UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2026
UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2026
UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2026 Examination Notice No. 02/2026 ENGG. – Approx. 474 Vacancies
Overview
UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2026 The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the notification for the UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026, also known as the Indian Engineering Services (IES) examination. This prestigious national-level exam is the primary gateway for graduate engineers to secure esteemed positions in various Group-A and Group-B services/posts within the Government of India. It offers a challenging and rewarding career path with immense opportunities for professional growth and contribution to national development.
For the 2026 cycle, the commission has announced approximately 474 vacancies across four core engineering disciplines. The online application window is open from September 26, 2025, to October 16, 2025. The first stage of the selection process, the Preliminary Examination, is scheduled to be held on February 8, 2026.
In This Article
🗓️UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2026 Online Application Start | 26-09-2025 |
| Last Date for Online Application | 16-10-2025 (6:00 PM) |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 08-02-2026 |
📊UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2026 Vacancy & Participating Services
The recruitment will fill approximately 474 vacancies, including 26 reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). Candidates must apply under one of the following four engineering categories, which correspond to various government services:
Category I: Civil Engineering
- Central Engineering Service (Roads), Group-A
- Survey of India Group ‘A’ Service
- AEE (Civil) in Border Roads Engineering Service
- Indian Railway Management Service (Civil)
- Central Water Engineering (Group ‘A’) Service
- And others as listed in the notification.
Category II: Mechanical Engineering
- AEE in GSI Engineering Service Gr ‘A’
- Indian Naval Material Management Service
- Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service/SSO-II
- Indian Railway Management Service (Mechanical)
- AEE Gr ‘A’ in Corps of EME, Ministry of Defence
- And others.
Category III: Electrical Engineering
- Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Service
- Indian Naval Material Management Service
- Central Power Engineering Service Gr ‘A’
- Indian Railway Management Service (Electrical)
- Indian Skill Development Service
- And others.
Category IV: Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
- Indian Telecommunication Service Gr ‘A’
- Indian Naval Material Management Service
- Junior Telecom Officer Gr ‘B’
- Indian Railway Management Service (Signal & Telecommunication)
- Indian Radio Regulatory Service Gr ‘A’
- And others.
✅UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit (as on 01.01.2026)
A candidate must be between 21 and 30 years of age. This means they must have been born not earlier than January 2, 1996, and not later than January 1, 2005.
Age Relaxation
The upper age limit is relaxable for certain categories:
| Category | Relaxation in Upper Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) | Up to 5 years |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | Up to 3 years |
| Defence Services personnel disabled in operations | Up to 3 years |
| Ex-servicemen | Up to 5 years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) | Up to 10 years |
UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2026 Educational Qualification
A candidate must hold a Degree in Engineering from a University incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India, or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament. Equivalent qualifications, such as passing Sections A and B of the Institution Examinations of the Institution of Engineers (India), are also accepted. Candidates who have appeared for their final year exams and are awaiting results are also eligible to apply, but they must provide proof of passing the qualifying examination before the Personality Test stage.
📝 Plan of Examination & Syllabus
The examination is a rigorous three-stage process designed to test the technical knowledge and analytical abilities of the candidates. The marks from all three stages are counted for the final merit list.
Stage I: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type – 500 Marks)
This stage is for screening candidates for the Main Examination. There is a penalty (negative marking) for wrong answers.
- Paper I: General Studies and Engineering Aptitude (200 Marks, 2 hours)
This paper is common for all candidates and covers topics like: Current national/international issues, Logical reasoning, Engineering Mathematics, Principles of Design and Safety, Standards and Quality, Basics of Energy and Environment, Project Management, Material Science, ICT, and Engineering Ethics. - Paper II: Engineering Discipline Specific (300 Marks, 3 hours)
This paper covers the core technical syllabus of the candidate’s chosen engineering branch (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or E&T).
Stage II: Main Examination (Conventional/Written – 600 Marks)
Candidates who qualify the Prelims will appear for the Main exam, which tests in-depth technical knowledge.
- Consists of two conventional (written) papers in the specific Engineering Discipline.
- Each paper is for 300 marks and has a duration of 3 hours.
Stage III: Personality Test (Interview – 200 Marks)
This stage assesses the candidate’s leadership qualities, initiative, intellectual curiosity, mental and physical energy, and integrity of character.
- Candidates who qualify the Main Examination (approximately twice the number of vacancies) will be called for the Personality Test.
- The final merit list is prepared based on the combined marks of Stage I, Stage II, and Stage III.
✍️ How to Apply
Candidates must apply online through the official UPSC website: upsconline.nic.in. The application process requires careful adherence to the new guidelines set by the Commission.
Application Fee
The application fee is ₹200. Payment can be made online via Credit/Debit Card, UPI, or Internet Banking. Female, SC, ST, and Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) candidates are fully exempted from the fee payment.
New Application Process
UPSC has introduced a new application portal. All applicants, including previous users of the old OTR system, must create a new account. The process involves:
- Account Creation & URN Generation: First, create an account on the new portal to generate a lifelong Universal Registration Number (URN).
- Common Application Form (CAF): Fill out the common details that apply to all UPSC exams.
- Exam-Specific Form: Complete the final part of the application specific to the ESE 2026.
- Photograph Upload: A crucial new requirement is that the uploaded photograph must not be more than 10 days old from the start date of the application (i.e., not older than September 16, 2025). The candidate’s face must occupy 3/4th of the photograph, and their appearance must remain consistent throughout all stages of the examination.
🤔 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the last date to apply for UPSC ESE 2026?+
The last date for submission of online applications is October 16, 2025, up to 6:00 PM.
Can final year engineering students apply for ESE 2026?+
Yes, candidates who have appeared or intend to appear for their final year examination are eligible to apply. However, they must produce proof of passing before the Personality Test/Interview stage.
What is the application fee for UPSC ESE 2026?+
The application fee is ₹200 for general candidates. Female, SC, ST, and Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) candidates are exempted from paying the fee.
What are the new photograph requirements for the application?+
The photograph uploaded should not be more than 10 days old from the start of the online application process. The candidate’s face should occupy 3/4th of the space, and their appearance must match the photo at all stages of the exam.
🔗 Important Links
