Draughtsman Civil

ITI Draughtsman (Civil) Trade

The ITI "Draughtsman (Civil)" trade is a two-year vocational training program under the Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS), governed by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT). This course equips trainees with the skills to create detailed technical drawings, plans, and layouts for civil engineering projects such as buildings, roads, bridges, and water supply systems, using both manual drafting techniques and computer-aided design (CAD) software. The syllabus combines theoretical knowledge, practical drafting skills, and employability training to prepare students for roles such as civil draughtsmen, CAD operators, or assistants to civil engineers in construction and infrastructure sectors.

Course Overview

Duration: 2 years (4 semesters, each 6 months)
NSQF Level: Level 5
Eligibility: Minimum 10th grade pass with Science and Mathematics (or equivalent)
Objective: To train skilled draughtsmen capable of preparing accurate civil engineering drawings, interpreting specifications, and assisting in the planning and execution of construction projects.

Detailed Syllabus Breakdown

1. Trade Theory (Theoretical Knowledge)

Covers the foundational concepts of civil engineering drawing and design.

Semester 1
- Introduction to Draughtsmanship
  - Role and importance of a civil draughtsman in construction projects.
  - Types of drawings: architectural, structural, working drawings.
  - Overview of civil engineering projects: buildings, roads, dams, bridges.
- Drawing Instruments and Materials
  - Use of drawing tools: T-square, set squares, compass, protractor, drafting board.
  - Drawing sheets, scales, and standard paper sizes (A0 to A4).
  - Types of lines, lettering, and dimensioning techniques.
- Basic Geometry and Construction
  - Geometric shapes: triangles, quadrilaterals, circles, polygons.
  - Construction of angles, perpendiculars, and parallel lines.
  - Scale drawing and proportion techniques.
- Building Materials
  - Properties and uses of materials: bricks, cement, concrete, steel, timber.
  - Symbols and conventions for materials in drawings.
Semester 2
- Building Construction Basics
  - Types of buildings: residential, commercial, industrial.
  - Components: foundation, walls, floors, roofs, doors, windows.
  - Masonry: brickwork, stonework, bonds, and joints.
- Orthographic Projection
  - Principles of orthographic projection: first-angle and third-angle projection.
  - Drawing plans, elevations, and sections of simple objects.
  - Sectional views and hatching techniques.
- Surveying Basics
  - Introduction to surveying: chain, compass, leveling.
  - Plotting survey data into plans and maps.
  - Contours and their representation in drawings.
Semester 3
- Structural Drawing
  - Reinforcement details: RCC beams, columns, slabs, footings.
  - Steel structures: beams, trusses, connections (bolted, welded).
  - Drawing schedules: bar bending schedules, material lists.
- Roads and Bridges
  - Types of roads: rural, urban, highways; cross-sections and alignments.
  - Bridge components: piers, abutments, superstructure.
  - Drainage systems: culverts, stormwater drains.
- Introduction to CAD
  - Basics of Computer-Aided Design (CAD): AutoCAD interface, commands.
  - 2D drafting: drawing lines, circles, polygons, editing tools.
  - Layers, blocks, and dimensioning in CAD.
Semester 4
- Advanced CAD Applications
  - 3D modeling basics: extrude, revolve, rendering.
  - Plotting and printing CAD drawings with scales.
  - Conversion of manual drawings to digital formats.
- Water Supply and Sanitary Engineering
  - Layouts for water supply: pipelines, valves, reservoirs.
  - Sanitary systems: sewer lines, manholes, septic tanks.
  - Symbols and conventions for plumbing drawings.
- Estimation and Costing
  - Basics of estimation: types (detailed, approximate), units of measurement.
  - Reading drawings for quantity takeoff (earthwork, concrete, steel).
  - Preparation of bill of quantities (BOQ).
- Emerging Trends
  - Introduction to Building Information Modeling (BIM).
  - Use of GIS (Geographic Information System) in civil drawing.

2. Trade Practical (Hands-On Skills)

Focuses on practical drafting and design skills.

Semester 1
- Manual Drafting Basics
  - Setting up drawing sheets and using instruments.
  - Drawing lines, angles, and geometric shapes with accuracy.
  - Lettering practice: freehand and with stencils.
- Simple Drawings
  - Drawing plans and elevations of small objects (e.g., blocks, tools).
  - Constructing scales and dimensioning drawings.
- Building Material Symbols
  - Representing materials like brick, concrete, and steel in drawings.
Semester 2
- Building Plans
  - Drawing plans, elevations, and sections of single-room buildings.
  - Detailing doors, windows, and simple foundations.
  - Sectional views of walls and roofs with hatching.
- Surveying Practice
  - Plotting survey measurements (chain and compass survey).
  - Drawing contour maps from given data.
Semester 3
- Structural Drawings
  - Preparing reinforcement drawings for RCC beams, slabs, and columns.
  - Drawing steel trusses and connection details.
  - Creating bar bending schedules.
- Road and Bridge Plans
  - Drawing road cross-sections and alignments.
  - Preparing bridge elevation and sectional views.
- CAD Basics
  - Creating 2D drawings in AutoCAD (e.g., building plans).
  - Using layers and blocks for efficient drafting.
Semester 4
- Advanced CAD Practice
  - Designing 3D models of simple structures (e.g., rooms, beams).
  - Plotting CAD drawings with title blocks and scales.
  - Converting hand-drawn plans to CAD format.
- Water Supply and Sanitary Drawings
  - Drawing layouts for water supply and sewerage systems.
  - Detailing plumbing fixtures and fittings.
- Project Work
  - Preparing a complete set of drawings for a small building (plan, elevation, section).
  - Estimating quantities and preparing a BOQ from drawings.

3. Workshop Calculation and Science

Provides mathematical and scientific support for drafting tasks.

Semester 1 & 2
- Basic arithmetic: fractions, decimals, percentages for measurements.
- Geometry: area, perimeter, volume of shapes (rectangles, circles, cubes).
- Trigonometry: sine, cosine, tangent for angles and slopes.
Semester 3 & 4
- Mensuration: calculating areas and volumes of complex structures.
- Strength of materials: basics of stress, strain, and load calculations.
- Conversion of units: metric to imperial and vice versa.

4. Engineering Drawing

Core focus of the trade, integrated across all semesters.

Semester 1: Freehand sketching, geometric constructions, basic orthographic projections.
Semester 2: Detailed building plans, sectional views, isometric drawings.
Semester 3: Structural detailing, reinforcement drawings, road/bridge layouts.
Semester 4: Advanced CAD drawings, 3D modeling, plumbing, and sanitary layouts.

5. Employability Skills

Enhances job readiness and soft skills.

Semester 1 & 2
- Communication skills: technical report writing, interaction with engineers.
- Time management and teamwork in drafting projects.
- Basic IT skills: MS Office for documentation.
Semester 3 & 4
- Entrepreneurship: starting a drafting service or consultancy.
- Resume writing and interview preparation.
- Advanced IT skills: CAD software, internet research for standards.

Assessment and Certification

Examinations: Conducted semester-wise with theoretical and practical components.
Certification: Successful candidates receive the National Trade Certificate (NTC) from NCVT, recognized nationally and internationally.
Evaluation: Based on drafting accuracy, practical projects, written exams, and estimation tasks.

Career Opportunities

Employment: Civil draughtsman, CAD operator, site supervisor assistant, junior designer in construction firms.
Self-Employment: Freelance drafting services, consultancy for small projects.
Further Studies: Diploma in Civil Engineering via lateral entry, advanced CAD/BIM courses.

Note

This syllabus aligns with the latest NCVT guidelines and may vary slightly based on institutional or state-specific requirements.
For the most current version, refer to the Directorate General of Training (DGT) website (dgt.gov.in) or consult your local ITI.

Chain Survey – Instruments Employed

In chain surveying, various instruments are used to measure distances, mark points, and take offsets in the field. These instruments are simple, easy to use, and essential for accurate measurement. In ITI Draughtsman Civil, understanding these tools is important for conducting field surveys and preparing accurate drawings.

1. Chain

The chain is the main instrument used for measuring distances in chain surveying. It is made of steel links connected together.

Read more about Chain Survey – Instruments Employed

Chain Survey – Introduction, History and Principles

Chain surveying is one of the oldest and simplest methods of land surveying. It is widely used for measuring small areas with simple details. In ITI Draughtsman Civil, the study of chain surveying helps students understand basic field measurement techniques and preparation of plans.

Read more about Chain Survey – Introduction, History and Principles

Surveying – Introduction and Basic Concepts

Surveying is one of the most important subjects in civil engineering and plays a vital role in planning, designing, and construction of engineering projects. In ITI Draughtsman Civil, the study of surveying helps students understand how to measure distances, angles, and elevations on the earth’s surface and represent them accurately on drawings and maps.

Read more about Surveying

Roofs & Roof Coverings – Purposes, Elements, Types (Flat and Pitched)

Roofs are an essential part of any building structure, providing protection and comfort to occupants. In ITI Draughtsman Civil, the study of roofs and roof coverings includes understanding their purposes, elements, and types such as flat and pitched roofs.

1. Purposes of Roof

The roof serves several important functions in a building:

Read more about Roofs & Roof Coverings – Purposes, Elements, Types (Flat and Pitched)

Surveying – Speed in Field and Office Work

In surveying, speed is an important factor that affects the efficiency and completion time of a project. It refers to how quickly and accurately work is performed in both the field and the office. In ITI Draughtsman Civil, students must understand how to maintain a balance between speed and accuracy during surveying operations.

Read more about Surveying – Speed in Field and Office Work

Chaining in Surveying

Chaining is one of the most fundamental operations in surveying, especially in chain surveying. It involves the measurement of distances between two points on the ground using a chain or tape. In ITI Draughtsman Civil, understanding chaining is essential for accurate field measurements and preparation of site plans.

Read more about Chaining in Surveying

Surveying – Main Divisions (Plane Surveying & Geodetic Surveying)

Surveying is broadly divided into two main categories based on the consideration of the earth’s curvature: Plane Surveying and Geodetic Surveying. In ITI Draughtsman Civil, understanding these two divisions is essential for selecting the appropriate method of survey for different engineering projects.

Read more about Surveying – Main Divisions (Plane Surveying & Geodetic Surveying)

Chain Survey – Use, Care, Maintenance and Common Terms

In chain surveying, proper use of instruments along with their care and maintenance is essential for accurate results and long service life. In ITI Draughtsman Civil, students must understand how to handle surveying tools correctly and be familiar with commonly used terms in the field.

1. Use of Chain Survey Instruments

The instruments used in chain surveying serve different purposes during fieldwork. Proper usage ensures accurate measurement and efficient work.

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Types of Foundation

Foundations are the most important part of any building as they transfer the load of the structure safely to the ground. The selection of a suitable type of foundation depends on factors such as soil condition, load of the structure, and site requirements. In the ITI Draughtsman Civil trade, understanding different types of foundations is essential for preparing accurate drawings and designing safe structures.

Read more about Types of foundation

Examination of Ground

Examination of ground is an essential step in building construction before the foundation is laid. It involves studying the soil conditions and properties to determine its suitability for supporting a structure. In the ITI Draughtsman Civil trade, understanding ground examination is important for designing safe and stable foundations.

Read more about Examination of ground

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