Free Practice Questions for ESE Prelims Electrical

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Key Facts: ESE Prelims Electrical Exam

250 MCQs / 500 marks

Official ESE Prelims structure (100 Paper I + 150 Paper II)

UPSC ESE exam pattern summaries 2026

1/3 negative marking

Penalty per wrong answer in Prelims objective papers

UPSC ESE rules / pattern summaries

Rs. 200

Typical male General/OBC/EWS application fee (exemptions apply)

ESE-2026 notification summaries

UPSC ESE Prelims Electrical: Paper I 100 MCQs/200 marks (2 h) + Paper II 150 Electrical MCQs/300 marks (3 h), 1/3 negative marking, Rs. 200 fee (with exemptions). This free bank has 100 Electrical Paper II–style practice MCQs.

Sample ESE Prelims Electrical Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the ESE Prelims Electrical exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1The eigenvalues of the matrix [[2, 1], [1, 2]] are:

A.1 and 3

B.0 and 4

C.2 and 2

D.-1 and 5

Explanation: For a 2×2 matrix, eigenvalues satisfy det(A − λI) = 0. Here (2−λ)² − 1 = 0 gives λ = 1 and λ = 3. ESE engineering mathematics regularly tests small-matrix eigenvalue problems.

2The Laplace transform of t·e^(−at) is:

A.1/(s−a)²

B.1/(s+a)²

C.s/(s+a)²

D.2/(s+a)³

Explanation: Using the frequency-shift and differentiation properties: L{t·f(t)} = −d/ds F(s) with F(s) = 1/(s+a), so L{t·e^(−at)} = 1/(s+a)². This pair appears in transient circuit analysis.

3The solution of dy/dx + y = e^x with y(0) = 1 is:

A.y = e^(−x)

B.y = e^x

C.y = (e^x + e^(−x))/2

D.y = x·e^x

Explanation: Integrating factor e^x gives d/dx(y·e^x) = e^(2x). Integrating: y·e^x = e^(2x)/2 + C. With y(0)=1, C = 1/2, so y = (e^x + e^(−x))/2.

4The residue of f(z) = 1/(z² + 1) at z = i is:

A.0

B.−1/(2i)

C.1

D.1/(2i)

Explanation: Simple pole at z = i. Residue = lim_{z→i} (z−i)·1/((z−i)(z+i)) = 1/(2i). Cauchy residue theorem is used in inverse Laplace and contour integration problems.

5In numerical integration, Simpson's 1/3 rule requires:

A.An even number of intervals (odd number of ordinates)

B.An odd number of intervals

C.Exactly three ordinates only

D.Equal spacing is optional

Explanation: Composite Simpson's 1/3 rule requires an even number of equal intervals (hence an odd number of ordinates). Unequal spacing invalidates the standard formula.

6The mean of a uniform distribution on [a, b] is:

A.b − a

B.(a + b)/2

C.√((a² + b²)/2)

D.(b − a)/3

Explanation: For continuous uniform PDF f(x) = 1/(b−a), the mean E[X] = ∫ x/(b−a) dx = (a+b)/2. Probability and statistics appear in signal-noise and reliability questions.

7The Fourier series of an even periodic function contains only:

A.Exponential terms with imaginary exponents only

B.Sine terms only

C.Cosine terms (and possibly a constant)

D.Neither sine nor cosine

Explanation: Even functions have f(−x) = f(x), so only cosine (even) harmonics and the a₀ constant appear; all bₙ sine coefficients are zero.

8Gauss–Seidel iteration for solving Ax = b generally converges faster than Jacobi when:

A.The matrix is indefinite with large negative eigenvalues

B.The matrix is singular

C.All off-diagonal entries are zero

D.The coefficient matrix is diagonally dominant

Explanation: Gauss–Seidel uses updated values immediately and typically converges faster than Jacobi for diagonally dominant systems common in power-flow and network equations.

9In intrinsic silicon at room temperature, the Fermi level lies:

A.Near the middle of the band gap

B.At the valence band edge

C.At the conduction band edge

D.Outside the band gap in the conduction band

Explanation: For intrinsic semiconductors, n = p so the Fermi level sits approximately at mid-gap (slightly adjusted by effective mass ratio). Doping shifts E_F toward the bands.

10Curie temperature is the temperature above which a ferromagnetic material becomes:

A.Diamagnetic

B.Paramagnetic

C.Superconducting

D.Piezoelectric

Explanation: Above the Curie point, thermal energy destroys spontaneous magnetic domain alignment and the material behaves paramagnetically. Ni, Fe, and Co show this transition.

About the ESE Prelims Electrical Exam

The UPSC Engineering Services Examination recruits Group A/B engineers for central government technical services. Electrical Engineering candidates face a large objective Prelims Paper II covering circuits, machines, power systems, control, electronics, measurements and related topics, followed by descriptive Mains and an interview. This free practice bank drills core Electrical objective concepts for Prelims Paper II.

Exam sponsor: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

ESE selection: Stage 1 Prelims (objective, offline) — Paper I General Studies & Engineering Aptitude (100 Q / 200 marks / 2 hours) + Paper II Electrical Engineering (150 Q / 300 marks / 3 hours); 1/3 negative marking. Stage 2 Mains — two conventional Electrical papers (300 marks each). Stage 3 Personality Test (200 marks). Final merit from written + interview against cadre vacancies.

Time Limit

Paper I: 2 hours; Paper II: 3 hours (Prelims). Mains papers: 3 hours each.

Passing Score

UPSC publishes category- and discipline-wise cut-offs after each stage; there is no single pre-announced pass percentage.

Exam / Certification Fees

Rs. 200 for male General/OBC/EWS candidates per ESE-2026 notification summaries; Female / SC / ST / PwBD exempt. Confirm in the live UPSC advertisement.

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

10%

Electric Circuits and Fields

Network analysis, theorems, fields basics.

10%

Electrical Machines

Transformers and rotating machines.

10%

Power Systems

Transmission, faults, protection, distribution.

16%

Control & Signals

Control systems plus signals and systems.

24%

Electronics & Power Electronics

Analog/digital, devices, converters and drives.

16%

Measurements & Materials

Instrumentation and electrical materials.

14%

Maths & Computer Fundamentals

Engineering mathematics and computer basics.

Preparing for the ESE Prelims Electrical Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: UPSC publishes category- and discipline-wise cut-offs after each stage; there is no single pre-announced pass percentage.
Assessment: ESE selection: Stage 1 Prelims (objective, offline) — Paper I General Studies & Engineering Aptitude (100 Q / 200 marks / 2 hours) + Paper II Electrical Engineering (150 Q / 300 marks / 3 hours); 1/3 negative marking. Stage 2 Mains — two conventional Electrical papers (300 marks each). Stage 3 Personality Test (200 marks). Final merit from written + interview against cadre vacancies.
Time limit: Paper I: 2 hours; Paper II: 3 hours (Prelims). Mains papers: 3 hours each.
Exam / certification fees: Rs. 200 for male General/OBC/EWS candidates per ESE-2026 notification summaries; Female / SC / ST / PwBD exempt. Confirm in the live UPSC advertisement. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 100 available questions
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ESE Prelims Electrical: Suggested Study Strategy

1Treat Paper II Electrical as a GATE-depth objective paper: revise circuits, machines, power systems, control, and power electronics with timed sets and 1/3 negative marking in mind.

2Do not neglect Paper I GS & Engineering Aptitude — it is 200 of 500 Prelims marks and is common across disciplines.

3After Prelims mocks, switch early to conventional Mains writing practice; descriptive depth decides interview shortlisting.

4Use only the latest UPSC ESE notification and syllabus PDF for topic boundaries and medical/age rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UPSC ESE Prelims pattern for Electrical Engineering?

Prelims has two offline objective papers: Paper I (General Studies & Engineering Aptitude) with 100 questions for 200 marks in 2 hours, and Paper II (Electrical Engineering) with 150 questions for 300 marks in 3 hours. Wrong answers attract one-third negative marking.

What is the ESE application fee?

For ESE-2026 notification summaries, male General/OBC/EWS candidates pay Rs. 200. Female candidates and SC/ST/PwBD candidates are exempt. Always confirm the fee table in the live UPSC advertisement.

Does this practice bank cover Paper I and Paper II?

This bank focuses on Electrical Engineering discipline topics typical of Prelims Paper II. Paper I GS & Engineering Aptitude should be practised separately using current-affairs, ethics, standards, project management, and engineering aptitude sources listed by UPSC.

What happens after clearing Prelims?

Qualified candidates sit for conventional Mains (two Electrical papers of 300 marks each). Those who clear Mains are called for a Personality Test of 200 marks. Final ranking combines written and interview marks.