UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026, also known as the Indian Engineering Services (IES) exam, is your opportunity to secure roles in civil, mechanical, electrical, and electronics & telecommunication engineering. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced approximately 474 vacancies for Group A and B posts across various central government departments and services, including the Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS), Central Engineering Service, and more.
The official UPSC ESE 2026 notification (Examination Notice No. 02/2026 ENGG.) was released on September 26, 2025, with the last date to apply online being October 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM. Eligible candidates with a B.E./B.Tech degree should apply promptly through the new online portal. This detailed guide covers eligibility, application process, exam pattern, syllabus, and preparation strategies to help you succeed in the UPSC ESE 2026 recruitment.
What is the UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE 2026)?
The UPSC ESE is a national-level competitive exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit engineers for technical and managerial positions in central government organizations. These include the Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Central Water Commission, Border Roads Organization, and Defence Services.
Candidates are selected for Group A and B gazetted posts, offering opportunities to contribute to infrastructure development, defence engineering, and telecommunications. The exam assesses technical expertise, general aptitude, and personality through a three-stage process: Preliminary (Stage-I), Main (Stage-II), and Personality Test (Stage-III).
For UPSC ESE 2026, recruitment focuses on four categories: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering. The exam is governed by rules published by the Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunications.
Key Dates for UPSC ESE 2026 Recruitment
Stay on top of these crucial dates for UPSC recruitment 2025-2026:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | September 26, 2025 |
| Online Application Start | September 26, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | October 16, 2025 (6:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Application Fee Payment | October 16, 2025 (for online modes) |
| Withdrawal of Application | Not allowed after submission |
| Preliminary (Stage-I) Exam Date | February 8, 2026 |
| Main (Stage-II) Exam Date | To be announced |
| Personality Test (Stage-III) | To be announced |
| Final Result Declaration | To be announced |
Monitor the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) for updates. The e-Admit Card will be available one week before the exam.
UPSC ESE 2026 Vacancies: Approximately 474 Posts Across Categories
The UPSC ESE 2026 offers approximately 474 vacancies, including 26 for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 15 for Locomotor Disability (including Leprosy cured, Dwarfism, Acid Attack victims, and Muscular Dystrophy), 7 for Hard of Hearing, 1 for Low Vision, 3 for Specific Learning Disability (SLD) and Multiple Disability (MD). The number may change, with reservations for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD as per government norms.
Vacancies are distributed across four categories. Here’s the list of participating services/posts:
Category I – Civil Engineering (Group A Services/Posts)
- Central Engineering Service
- Central Engineering Service (Roads), Group-A (Civil Engineering Posts)
- Survey of India Group ‘A’ Service
- AEE (Civil) in Border Roads Engineering Service
- AEE (QS&C) in MES Surveyor Cadre
- Central Water Engineering (Group ‘A’) Service
- Indian Skill Development Service
- Indian Railway Management Service (Civil)
- Indian Railway Management Service (Stores) – Civil Engg. Posts
Category II – Mechanical Engineering (Group A/B Services/Posts)
- AEE in GSI Engineering Service Gr ‘A’
- Indian Naval Material Management Service (Mechanical Engineering Posts)
- Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service/SSO-II (Mechanical)
- AEE (Electrical and Mechanical) in Border Roads Engineering Service (Mechanical Engineering Posts)
- Indian Skill Development Service
- Indian Railway Management Services (Mechanical)
- Indian Railway Management Services (Stores) – Mechanical Engg. Posts
- Indian Enterprises Development Service/Assistant Director Grade-I (IEDS) Mechanical Trade
- Indian Enterprises Development Service/Assistant Director Grade-II (IEDS) Mechanical Trade
- AEE Gr ‘A’ (Mechanical Engineering Posts) in Corps of EME, Min of Defence
Category III – Electrical Engineering (Group A/B Services/Posts)
- Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Service (Electrical Engineering Posts)
- Indian Naval Material Management Service (Electrical Engineering Posts)
- Central Power Engineering Service Gr ‘A’ (Electrical Engineering Posts)
- Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service/SSO-II (Electrical)
- Indian Skill Development Service
- Indian Enterprises Development Service/Assistant Director Grade-I (IEDS) Electrical Trade
- Indian Enterprises Development Service/Assistant Director Grade-II (IEDS) Electrical Trade
- Indian Railway Management Service (Electrical)
- Indian Railway Management Service (Stores) – Electrical Engg. Posts
- AEE Gr ‘A’ (Electrical Engineering Posts) in Corps of EME, Min of Defence
Category IV – Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering (Group A/B Services/Posts)
- Indian Radio Regulatory Service Gr ‘A’
- Indian Telecommunications Service Gr ‘A’
- Indian Naval Material Management Service (Electronics and Telecom Engineering Posts)
- Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service/SSO-II (Electronics & Tele)
- Indian Skill Development Service
- Junior Telecom Officer Gr ‘B’
- Indian Enterprises Development Service/Assistant Director Grade-I (IEDS) Electronics Trade
- Indian Enterprises Development Service/Assistant Director Grade-II (IEDS) Electronics Trade
- Indian Railway Management Service (Signal & Telecommunication)
- Indian Railway Management Service (Stores) – S & T Engg. Posts
- AEE Gr ‘A’ (Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering Posts) in Corps of EME, Min of Defence
Note: Eligibility for transgender candidates in certain Border Roads posts will be decided by the government. Allocation is based on merit, preferences, and medical fitness.
Eligibility Criteria for UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2026
Ensure you meet these requirements before applying for UPSC ESE 2026:
Educational Qualification
- A degree in Engineering (B.E./B.Tech) from a recognized university or equivalent (e.g., AMIE by Institution of Engineers (India), or passed Graduate Membership Examination of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (India)).
- Final-year students can apply provisionally but must provide proof before the Main exam.
- Disciplines: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering.
Age Limit (as on January 1, 2026)
- Minimum: 21 years (born not earlier than January 2, 1996).
- Maximum: 30 years (born not later than January 1, 2005).
- Relaxations:
- SC/ST: 5 years (up to 35 years).
- OBC: 3 years (up to 33 years).
- PwBD: 10 years (up to 40 years).
- Ex-Servicemen: 5 years.
- Defence Services personnel disabled in operations: 3 years.
- Government servants in specified departments: Up to 5 years (if in continuous service for 3 years or permanent post).
Nationality
- Indian citizen, or subject of Nepal/Bhutan, Tibetan refugee (pre-1962), or person of Indian origin from specified countries with permanent settlement intent.
- Eligibility certificate required for non-citizens.
Number of Attempts
- General/EWS: 6 attempts.
- OBC: 9 attempts.
- SC/ST: Unlimited (within age limit).
- PwBD: Additional 9 attempts for General/OBC, unlimited for SC/ST.
PwBD candidates: Only Low Vision candidates can apply under Electronics & Telecommunication (services identified for them). Blindness category has no vacancies.
Verify full details in the official UPSC ESE 2026 notification PDF on upsc.gov.in.
How to Apply Online for UPSC ESE 2026: Step-by-Step Guide
UPSC has introduced a new online portal for UPSC ESE 2026 applications. Apply before October 16, 2025:
- Visit the Portal: Go to upsconline.nic.in.
- Create Account: Register to generate a Universal Registration Number (URN) – one-time lifetime registration.
- Fill Common Application Form (CAF): Provide personal details, educational qualifications, category, etc., and upload documents (e.g., age proof, degree certificate).
- Fill Exam-Specific Form: Select discipline, preferences, and exam center.
- Upload Documents: Photo (not older than 10 days, 3/4th face, 20-300 KB), signature (10-200 KB), and Photo ID (Aadhaar preferred for verification).
- Pay Fee: Rs. 200 for General/OBC/EWS males (exempt for females, SC/ST, PwBD). Pay via card, net banking, or SBI challan.
- Submit and Download: Review and submit; print confirmation.
Note: No changes allowed post-submission. Use Aadhaar for seamless verification. Helpline: 011-24041001 (10 AM-5:30 PM during application window).
Exam Pattern and Syllabus for UPSC ESE 2026
The UPSC ESE 2026 follows a three-stage format:
Stage-I: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type, 500 Marks)
- Paper-I: General Studies and Engineering Aptitude (200 marks, 2 hours): Current issues, logical reasoning, engineering math, design principles, safety, energy/environment, project management, materials, ICT, ethics.
- Paper-II: Engineering Discipline-Specific (300 marks, 3 hours): Core subjects.
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd marks deducted for wrong answers.
- Qualifying: Marks count towards merit; 6-7 times vacancies qualify for Mains.
Stage-II: Main Examination (Conventional Type, 600 Marks)
- Two papers in chosen discipline (300 marks each, 3 hours): Descriptive questions on advanced topics.
Stage-III: Personality Test (200 Marks)
- Interview assessing leadership, initiative, integrity, and technical knowledge.
Total Marks: 1300. Final ranking based on all stages.
Syllabus Highlights (Detailed in Appendix-I):
- GS & Aptitude (Paper-I Prelims): 10 topics including current affairs, engineering aptitude, math, design, safety, environment, project/materials science, ICT, ethics.
- Discipline-Specific:
- Civil: Building materials, solid mechanics, structural analysis, steel/concrete design, construction, fluids, hydrology, environmental/geo-technical engineering, surveying, transportation.
- Mechanical: Fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, IC engines, turbo machinery, power plants, renewable energy, mechanics/materials, machines, manufacturing, mechatronics.
- (Similar depth for Electrical and Electronics & Telecom – focus on core concepts like circuits, power systems, signals, communications.)
Download full syllabus from upsc.gov.in. Emphasizes application-based knowledge.
Salary and Career Prospects After UPSC ESE 2026
Selected candidates join at Level 10 of the 7th Pay Commission (basic pay Rs. 56,100), with gross emoluments around Rs. 8-10 lakhs per annum including allowances (DA, HRA, etc.). Perks include medical benefits, pension, and housing.
Career growth leads to senior positions (up to Level 17, Rs. 2.5 lakhs+), involving nation-building projects like railways, highways, defence systems, and telecom infrastructure. Job security, prestige, and work-life balance are key attractions.
Preparation Tips for UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2026
With the prelims on February 8, 2026, start preparing now:
- Understand the Format: Allocate 40% time to GS/Aptitude, 60% to technical papers.
- Resources:
- GS: Newspapers (The Hindu), NCERT books, “General Studies for ESE” by Made Easy.
- Technical: Standard textbooks (e.g., R.S. Khurmi for Mechanical, V.K. Mehta for Electrical).
- Practice: Solve past papers (10+ years), mock tests. Focus on objective and descriptive formats.
- Study Plan: 6-8 hours daily; weekly revisions. Use apps for current affairs.
- Coaching: Optional – join online courses from Unacademy, BYJU’S, or IES Master.
- Health & Strategy: Exercise, manage time, analyze weak areas. Join online forums like Quora or Reddit’s r/UPSC.
Aim for conceptual clarity over memorization.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on UPSC ESE 2026
When is the last date to apply for UPSC ESE 2026?
October 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM.
How many vacancies are there in UPSC Engineering Services 2026?
Approximately 474, including PwBD reservations.
What is the application fee for UPSC ESE 2026?
Rs. 200 (exempt for females, SC/ST, PwBD).
Can final-year students apply?
Yes, provisionally, with proof required before Mains.
What is the prelims exam date for UPSC ESE 2026?
February 8, 2026.
Where to download the UPSC ESE 2026 notification PDF?
From upsc.gov.in under “Examinations.”
The UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2026 for approximately 474 posts is a prime chance to build a rewarding career in government engineering. With the last date October 16, 2025 nearing, apply today and prepare diligently. Success demands strategy, consistency, and focus.
UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2026 Official Notification
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