Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is conducting UPSC ESE Exam 2026 to fill various vacancies. Candidates can mention the major highlights of UPSC ESE notification 2026 in the table below:
PSC in 2026 | |
Operating authority | Union public service commission |
Exam name | Engineering Services Exam (ESE) 2026 |
Number of posts | Be informed |
Apply online start | Updated soon |
Apply last date | Updated soon |
Application amendment date | Updated soon |
Examination level | National |
Stages of exams | Initial, main and interview |
preliminary examination | Objective type |
Main examination | Traditional type (descriptive type) |
Examination mode | Offline (pen-paper mode) |
Examination frequency | Every year |
Ability | Engineering degree in relevant branch/stream |
Age limit | 21 to 30 years |
Application | ₹ 200/- |
UPSC ESE official website | www.upsc.gov.in |
UPSC ESE exam 2026
The Union Public Service Commission conducts UPSC Engineering Service Examination to recruit engineers for grade A (gazetted) posts in subjects of civil, mechanical, electrical, electronics and telecom engineering. In the examination, general studies, engineering qualifications and intensive knowledge of the candidate in core engineering subjects have been assessed in the examination. Candidates who are willing to secure a prestigious government job status will have to undergo all relevant details, such as notification, exam date, application process, eligibility criteria, selection process, etc.
UPSC ESE 2026 Important Dates
All important dates, such as the start of online application, the last date to apply, the examination schedule, result declaration, and more, will be mentioned in the detailed notification. Candidates must carefully examine the table below to stay updated with all important events.
Name of events | Important dates |
Official notification issued | 17 September 2025 (postponed) |
Online application starts | Be informed |
Closing date of online application | Be informed |
Prelims Admit Card Release | February 2026 |
Proposal date date | 08 February 2026 |
Prelims answer key releases | February 2026 |
Prelims result declaration | Be informed |
Main exam date | Be informed |
Main result declaration | Be informed |
personality test | Be informed |
UPSC Ese Vacancy 2026
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will announce an accurate number of vacancies for the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026 in its official notification. To get an idea about the upcoming opening, the candidates will get the breakdown of these vacancies by the branch and category in the table below after issuing detailed notification.
UPSC ESE Application Form 2026
The online application window for UPSC ESE 2026 has been activated on the official website on www.upsc.gov.in. The application form was accepted from eligible candidates through the official website, upsc.gov.in. The application process will be completely online. Candidates need to apply online within the specific timeline; After the last date, the link will be deactivated. Interested candidates will have to apply online through the official application portal, which is accessible through the link below, ensuring that all details are presented accurately before the deadline.
Steps to apply online for UPSC ESE exam 2026
To apply online for UPSC ESE 2026, candidates need to follow the steps given below:
- Go to UPSC IE, www.upsc.gov.in’s UPSC official website
- Go to Whats New Section on the home page and click on the link ‘Indian Engineering Services Examination 2026’.
- A new window will be opened on the screen with ESE notification 2026.
- Download UPSC ESE 2026 Notification PDF and read it carefully.
- Now, click on the ‘New Registration’ tab to complete your time registration (OTR).
- Enter all the required details and upload the required documents (photographs, signature, etc.) in the prescribed format and size.
- Go for online payment of application fee. After paying the application fee, click on the final submit button.
- Take a printout of the application form for future reference.
UPSC ESE Application Fee 2026
To complete the UPSC ESE 2026 application process, candidates need to pay online application fee using debit cards/credit cards, internet banking, UPI wallet, etc. The category-wise application fee required to apply for UPSC ESE 2026 is as follows:
UPSC ESE 2026 Application Fee | |
Social class | amount |
Ur/OBC/EWS | Rupee. 200/- |
SC/ST/PWD/Ex-Servicemen/Female | Zero |
UPSC ESE Eligibility Criteria 2026
The Union Public Service Commission underlines specific eligibility criteria for ESE Exam 2026. Candidates should understand that eligibility standards include nationality, educational qualification and age limit. We have explained the full UPSC ESE eligibility criteria for 2026 in this section to make it easier for the applicants to understand.
Educational qualification
According to the official notification and UPSC ESE 2026 Eligibility Criteria, candidates require a degree in Engineering/Technology (BE/B.T.) or a equivalent qualification or equivalent qualification in civil, mechanical, electrical, electronics and telecommunications from a recognized government institution/university.
Age limit
To apply for UPSC ESE 2026, the age limit for applicants must be as follows.
- Minimum age limit: 21 years
- Maximum age limit: 30 years
The upper age limit exemption for reserved categories will be applicable as per the government. The criteria are scheduled here.
Category age discount | |
Social class | Age discount |
Other Backward Classes | 3 years |
SC/ST | 5 years |
ECOS/ SSCOS | 5 years |
Growning of Jammu and Kashmir | 5 years |
Pre-service | 5 years |
Physically handicapped | 10 years |
nationality
As UPSC ESE 2026 Eligibility Criteria, A Applicant Must be either:
(A) A citizen of India, or
(b) A subject of Nepal, or
(c) A subject of Bhutan, or
(d) A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 01 January 1962, to settle permanently in India, or
(() () A person of Indian origin who has migrated from East African countries of Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia or Vietnam to East African countries of Vietnam, to permanently settle in India.
UPSC ESE Selection Process 2026
The selection process for UPSC ESE 2026 varies depending on specific posts and discipline. Candidates must mention the detailed table below to understand different selection stages for each position, as they can include a combination of written tests, interviews or both. Selection Criteria will consist of the following stages for engineering service exam 2026:
- Prelims Exam (500 marks) – Offline
- Main Exam (600 marks) – Offline
- Personality Testing/Interview (200 marks)
- Document verification
- medical examination
UPSC ESE Pay Structure 2026
Candidates appointed as IES (Group A, Gazetted) Officers through UPSC ESE 2026 will receive an attractive salary package with various allowances and benefits as per the rules. Detailed IES officer pay structure is mentioned below:
UPSC ESE 2026 Pay Structure | |
Pay component | Amount (Rs.) |
Basic pay | Rupee. 15600/- Rs. 39100/- |
grade pay | Rupee. 5400/- |
Total payment | Rupee. 21000/- |
HRA | Rupee. 13419/- |
Have to face | Rupee. 6600/- |
And | Rupee. 23730/- |
gross salary | Rupee. 64,749/- |
UPSC ESE exam pattern 2026
Candidates require a good understanding of UPSC ESE exam pattern 2026 to understand the structure of the question paper. The exam pattern provides candidate with observation of question paper format. Candidates should have intensive understanding of the examination pattern to know the examination format to be chased by the officials. Please see detailed eligibility criteria for UPSC ESE 2026 mentioned below for prelims and main exam:
UPSC ESE Stage I: Preliminary Testing
The UPSC ESE 2026 exam pattern has been determined below for preliminary testing:
Papers | Subject | Mark | Duration | Negative marking |
Paper-I | General studies and engineering qualification | 200 digits | 2 hours | 1/3 points |
Paper second | Engineering Discipline – Special paper | 300 points | 3 hours | |
Total | 500 points | 5 hours |
UPSC ESE Stage II: Main Examination (Traditional Paper)
UPSC ESE Main (Step II) Paper Pattern is torn in this section:
Papers | Subjects | Mark | Duration | Negative marking |
Paper-I | Engineering Discipline – Special Paper – I | 300 points | 3 hours | No negative marking |
Paper second | Engineering Discipline – Special Paper – II | 300 points | 3 hours | |
Total | 600 points | 6 hours |
UPSC ESE Stage III: Personality Test
UPSC ESE personality test details are given below:
Step III | Maximum marks |
personality test | 200 digits |
UPSC ESE Syllabus 2026
Syllabus is an important component for the preparation of effective examination. Union Public Service Commission has released UPSC ESE Syllabus 2026 with official notification. Candidates preparing for UPSC ESE 2026 exam should understand the detailed course to plan their preparation strategy. Candidates can check brief UPSC ESE Syllabus 2026 through the direct link given here.
UPSC ESE Preparation Tips
Candidates should follow effective suggestions and preparation strategies for the exam. UPSC ESE 2026 Preparation Tips are given here to help the candidates. Follow the preparation tips and tricks given here to crack the UPSC ESE 2026 exam with a good score:
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Understand UPSC ESE syllabus and exam pattern
First, get a clear idea of the course and how the exam is structured. This will help you know what to study each subject and how much time to give. -
Create a practical study timetable
Plan your routine with the appropriate time slot for each subject. Make sure your timetable is realistic and easy to follow. -
Practice all classes regularly
Do not leave any part of the course. Give equal importance to technical, non-technical and general studies sections. -
Use the right study material
Select standard books, coaching notes and other reliable resources. Avoid a lot of reference books that can confuse you. -
Revise continuously
Amendment is the key to remembering concepts. Keep small notes for quick modification before the exam. -
Try fake tests often
Solve online and offline mock tests to improve your speed and accuracy. Think of them like a real exam. -
Evaluate your strong and weak areas
After every test, analyze your performance. Identify topics where you score less and focus on improving them. -
Work on weak topics
Do not ignore your weak areas. Spend extra time concepts and spend in practicing questions from those classes. -
take care of your health
Eat healthy, sleep well, and exercise regularly. A fresh mind and a healthy body will help you perform better in exams.
UPSC ESE Results 2026
UPSC ESE 2026 results will be declared after the completion of the exam. The Commission will announce stage-wise results on its official website. Candidates can check their UPSC ESE results through the link given here. The Commission will activate the UPSC ESE 2026 result link after the examination.
UPSC ESE 2026 Question Paper PDF
Candidates preparing for UPSC ESE 2026 Exam should practice UPSC ESE previous question papers to understand difficulty levels, exam patterns and important topics. UPSC ESE is necessary to increase the preparation of the previous year’s question papers and to familiarize the candidates with the exam. Below, we have provided a direct link to download UPSC ESE previous year’s paper PDF for your convenience.
UPSC ESE cut last year
In UPSC ESE Exam 2026, candidates will have to get the required marks for progress in the next stages. The cutoff marks are the minimum score required to pass the exam, and the commission will publish the category-specific cutoff for each branch. Candidates can find a direct link here to review UPSC ESE last year’s cutoff marks and analyze trends to predict UPSC ESE 2024 cutoff.