Booklist for Paper I

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

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

Booklist for 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).

Tips for Paper I

1. Circuit Theory: In this topic one should be fast in solving problems. Best way to gain
speed is to practice regularly from IES papers of both electrical and electronics. Do
questions from single IES paper (there are 3-6 questions every year) within time limit.

2. Signals and systems: Here also speed is important. It is better to make a formula sheet
and revise it regularly. For DFT/FFT, refer to Oppenheims book on DSP.
3. E.M. Theory: Read chapter 6(till 6.29), 7 and 8 from K.D. Prasad. 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.
5. Digital Electronics: Mano is sufficient for the part of syllabus which it covers. For topic
left like Timer (look at chapter on 555 IC Timer), Comparator, S&H circuit refer to JB
Gupta.
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.
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.

Tips for Paper II

1. Control Systems: Nagrath and Gopal is sufficient for all the topics. Practice from

previous year IES and CSE papers.

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.
4. Power Systems: I did this topic from Nagrath and Kothari as I already had covered the

book in graduation. Practice solved examples of both Wadhwa and this book.

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.
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.

Introduction: Maths as an optional subject

Before starting with the strategy I would like to answer a common question: What is the final
score vis--vis correct attempt? It is true that there is heavy moderation of marks in science
subjects especially in mathematics. But despite that it is possible to score very high. My final
score and correct attempt paper wise is:
Year
2008
2009
Paper
Paper I II Paper I Paper II
Correct Attempt (out of 300) 261 250 300 285
Marks Received (after scaling) 184 206 209 218
In the correct attempt I have counted only those answers which are absolutely correct. Paper I is
relatively easy so the reduction is huge. Also do not confuse the term scaling down as only
multiplication by a constant factor (some says scaling is 0.6 or 0.7). The statistical formulas are
more complex and the subtraction part has larger weightage I guess (seeing the mark trends of all
the students in last 2 years).
competition in maths is very tough, most of the candidates are from iit or from math background.
scoring here is different from school/college as there is heavy moderation of marks.

General tips for preparation:

Need of coaching is a subjective matter. I did not take any.

For maths practice is appropriate word instead of revision.

While preparing one should not be bothered about the moderation/scaling. Target should
be to score maximum possible marks.

study only those topics which are mentioned in the syllabus.

In Paper I try to cover all the topics. If time does not permit then cover dynamics and
statics from 12 markers point of view.

In Paper II focus on the topics: Complex Analysis, Linear Programming, Partial

Differential Equations and Numerical Analysis. Rest of the topics should be covered from
12 markers point of view.

it is not possible that you come across all the question before exam. what i do is try to
finish the paper quickly and keep some time to think over them. for mechanics and
dynamics see all the 12 markers which have come in last 10 years. try to cover the theory
required to solve them. and practice few more examples related to that.

Make a fair copy and practice all the previous year questions in it.

Practice with pen and paper(Many aspirants take this point casually and just read the
solved examples)

Do at least 3-4 papers in exam like conditions.

General tips while attempting the paper:

Ordering of questions does not matter. Attempt the questions which you know the best at
the start.
Try to finish each question in the 75-80% of the allotted time. For example, a 15 marks
question has allotted time of 9 minutes. Try to finish it in 7 minutes. Rest 2 minutes must
be spent on revising the answer. Rechecking entire paper at the end may not be possible.
Try to work out the answer quickly in rough space. All this is important because wrong
answer may carry heavy penalty.

i did not write any theory, not even explained the terms in lagarange interpolation
formula.. focus should be on getting the correct answer and that too quickly.

All the trivial calculations (like simple integration, algebraic and trigonometric
manipulations) can be done in rough space to save time (I believe that showing them in
answer might not carry any weightage).

I will also upload some of the answers which I wrote in the paper. In the next articles I
will be sharing the detailed strategy for both the papers.

A major question that comes in the mind of an aspirant is whether she should go for selective or
exhaustive preparation. I went for the exhaustive preparation, as most part of the syllabus was
part of my graduation curriculum. But if time does not permit one can leave some topics from
point of view of full 60 marks question. In this post I am giving topic wise preparation strategy.

Paper 1: Topicwise Booklist

1. Calculus Shanti Narayan Course on Mathematical Analysis (S. Chand)
2. Analytic Geometry Shanti Narayan (S. Chand)
3. Ordinary Differential Equations M.D. Raisinghania (S. Chand)
4. Statics Krishna Series
5. Dynamics Krishna Series

Paper I Topics

1. Linear Algebra Focus should on understanding the definition of various terms

mentioned in the syllabus (like vector spaces, subspaces, linear dependence and so on).
While answering questions explain all the steps.
2. Calculus Single variable calculus is not a problem for candidates. Refer to chapters
(book I mentioned in the booklist) that deal with continuity and differentiability for 2
variables. For double and triple integration also refer to that book. The solved examples
from that book are sufficient. The relevant chapters are:12,13,15,16,17,18. Theory is not
important , just understand the techniques through solved examples.
3. Analytic Geometry Refer book by PN Chaterjee(Rajhans Publications). This book

contains solved examples and all the questions are taken from this book.
4. Ordinary Differential Equations In this topic it is better to make a sheet of all the

formulas and techniques. Practice all the solved questions of the book I have mentioned.
5. Dynamics and Statics Completing the Krishna Series books(do only topics mentioned in

the syllabus) will be sufficient for attempting 60 marks question. Common Catenary,
central orbits, constrained motion should be covered in depth(that is do all the solved
examples). For rest of the topics covering only few examples is sufficient.
6. Vector Analysis In this topic make the formula sheet. And practice previous year

questions. Regularly practice the derivations asked in the exam.

Paper 2: Topicwise Booklist

1. Algebra Khanna and Bhambri
2. Algebra- I. N. Herstein
3. Elements of Real Analysis -MD. Raisinghania(S. Chand)
4. Complex Analysis Krishna Series
5. Linear Programming - Krishna Series
6. Partial Differential Equations- M.D. Raisinghania + (Some portion of book on Boundary
Value Problem by S. Chand)
7. Numerical Analysis Jain and Iynger
8. Fluid Dynamics M.D. Raisinghania
9. Mechanics Krishna Series (Rigid Dynamics vol.-1 and Vo.-II)
10. For Linear Algebra and Vector Analysis, I could not find any books relevant to the exam.
So I referred to Brilliant Tutorials material to practice questions.

Paper 2: Topics and Tips

1. Algebra For the people who are totally new to this topic i would suggest that read the
books i have mentioned 2-3 times. Then practice all the theorems and questions yourself
2-3 times.
2. Real Analysis Cover chapters: 2- The Real Numbers(till page 24), 3-Neighbourhoods
and Limit Point of a set(till page 11), 4 Countability of Sets(first 12 theorems and
examples given at the end) 5,6,7(Regarding Sequence and series) 8. Real Functions.
Limit and Continuity, 9,10,11,12,13,15,16. For the topics underlined cover the theorems
also. For rest of the chapters solved examples are enough.
3. Complex Analysis Cover this topic from any book. Practice this topic thoroughly.
4. Linear Programming Practice is important. Improve upon the speed and accuracy for
this topic.
5. Partial Differential Equations Same as Ordinary Differential Equations.
6. Numerical Analysis and Computer Programming Make the formula sheet for all the
methods. Cover error analysis for newton raphson, lagrange interpolation, numerical
integration. Draw flow chart and algorithm for all the numerical methods. Practice them
regularly. For other topics i had M Morris Mano(this is digital electronics book). One can
refer to the internet if she does not find the leftover topics in book.
7. Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics For Mechanics focus on chapters of Lagrangian(cover
it from Vol-II, Rigid Dyanamics-Krishna Series), Hamiltonian, Moment Of Inertia,
DAlemberts principle. For Fluid Dynamics cover topics mentioned in the syllabus. The
book of MD Raisinghania covers syllabus from IAS exam perspective also.
My methodology was to first cover the topic from the books. Then practice previous year
questions from that topic. I covered the topics in the order mentioned in the syllabus. However it
does not matter much. After covering the entire syllabus I practiced last 3-4 year papers in exam
like conditions.