DRDO RAC Exam Pattern 2024

DRDO RAC Exam Pattern Overview

• DRDO Recruitment and Assessment Centre will conduct a written examination for the recruitment of Scientist B/Engineer & other posts.
• The examination will be descriptive in nature and consist of two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2.

Prev. Papers

• Candidates interested in these positions should fill out the forms available on the official website of DRDO.
• Aspiring individuals looking to join DRDO have an exciting opportunity with this recruitment.
• After filling out the form, understanding the examination pattern is crucial. Below are the details to guide your preparation for the DRDO RAC Exam.

DRDO RAC Exam Pattern 2022

• As you can see the nature of the paper is descriptive, so there is no negative marking, you will be getting 3 hours for each paper.
• Candidates will be attempting papers related to their field of study.
• The difficulty of the examination will be moderately tough.
• The total marks allotted to the examination are 600.

Important Topics For Mechanical Engineering:

For Descriptive Paper 1:

• Power Plant Engineering

  Rankine & Brayton cycles with regeneration & reheat, Fuels & their properties, Flue gas analysis, Boilers, steam turbines, & other power plant components like condensers, air ejectors, electrostatic precipitators, & cooling towers, their theory & design, types, & applications.

• Turbo Machinery

  Reciprocating & Rotary pumps, Pelton wheel, Kaplan & Francis Turbines, velocity diagrams, Impulse & Reaction principles, Steam & Gas Turbines, Theory of Jet Propulsion, Pulse-jet & Ram Jet Engines, Reciprocating & Rotary Compressors, Theory & Applications

Engineering Concepts Overview

• Reciprocating and rotary pumps are essential in fluid mechanics for transferring liquids.

• Pelton, Kaplan, and Francis turbines are types of water turbines used for generating power from water flow.

• Velocity diagrams are graphical representations used in fluid mechanics to analyze fluid flow.

• Impulse and reaction principles are fundamental concepts in understanding the behavior of turbines and pumps.

• Steam and gas turbines are vital in power generation processes, utilizing steam or gas to produce mechanical energy.

• The theory of jet propulsion explains the principles behind the operation of jet engines.

• Pulse-jet and ram jet engines are types of jet engines used in various applications.

• Reciprocating and rotary compressors are devices used to increase the pressure of gases.

• Solar Radiation
• Solar Thermal Energy Collection
• Flat Plate & Focusing Collectors
• Solar Thermal Energy Storage
• Solar Photovoltaic Conversion
• Wind Energy Harnessing
• Bio-mass & Tidal Energy
• Fuel Cells Working Principles

Fluid Mechanics

• Basic Concepts & Properties of Fluids
• Manometry
• Fluid Statics
• Buoyancy
• Equations of Motion
• Bernoulli's Equation & Applications
• Viscous Flow of Incompressible Fluids
• Laminar & Turbulent Flows
• Flow through Pipes & Head Losses

IC Engines, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

• Basic Concepts & Properties of Fluids
• Manometry
• Fluid Statics
• Buoyancy
• Equations of Motion
• Bernoulli’s Equation & Applications
• Viscous Flow of Incompressible Fluids
• Laminar & Turbulent Flows
• Flow Through Pipes & Head Losses in Pipes

Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer

• Thermodynamic Systems & Processes
• Properties of Pure Substance
• Zeroth, First & Second Laws of Thermodynamics
• Entropy, Irreversibility, & Availability
• Analysis of Thermodynamic Cycles (Rankine, Otto, Diesel, & Dual Cycles)
• Ideal & Real Gases
• Compressibility Factor
• Gas Mixtures
• Modes of Heat Transfer
• Steady & Unsteady Heat Conduction
• Thermal Resistance
• Fins
• Free & Forced Convection
• Correlations for Convective Heat Transfer
• Radiative Heat Transfer
• Radiation Heat Transfer Coefficient
• Boiling & Condensation
• Heat Exchanger Performance Analysis

For Descriptive Paper 2:

• Engineering Materials

  • Basic Crystallography

  • Alloys and Phase diagrams

  • Heat Treatment

  • Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals

  • Nonmetallic materials

  • Basics of Nano-materials

  • Mechanical Properties and Testing

  • Corrosion prevention and control

• Manufacturing, Industrial & Maintenance Engineering

  • Metal casting-Metal forming

  • Metal Joining

  • Machining, and machine tool operations

  • Limits, fits and tolerances

  • Metrology and inspection

  • Computer Integrated manufacturing, FMS

  • Production planning and Control

  • Inventory control, and operations research - CPM-PERT

  • Failure concepts and characteristics-Reliability

  • Failure analysis

  • Machine Vibration, Data acquisition

  • Fault Detection, Vibration Monitoring

  • Field Balancing of Rotors, Noise Monitoring

  • Wear and Debris Analysis, Signature Analysis

  • NDT Techniques in Condition Monitoring

Engineering Mechanics

• Analysis of System of Forces, Friction, Centroid and Centre of Gravity
• Dynamics; Stresses and Strains-Compound Stresses and Strains
• Bending Moment and Shear Force Diagrams
• Theory of Bending Stresses- Slope and deflection
• Torsion, Thin and thick, Cylinders, Spheres

Mechanisms & Machines

• Types of Kinematics Pair, Mobility, Inversions
• Kinematic Analysis, Velocity and Acceleration Analysis of Planar Mechanisms
• CAMs with uniform acceleration and retardation, cycloidal motion
• Oscillating followers; Vibrations - Free and forced vibration of undamped and damped SDOF systems
• Transmissibility Ratio, Vibration Isolation, Critical Speed of Shafts
• Gears - Geometry of tooth profiles, Law of gearing, Involute profile
• Interference, Helical, Spiral and Worm Gears, Gear Trains- Simple, compound and Epicyclic
• Dynamic Analysis - Slider - crank mechanisms, turning moment computations
• Balancing of Revolving & Reciprocating masses, Gyroscopes - Effect of Gyroscopic couple on automobiles, ships, and aircraft, Governors

Important Topics for Computer Science & Engineering:

• Discrete Mathematics

  Propositional and first-order logic. Sets, relations, functions, partial orders and lattices, groups.

  Graphs: connectivity, matching, coloring.

  Combinatorics: counting, recurrence relations, generating functions

• Programming & Data Structures - Programming in C

  Functions, structures, memory management, recursion, arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, binary search trees, binary heaps, graphs. Object-oriented programming basics.

• Computer Organization & Architecture

  Machine instructions and addressing modes. Assembly language. ALU, data path, and control unit.

  Instruction pipelining. Memory hierarchy: cache, main memory, and secondary storage. I/O interface (interrupt and DMA modes).

  RISC, CISC, parallel architectures

Machine Instructions and Addressing Modes

• Assembly Language
• ALU, Data Path, and Control Unit
• Instruction Pipelining
• Memory Hierarchy: Cache, Main Memory, and Secondary Storage
• I/O Interface (Interrupt and DMA Modes)
• RISC, CISC, Parallel Architectures

Algorithms

• Searching, Sorting, Hashing
• Asymptotic Worst Case, Time and Space Complexity
• Algorithm Design Techniques: Greedy, Dynamic Programming, Divide-and-Conquer
• Graph Search, Minimum Spanning Trees, Shortest Paths

Engineering Mathematics

• Linear Algebra
• 
  
  • Matrices, Determinants
  • System of Linear Equations
  • Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors
  • LU Decomposition, Orthonormal Bases
  • Transforms - Fourier, DCT, Wavelets
• Calculus
• 
  
  • Limits, Continuity, Differentiability
  • Maxima and Minima
  • Mean Value Theorem, Integration
  • Vector Calculus - Gradient, Divergence, Curl, Integral Theorems
• Probability
• 
  
  • Random Variables, Probability Distributions - Uniform, Normal, Exponential, Poisson, Binomial
  • Mean, Median, Mode, Standard Deviation
  • Conditional Probability, Bayes Theorem
  • Information Theory - Shannon Entropy, Information, Conditional Information

Calculus

• Limits, continuity, differentiability, maxima and minima, mean value theorem, integration.
• Vector calculus - gradient, divergence, curl, integral theorems.

Probability

• Random variables, probability distributions - uniform, normal, exponential, Poisson, binomial.
• Mean, median, mode, standard deviation.
• Conditional probability and Bayes theorem.
• Information theory: Shannon entropy, information, conditional information.

Linear Algebra

Digital Logic

• Boolean algebra.
• Combinational and sequential circuits.
• Minimization.
• Number representation and computer arithmetic (fixed and floating-point).

For Descriptive Paper 2

• Databases ER-model.
• Relational model: relational algebra, tuple calculus, SQL.
• Integrity constraints.
• Normal forms.
• File organization, indexing (e.g., B and B trees).
• Transactions and concurrency controls.

AI & Machine Learning

• Classification and clustering techniques, dimensionality reduction: PCA, SVD.
• Correlation and regression analysis.
• Training and test data: overfitting, underfitting.
• Search.
• Ontology.
• Decision trees.
• Artificial Neural networks: activation function, multi-layer perceptron, deep learning.
• Application of artificial neural networks.

In the realm of education, a solid foundation in various subjects is crucial for academic success. Let's delve into some key theoretical concepts across different domains:

Calculus

• Limits, continuity, differentiability, maxima and minima, mean value theorem, and integration are fundamental aspects of calculus.
• Vector calculus introduces concepts like gradient, divergence, curl, and integral theorems.

Probability

• Probability theory covers random variables, probability distributions (e.g., uniform, normal, exponential, Poisson, binomial), and statistical measures like mean, median, mode, and standard deviation.
• Additionally, it includes conditional probability, Bayes' theorem, Shannon entropy, information theory, and conditional information.

Linear Algebra

Digital Logic

• Digital Logic encompasses Boolean algebra, combinational and sequential circuits, minimization techniques, and number representation in computer arithmetic.

For Descriptive Paper 2: Databases

• Topics like ER-models, relational algebra, tuple calculus, SQL, integrity constraints, normal forms, file organization, and indexing (e.g., B-trees) are vital in database management.
• Transactions and concurrency controls play a crucial role in maintaining the consistency and integrity of databases.

AI & Machine Learning

• AI & Machine Learning involves classification, clustering techniques, dimensionality reduction methods like PCA and SVD, as well as correlation and regression analysis.
• Understanding the nuances of training and test data, avoiding overfitting and underfitting, and exploring artificial neural networks are key components of this field.
• Applications of AI, including deep learning and the utilization of artificial neural networks, are transforming various industries.

In conclusion, mastering these topics is essential for students and professionals looking to excel in mathematics, computer science, data science, and artificial intelligence. The knowledge gained from these areas forms the building blocks for advanced studies and real-world applications in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Classification and Clustering Techniques

• Dimensionality reduction techniques include PCA and SVD.
• Correlation and regression analysis are fundamental in data analysis.
• Understanding training and test data helps prevent overfitting and underfitting issues.
• Search techniques play a vital role in data retrieval.
• Ontology aids in structuring knowledge for efficient information retrieval.

Decision Trees and Artificial Neural Networks

• Decision trees are used for decision-making processes based on given conditions.
• Artificial Neural Networks incorporate concepts like activation functions, multi-layer perceptrons, and deep learning.
• Application of artificial neural networks is widespread across various fields for pattern recognition and prediction tasks.

Security of Cyber-Systems

• Key cybersecurity principles are essential for safeguarding systems and data.
• Understanding secure protocols like IPSec, SSH, and SSL is crucial for secure data transmission.
• Firewalls and intrusion detection systems help in monitoring and preventing unauthorized access.
• IoT and Cloud security basics are essential in the current digital landscape.
• Awareness of threats, vulnerabilities, and types of malicious software is key in building robust security measures.
• Various types of cyber-attacks such as buffer overflow, DoS, DDoS, SQL injection, and web application attacks pose significant risks.

Compiler Design

• Compiler design involves tasks like lexical analysis, parsing, and syntax-directed translation.
• Understanding runtime environments and intermediate code generation is crucial for efficient code execution.

Theory of Computation

• Regular expressions and finite automata are fundamental in describing patterns in strings.
• Context-free grammars and push-down automata are essential in formal language theory.
• The concept of regular and context-free languages is foundational in computational theory.
• Turing machines and undecidability are central topics in theoretical computer science.

Complex Information Summarized

Regular Expressions and Finite Automata

• Context-free grammars and push-down automata
• Regular and context-free languages
• Pumping lemma
• Turing machines and undecidability

Operating System

• Processes, threads, inter-process communication, concurrency, and synchronization
• CPU scheduling
• Memory management and virtual memory
• File systems
• Virtual machines and hypervisors
• Secure operating systems

Computer Networks

• Concept of layering, OSI model
• LAN technologies (Ethernet)
• Flow and error control techniques, switching
• IPv4 / IPv6, routers, and routing algorithms (distance vector, link state)
• TCP/UDP and sockets, congestion control
• Application layer protocols (DNS, SMTP, POP, FTP, HTTP)
• Basics of WiFi

DRDO RAC Electrical and Communication Syllabus:

DRDO RAC Electrical and Communication Descriptive paper 1 Syllabus:

Below given is the list of topics and descriptive Syllabus related to the Electrical & Communication branch:

• Basic Electronics Engineering

  • Basics of semiconductors
  • Diode/Transistor basics and characteristics
  • Diodes for different uses
  • Junction & Field Effect Transistors (BJTs, JFETs, MOSFETs)
  • Transistor amplifiers of different types, oscillators, and other circuits
  • Basics of Integrated Circuits (ICs)
  • Bipolar, MOS and CMOS ICs
  • Basics of linear ICs, operational amplifiers and their applications-linear/non-linear
  • Optical sources/detectors
  • Basics of Optoelectronics and its applications

• Materials Science

  • Electrical Engineering materials
  • Crystal structure & defects
  • Ceramic materials-structures, composites, processing and uses
  • Insulating laminates for electronics, structures, properties and uses
  • Magnetic materials, basics, classification, ferrites, Ferro/para-magnetic materials and components
  • Nano materials-basics, preparation, purification, sintering, nanoparticles and uses
  • Nano-optical/magnetic/electronic materials and uses
  • Superconductivity, uses

Electrical Engineering Materials

• Crystal structure & defects
• Ceramic materials - structures, composites, processing, and uses
• Insulating laminates for electronics - structures, properties, and uses
• Magnetic materials - basics, classification, ferrites, ferro/para-magnetic materials and components
• Nano materials - basics, preparation, purification, sintering, nanoparticles, and uses
• Nano-optical/magnetic/electronic materials and uses
• Superconductivity and its uses

Basic Electrical Engineering

• DC circuits - Ohm's & Kirchoff's laws, mesh and nodal analysis, circuit theorems
• Electromagnetism - Faraday's & Lenz's laws, induced EMF and its uses
• Single-phase AC circuits
• Transformers and efficiency
• Basics of DC machines, induction machines, and synchronous machines
• Electrical power sources - basics: hydroelectric, thermal, nuclear, wind, solar
• Basics of batteries and their uses

Network Theory

• Network graphs & matrices
• Wye-Delta transformation
• Linear constant coefficient differential equations - time-domain analysis of RLC circuits
• Solution of network equations using Laplace transforms - frequency domain analysis of RLC circuits
• 2-port network parameters - driving point & transfer functions
• State equations for networks
• Steady state sinusoidal analysis

Electronic Measurements & Instrumentation

• Principles of measurement, accuracy, precision, and standards
• Analog and Digital systems for measurement, measuring instruments for different applications
• Static/dynamic characteristics of measurement systems, errors, statistical analysis, and curve fitting
• Measurement systems for non-electrical quantities
• Basics of telemetry
• Different types of transducers and displays
• Data acquisition system basics

Analog & Digital Circuits

• Small signal equivalent circuits of diodes, BJTs, and FETs
• Diode circuits for different uses
• Biasing & stability of BJT & JFET amplifier circuits
• Analysis/design of amplifier- single/multi-stage
• Feedback & uses
• Active filters, timers, multipliers, waveshaping, A/D-D/A converters
• Boolean Algebra & uses
• Logic gates, Digital IC families, Combinatorial/sequential circuits
• Basics of multiplexers, counters/registers/memories/microprocessors, design & applications

DRDO RAC Electrical and Communication Descriptive Paper Syllabus

• Small signal equivalent circuits of diodes, BJTs, and FETs
• Diode circuits for different uses
• Biasing & stability of BJT & JFET amplifier circuits
• Analysis/design of amplifier - single/multi-stage
• Feedback & uses
• Active filters, timers, multipliers, waveshaping, A/D-D/A converters
• Boolean Algebra & uses
• Logic gates, Digital IC families, Combinatorial/sequential circuits
• Basics of multiplexers, counters/registers/memories/microprocessors, design & applications

Advanced Electronics Topics

• VLSI technology: Processing, lithography, interconnects, packaging, testing
• VLSI design: Principles, MUX/ROM/PLA-based design, Moore & Mealy circuit design
• Pipeline concepts & functions
• Design for testability, examples
• DSP: Discrete-time signals/systems, uses
• Digital filters: FIR/IIR types, design, speech/audio/radar signal processing uses
• Microprocessors & microcontrollers, basics, interrupts, DMA, instruction sets, interfacing
• Controllers & uses
• Embedded systems

Electro Magnetics

• Elements of vector calculus, Maxwell's equations-basic concepts
• Gauss', Stokes' theorems
• Wave propagation through different media
• Transmission Lines-different types, basics, Smith's chart, impedance matching/transformation, S-parameters, pulse excitation, uses
• Waveguides-basics, rectangular types, modes, cut-off frequency, dispersion, dielectric types
• Antennas-radiation pattern, monopoles/dipoles, gain, arrays-active/passive, theory, uses

Advanced Communication Topics

• Communication networks: Principles/practices/technologies/uses/OSI model/security
• Basic packet multiplexed streams/scheduling
• Cellular networks, types, analysis, protocols (TCP/TCP/IP)
• Microwave & satellite communication: Terrestrial/space type LOS systems, block schematics link calculations, system design
• Communication satellites, orbits, characteristics, systems, uses
• Fibreoptic communication systems, block schematics, link calculations, system design

Analog & Digital Communication Systems

• Random signals, noise, probability theory, information theory
• Analog versus digital communication & applications: Systems- AM, FM, transmitters/receivers, theory/practice/ standards, SNR comparison
• Digital communication basics: Sampling, quantizing, coding, PCM, DPCM, multiplexing-audio/video
• Digital modulation: ASK, FSK, PSK
• Multiple access: TDMA, FDMA, CDMA
• Optical communication: fiber optics, theory, practice/standards

Computer Organization & Architecture

• The basic architecture, CPU, I/O organization, memory organization, peripheral devices, trends
• Hardware /software issues
• Data representation & Programming
• Operating systems-basics, processes, characteristics, applications
• Memory management, virtual memory, file systems, protection & security
• Databases, different types, characteristics, and design
• Transactions and concurrency control
• Elements of programming languages, typical examples

Control Systems Overview

• Classification of signals and systems
• Application of signal and system theory
• System realization
• Transforms and their applications
• Signal flow graphs
• Routh-Hurwitz criteria
• Root loci
• Nyquist/Bode plots

Feedback Systems

• Open and closed-loop types
• Stability analysis
• Steady-state analysis
• Transient analysis
• Frequency response analysis

Design of Control Systems

• Compensators
• Elements of lead/lag compensation
• PID controllers
• Industrial controllers

Control systems play a crucial role in various engineering applications. Understanding signal and system theory, along with system realization and transforms, forms the foundation of control systems engineering. Engineers use tools like signal flow graphs, Routh-Hurwitz criteria, and Nyquist/Bode plots for analysis and design.

Feedback systems, including open and closed-loop configurations, undergo thorough stability, steady-state, transient, and frequency response analyses to ensure optimal performance. Designing control systems involves the implementation of compensators, lead/lag compensation elements, PID controllers, and industrial controllers to achieve desired system behavior.