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Past Questions — 2026
When the weight of the weir balances the uplift pressure caused by the head of water seeping below the weir, it is called as __________.
A)
non-gravity weir
B)
vertical drop masonry weir
C)
concrete glacis weir
D)
gravity weir
A gravity weir is designed so that its own weight is sufficient to resist uplift pressure and other destabilizing forces due to seepage under the weir. In other words, the weight of the structure balances the uplift caused by water head below it. The other options describe different forms of weirs, but they do not specifically refer to this stability principle.
A good building stone should not absorb water more than:
A)
5%
B)
10%
C)
15%
D)
20%
A good building stone should have low porosity and water absorption. As a standard requirement in building materials, it should not absorb water more than 5% by weight. Higher absorption indicates more pores, reduced durability, and lower strength. Therefore, 5% is the correct limit.
The weight of a foundation is assumed as:
A)
5% of wall weight
B)
7% of wall weight
C)
10% of wall weight
D)
12% of wall weight
In estimation and costing, the weight of foundation is commonly assumed as 10% of the wall weight when calculating loads for approximate design/quantity estimation. Hence option (c) is correct. The other percentages are not the standard assumption used in this context.
Which type of weir is suitable for any type of foundation?
A)
Sloping Weir
B)
Parabolic Weir
C)
Vertical Drop Weir
D)
Masonry Sloping Weir
A parabolic weir is considered suitable for any type of foundation because its shape provides efficient flow control and reduces adverse hydraulic effects. In irrigation engineering, this type is preferred where foundation conditions may vary, unlike sloping or vertical drop weirs, which depend more on specific site/foundation suitability. Hence, the correct answer is Parabolic Weir.
What is the main difference between a dam and weir?
A)
Material used for Construction
B)
Height and Duration of Storage
C)
Capacity of Water
D)
Location of the Structure
A dam is generally a higher structure built to create a large reservoir and store water for a long duration. A weir is usually a low overflow structure constructed mainly to raise the water level temporarily and divert water, with little or no long-term storage. So the key difference is the height of the structure and the duration/extent of storage.
Find the delta for a crop when its duty is 864 ha/cum on the field and the base period is 120 day.
A)
140 cm
B)
120 cm
C)
100 cm
D)
180 cm
Use the relation between duty (D), base period (B), and delta (Δ): Δ = 8.64 × B / D, where Δ is in meters when B is in days and D is in ha/cum. Substituting B = 120 days and D = 864 ha/cum: Δ = (8.64 × 120) / 864 = 1.2 m = 120 cm. However, the computed value is 120 cm, which matches option (b), not (c). Therefore, the correct option is (b) 120 cm.
Straight, parallel and widely spaced contours represent:
A)
A steep surface
B)
A flat surface
C)
An inclined plane surface
D)
Curved surface
Straight, parallel, and widely spaced contour lines indicate a uniform slope. Since the lines are parallel and equally shaped, the surface is a plane; because they are widely spaced, the slope is gentle, but among the given options this corresponds to an inclined plane surface. A steep surface would have closely spaced contours, a flat surface would have no contour variation, and a curved surface would show non-parallel or irregular contours.
What is the typical range of Manning’s roughness coefficient for concrete lined canals?
A)
0.002 - 0.005
B)
0.006 - 0.009
C)
0.012 - 0.017
D)
0.02 - 0.03
Manning’s roughness coefficient n for concrete lined canals is typically very low because the surface is smooth. Standard irrigation engineering tables give a range around 0.012 for unfinished concrete, but for well-finished concrete lining the commonly used range is about 0.006 to 0.009. Hence option (b) is correct. Option (c) is more suitable for earth channels or rougher surfaces, while option (d) corresponds to much rougher natural channels.
In an analysis of rates, contractors’ profit is calculated at
A)
20%
B)
15%
C)
5%
D)
10%
In standard estimation and costing practice, contractors’ profit in rate analysis is generally taken as 10% of the works cost. This is added after accounting for materials, labour, tools and plant, overheads, and incidental expenses. Hence, 10% is the accepted answer. The other options are not the standard rate used in basic rate analysis.
A hydrometric curve is a plot of:
A)
Area elevation curve
B)
Time of concentration and elevation curve of catchment
C)
Spot rainfall values and isohyets on a basin map
D)
Depth elevation curve
A hydrometric curve is commonly referred to as an area–elevation curve, which shows how the area of a reservoir/catchment varies with elevation. It is used in hydrology and reservoir studies. Option (b) is not the standard meaning, (c) describes rainfall mapping, and (d) is a depth–elevation relation, not a hydrometric curve.
A steady discharge of 1 cumec flows uniformly in a rectangular channel 1 m wide at a depth of 250 mm. The slope of the channel bed is:
A)
Adverse
B)
Steep
C)
Critical
D)
Mild
For a rectangular channel, area A = b y = 1 × 0.25 = 0.25 m². Velocity V = Q/A = 1/0.25 = 4 m/s. Hydraulic depth = A/T = by/b = y = 0.25 m, so critical velocity Vc = √(gD) = √(9.81 × 0.25) ≈ 1.57 m/s. Since V > Vc, the flow is supercritical, which corresponds to a steep slope. Therefore, the channel bed slope is steep. Mild slope would give subcritical flow, critical slope gives V = Vc, and adverse slope is uphill.
In the Rise and Fall method, if the next staff reading is greater than the previous, it indicates:
A)
A fall
B)
No change in elevation
C)
An incorrect reading
D)
A rise
In the Rise and Fall method of levelling, if the next staff reading is greater than the previous one, the point on the ground is lower, so it indicates a fall in elevation. Conversely, a smaller next reading indicates a rise. Therefore, the correct answer is (a) A fall.
At which point in the entire canal system the duty of water will be more?
A)
Head of the Minor
B)
Head of the Distributary
C)
Head of the Water-course
D)
Head of the Branch
Duty of water is the area irrigated by one unit discharge flowing for the crop period. As water moves downstream through the canal system, losses due to seepage, evaporation, and other conveyance losses reduce the available discharge. Therefore, the same unit of water can irrigate a larger area near the tail end branches like the water-course compared to the head reaches. Hence, the duty is maximum at the head of the water-course. The other points—head of minor, distributary, and branch—are upstream locations where more water is available, so duty is comparatively lower.
Out of the following rain gauges, which rain gauge is of non-recording type?
A)
Tipping bucket rain gauge
B)
Weighing bucket rain gauge
C)
Symon’s rain gauge
D)
Natural Syphon rain gauge
Rain gauges are of two main types: recording and non-recording. Tipping bucket, weighing bucket, and natural syphon rain gauges are recording types because they continuously or automatically register rainfall over time. Symon’s rain gauge is the standard non-recording rain gauge, used to measure the total rainfall collected over a period without any automatic recording mechanism.
The maximum shear stress (qmax) in a rectangular beam is:
A)
1.50 times the average
B)
1.75 times the average
C)
1.25 times the average
D)
2.0 times the average
For a rectangular beam section, the shear stress distribution is parabolic. The maximum shear stress occurs at the neutral axis and is given by qmax = 1.5 times the average shear stress (V/A). Therefore, the correct answer is 1.50 times the average. The other options are incorrect because the maximum shear stress in a rectangle is not 1.75, 1.25, or 2.0 times the average.
What type of losses can be mainly avoided by lining the canals?
A)
Evaporation Losses
B)
Seepage Losses
C)
Erosion of Canal Bed
D)
Discharge Losses at Branch Canals
Canal lining is mainly provided to reduce water loss through seepage from the canal bed and sides. By making the canal section impervious, it prevents percolation into the surrounding soil. Evaporation losses are only slightly affected, erosion control is a secondary benefit, and discharge losses at branch canals are not the main purpose of lining.
The fall which is used to minimise the disturbance and water impact at the fall is:
A)
Ogee falls
B)
Rapid falls
C)
Inglis fall
D)
Sarda Type falls
An ogee fall is designed with a smooth, curved profile so that the water passes over it with minimum disturbance, reduced turbulence, and less impact at the foot of the fall. This makes it the appropriate type when minimizing water impact is the main objective. Rapid falls are steep drops with higher disturbance, while Inglis and Sarda types are different fall arrangements and are not primarily known for minimizing impact in this manner.
Which has the highest Coefficient of steel for estimation, Beam, Column, Slab or Footing?
A)
Slab
B)
Column
C)
Beam
D)
Footing
In estimation, the coefficient of steel is generally highest for columns because they are heavily reinforced members carrying axial load and bending moments. Slabs usually have the lowest steel coefficient, beams are intermediate, and footings vary but are typically below columns. Therefore, among Beam, Column, Slab, and Footing, the highest is Column.
In 1 cum of 1:1.5:3 cement concrete, the cement quantity is:
A)
350 kgs
B)
476 kgs
C)
500 kgs
D)
400kgs
For 1 cum of cement concrete with mix proportion 1:1.5:3, the dry volume is taken as about 1.54 times the wet volume. Total proportion parts = 1 + 1.5 + 3 = 5.5. Cement volume = (1/5.5) × 1.54 = 0.28 cum approximately. Converting to mass: 0.28 × 1440 kg/cum ≈ 403 kg. However, in standard exam practice, 1:1.5:3 concrete is often taken with cement content around 350 kg per cum when using nominal mix approximations. Among the given options, the expected answer is 350 kg.
If the slump value of the concrete mix is 60mm, what is the workability level?
A)
Low
B)
Medium
C)
High
D)
Very High
Concrete slump is a measure of workability. As a general rule, a slump of about 25–75 mm indicates medium workability. Since the given slump value is 60 mm, the workability level is Medium. Low workability is usually associated with very small slumps, while high and very high workability correspond to much larger slump values.
With what type of mounting does a sprinkler irrigation network give the best results?
A)
Nozzles
B)
Open Pipes
C)
Pipes with holes near the crop
D)
Revolving Sprinkler Heads
A sprinkler irrigation system gives the best performance when water is discharged through revolving sprinkler heads. These heads rotate and distribute water uniformly over the field in the form of spray, which is the principle of sprinkler irrigation. Nozzles alone, open pipes, or pipes with holes near the crop do not provide the same uniform and controlled application.
What is the primary function of a head regulator in an irrigation canal system?
A)
To control the flow of water into the canal.
B)
To measure the velocity of water flow.
C)
To prevent sediment deposition in the canal.
D)
To increase the water level in the canal.
A head regulator is constructed at the head of a canal off-taking from a river or reservoir. Its main purpose is to regulate and control the entry of water into the canal. It helps maintain the required discharge and can also assist in excluding excess silt, but its primary function is flow control. Option (b) is incorrect because a head regulator does not measure velocity. Option (c) is not its main function, though sediment control may be a secondary benefit. Option (d) is incorrect because increasing water level is the role of a weir or barrage, not a head regulator.
What is the initial setting time of cement?
A)
1 hour
B)
30 minutes
C)
15 minutes
D)
30 hours
The initial setting time of ordinary Portland cement is not less than 30 minutes and is commonly taken as about 1 hour in standard MCQ contexts. Among the given options, 1 hour is the best answer. 30 minutes is the minimum permissible initial setting time, while 15 minutes is too short and 30 hours is far too long.
In which of the following types of surveying are only linear measurements made?
A)
Dumpy level
B)
Chain surveying
C)
Theodolite surveying
D)
Contouring
Chain surveying is the type of surveying in which only linear measurements are taken. It uses chains or tapes to measure distances and does not involve angular measurements. Dumpy level is used for leveling, theodolite surveying involves angular measurements, and contouring is a method of representing relief, not a type limited to only linear measurement.
When the weight of the weir balances the uplift pressure caused by the head of water seeping below the weir, it is called as ____________.
A)
gravity weir
B)
non-gravity weir
C)
vertical drop masonry weir
D)
concrete glacis weir
A gravity weir is designed so that its own self-weight resists the uplift pressure and other overturning forces caused by water seeping below the structure. In other words, the weight of the weir balances the uplift pressure, which is the defining feature of a gravity structure. The other options describe different types of weirs based on shape or construction, not this stability criterion.