UPSC Engineering Services Exam 2026: Unlock Prestigious Government Engineering Jobs!
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Table of Contents
Total Vacancies
Approximately 474 posts
Across Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering services.
Advertisement No.
No. 02/2026 ENGG. Dated 26.09.2025
Short Description: UPSC Engineering Services Exam 2026
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
The UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026, also known as the Indian Engineering Services (IES) examination, is one of India’s top competitive exams for engineers seeking Group A government positions. Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), this exam recruits eligible candidates into multiple engineering services, including Central Engineering Service, Indian Telecommunication Service, Border Roads Engineering Service, Central Water Engineering Service, and more. ESE 2026 promises a highly rewarding career path with excellent pay scales, perks, and an opportunity to serve India with technical excellence. This coveted exam attracts thousands of engineering graduates annually, aiming for secure and prestigious government engineering jobs.
Important Dates and Application Fee: UPSC Engineering Services Exam 2026
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Application Begins:Â 26th September 2025
- Last Date to Apply:Â 16th October 2025 (6:00 PM)
- Admit Card Availability: Last working day before the examination on www.upsc.gov.in
- Preliminary Examination Date:Â 8th February 2026 (Sunday)
- Application Fee Details:
| Category | Fee (INR) |
| General / EWS / OBC | ₹200 |
| SC / ST / PH / Woman | Exempted (No Fee) |
- Payment Mode:Â Payment to be made through State Bank of India branch, Visa/MasterCard/RuPay credit or debit, UPI, or Internet banking as per UPSC specifications.
Vacancies, Pay Scale, Age Limit & Eligibility Criteria: UPSC Engineering Services Exam 2026
Services & Vacancies
The total number of vacancies is approximately 474, inclusive of reservations for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). Vacancies are distributed under four major categories:
| Engineering Category | Approximate Vacancies |
| Civil Engineering | Varies according to services |
| Mechanical Engineering | Varies according to services |
| Electrical Engineering | Varies according to services |
| Electronics & Telecommunication | Varies according to services |
Educational Qualification
Candidates must possess:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from a recognized university or equivalent, OR
- Passed Sections A and B of the Institution Examinations of the Institution of Engineers (India), OR
- Passed Graduate Membership/Associate Membership Examinations from recognized Aeronautical, Electronics, or Radio Engineering institutions as accepted by the UPSC. For certain posts, candidates with an M.Sc. degree in specified subjects are eligible.
Age Limits
- Minimum: 21 years as on 1st January 2026
- Maximum: 30 years as on 1st January 2026
Age Relaxation
- Up to 5 years for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
- Up to 3 years for Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer)
- Relaxations for PwBD candidates, Ex-servicemen, and others as per the Government of India rules.
How to Apply: UPSC Engineering Services Exam 2026
Interested and eligible candidates must apply ONLY ONLINE through the official UPSC Online Application Portal:
- Visit:Â https://upsconline.nic.in
- Create your Universal Registration Number (URN) if not already done.
- Complete the Common Application Form (CAF) and the Examination-specific form.
- Upload scanned copies of the photograph, signature, and other mandatory certificates.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable) via the prescribed modes.
- Apply before the last date, 16 October 2025, at 6:00 PM.
- No offline applications will be accepted.
Applicants are strongly advised to carefully read the full official UPSC ESE 2026 notification available on www.upsc.gov.in before applying.
Documents Required with Application: UPSC Engineering Services Exam 2026
- Valid ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter, Passport, Driving License)
- Educational qualification proof (Degree certificate and mark sheets)
- Date of birth proof (Class 10 mark sheet or equivalent)
- Caste or category certificate (if applicable), issued recently as per government format
- PwBD certificate for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities
- Receipt of application fee payment (if applicable)
Exam Pattern and Selection Process: UPSC Engineering Services Exam 2026
The UPSC ESE 2026 selection consists of three stages designed to evaluate knowledge and personality for vital engineering roles:
Stage 1: Preliminary Exam (Objective Type)
- Paper I:Â General Studies and Engineering Aptitude (200 marks, 2 hours)
- Paper II:Â Engineering Discipline-wise specific paper (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, E&T) (300 marks, 3 hours)
- Negative marking of 1/3rd for wrong answers applies.
Stage 2: Main Exam (Conventional/Descriptive Papers)
- Two papers from the candidate’s engineering stream
- Each paper carries 300 marks, totaling 600 marks
- Paper 1 and Paper 2 cover advanced technical subjects and problem-solving skills.
Stage 3: Personality Test / Interview
- 200 marks assessing communication skills, personality, and suitability
- The final merit list is prepared by aggregating marks from all stages.
Candidates must pass each stage to advance to the next stage. The exam is demanding and requires exceptional preparation, making it one of the most challenging government engineering job exams.
Important Instructions for UPSC ESE Aspirants: UPSC Engineering Services Exam 2026
- Candidates must carry a valid e-Admit Card to the exam center; no physical admit cards will be sent.
- Candidates must reach the exam center at least 30 minutes before the exam.
- Strictly no gadgets (phones, Bluetooth devices, calculators, smartwatches) allowed in examination halls.
- Follow the black ballpoint pen marking for objective papers as mentioned in the instructions.
- Check UPSC official channels regularly for updates, admit card release, and other communication.
- Incomplete or multiple applications will lead to rejection.
- Candidates claiming reservation and relaxation should have valid certificates ready to present.
- Any violation of exam rules could lead to disqualification.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it possible to apply for more than one engineering category in the UPSC ESE 2026?
No, candidates are allowed to apply for only one category (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics & Telecommunication) per application.
What is the negative marking scheme in the UPSC ESE prelims?
There is a penalty of 1/3rd mark for each wrong answer in the objective papers of the prelims exam.
How is the final merit decided in UPSC ESE?
The combined marks of Preliminary, Main Examination, and Personality Test are considered to prepare the final merit list.
Important Links
- Official UPSC Website:Â www.upsc.gov.in
- UPSC Online Application Portal:Â https://upsconline.nic.in
- Official ESE 2026 Notification PDF: Available on the UPSC website
- Detailed Syllabus & Exam Pattern: Visit UPSC notifications page
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