Important Note for Candidates

The following sections outline the core topics and subtopics for Environmental Science and Engineering (ES), categorized systematically for ease of understanding.

Section 1: Mathematics Foundation

Core Topics:

• Linear Algebra: Determinants and matrices, Systems of linear equations, Eigenvalues and eigenvectors.
• Calculus: Functions, Limit, Continuity, Differentiability, Local maxima and minima, Taylor series, Tests for convergence, Definite and indefinite integrals, Application of definite integral to obtain area and volume, Partial and total derivatives.
• Differential Equations: Linear and non-linear first-order ordinary differential equations (ODE), Higher-order linear ODEs with constant coefficients, Cauchy’s and Euler’s equations, Laplace transform and its application in solving linear ODEs.
• Probability and Statistics: Descriptive statistics, Central tendency, Dispersion, Skewness and kurtosis, Probability concepts, Conditional probability, Bayes theorem, Risk and reliability, Probability distributions, Correlation, Single and multiple regression models, Hypothesis testing (t-test, F-test, chi-square test).

Section 2: Environmental Chemistry

Core Topics:

• Fundamentals of Environmental Chemistry: Covalent and ionic bonding, Chemical equations, Structure and chemistry of organic molecules, Radioactivity, Chemical equilibria, Thermodynamics and kinetics of chemical reactions.
• Principles of Water Chemistry: Water quality parameters and their measurement; Acid-base equilibria; Buffer solution; Carbonate system; Solubility of gases in water; Complexation, precipitation, and redox reactions; Inorganic and organic contaminants in water and their speciation.
• Soil Chemistry: Organic matter, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Cation exchange capacity, Base saturation, Sodium absorption ratio.
• Atmospheric Chemistry: Composition of the atmosphere; Reactivity of trace substances in the atmosphere; Urban atmosphere—smog and particulate pollution; Chemistry of ozone formation; Chemistry of stratosphere.

Section 3: Environmental Microbiology

Core Topics:

• Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Microorganisms:Characteristics of diverse groups of microorganisms; Classification of microorganisms; Microbial diversity; Plant-microbe and soil-microbe interactions; Role of microorganisms in wastewater treatment, bioremediation and biogeochemical cycling.
• Cell Chemistry and Cell Biology: Structure of proteins, nucleic acid (DNA & RNA), lipids and polysaccharides; Bonds in biomolecules; Stereoisomerism in biomolecules; Structure of cell; Structure and function of cytoplasmic membrane, cell wall, outer membrane, glycocalyx, chromosomes, endospores, storage products, mitochondria and chloroplasts.
• Microbial Metabolism: Anabolism and catabolism; Phosphorylation; Glycolysis; TCA cycle; Electron transport chain; Fermentation; Anaerobic respiration; Energy balances; Enzymes and Enzyme kinetics.
• Growth and Control of Microorganisms: Bacterial nutrition and growth; Specific growth rate and doubling time; Monod’s model; Types of culture media; Batch and continuous culture; Effects of environmental factors on growth; Control of microbes using physical and chemical methods.
• Microbiology and Health: Bacterial nutrition and growth; Specific growth rate and doubling time; Monod’s model; Types of culture media; Batch and continuous culture; Effects of environmental factors on growth; Control of microbes using physical and chemical methods.

Section 4: Water Resources and Environmental Hydraulics

Core Topics:

• Global Water Resources: Structure, properties, distribution, threats, and conservation.
• Surface Water Resources: Hydrological cycle and water balance - precipitation, infiltration, evapotranspiration, runoff; Flow hydrographs; Unit hydrographs; Stage-discharge relationship; Reservoir capacity; Reservoir and channel routing; Surface run-off models; Surface water management; Rain water harvesting and storage.
• Groundwater Resources: Geologic formations as aquifers; Vadose and saturated zones; Confined and unconfined aquifers and their parameters - porosity, permeability, transmissivity and storage coefficient; Darcy’s law and applications; Steady state well hydraulics.
• Environmental Hydraulics: Concepts of mechanics; Properties of fluids; Pressure measurement; Hydrostatic force on surfaces; Buoyancy and flotation; Laminar and turbulent flow; Flow through pipes; Pipe networks; Boundary layer theory; Forces on immersed bodies; Flow measurement in channels and pipes; Kinematics of flow; Continuity, momentum and energy equations; Channel hydraulics - specific energy, critical flow, hydraulic jump, rapid and gradually varied flow; Design of lined and unlined channels.

Section 5: Water & Wastewater Treatment and Management

Core Topics:

• Water and wastewater quality parameters; Eutrophication and thermal stratification in lakes; River pollution - Oxygen sag curve.
• Water treatment methods — screening, sedimentation with and without coagulation, filtration, desalination, disinfection; Water distribution and storage
• Point and non-point sources of wastewater; Population forecasting methods; Design of sewer and storm water sewers; Sewer appurtenances; Preliminary, primary, secondary and tertiary sewage treatment; Sludge generation, processing and disposal methods; Sewage farming.
• Sources and characteristics of industrial effluents; Concept of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP); Wastewater recycling and zero liquid discharge.
• Kinetics and reactor design: Mass and energy balance, Order and rate of reactions, Batch reactors, Completely mixed flow reactors, Plug flow reactors.

Section 6: Air and Noise Pollution

Core Topics:

• Structure of the atmosphere; Natural and anthropogenic sources of pollution; Atmospheric sources, sinks, transport; Indoor air pollution; Effects on health and environment; Air pollution: gases and particulate matter; Air quality standards; Primary and secondary pollutants; Criteria pollutants, ambient and source standards, air quality indices, visibility.
• Particulate Pollutants:Measurement and control methods; Control of particulate air pollutants using gravitational settling chambers, cyclone separators, wet collectors, fabric filters (Bag-house filter), electrostatic precipitators (ESP).
• Gaseous Pollutants:Measurement and control methods; Control of gaseous contaminants: absorption, adsorption, condensation and combustion; Control of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons; Vapour-liquid and vapour-solid equilibria; Diffusion, Fick’s law and interfacial mass transfer. Automotive emission controls, fuel quality, diesel particulate filters, catalytic convertors.
• Air Quality Management: Point, line and area sources; Inventory; Influence of meteorology - wind rose diagrams, stability, mixing height, topography, dispersion modelling, monitoring.
• Noise Pollution:Sources; Health effects; Standards; Measurement and control methods.

Section 7: Solid and Hazardous Waste Management

Core Topics:

• Integrated solid waste management; Waste hierarchy; Rules and regulations for solid waste management in India.
• Noise Pollution:Sources, generation, characteristics, collection and transportation, waste processing and disposal (including reuse options, biological methods, energy recovery processes and landfilling).
• Hazardous waste management : Characteristics, generation, fate of materials in the environment, treatment and disposal. Soil contamination and leaching of contaminants into groundwater.
• Management of biomedical waste, plastic waste and E-waste : Sources, generation and characteristics; Waste management practices including storage, collection and transfer.

Section 8: Global and Regional Environmental Issues

Core Topics:

• Global effects of air pollutionGreenhouse gases, global warming, climate change, urban heat islands, acid rain, ozone hole.
  Ecology and various ecosystems; Biodiversity; Factors influencing increase in population, energy consumption, and environmental degradation.

Section 9: Environmental Management and Sustainable Development

Core Topics:

• Environmental Management Systems; ISO14000 series; Environmental Auditing Environmental Impact Assessment; Life cycle assessment; Human health risk assessment.
• Environmental Law and Policy Objectives; Polluter pays principle, Precautionary principle; The Water and Air Acts with amendments; The Environment (Protection) Act (EPA) 1986; National Green Tribunal Act, 2010; National Environment Policy; Principles of International Law and International treaties.
• Energy and Environment: Energy Sources: Overview of resources and reserves; Renewable and non-renewable energy sources; Energy-Environment nexus.
• Sustainable Development : Overview of resources and reserves; Renewable and non-renewable energy sources; Energy-Environment nexus.