NEELGYAN EXAM GUIDE
UPSC Engineering Services Examination Guide
Engineering Services Examination (ESE)
2026 examination cycle · Union Public Service Commission
Written and source-checked by NeelGyan Team · Last verified 2 August 2026
Checked against the official sources linked below
Cycle
2026
Current stage
Personality Test after Main result
Vacancies
About 474
Engineering categories
Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, E&T
Written total
1,100
Personality Test
200 marks
2026 cycle tracker
- Notification26 September 2025
- Preliminary8 February 2026
- Prelims result26 February
- Main21 June
- Main result24 July
- Personality TestAwaitedYou are here
On This Page
Exam Resources
Conducting body
Union Public Service Commission
Student level
Engineering graduate recruitment
About UPSC Engineering Services Examination
What is UPSC Engineering Services Examination?
ESE recruits engineers to notified Group A and Group B technical services in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics and Telecommunication categories.
The 2026 Main written result was published on 24 July 2026. Qualified candidates proceed to the Personality Test.
Latest UPSC ESE Updates
Verified updates, newest first
UPSC Engineering Services Examination at a Glance
Key exam details
- Full name
- Engineering Services Examination (ESE)
- Conducting body
- Union Public Service Commission
- Student level
- Engineering graduate recruitment
- Purpose / area
- Engineering services
- Selection format
- Preliminary, Main and Personality Test
- Coverage
- National
- Current catalog status
- Active; consolidated canonical route
UPSC ESE 2026 Important Dates
Official notification and exam timeline
- Notificationpublished26 September 2025
- Preliminary Examinationcompleted8 February 2026
- Main Examinationcompleted21 June 2026
- Main written resultpublished24 July 2026
UPSC ESE Application Process and Fees
Official application route and fee details
Apply online through UPSC for one engineering category and provide the documents required by the notice.
The 2026 application window is closed; Main-qualified candidates should follow UPSC instructions for the interview-stage form.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Non-exempt candidates | ₹200 |
| Female/SC/ST/PwBD candidates | Exempt |
UPSC ESE Eligibility Criteria
Qualification, age and other requirements
Education
Engineering qualification
- Engineering degree or another qualification specifically accepted in the 2026 notice.
Age
21–30 years
- Measured on 1 January 2026, with notified relaxations.
Discipline
One engineering category
- Apply and write papers in the selected Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics and Telecommunication category.
ESE 2026 admit cards
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: Preliminary and Main e-admit cards were issued for completed stages.
Interview summons remain stage-specific.
UPSC ESE Exam Pattern and Selection Process
Stages, papers and qualifying rules
- Stage IPreliminary: two objective papers, 500 marks
- Stage IIMain: two conventional engineering papers, 600 marks
- Stage IIIPersonality Test, 200 marks; final merit totals all stages
ESE Preliminary
| Paper | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies and Engineering Aptitude | 2 hours | 200 |
| Discipline-specific engineering | 3 hours | 300 |
- Objective papers; negative marking applies.
ESE Main and interview
| Component | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Paper I | 3 hours | 300 |
| Engineering Paper II | 3 hours | 300 |
| Personality Test | — | 200 |
UPSC ESE Syllabus Overview
Subjects and stages in the official syllabus
General Studies and Engineering Aptitude
Current issues, engineering aptitude, standards, energy, environment, project management, ICT, ethics and safety topics specified by UPSC.
Engineering discipline
Degree-level syllabus for the selected Civil, Mechanical, Electrical or Electronics and Telecommunication category.
Main conventional papers
Two descriptive papers in the same engineering category selected for Preliminary.
ESE 2026 answer key
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: Check UPSC's answer-key archive after official release.
Do not substitute coaching keys.
ESE 2026 result
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: Main written result published 24 July 2026.
Qualified candidates proceed to Personality Test.
ESE 2026 cut-off
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: Final 2026 cut-off not yet published.
Use UPSC's cut-off archive after cycle completion.
UPSC ESE Previous Question Papers
Official question-paper resources
UPSC ESE Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current ESE 2026 stage?
The Main written result was published on 24 July 2026; interviews are next.
How many vacancies were notified?
Approximately 474, subject to alteration.
Does Preliminary count in final merit?
Yes. Preliminary, Main and Personality Test marks contribute to final ranking.
What are the four categories?
Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering.
What is the Preliminary total?
500 marks across two objective papers.
What is the Main total?
600 marks across two conventional papers.
Is there negative marking?
Yes, in objective Preliminary papers under the notice rules.
Where are official papers available?
On the UPSC examination page and previous-question-paper archive.
Official Information and Sources
Primary notice and authority links
Related Exams and Student Routes
More options in UPSC Civil Services
Verify Before You Apply
Eligibility, dates, fees, vacancies, pattern and status can change. Read the latest notice on the official authority’s website before applying. NeelGyan does not collect application fees or guarantee admission or selection.