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.

Types of Levelling and Application to Chain & Levelling Instruments in Building Construction

Levelling is a fundamental process in surveying used to determine the elevation of different points on the ground. It plays a vital role in building construction by ensuring proper alignment, drainage, and structural stability. In ITI Draughtsman Civil, understanding the types of levelling and their application using chain and levelling instruments is essential for practical fieldwork.

Read more about Types of Levelling and Application to Chain & Levelling Instruments in Building Construction

Deduction of Levels / Reduced Level (RL)

In levelling, determining the elevation of points is a fundamental task. The elevation of any point with respect to a reference level (datum) is known as the Reduced Level (RL). In ITI Draughtsman Civil, students must understand how to calculate or deduce reduced levels accurately using different methods.

1. Definition of Reduced Level (RL)

Reduced Level (RL) is the vertical distance of a point above or below a reference surface called datum, usually taken as mean sea level (MSL).

Read more about Deduction of Levels / Reduced Level (RL)

Levelling – Level & Horizontal Surface, Datum, Benchmark, Focusing & Parallax

In levelling, understanding basic concepts and terms is essential for accurate measurement of elevations. These concepts form the foundation of surveying practices. In ITI Draughtsman Civil, students must clearly understand level surfaces, horizontal surfaces, datum, benchmarks, focusing, and parallax.

Read more about Levelling – Level & Horizontal Surface, Datum, Benchmark, Focusing & Parallax

Levelling – Temporary and Permanent Adjustments & Procedure of Setting Up

Levelling instruments must be properly adjusted before taking observations to ensure accuracy in measurements. Adjustments are classified into temporary adjustments and permanent adjustments. In ITI Draughtsman Civil, students must understand these adjustments and the correct procedure of setting up the instrument in the field.

Read more about Levelling – Temporary and Permanent Adjustments & Procedure of Setting Up

Contouring – Direct and Indirect Methods

Contouring is the process of representing ground surface features by means of contour lines. These lines connect points of equal elevation and help in understanding the shape of the land. In ITI Draughtsman Civil, contouring methods are broadly classified into Direct and Indirect methods.

Read more about Contouring – Direct and Indirect Methods

Contouring – Definition, Characteristics and Methods

Contouring is an important concept in surveying used to represent the shape and elevation of the ground surface on maps. It helps in understanding terrain features such as hills, valleys, and slopes. In ITI Draughtsman Civil, contouring is essential for planning and designing engineering projects like roads, dams, and buildings.

Read more about Contouring – Definition, Characteristics and Methods

Chain Survey – Classification, Accuracy and Types

Chain surveying is one of the simplest methods of surveying, mainly used for measuring distances on the ground. In ITI Draughtsman Civil, it is important to understand the classification of surveying methods, the level of accuracy required, and the different types of chain surveying used in practice.

1. Classification of Surveying

Surveying can be classified in different ways based on the nature of the work and methods used.

Read more about Chain Survey – Classification, Accuracy and Types

Interpolation of Contour, Contour Gradient and Uses of Contour Plan & Map

Contouring is an important surveying technique used to represent ground elevations through contour lines. After obtaining levels of points in the field, contour lines are drawn using interpolation methods. In ITI Draughtsman Civil, understanding interpolation, contour gradient, and uses of contour maps is essential for planning and design work.

Read more about Interpolation of Contour, Contour Gradient and Uses of Contour Plan & Map

Problems in Transit Theodolite – Departure, Latitude, Northing and Easting

In theodolite surveying, especially in traverse calculations, it is important to determine the position of points using angular and linear measurements. Terms like departure, latitude, northing, and easting are used to represent the direction and distance of survey lines. In ITI Draughtsman Civil, understanding these concepts is essential for solving traverse problems and plotting accurately.

Read more about Problems in Transit Theodolite – Departure, Latitude, Northing and Easting

Adjustment of a Closed Traverse

In traverse surveying, a closed traverse forms a closed polygon where the survey starts and ends at the same point or at known control points. Due to errors in measurement, the traverse may not close perfectly. Therefore, adjustment is required to correct these errors. In ITI Draughtsman Civil, understanding the adjustment of a closed traverse is essential for accurate mapping and engineering work.

Read more about Adjustment of a close traverse

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