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100+ Free ISRO Scientist Civil Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: ISRO Scientist Civil Exam

80 + 15 MCQs

Part A Core / Part B Aptitude (100 marks total)

ISRO ICRB exam pattern

120 mins

Total time limit for 95 questions

ISRO ICRB exam pattern

−1/3 per wrong

Negative marking on assigned question marks

ISRO ICRB exam pattern

₹750

Application fee (fully/partially refundable)

ISRO Scientist 2026 notification

80 / 20

Practice split: Civil Core / Aptitude & Reasoning

OpenExamPrep practice bank blueprint

ISRO Scientist Civil test has 95 MCQs (80 core civil, 15 aptitude, 120 mins) with -1/3 negative marking. Application fee is ₹750 (fully or partially refundable upon appearing).

Sample ISRO Scientist Civil Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your ISRO Scientist Civil exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which of the following equations correctly relates the Modulus of Elasticity (E), Shear Modulus (G), and Poisson's ratio (μ) for an isotropic elastic material?
A.E = 3G(1 + μ)
B.E = 2G(1 + μ)
C.E = G(2 + μ)
D.E = 2G(1 - μ)
Explanation: For an isotropic and homogeneous elastic material, the relationship between Young's Modulus (E), Shear Modulus (G), and Poisson's ratio (μ) is given by E = 2G(1 + μ). Similarly, the relationship with Bulk Modulus (K) is E = 3K(1 - 2μ).
2A steel bar of length L, cross-sectional area A, and coefficient of thermal expansion α is fixed at both ends. If the temperature of the bar is increased by ΔT, what is the magnitude of the thermal stress developed in the bar, assuming Young's modulus is E?
A.α·ΔT·E
B.α·ΔT·E·L
C.α·ΔT·E / L
D.Zero
Explanation: If the bar were free to expand, the thermal expansion would be ΔL = α·L·ΔT. Since the bar is constrained at both ends, the strain prevented is ε = ΔL / L = α·ΔT. Therefore, the compressive stress induced is σ = ε·E = α·ΔT·E.
3What is the maximum bending moment in a simply supported beam of span L carrying a uniformly distributed load of intensity w per unit length over its entire span?
A.wL²/4
B.wL²/8
C.wL²/12
D.wL²/16
Explanation: For a simply supported beam with UDL w, the support reactions are wL/2. The bending moment at distance x is M(x) = (wL/2)x - wx²/2. The maximum bending moment occurs at mid-span (x = L/2), which evaluates to M_max = wL²/8.
4A solid circular shaft of diameter D has the same length and material as a hollow circular shaft. The hollow shaft has an outer diameter D and an inner diameter D/2. What is the ratio of the torque-carrying capacity of the solid shaft to that of the hollow shaft under pure torsion?
A.16/15
B.15/16
C.8/7
D.2
Explanation: Torque capacity is proportional to the polar section modulus (Z_p = I_p / r_max). For the solid shaft: Z_ps = (πD³/16). For the hollow shaft: Z_ph = (π/16) * (D⁴ - (D/2)⁴) / D = (π/16) * (D⁴ - D⁴/16) / D = (πD³/16) * (15/16). The ratio of Z_ps / Z_ph = 1 / (15/16) = 16/15.
5Under a state of pure shear stress of magnitude τ on a two-dimensional element, what is the radius of the resulting Mohr's circle of stress?
A.τ/2
B.τ
C.2τ
D.Zero
Explanation: For a state of pure shear, the normal stresses on the reference planes are σ_x = 0 and σ_y = 0, and the shear stress is τ_xy = τ. The center of Mohr's circle is at ((σ_x + σ_y)/2, 0) = (0,0). The radius of the circle is R = √[((σ_x - σ_y)/2)² + τ_xy²] = √[0 + τ²] = τ.
6A cantilever beam of length L, flexural rigidity EI, is loaded with a concentrated point load P at its free end. What is the maximum deflection at the free end of this beam?
A.PL³ / (3EI)
B.PL³ / (8EI)
C.PL³ / (48EI)
D.5PL³ / (384EI)
Explanation: Using standard deflection formulas (or moment-area method), the slope at the free end of a cantilever with end load P is θ = PL²/(2EI), and the deflection at the free end is δ = PL³/(3EI).
7According to Euler's column theory, what is the critical buckling load for a column of length L and flexural rigidity EI that is fixed at one end and completely free at the other end?
A.π²EI / L²
B.4π²EI / L²
C.π²EI / (4L²)
D.2π²EI / L²
Explanation: For a column fixed at one end and free at the other, the effective length is L_e = 2L. Substituting this into the Euler critical load formula P_cr = π²EI / L_e² gives P_cr = π²EI / (2L)² = π²EI / (4L²).
8A metallic bar of length L, cross-sectional area A, and Young's modulus E is subjected to a gradual axial tensile load P. What is the strain energy stored in the bar at this load stage?
A.PL / (AE)
B.P²L / (AE)
C.P²L / (2AE)
D.PL / (2AE)
Explanation: The strain energy (U) stored due to gradual axial loading is equal to the work done by the load: U = (1/2) * P * δ, where δ = PL / (AE) is the axial deformation. Substituting δ gives U = P²L / (2AE).
9A two-dimensional state of stress at a point in a loaded structure is given by σ_x = 80 MPa, σ_y = 20 MPa, and τ_xy = 40 MPa. What are the maximum and minimum principal stresses at this point?
A.100 MPa and 0 MPa
B.90 MPa and 10 MPa
C.80 MPa and 20 MPa
D.120 MPa and -20 MPa
Explanation: The principal stresses are calculated using the formula: σ_1,2 = (σ_x + σ_y)/2 ± √[((σ_x - σ_y)/2)² + τ_xy²]. Here, (σ_x + σ_y)/2 = (80 + 20)/2 = 50 MPa. The radius term is √[((80 - 20)/2)² + 40²] = √[30² + 40²] = 50 MPa. Thus, σ_1 = 50 + 50 = 100 MPa, and σ_2 = 50 - 50 = 0 MPa.
10A cantilever beam of span L has a varying cross-section such that its flexural rigidity is 2EI for the left half (fixed end to mid-span) and EI for the right half (mid-span to free end). If a concentrated load P is applied at the free end, what is the slope at the free end using the conjugate beam method?
A.5PL² / (16EI)
B.9PL² / (16EI)
C.3PL² / (8EI)
D.PL² / (2EI)
Explanation: In the conjugate beam method, the slope at any point of the real beam equals the shear in the conjugate beam, whose loading is the M/EI diagram. Measuring x from the free end, the real bending moment is M = -Px, so M = 0 at the free end, -PL/2 at mid-span, and -PL at the fixed end. The right (free) half carries rigidity EI, so its M/EI is a triangle rising from 0 to PL/(2EI) over span L/2, giving area ½·(L/2)·PL/(2EI) = PL²/(8EI). The left (fixed) half carries 2EI, so its M/EI is a trapezoid from PL/(4EI) to PL/(2EI) over span L/2, giving area ½·(PL/4EI + PL/2EI)·(L/2) = 3PL²/(16EI). The free-end slope is the total M/EI area = 2PL²/(16EI) + 3PL²/(16EI) = 5PL²/(16EI).

About the ISRO Scientist Civil Exam

ISRO Scientist/Engineer SC Civil recruitment written test is a highly technical exam testing core Civil Engineering concepts and general aptitude. Part A consists of 80 civil engineering core MCQs (mechanics, structural design of concrete/steel, geotechnical engineering, fluid mechanics, hydrology, environmental engineering, highway design, and surveying). Part B consists of 15 aptitude and reasoning MCQs. Written exam performance is a screening stage, with final selection based on a weighted combination of written exam (50%) and personal interview (50%) or interview alone (per latest notification). Negative marking of one-third applies to incorrect answers.

Assessment

The written exam is a single session of 120 minutes with 95 MCQs: Part A contains 80 discipline-specific Civil Engineering questions (80 marks, -1/3 penalty), and Part B contains 15 Aptitude and Reasoning questions (20 marks total, -1/3 penalty).

Time Limit

120 minutes

Passing Score

50% in Part A and Part B separately for General; 40% in each part separately for reserved categories. Shortlisted candidates proceed to the Interview (100 marks, passing 50% for UR).

Exam Fee

₹750 (Refundable to ₹750 for exempt classes, or ₹250 for general/OBC/EWS males upon appearing for the exam) (ISRO Centralized Recruitment Board (ICRB))

ISRO Scientist Civil Exam Content Outline

80%

Part A — Civil Engineering Core

Mechanics, structural design of concrete/steel, geotechnical engineering, fluid mechanics, hydrology, environmental, highway design, and surveying

20%

Part B — Aptitude & Reasoning

Numerical reasoning, logical reasoning, verbal ability, and spatial aptitude

How to Pass the ISRO Scientist Civil Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 50% in Part A and Part B separately for General; 40% in each part separately for reserved categories. Shortlisted candidates proceed to the Interview (100 marks, passing 50% for UR).
  • Assessment: The written exam is a single session of 120 minutes with 95 MCQs: Part A contains 80 discipline-specific Civil Engineering questions (80 marks, -1/3 penalty), and Part B contains 15 Aptitude and Reasoning questions (20 marks total, -1/3 penalty).
  • Time limit: 120 minutes
  • Exam fee: ₹750 (Refundable to ₹750 for exempt classes, or ₹250 for general/OBC/EWS males upon appearing for the exam)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

ISRO Scientist Civil Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus heavily on core engineering principles. ISRO questions are known to test conceptual depth, especially in Solid Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics, and Geotech.
2Practice manual calculation. Since calculators are not allowed, developing quick estimation techniques and basic division/multiplication speed is crucial.
3Do not ignore Part B. Clearing the sectional cutoff in both Part A and Part B separately is mandatory to be eligible for shortlisting.
4Review structural design codes such as IS 456 (Concrete) and IS 800 (Steel) as code-based limits and specification questions are frequently asked.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the exam pattern for ISRO Scientist/Engineer Civil?

The written test consists of two parts: Part A containing 80 MCQs on core Civil Engineering (80 marks, 120 minutes total combined with Part B) and Part B containing 15 MCQs on General Aptitude and Reasoning (20 marks total). Total questions is 95.

Is there negative marking in the ISRO Civil Exam?

Yes, there is negative marking. For incorrect answers, one-third of the assigned marks for that question will be deducted. For Part A, it is -1/3 mark. For Part B, it is -1/3 of the question's specific value.

What is the application fee and how does the refund work?

The initial application fee is ₹750 for all candidates. Upon appearing for the written test, the fee is refunded: 100% refund (₹750) for women, SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-servicemen. For male candidates under General/OBC/EWS, a refund of ₹250 is processed, making the net fee ₹500.

What are the passing criteria for the written test?

Candidates must secure at least 50% in Part A and 50% in Part B separately to qualify under the UR (Unreserved) category. For reserved category candidates, the qualifying mark is 40% in each part separately.

Are calculators allowed in the ISRO Scientist exam?

No. Physical calculators, mobile devices, or smartwatches are strictly prohibited in the exam hall. All calculations in the practice questions and actual test must be performed manually.