, Elastic constants, axially loaded compression members; Torsion of Shafts, Elastic stability of columns, Euler’s, Rankine’s and Secant formulae
Theory of Bending: Shear force and bending moment, theory of simple bending, Shear Stress distribution across cross sections, Beams of uniform strength; Unsymmetrical bending : Moment of inertia, product of inertia, position of Neutral Axis and Principal axes, calculation of bending stresses; Plastic Analysis of beams and frames : Theory of plastic bending, plastic analysis, statical method, Mechanism method
Deflection of Structures: Deflection of beams: Mecaulay’s method, Mohr’s Moment area method, Conjugate beam method, unit load method; 1.3 Structural Analysis : Castiglianio’s theorems I and II, unit load method, of consistent deformation applied to beams and pin jointed trusses
Indeterminate Structures: Slope-deflection, moment distribution; Arches : Three hinged, two hinged and fixed arches, rib shortening and temperature effects; Matrix methods of analysis : Force method and displacement method of analysis of indeterminate beams and rigid frames
Influence Lines: Rolling loads and Influences lines : Influences lines for Shear Force and Bending moment at a section of a beam; Criteria for maximum shear force and bending Moment in beams traversed by a system of moving loads; Influences lines for simply supported plane pin jointed trusses - Design of Structures
- Steel Connections: Steel, concrete and masonry structures; 2.1 Structural Steel Design : Structural steel : Factors of safety and load factors; Riveted, bolted and welded joints and connections
Steel Members: Design of tension and compression members, beams of built up section, riveted and welded plate girders, gantry girders, stancheons with battens and lacings
Concrete and Masonry Structures: 2.2 Design of Concrete and Masonry Structures : Concept of mix design; Reinforced Concrete : Working Stress and Limit State method of design—Recommendations of I. S. codes; design of one way and two way slabs, stair-case slabs, simple and continuous beams of rectangular, T and L sections; compression members under direct load with or without eccentricity; Cantilever and Counter fort type retaining walls; Water tanks : Design requirements for Rectangular and circular tanks resting on ground; Desi
Prestressed Concrete: Prestressed Concrete : Methods and systems of prestressing, anchorages, Analysis and design of sections for flexure based on working stress, loss of prestress - Fluid Mechanics, open channel flow and Hydraulic Machines
- Fluid Mechanics: 3.1 Fluid Mechanics : Fluid properties and their role in fluid motion, fluid statics including forces acting on plane and curve surfaces; Kinematics and Dynamics of Fluid flow : Velocity and accelerations, stream lines, equation of continuity, irrotational and rotational flow, velocity potential and stream functions; Continuity, momentum, energy equation, Navier Stokes equation, Euler’s equation of motion, application to fluid flow problems, pipe flow, sluice gates, weirs
Dimensional Analysis: 3.2 Dimensional Analysis and Similitude: Buckingham’s Pi-theorem, dimensionless parameters
Viscous Flow: 3.3 Laminar Flow : Laminar flow between parallel, stationary and moving plates, flow through tube; Turbulent flow through pipes : Characteristics of turbulent flow, velocity distribution and variation of pipe friction factor, hydraulic grade line and total energy line
Boundary Layer Theory: 3.4 Boundary layer : Laminar and turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate, laminar sub-layer, smooth and rough boundaries, drag and lift
Open Channel Flow: 3.5 Open channel flow : Uniform and non-uniform flows, momentum and energy correction factors, specific energy and specific force, critical depth, rapidly varied flow, hydraulic jump, gradually varied flow, classification of surface profiles, control section, step method of integration of varied flow equation
Hydraulic Machines: 3.6 Hydraulic Machines and Hydropower : Hydraulic turbines, types classification, Choice of turbines performance parameters, controls, characteristics, specific speed; Principles of hydropower development - Geotechnical Engineering
- Soil Mechanics: Soil Type and Structure—gradation and particle size distribution—consistency limits; Water in soil—capillary and structural—effective stress and pore water pressure—permeability concept—field and laboratory determination of permeability—Seepage pressure—quick sand conditions—Shear strength determination—Mohr Coulomb concept; Compaction of soil—Laboratory and field test; Compressibility and consolidation concept— consolidation theory—consolidation settlement analysis
Earth Pressure: Earth pressure theory and analysis for retaining walls, Application for sheet piles and Braced excavation
Foundation Engineering: Bearing capacity of soil—approaches for analysis- Field tests—settlement analysis—stability of slope of earth walk; Subsuface exploration of soils—methods Foundation—Type and selection criteria for foundation of structures—Design criteria for foundation—Analysis of distribution of stress for footings and pile—pile group action—pile load test; Ground improvement techniques
Civil Engineering - PAPER-II · 5 topics, 21 modules
- Construction Technology, Equipment, Planning and Management
- Concrete Technology: Lime, Cement, different types of Mortars and Concrete; Specific use of ferro cement, fibre reinforced C. C., High strength concrete
Building Construction: 1.1 Construction Technology Engineering Materials : Physical properties of construction materials with respect to their use in construction—Stones, Bricks and Tiles; Timber; Properties defects—common preservation treatments; Use and selection of materials for specific use like Low Cost Housing, Mass Housing, High Rise Buildings; 1.2 Construction : Masonry principles using Brick, stone, Blocks—construction detailing and strength characteristics; Types of plastering, pointing, flooring, roofing an
Construction Equipment: Machinery for earthwork, concreting and their specific uses—Factors affecting selection of equipments—operating cost of equipments
Construction Management: 1.3 CONSTRUCTION PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT : Construction activity—schedules—organization for construction industry—Quality assurance principles; Use Basic principle of network—analysis in form of CPM and PERT—their use in construction monitoring, Cost optimization and resource allocation; Basic principles of Economic analysis and methods; Project profitability—Basic principles of Boot approach to financial planning-simple toll fixation criterions - Surveying and Transportation Engineering
- Surveying: 2.1 Surveying : Common methods and instruments for distance and angle measurement for CE work—their use in plane table, traverse survey, levelling work, triangulation, contouring and topographical map; Basic principles of photogrammetry and remote sensing
Railway Engineering: 2.2 Railways Engineering : Permanent way—components, types and their function-Functions and Design constituents of turn and crossing— Necessity of geometric design of track—Design of station and yards
Highway Engineering: 2.3 Highway Engineering : Principles of Highway alignments—classification and geometrical design elements and standards for Roads; Pavement structure for flexible and rigid pavements—Design principles and methodology of pavements; Typical construction methods and standards of materials for stabilized soil, WBM, Bituminous works and CC roads; Surface and sub-surface drainage arrangements for roads—culvert structures; Pavement distresses and strengthening by overlays
Traffic Engineering: Traffic surveys and their application in traffic planning—Typical design features for channelized, intersection rotary etc.—signal designs—standard Traffic signs and markings - Hydrology, Water Resources and Engineering
- Hydrological Cycle: 3.1 Hydrology : Hydrological cycle, precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, infiltration, overland flow
Flood Hydrology: hydrograph, flood frequency analyses, flood routing through a reservoir, channel flow routing—Muskingam method
Groundwater Hydrology: 3.2 Ground Water flow : Specific yield, storage coefficient, coefficient of permeability, confined and unconfined aquifers, aquifers, aquitards, radial flow into a well under confined and unconfined conditions
Dams and Reservoirs: 3.3 Water Resources Engineering : Ground and surface water resources, single and multipurpose projects, storage capacity of reservoirs, reservoir losses, reservoir sedimentation; (vi) Storage works : Types of dams, design, principles of rigid gravity stability analysis; (vii) Spillways : Spillway types, energy dissipation
Irrigation Engineering: 3.4 Irrigation Engineering : (i) Water requirements of crops : consumptive use, duty and delta, irrigation methods and their efficiencies; (ii) Canals : Distribution systems for canal irrigation, canal capacity, canal losses, alignment of main and distributary canals, most efficient section, lined canals, their design, regime theory, critical shear stress, bed load; (iii) Water logging : causes and control, salinity
Irrigation Structures: (iv) Canal structures : Design of head regulators, canal falls, aqueducts, metering flumes and canal outlets; (v) Diversion head work : Principles and design of weirs on permeable and impermeable foundation, Khosla’s theory, energy dissipation; (viii) River training : Objectives of river training, methods of river training - Environmental Engineering
- Water Supply: 4.1 Water Supply : Predicting demand for water, impurities of water and their significance, physical, chemical and bacteriological analysis, waterborne diseases, standards for potable water
Water Treatment: 4.2 Intake of Water : Water treatment: principles of coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation; slow-, rapid-, pressure, filters; chlorination, softening, removal of taste, odour and salinity
Sewerage Systems: 4.3 Sewerage Systems : Domestic and industrial wastes, store sewage—separate and combined systems, flow through sewers, design of sewers; 4.4 Sewage Characterisation : BOD, COD, solids, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen and TOC; Standards of disposal in normal water course and on land
Sewage Treatment: 4.5 Sewage Treatment : Working principles, units, chambers, sedimentation tank, trickling filters, oxidation ponds, activated sludge process, septic tank, disposal of sludge, recycling of waste water
Solid Waste Management: 4.6 Solid waste : Collection and disposal in rural and urban contexts, management of long-term ill-effects - Environmental pollution
- Environmental Management: Sustainable development; Radioactive wastes and disposal; Environmental impact assessment for thermal power plants, mines, river valley projects; Pollution control acts
Air Pollution: Air pollution
Free PYQ solutions
One module's previous year questions with full model answers, worked step by step with the figures a topper draws. We send it to you on WhatsApp.
- Open WhatsApp
- Tap the camera
- Scan this code
- Tap Send
Every module, UPSC 2014–2026, topic by topic:
UPSC weightage analytics
Where UPSC has awarded marks, topic by topic. Focus on what scores, and compare your test results once you join.
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