The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026. This exam, also popularly known as the Indian Engineering Services (IES), is considered one of the most prestigious competitive examinations in India. It opens the gateway for talented engineers to enter into the elite Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ technical services of the Government of India. Selected officers play a key role in shaping the nation’s infrastructure by working in diverse and critical sectors such as railways, roads, defence, telecommunications, power, water resources, public works, and more.
For engineering graduates aspiring to serve the nation while enjoying one of the most stable, respectable, and rewarding careers, UPSC ESE 2026 is a golden opportunity. With 474 vacancies announced this year, aspirants from Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication disciplines can compete for top government engineering posts. This article gives you a complete guide on the exam, covering vacancies, eligibility, application process, exam stages, salary details, and important instructions to help you prepare and apply smoothly.
Important Dates for UPSC ESE 2026
Candidates must strictly adhere to the application and exam schedule. Late submissions or requests for extensions will not be entertained.
- Start of Online Application: September 26, 2025
- Last Date to Apply Online: October 16, 2025 (till 6:00 PM)
- Preliminary Examination Date: February 15, 2026 (expected)
- Main Examination Date: June 2026 (tentative)
- Personality Test (Interview): September–October 2026 (tentative)
- Final Result: By December 2026
Total Vacancies
The UPSC has announced a total of 474 vacancies to be filled through ESE 2026. This number is provisional and may be revised depending on requirements.
Reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD): 26 vacancies are reserved under different categories:
- Locomotor Disability (including Leprosy cured, Dwarfism, Acid Attack victims, Muscular Dystrophy): 15
- Hard of Hearing: 7
- Low Vision: 1
- Specific Learning Disability (SLD) & Multiple Disabilities (MD): 3
In addition, reservation will also apply for SC, ST, OBC, and EWS candidates as per Government of India rules.
Services and Categories
Recruitment through this examination is done under four core engineering disciplines. Candidates must choose one discipline at the time of application.
Category I: Civil Engineering
- Central Engineering Service
- Central Engineering Service (Roads)
- Survey of India Group ‘A’ Service
- Assistant Executive Engineer (Civil), Border Roads Engineering Service
- Central Water Engineering Service
- Indian Skill Development Service
- Indian Railway Management Service (Civil)
- Indian Railway Management Service (Stores – Civil Engineering Posts)
Category II: Mechanical Engineering
- Assistant Executive Engineer, GSI Engineering Service
- Indian Naval Material Management Service (Mechanical)
- Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service
- Assistant Executive Engineer (Electrical & Mechanical), Border Roads Engineering Service
- Indian Skill Development Service
- Indian Railway Management Service (Mechanical)
- Indian Railway Management Service (Stores – Mechanical Posts)
- Indian Enterprises Development Service
- Assistant Executive Engineer, Corps of EME, Ministry of Defence
Category III: Electrical Engineering
- Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Service (Electrical)
- Indian Naval Material Management Service (Electrical)
- Central Power Engineering Service
- Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service (Electrical)
- Indian Skill Development Service
- Indian Enterprises Development Service
- Indian Railway Management Service (Electrical)
- Indian Railway Management Service (Stores – Electrical Engineering Posts)
- Assistant Executive Engineer, Corps of EME, Ministry of Defence
Category IV: Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
- Indian Radio Regulatory Service
- Indian Telecommunications Service
- Indian Naval Material Management Service (Electronics & Telecom)
- Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service (Electronics & Telecom)
- Indian Skill Development Service
- Junior Telecom Officer
- Indian Enterprises Development Service
- Indian Railway Management Service (Signal & Telecom)
- Indian Railway Management Service (Stores – S&T Engineering Posts)
- Assistant Executive Engineer, Corps of EME, Ministry of Defence
Special Note: PwBD candidates with blindness are advised not to apply as no vacancies are identified for them. However, candidates with Low Vision can apply under Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering, where posts are identified.
Application Fees
- General/OBC/EWS Candidates: ₹200/-
- SC/ST/PwBD/Female Candidates: Exempted (No Fee)
Payment Modes:
- Online via Debit/Credit Card, UPI, Net Banking
- Offline via SBI Bank Challan
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must carefully check eligibility before applying.
1. Nationality
Applicant must be:
- A citizen of India, OR
- A subject of Nepal/Bhutan, OR
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, OR
- A person of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries to settle permanently in India.
2. Age Limit (as on January 1, 2026)
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
(Born between January 2, 1996, and January 1, 2005)
Age Relaxation:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- Ex-servicemen: 5 years
- PwBD: 10 years
- Government servants in eligible departments: Up to 35 years
3. Educational Qualification
A candidate must have:
- A degree in Engineering from a recognized University, OR
- Passed Sections A & B of Institution of Engineers (India), OR
- Obtained a degree/diploma from a foreign university recognized by the Government of India, OR
- Passed Graduate Membership Examination of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (India), OR
- Passed Associate Membership Examination of the Aeronautical Society of India.
Note: Final-year candidates are eligible to apply, but they must produce proof of passing before the Main Exam result declaration.
Examination Process
The UPSC ESE 2026 will be conducted in three stages:
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination
- Type: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions)
- Papers:
- Paper I: General Studies & Engineering Aptitude – 200 Marks
- Paper II: Discipline-specific paper – 300 Marks
- Duration: 5 Hours Total
- Negative Marking: Yes, for incorrect answers
Stage 2: Main Examination
- Type: Conventional/Descriptive
- Papers:
- Paper I: Discipline-specific – 300 Marks
- Paper II: Discipline-specific – 300 Marks
- Duration: 6 Hours Total
Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview)
- Marks: 200
- Conducted to test leadership qualities, communication, technical knowledge, and suitability for services.
Grand Total: 1300 Marks (Prelims + Mains + Interview)
Salary and Career Growth
Selected candidates will be appointed to Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ posts under central ministries.
- Pay Scale: Level 10 of 7th CPC – Starting basic pay around ₹56,100/- per month.
- Gross Salary (approx.): ₹70,000 to ₹80,000 per month (including allowances).
- Perks and Benefits: Government housing, medical care, transport allowance, leave travel concession, pension, and more.
- Career Growth: Opportunities to rise up to top positions such as Chief Engineer, Director General, Managing Director, or Secretary-level posts in government ministries.
Application Process – Step by Step
UPSC has introduced a new streamlined Online Application Portal for ESE 2026. Every applicant must create a fresh profile, even if previously registered.
- Register on the portal: Create a new account with personal details.
- Generate Universal Registration Number (URN): This is a lifetime ID.
- Fill Common Application Form (CAF): Enter personal, academic, and communication details.
- Submit Exam-specific Application Form: During Sept 26 – Oct 16, 2025, complete the ESE 2026 application form.
- Upload Documents:
- Recent Photograph (not older than 10 days)
- Valid Photo ID (Aadhaar recommended)
- Category/Disability/Education certificates (if applicable)
- Pay Fee (if applicable): Through online/offline modes.
- Final Submission: Review carefully; no withdrawal or correction allowed once submitted.
Exam Centres
- Prelims: Conducted in multiple cities across India (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Patna, etc.).
- Mains: Conducted in select major cities.
Allotment of centres is on a first-apply-first-serve basis. Early applicants get preferred centres. No change requests are entertained later.
Important Instructions
- Negative Marking: Wrong answers in prelims will attract penalty.
- Ban on Electronics: Mobile phones, calculators, smart watches, Bluetooth devices are strictly banned.
- Admit Card: Available online only, about 3 weeks before the exam. No postal delivery.
- Helpline: UPSC will run a helpdesk during the application period to address candidate queries.
Why Choose UPSC ESE 2026?
The Engineering Services Examination is not just an exam—it’s the gateway to:
- A prestigious government career with nation-building responsibilities.
- Immense job stability, high respect, and attractive salary.
- The opportunity to work on mega projects in railways, highways, energy, defence, and telecommunication sectors.
- Leadership roles in technical and managerial capacities.
- A lifelong career path with structured growth, perks, and pensions.
