Do you hold an engineering diploma or degree and aspire to build the nation’s infrastructure? If you’re looking for a prestigious, secure, and technically challenging government job, the SSC JE exam is the most significant opportunity you should aim for.
But what exactly is SSC JE? Which government departments can you join? What are the eligibility criteria, the latest exam pattern, and the in-hand salary of a Junior Engineer?
Welcome to the ultimate master guide by Rojgar Point. This article is your A-to-Z blueprint for the SSC Junior Engineer (JE) examination. We will cover every detail you need to know to build a successful career as a government engineer. Let’s engineer your future! 🏗️
What is the Full Form of SSC JE?
Let’s start with the basics. The full form of SSC JE is Staff Selection Commission – Junior Engineer.
- SSC (Staff Selection Commission): The central government agency responsible for recruiting staff for various posts in the ministries and departments of the Government of India.
- JE (Junior Engineer): This refers to the post. A Junior Engineer is a Group ‘B’ Non-Gazetted technical post. JEs are the frontline supervisors who execute and maintain the country’s vast infrastructure projects.
In short, SSC JE is a highly competitive national-level exam conducted to recruit Junior Engineers specializing in Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering for a wide range of prestigious government departments.
Departments Recruiting Through SSC JE
A successful career through SSC JE places you in some of the most important nation-building organizations. Here are the key departments where you could be posted:
- Central Public Works Department (CPWD): The premier agency for construction and maintenance of central government projects.
- Military Engineer Services (MES): Provides engineering and infrastructure support to the Indian Armed Forces.
- Border Roads Organisation (BRO): Develops and maintains road networks in India’s border areas. (Only for male candidates).
- Central Water Commission (CWC): Manages the country’s water resources, including flood control and irrigation projects.
- Farakka Barrage Project (FBP): Responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Farakka Barrage on the Ganga river.
- National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO): A technical intelligence agency.
- Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.
SSC JE Eligibility Criteria (Updated 2025)
Eligibility for the SSC JE exam depends on your age, educational qualification, and the specific department you are applying for. It’s crucial to check this carefully.
Nationality and Educational Qualification
| Criteria | Requirement |
| Nationality | Must be a citizen of India. |
| Educational Qualification | A B.E./B.Tech. Degree or a three-year Diploma in Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering from a recognized University or Institution. |
Note: Some posts in departments like MES and BRO may require a two-year work experience for diploma holders. Always check the official notification for specific requirements.
Age Limit (Department-Wise)
The age limit varies for different organizations.
| Department/Organization | Post | Maximum Age Limit |
| Central Public Works Department (CPWD) | JE (Civil), JE (Electrical) | 32 years |
| Central Water Commission (CWC) | JE (Civil), JE (Mechanical) | 30 years |
| Military Engineer Services (MES) | JE (Civil), JE (Elec & Mech) | 30 years |
| Border Roads Organisation (BRO) | JE (Civil), JE (Elec & Mech) | 30 years |
| Farakka Barrage Project | JE (Civil), JE (Electrical), JE (Mechanical) | 30 years |
| National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) | JE (Civil) | 30 years |
Age Relaxation
The upper age limit is relaxed for candidates from reserved categories.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD (Unreserved) | 10 years |
SSC JE Exam Pattern (Latest Structure)
The SSC JE selection process consists of two stages, both of which are Computer-Based Tests (CBT).
Paper-I (Objective Type)
This is the first stage and is used to screen candidates for Paper-II. The marks from this paper are also included in the final merit list.
| Part | Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| A | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 2 Hours |
| B | General Awareness | 50 | 50 | |
| C | Part-A: General Engineering (Civil & Structural) OR Part-B: General Engineering (Electrical) OR Part-C: General Engineering (Mechanical) | 100 | 100 | |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
- Negative Marking: There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.
Paper-II (Objective Type)
Candidates who qualify in Paper-I are eligible to appear for Paper-II. This paper tests the core technical knowledge of the candidate in their specific engineering discipline.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| Part-A: General Engineering (Civil & Structural) OR Part-B: General Engineering (Electrical) OR Part-C: General Engineering (Mechanical) | 100 | 300 | 2 Hours |
- Negative Marking: There is a negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer.
- Calculators: A virtual calculator will be provided on the computer screen during the exam.
The final merit list is prepared based on the combined marks of Paper-I and Paper-II.
SSC JE Syllabus: Key Topics to Study
Here is an overview of the important topics for both papers.
Paper-I (Non-Technical) Syllabus
- General Intelligence & Reasoning: Analogies, Classification, Coding-Decoding, Puzzles, Series (Number, Alphabet), Blood Relations, Syllogism, Venn Diagrams, and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
- General Awareness: Indian History, Geography, Polity (Constitution), Economics, Basic Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), Static GK, and Current Affairs of the last 6-8 months.
Paper-I & Paper-II (Technical) Syllabus
Civil Engineering:
Building Materials, Estimating, Costing and Valuation, Surveying, Soil Mechanics, Hydraulics, Irrigation Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Theory of Structures, Concrete Technology, RCC Design, Steel Design.
Electrical Engineering:
Basic concepts, Circuit law, Magnetic Circuit, AC Fundamentals, Measurement and Measuring instruments, Electrical Machines, Synchronous Machines, Generation, Transmission and Distribution, Estimation and Costing, Utilization of Electrical Energy, Basic Electronics.
Mechanical Engineering:
Theory of Machines and Machine Design, Engineering Mechanics and Strength of Materials, Properties of Pure Substances, 1st Law of Thermodynamics, 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, Air standard Cycles for IC Engines, Fluid Mechanics & Machinery, Production Engineering.
SSC JE Salary Structure (In-Hand)
A Junior Engineer is a Group ‘B’ (Non-Gazetted) post with a salary in Pay Level-6 (₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400) of the 7th Pay Commission. The in-hand salary is quite attractive.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the approximate monthly in-hand salary.
| Salary Component | City X (e.g., Delhi, Mumbai) | City Y (e.g., Lucknow, Pune) | City Z (e.g., Smaller Towns) |
| Basic Pay | ₹35,400 | ₹35,400 | ₹35,400 |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | ~ ₹17,700 (50% of Basic) | ~ ₹17,700 | ~ ₹17,700 |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | ₹10,620 (27% of Basic) | ₹6,372 (18% of Basic) | ₹3,186 (9% of Basic) |
| Transport Allowance (TA) | ₹3,600 | ₹1,800 | ₹1,800 |
| Gross Salary (Approx.) | ~ ₹67,320 | ~ ₹61,272 | ~ ₹58,086 |
| Deductions (NPS, etc.) | ~ ₹5,300 | ~ ₹5,300 | ~ ₹5,300 |
| In-Hand Salary (Approx.) | ~ ₹62,000 per month | ~ ₹56,000 per month | ~ ₹52,800 per month |
Note: DA rates are revised periodically by the government.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can final-year engineering students apply for SSC JE?
Ans: Yes, final-year students can apply. However, they must be able to produce their Degree or Diploma pass certificate by the cut-off date mentioned in the official SSC JE notification.
Q2: Is a B.E./B.Tech. degree better than a Diploma for SSC JE?
Ans: While the minimum qualification for many posts is a Diploma, a Degree holder is also eligible. For promotions, a degree can sometimes be beneficial in the long run.
Q3: What is the career growth of an SSC Junior Engineer?
Ans: A Junior Engineer has a very good career progression. The first promotion is to Assistant Engineer (AE). With further experience and departmental exams, one can rise to the level of Executive Engineer and even higher.
Q4: Is there an interview for the SSC JE exam?
Ans: No, there is no interview for the SSC JE selection process. The final selection is based purely on the marks obtained in Paper-I and Paper-II.
We hope this master guide from Rojgar Point has provided you with a complete and clear understanding of the SSC JE exam. It is a fantastic opportunity for young engineers to contribute to the nation’s growth while building a secure and rewarding career. Start your preparation with dedication and build your future!
