More emphasis to communication, Electromagnetic & microwave theory, and digital

electronics
(1) Electron Devices and ICs:
Energy bands in silicon, intrinsic and extrinsic silicon. Carrier transport in silicon: diffusion
current, drift current, mobility, and resistivity. Generation and recombination of carriers. pn junction diode, Zener diode, tunnel diode, BJT, JFET, MOS capacitor, MOSFET,LED, p-In and avalanche photo diode,integrated circuits fabrication process, oxidation, diffusion, ion
implantation, photolithography, n-tub, p-tub and twin-tub CMOS process.
Straight forward problems are only asked, which can be solved with basic concepts in
diode, BJT, JFET and MOSFET(less important). Expect theory questions also from other
topics.
(2) Signals and Systems:
Classification of signals and systems; System modeling in terms of differential and
difference equations; Fourier series; Fourier transforms and their application to system
analysis; Laplace transforms and their application to system analysis; Convolution and
superposition integrals and their applications; Z-transforms and their applications to the
analysis and characterization of discrete time systems; Random signals and probability;
Correlation functions; Spectral density; Response of linear system to random inputs.
Mostly direct but expect slightly indirect also
(3) Network Theory:
Network analysis techniques; Network theorems, transient response, steady state sinusoidal
response; Network graphs and their applications in network analysis; Tellegen's theorem.
Two port networks; Z, Y, h and transmission parameters. Combination of two ports, analysis
of common two ports.
Only direct problems on networks with Inductor, Capacitor and resistors
(4) Electromagnetic Theory:
Analysis of electrostatic and magneto-static fields; Laplace's and Poisson's equations;
Boundary value problems and their solutions; Maxwell's equations; application to wave
propagation in bounded and unbounded media; Transmission lines: basic theory, standing
waves, matching applications, Elements of antenna theory and microwave basics.

Expect majority questions from this topic. Study this topic really well, as many theory
questions and problems are asked from this. Many questions from microwave is asked
which is out of syllabus for gate. Study satellite communication link design and antenna
theory also. Questions from topics which we dont usually find important for GATE can
come.
(5) Analog Electronic Circuits:
Transistor biasing and stabilization. Small signal analysis. Power amplifiers. Frequency.
response. Wide banding techniques. Feedback amplifiers. Tuned amplifiers. Oscillators,
Rectifiers and power supplies. Op Amp, 555 timer, PLL, other applications. Pulse shaping
circuits and waveform generators.
Mainly circuits with BJT and OPAMPS only asked. Also learn Rectifiers with zener diode
(6) Digital Electronic Circuits:
Boolean algebra, simplification of Boolean function Karnaugh map and applications; IC
Logic gates and their characteristics; IC logic families: DTL, TTL, ECL, NMOS, PMOS and
CMOS gates and their comparison; Combinational logic circuits; Half adder, Full adder;
Digital comparator; Multiplexer De-multiplexer; ROM and their applications. Flip-flops. RS, J-K, D and T flip-tops; Different types of counters and registers. Waveform generators.
A/D and D/A converters.
Lot of very straight forward questions asked. So brush up everything and study A/D
converters which is not that important for gate.
(7) Control Systems:
Transient and steady state response of control systems; Effect of feedback on stability and
sensitivity; Root locus techniques; Frequency response analysis. Concepts of gain and phase
margins; Constant-M and Constant-N Nichol's Chart; Approximation of transient response
from Constant-N Nichol's Chart; Approximation of transient response from closed loop
frequency response; Design of Control Systems; Compensators; Industrial controllers.
Very few questions are asked, that too straight forward negative feedback question,
system response etc. and related to concepts in root locus and other graphical methods.

(8) Communication Systems:

Random signals and noise: probability, random variables, probability density function,
autocorrelation, power spectral density. Analog communication systems: amplitude and
angle modulation and demodulation systems, spectral analysis of these operations,
superheterodyne receivers; signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) calculations for amplitude
modulation (AM) and frequency modulation (FM) for low noise conditions. Digital
communication systems: pulse code modulation (PCM), differential pulse code modulation
(DPCM), digital modulation schemes: amplitude, phase and frequency shift keying schemes
(ASK, PSK, FSK), matched filter receivers, bandwidth consideration and probability of error
calculations for these schemes. Basics of TDMA, FDMA, CDMA and GSM. Coding theory
Compared to gate syllabus, this is having lot of advanced topics. Study each and every
heading in this. Anything can be asked (mostly direct but expect little tricky questions
here). Even questions from coding theory have been asked even though not in GATE
syllabus.
(9) Computer Engineering:
Number Systems. Data representation; Programming; Elements of a high level
programming language PASCAL/C; Use of basic data structures; Fundamentals of computer
architecture; Processor design; Control unit design; Memory organization, I/o System
Organization. Microprocessors: Architecture and instruction set of Microprocessor's 8085
and 8086, Assembly language Programming. Microprocessor Based system design: typical
examples. Personal computers and their typical uses.
This topic you will find difficult to study, as it is not for GATE and from previous year
paper it is not easy for pin pointing even the correct syllabus. Many topics electronics
students are not studying(mostly computer science people only knows the answers so get
their help in finding answers in the previous year papers). Better dont waste too much
time in this. Study only basic concepts in computer networks, computer organization and
microprocessor (study if you have done it as part of university syllabus and leave the
more advanced topics in this and devote more time on to gate syllabus part)
4. Some general tips
1. Calculator not allowed, so that means numerically easier problems and lot of theory
questions. Compared to gate, questions are more direct but syllabus is vast and expect some
unexpected questions..;)
2. Majority of questions from electromagnetic theory, digital systems and communication
systems. This is a standard trend in previous year. The weightage to other topics change

drastically from one year to other (unlike in gate where there is a more consistent trend in
mark distribution among the topics)
3. Dont waste time in the studying new things in computer engineering part.
4. Always few questions from Maths is also asked. But syllabus is again very vast compared
to number of questions you get, but again every year few easy questions are asked. Brush up
the things which you know well. Syllabus appears to be same as that of gate.
THE INTERVIEW
1. No HR questions are usually asked, still show that you are smart
2. Panel will have around 10 members with IISc and IIT professors and Senior people from
ISRO
3. Usually three/four favourite subjects are asked(don't tell easier topics like digital
electronics or they will soon drift away from your favourite subjects to other topics)
4. They will focus mainly on these topics and ur B.Tech project. But in the end ask questions
from Random topics/practical things also
5. For people who have been working, they may focus more on your work experience rather
than subject knowledge
6. Have a general awareness about ISRO, its centres and major miles stones achieved in the
recent past
7. Ur Mark in written is not a great factor as long as you perform well in interview
8. If you had poor grades in some courses, they may ask you what happened(It happened to
me) and then ask a few questions from that area
9. As a whole show that you are a person with some good qualities/interests and firm grip
over various topics
10. Due to recruit from IIST, number of vacancies are low. But don't get demotivated. U will
have a good chance if you prepare well
BEST OF LUCK...Hope to meet you one day in ISRO