RajPurohit

EE paper now a days requires covering of almost entire syllabus. The approach is to read from the textbooks
and practice their solved examples and previous year papers of IES(both E&T and EE) and CSE. Also most
of the topics are not covered by the single book. I have also given the reference sources. Stick to the syllabus
for all the topics.

Paper I

1.  Circuit Theory: A. Chakrabarti(Dhanpat Rai)

2.  Signals and systems: Oppenheim and Willsky. For DFT/FFT, refer to Oppenheim’s book on DSP. For
better coverage of z-transform, refer any Indian author.(I had Sanjay Sharma’s book)

3.  E.M. Theory: K.D. Prasad. For Smith chart and other minor topics left refer Jordan & Balmain.

4.  Analog Electronics: J.B. Gupta. For topics like feedback amplifiers and any other topics not covered
well in that book refer Sedra & Smith.

5. Digital Electronics: M.Morris Mano

6. Energy Conversion: Ashfaq Hussain. For topics not covered in detail refer Fitzgerald.

7. Power Electronics and Electric Drives: PS Bhimbra

8. Analog Communication: (a) Simon Haykin (b) BP Lathi (c) Singh and Sapre(TMH)

Paper II

1.  Control Systems: Nagrath & Gopal

2.  Microprocessors and Microcomputers: RS Gaonkar

3.  Measurement and Instrumentation: AK Sawhney

4. Power Systems: (a) Nagrath and Kothari (b) CL Wadhwa

5. Power System Protection: (a) CL Wadhwa(only chapters of  psp, circuit breaker)  (b) Badriram
&Vishwakarma

6. Digital Communication: Same as Analog Communication. For Data Networks and 7-layered
architecture I referred Forouzan(TMH).

For Electrical Engineering, I personally feel that Prakash Rajpurohit Sir’s (AIR-2 in CSE-2009) blog has all
the required information that one needs to know. In fact that is the main reason why I am so late in writing a
post on Electrical Engineering. I did not feel the need to provide any extra information other than what was
mentioned on his blog.For the book list, please refer to:

http://prakashrajpurohit.wordpress.com/2010/06/02/electrical-engineeeringmains-booklist/

The unit-wise strategy can also be found at Prakash Sir’s blog

(http://prakashrajpurohit.wordpress.com/2010/08/07/electrical-engg-strategy/).

Below, I am reproducing his strategy along with some additions of my own.

 Paper – I

1. Circuit Theory: This topic requires continuous practice. One should solve as many numericals as
you can from A. Chakrabarti.  Even though I couldn’t do it due to paucity of time but solving IES
papers may help.
2. Signals and systems: In this topic, one must remember the formulas by making a formula sheet. As
Prakash Sir has mentioned, for DFT/FFT, refer to Oppenheim’s book on DSP.
3. E.M. Theory: Read chapter 6(till 6.29), 7 and 8 from K.D. Prasad. Practice some numerical
examples. Sometimes the book solves them in a long way, but you must do them in the shortest way
possible. For Smith chart and impedance matching refer Jordan & Balmain. Make the list of
formulas and practice all the derivations.
4. Analog Electronics: Diode, Transistors and Amplifiers can be done from any book. Topics that are
to be covered from JB Gupta are: Oscillators, Op Amp, Wave shaping circuits, Multivibrators,
Waveform Generators and Power supplies. You will have to practice numerical from IES papers
since JB Gupta doesn’t have many numerical. Also, in this chapter practice derivations well and
make sure you do not do mistakes in symbols.
5. Digital Electronics: I referred to R.P. Jain for this topic. It is a very good book that covers all the
concepts and also provides sufficient numerical practice. Please stick to the syllabus while reading
this book.
6. Energy Conversion: Try to cover everything given in the syllabus from Ashfaq Hussain and make
good command over all the numerical given in the book. It covers topic from IES point of view. Do
all the questions asked in the IES exams thoroughly.
7. Power Electronics and Electric Drives: Topics to be covered are Chapter 2(characteristics of diode,
BJT, MOSFET, IGBT), chapter 4-Thyrister(complete), chapter 5 – Thyrister commutation
techniques (complete), chapter 6 –Phase controlled rectifiers(Leave dual converters), chapter 7-
Choppers(Leave Thyrister Chopper circuits and multiphase choppers) , chapter 8 –Inverters(Leave
force-commutated thyrister inverters, current source and series inverters) and chapter 12-electric
drives(complete). Cover all the derivations (like deriving expressions for particular type of rectifier
or inverter) as well as working of circuits. Note that this book can be difficult to read at first due to
extensive coverage of topics. But you must nevertheless go through it. At first, focus on the concepts.
You may leave the numericals at the back of the Chapters since there are sufficient solved examples
in the book. Do not just read the examples, solve them yourself.

8. Analog Communication: Cover chapter 4(AM) and Chapter 5(on FM and PM) from BP Lathi.
Random process(chapter 1) can be covered from Haykin. And Noise(chapter 4) can be covered from
Singh and Sapre. Also cover AM AND FM practical modulation and demodulation circuits from
Singh and Sapre.

Paper II

1. Control Systems: Nagrath and Gopal is sufficient for all the topics. Practice from previous year IES
and CSE papers. Please stick to the syllabus. There is no need to read the entire book.
2. Microprocessors and Microcomputers: Cover chapters 1 to7 and 9, and parts of chapter 8 and
10(from which questions has been asked in IES exams), In peripherals cover 12, 14, 15, 16 (Focus
more on whatever has been asked in IES papers).
3. Measurement and Instrumentation: Cover all the instruments given in the syllabus thoroughly
from the Sawhney. Here also guide will be IES questions. In this book, you may skip the numericals
at the end of the Chapter if you have less time because it has sufficient solved examples. Focus on
derivations of different formulae. Also note the drawbacks of each measuring instrument. For
oscilloscope, please do not forget to practice making schematic diagrams.
4. Power Systems: I did this topic from Ashfaq Hussain. It covers the entire syllabus. You may have to
read a bit more on the last Chapter. Solve all examples and questions at the back of the Chapters. Do
not forget to practice the flowcharts of optimization schemes for load distribution.
5. Power System Protection: Chapters of Protective relays and circuit breakers (from Wadhwa) cover
large part of the syllabus in much better way. For microprocessor based relays refer to TMH book.
 You may also refer to the TMH book for other parts of the syllabus too in addition to Wadhwa. Do
solve the questions at the end of the Chapters.
6. Digital Communication: For PCM, DPCM, DM refer to chapter 6 of Lathi. ASK, PSK and FSK are
covered much better in Haykin. Information theory and codes can be covered from either of them.
Chapter 1 and 2 of Forouzan are to be covered for data networks and 7 layered architecture.

Basically in Electrical Engineering, practice numericals and revise your derivations well. Do not forget to
memorize the advantages and disadvantages wherever relevant for answering theoretical questions. When
you write answers always, mention which symbols stand for what and express your answers in correct units.

Choosing Electrical optional

Electrical is highly rewarding optional but it is also hectic in terms of efforts needed. As there is no
availability of ready-made material, you have to rely on reference books for completion of a topic. So, the
amount of time and efforts needed are little higher than what you need on other optionals. Technical
optionals require problem solving and electrical is no different. So, preparation for this optional can bring a
change from monotonous GS preparation. 

Strategy

I have relied on book list provided by Prakash Rajpurohit sir (AIR-2 in CSE-2009). For few topics, I have
supplemented from other sources which I would be detailing below. For the sake of convenience I would list
down the books suggested by rajpurohit sir along with my strategy.

Paper-1 

1. Circuit Theory: I have referred to A. Chakrabarti (Dhanpat Rai). The key is to solve as many
number of problems as you can. Complete all the solved examples and unsolved problems from the
book if you have time. Focus on Network Theorems, various parameters of expression of two-port
networks and graph theory (often ignored).
2. Signals and systems: I have used Sanjay Sharma as my primary book and Oppenheim as my
secondary book. They cover the syllabus very well. Please do all the solved examples from both the
books. For DFT and FFT have a basic understanding from a source you like (I have used youtube
videos). The formulas can be very confusing in this. Please have a sheet of paper and write down
every formula and revise it often.
3. E.M. Theory: Do not go beyond Sadiku for this. The chapters 9,10,11 entirely cover your syllabus.
They are picking solved examples from this book. So, do all the solved examples and attempt
unsolved if time permits. If you have time then glance through KD Prasad to not to miss out on
anything important (Only after completing sadiku).
4. Analog Electronics: I referred to J.B. Gupta. It is an extensive book that covers the topics really
well. Do it very patiently. Try to cover only those portions which are in the syllabus and leave the
rest. Do all the solved examples. Apart from this, I solved problems from ACE mains ESE material.
This is to gain better practise.
5. Digital Electronics: Morris Mano is the book you should refer to for this chapter. For timing
circuits (555 timer) and comparators refer to J.B. Gupta (same book as suggested for analog
electronics). Apart from this, I have solved problems from ACE mains ESE material.
6. Energy Conversion: I referred to Ashfaq Hussain. Try to get good grasp of all the solved
examples. Apart from this, I also solved problems from ACE mains ESE material.
7. Power Electronics and Electric Drives: I have referred to PS Bhimbra. This is also a time
consuming book and requires good patience to complete it. It requires two to three iterations to
understand the topic completely. Chapters that needs to be covered from the book are chapter 2,
chapter 4, chapter 5, chapter 6 (Leave dual converters), chapter 7 (Leave Thyristor Chopper circuits
and multiphase choppers) , chapter 8 (Leave force-commutated thyristor inverters, current source and
series inverters) and chapter 12. Don’t forget to complete all the solved examples. Questions are
directly lifted from these example problems.
 8. Analog Communication: I have referred to Simon Haykin and BP Lathi. But there is also a very
good NPTEL course which covers syllabus in its entirety. In fact the course contents are such that it
seems the syllabus is directly picked from the course. So, pick any source you like and complete the
syllabus. Apart from this, I solved problems from ACE mains ESE material.

http://nptel.ac.in/courses/117106090/Pdfs/1_5.pdf

http://nptel.ac.in/courses/117106090/Pdfs/1_6.pdf

http://nptel.ac.in/courses/117106090/Pdfs/1_7.pdf

http://nptel.ac.in/courses/117106090/Pdfs/1_8.pdf

http://nptel.ac.in/courses/117106090/Pdfs/1_9.pdf

http://nptel.ac.in/courses/117106090/Pdfs/1_10.pdf

Paper-2

1. Control Systems: I have referred to FF Kuo. This is again a very good with enough examples and
good coverage of theory part. Focus must be on time domain analysis, frequency domain analysis,
stability criteria and state variables. I have also solved problems from ACE mains ESE material.
2. Microprocessors and Microcomputers: I have referred to Ramesh Gaonkar. The book is a easy
read, so you can complete it easily. I have also read made-easy written notes for this. Refer online
for some peripheral device which are not covered well in Gaonkar. The guide will be previous years
questions of both IES and civil services.
3. Measurement and Instrumentation: The primary book I referred to is made-easy written notes.
For the topics like spectrum analyser, signal conditioning, etc which are not covered in made-easy
book, refer to Sawhney. Do refer to previous years questions of both IES and civil services for better
understanding of types of questions being asked.
4. Power Systems: I have referred to Nagrath Kothari. Do all the solved examples of the book. If you
have time you can also pick up wadhwa and complete the solved examples.
5. Power System Protection: I have to referred to Badri Ram and Vishwakarma. There is no need of
referring to any other book as this covers the entire syllabus. Focus on circuit breaker and digital
protection as more number of questions are being asked from it. Also please remember the schematic
of various protection schemes.
6. Digital Communication: I have referred to both Lathi and Haykin. As this a very dicey topic,
please cover the topics from both the books. I have referred to Forouzan (Chapter 1 and 2) for data
networks and 7 layered architecture. Do not neglect this part as 10 markers are constantly being
asked from this.

General Suggestions

1. Take a printout of the syllabus copy. Once you are done with the topic, check the syllabus and
highlight the left out sub-topics. Cover these sub-topics through use of internet.
2. Do not neglect solving problems. This is the most important part of your preparation. Solve the
problems along with your theory reading and don’t postpone it for later stages.
3. Do the previous years questions of CSE and ESE. Last year Made-easy has come up with 16 years
solved papers for CSE too. This is very important as same models of questions are asked.
4. Join a Test series. This will help in improving your speed and improve the way you present your
answers. Although the final answer and the correct approach are more important, but the way you
present it (writing down the formulas you use, clearly showing step-by-step approach, etc) also
matter.
5. Be good with the theory part, especially for paper-2. Remember things like advantages and
disadvantages whenever relevant. Also please remember all the derivations.
 6. Notes making. As the syllabus is very huge, please keep a book where you can update all the
formulas and important derivations. This can be useful material for your revision a day before the
examination.
7. Please avoid silly mistakes. Read the question very carefully. I lost a simple 10 marker last year
because I solved the problem for a shunt motor when the question was for a series motor. Avoid such
mistakes to maximise your score.
8. Be shrewd in the way you attempt questions. In the examination, avoid questions which have
lengthy calculations if you have a choice. This is because there are more chances of committing error
in those questions.

Endnote

The preparation for this optional can be exhausting. Sometimes you want to give up and shift to another
optional. I went through these phases occasionally. But I always loved electrical engineering as a subject and
this made me stick to it for 3 long attempts. So enjoy the optional preparation. And practise more and more.

“The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in combat.” ― Richard Marcinko.

I am unable to find my test series answer scripts. I will post them here once I find them.

All the best to all of you.