Hello Engineers! The most prestigious opportunity for engineering graduates is here. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026, also known as the IES exam.
This is the gateway to esteemed Group 'A' and 'B' technical posts in various departments and ministries of the Government of India. This year, approximately 474 vacancies have been announced across four engineering disciplines. If you are an engineering graduate with a dream to serve the nation in a high-level technical role, this is your chance.
UPSC ESE 2026 Notification: Quick Overview
| Exam Name | Engineering Services Examination (ESE), 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Total Vacancies | Approx. 474 |
| Posts | Group 'A'/'B' Engineering Services |
| Application Mode | Online |
UPSC Engineering Services Exam: Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Period | 26th September 2025 to 16th October 2025 (6:00 PM) |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 8th February 2026 |
ESE 2026 Vacancy & Participating Services
Recruitment will be conducted for four main engineering categories. Here are some of the prestigious services you can join:
Category I: Civil Engineering
- Central Engineering Service
- Indian Railway Management Service (Civil)
- Central Water Engineering (Group 'A') Service
- Survey of India Group 'A' Service
Category II: Mechanical Engineering
- Indian Railway Management Services (Mechanical)
- Indian Naval Material Management Service
- Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service
- Central Water Engineering Group-A Service
Category III: Electrical Engineering
- Indian Railway Management Service (Electrical)
- Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Service
- Indian Naval Material Management Service
- Central Power Engineering Service
Category IV: Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
- Indian Railway Management Service (Signal & Telecommunication)
- Indian Telecommunication Service, Group 'A'
- Indian Radio Regulatory Service, Group 'A'
- Junior Telecom Officer, Group 'B'
Salary for Govt Engineering Jobs (In-Hand Estimate)
Most of the posts through ESE are Group 'A' positions, which typically start at Pay Level-10 (Basic Pay of ₹56,100).
What is the estimated monthly salary?
After including all allowances like Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Transport Allowance (TA) for an X-class city, the approximate in-hand salary for a newly appointed ESE officer can be around ₹85,000 to ₹95,000 per month.
UPSC IES Recruitment Eligibility Criteria
- Educational Qualification: You must have a Degree in Engineering from a recognized university. Candidates who have appeared for their final year exams or intend to appear are also eligible to apply provisionally.
- Age Limit (as on 01.01.2026): You must be between 21 and 30 years of age. This means you must have been born not earlier than 2nd January 1996 and not later than 1st January 2005. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories.
Detailed Syllabus for UPSC ESE 2026
Stage-I: Paper-I (General Studies and Engineering Aptitude)
This paper is common for all candidates. The syllabus includes:
- Current issues of national and international importance relating to social, economic and industrial development.
- Engineering Aptitude covering Logical reasoning and Analytical ability.
- Engineering Mathematics and Numerical Analysis.
- General Principles of Design, Drawing, Importance of Safety.
- Standards and Quality practices in production, construction, maintenance and services.
- Basics of Energy and Environment: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, Climate Change, Environmental impact assessment.
- Basics of Project Management.
- Basics of Material Science and Engineering.
- Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) based tools and their applications in Engineering.
- Ethics and values in Engineering profession.
How to Apply for this Top Sarkari Naukri
The application must be submitted online through the official UPSC website.
Important New Photograph Rules
UPSC has introduced new, stricter rules for the photograph you upload:
- The photograph 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 in the photograph.
- Your appearance must match the photograph at all stages of the exam (Prelims, Mains, and Interview).
- Visit the official UPSC application portal: upsconline.nic.in.
- You must first complete the "Universal Registration Number (URN)" process if you haven't already. This is a one-time registration.
- Once your URN is generated, log in and proceed to fill the Common Application Form (CAF).
- Finally, fill the Exam Specific Form for the Engineering Services Examination, 2026.
- Upload your photograph and signature as per the new specifications.
- Pay the application fee online.
- Submit the final form and take a printout for your records.
Examination Centres
Pro-Tip: Apply Early for Your Preferred Centre!
UPSC allots examination centres on a "first-apply-first-allot" basis. Once the capacity of a particular centre is filled, it will be frozen. It is strongly advised to apply early to secure the exam centre of your choice.
Important Links
- 📝 Apply Online - Click Here
- 📄 Official Notification PDF - Click Here
- 🌐 Official Website - Click Here
- 📣 Join Telegram Group - Click Here
- 📢 Join WhatsApp Group for Updates - Click Here
UPSC Engineering Services Examination FAQs
Q1: What is the last date to apply for UPSC ESE 2026?
A: The last date to submit your online application is 16th October 2025, by 6:00 PM.
Q2: I am in the final year of my engineering degree. Can I apply?
A: Yes, candidates who have appeared or are in their final year and intend to appear for the qualifying exam are eligible to apply provisionally.
Q3: Is there a negative marking in the preliminary exam?
A: Yes, there is a negative marking of one-third (1/3rd) of the marks for each wrong answer in the objective type papers of the Preliminary Exam.
Q4: What is the application fee for female candidates?
A: All female candidates, regardless of their category, are exempted from paying the application fee.
The UPSC Engineering Services Examination is a dream for many engineers in India. It offers a path to a highly respected and impactful career. With a clear understanding of the exam pattern and a dedicated preparation strategy, you can achieve your goal. Don't miss the deadline to apply for this prestigious examination!
