A process of controlling operation in a multi-cylinder engine during start of operation and low-load conditions includes skipping a supply of fuel in a first set of cylinders for a pre-defined number of multiple working cycles; supplying fuel-air mixture to a second set of cylinders in the multi-cylinder engine for the pre-defined number of multiple working cycles; executing combustion of the fuel-air mixture supplied to the second set of cylinders for the pre-defined number of multiple working cycles; and switching the supply of fuel, after the pre-defined number of multiple working cycles, from the second set of cylinders to the first set of cylinders.