UPSC IES 2020: Union Public Service Commission has released the admit card for main exam of the Indian Engineering Services (IES) 2020 recruitment. The main exam is scheduled to be conducted on October 18, 2020. After conducting the Preliminary stage exam earlier on January 05, 2020, the Commission also released the result of the Prelims on February 20, 2020. UPSC IES 2020 recruitment is conducted in three selection stages viz. preliminary exam, main exam, and personality test. Finally selected candidates are appointed to the 495 advertised vacancies at Group A/B Services posts in various engineering services departments of the government. Get the complete details of UPSC IES 2020 such as eligibility criteria, exam date, the application process, pattern, and syllabus.
Latest: UPSC has released admit card for Engineering Services (Main) Examination, 2020. Download here.
UPSC IES 2020
The IES exam shares a similar difficulty level as the other Civil Service exams conducted by the UPSC. The total number of vacancies are bifurcated among candidates of unreserved, SC, ST and OBC categories. Candidates are selected for these vacancies based on the conduct of all the stages of the exam. Get the complete schedule of events related to UPSC IES 2020 here.
UPSC IES 2020
| UPSC IES 2020 | Date |
|---|---|
| Publication of UPSC IES 2019 Notification | 25 Sep 2019 |
| Release of Application Form | 25 Sep 2019 |
| Last date to apply | 15 Oct 2019 |
| Withdraw Application Form | 22 – 28 Oct 2019 |
| Release of Admit card (Prelims) | 11 Dec 2019 |
| UPSC IES 2020 Prelims | 05 Jan 2020 |
| Declaration of Result (Prelims) | 20 Feb 2020 |
| Release of Admit card (Mains) | to be announced |
| UPSC IES 2020 Mains | 18 Oct 2020 |
| Result of the Mains exam | To be announced |
| Personality test or Interview | To be announced |
UPSC IES 2021
| UPSC IES 2021 | Dates |
| Release of Notification | 07 Apr 2021 |
| Start of Application Form | 07 Apr 2021 |
| End of Application Form | 27 Apr 2021 |
| Date of UPSC IES 2021 (Prelims) | 18 Jul 2021 |
| Date of UPSC IES 2021 (Mains) | 10 Oct 2021 |
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Latest updates on UPSC IES 2020
UPSC IES 2020 Main Exam date Sheet
Union Public Service Commission has released the exam time table of Indian Engineering Services (IES) 2020 main examination. The new date for Engineering Services (Main) Examination, 2020 is released at the official website. Refer to the image provided below.
Notice regarding window of submitting the revised choice of Centre
Union Public Service Commission has released a notice regarding submitting the revised choice of exam centre. The commission will conduct the main examination of UPSC IES 2020 on October 18, 2020. The commission will again open the window for submitting the revised choice of Centre from September 08 -13, 2020 at the official website. Check the detailed notice from below;
Click here to check the notice for the candidates to submit the choice of centres.
Overview of UPSC IES 2020 Exam
The UPSC conducts the IES 2020 examination for recruitment into the engineering services of the Indian Government. Every year, candidates from all over India compete for the top positions of the IES selection lists. Here are a few important features of the IES exam to check out at a glance.
- The Indian Engineering Services (IES) exam is also referred to as the Engineering Services Examination (ESE). It is conducted by the UPSC once a year.
- IES exam shortlists and selects eligible candidates for the four engineering trades of civil, mechanical, electrical, and electronics & telecommunication engineering.
- Finally selected candidates are shortlisted for recruitment into various engineering services of the Indian Government as Group A & B officers.
- One must have an engineering degree or equivalent to apply for the IES 2020 exam.
- Similar to the Civil Services exams, the IES 2020 selection is conducted in three stages viz. preliminary, main, and personality tests.
Admit Card for UPSC IES 2020 Exam
The admit card for IES 2020 exam is released online by the UPSC on its official website. No hard copy of the UPSC IES admit card is sent to the candidates by post. To download the UPSC IES admit card 2020, candidates have to log in by entering their registration id/ roll number and date of birth. Candidates need to carry the print out of the admit card along with another valid photo id proof to the exam center. The admit card released at first for the Prelims, and the qualifiers of the Preliminary test are then issued the admit card to appear for the UPSC IES Main exam.
In case if the photo of the candidate on the IES admit card is not visible, then it is advised to carry two identical photographs along with the printout of e-Admit Card at the test center. Along with it, candidates must also carry a Black Ball Point Pen.
Exam Pattern of UPSC IES 2020
UPSC IES 2020 exam is conducted in three distinct stages i.e. Preliminary exam, Main Exam, and Final Interview. The pattern of the exam in the Preliminary stage and the Main stage is explained below.
Stage – I: Preliminary Examination
- Language: English
- Exam Mode: Offline (OMR sheets)
- Sections: Two Papers
- Type of questions: Objective type (MCQ)
- Total marks: Paper I: 200; Paper II: 300
- Negative marking: 0.33 marks deducted for an incorrect answer
Check out the category-wise marking distribution and duration of papers below
Category-I Civil Engineering
| Subject | Duration | Total Marks |
| Paper-I (General Studies and Engineering Aptitude) | 2 hours | 200 |
| Paper-II (Civil Engineering) | 3 hours | 300 |
| Total | 500 Marks |
Category-II Mechanical Engineering
| Subject | Duration | Total Marks |
| Paper-I (General Studies and Engineering Aptitude) | 2 hours | 200 |
| Paper-II (Mechanical Engineering) | 3 hours | 300 |
| Total | 500 Marks |
Category-III Electrical Engineering
| Subject | Duration | Total Marks |
| Paper-I (General Studies and Engineering Aptitude) | 2 hours | 200 |
| Paper-II (Electrical Engineering) | 3 hours | 300 |
| Total | 500 Marks |
Category-IV Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering
| Subject | Duration | Total Marks |
| Paper-I (General Studies and Engineering Aptitude) | 2 hours | 200 |
| Paper-II (Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering) | 3 hours | 300 |
| Total | 500 Marks |
Stage – II: Mains Examination
- Language: English
- Mode: Offline
- Sections: Two papers
- Type of questions: Objective and Descriptive
- Total marks: 300 marks per per
Check out the marking distribution and duration of the papers below
| Subject | Duration | Total Marks |
| Paper-I | 3 hours | 300 |
| Paper-II | 3 hours | 300 |
| Total | 6 hours | 600 Marks |
Stage – III: Personality Test
Stage-III of the UPSC IES 2020 exam consists of Personality Test carrying 200 Marks. Those who qualify the Main exam are shortlisted in the merit list. Only these candidates are summoned for the final interview and personality test rounds, Once candidates qualify the Personality test, their documents are verified for eligibility.
Note: Deduction up to five percent of the maximum marks for the written papers for illegible handwriting. Credit is given for orderly, effective, and exact expression combined with due economy of words in the conventional papers of the examination.
Syllabus of UPSC IES 2020
The detailed syllabus of UPSC Indian Engineering Services is provided below:
| Subject | Topic |
| General studies | 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, Project Management BasicsThe basics of Material Science and EngineeringInformation and Communication Technologies (ICT) based tools and their applications in Engineering such as networking, e-governance, and technology-based education.Ethics and values in the Engineering profession, 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 AnalysisGeneral Principles of Design, Drawing, Importance of Safetysyllbus |
| PAPER I | |
| Civil engineering | Building MaterialsSolid MechanicsDesign of Steel StructureStructural AnalysisConstruction Practice & Management Design of Concrete and Masonry Structures |
| Electronics and telecommunications | Basic Electrical Engineering, Basic Electronics Engineering, Electronics Measurements & Instruments, Material Science, Analog and Digital Circuits, Network Theory |
| Mechanical engineering | Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, Turbomachinery, IC Engines, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Power Plant Engineering, Renewable Sources of Energy |
| Electrical engineering | Electrical MaterialsEngineering MathematicsElectrical and Electronics MeasurementsElectric Circuits and FieldsComputer FundamentalsBasic Electronics Engineering |
| PAPER II | |
| Civil engineering | Hydrology and Water Resource Engineering, The flow of Fluids, Hydraulic Machines, Hydro Power, Geotechnical Engineering & Foundation Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Surveying & Geology |
| Electronics and telecommunications | Control Systems, Analog and Digital Communication System, Electromagnetics, Computer Architecture and Organisation, Advanced Communication Topics, Advanced Electronics Topics |
| Mechanical engineering | Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, Turbomachinery, IC Engines, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Power Plant Engineering, Renewable Sources of Energy |
| Electrical engineering | Systems and Signal Processing, Analog and Digital Electronics, Electrical Machines, Control System, Power Electronics and Devices,Power System |
Suggested Books for UPSC IES 2020
There are numerous books, workbooks, guides, preparatory material, and other learning resources available in the commercial markets as well as over the internet. It can be confusing for applicants to pick the best learning resources that can be useful in preparing for the UPSC IES 2020 exam. Here are a few suggestions to go forward with.
| Book Title | Purchase link |
| Ese- 2020 civil engineering topic wise solved paper 1 | Click here |
| ESE 2019: Electrical Engineering Topic wise Objective Solved Paper 2 | Click here |
| Engineering Mathematics : ESE, GATE, PSUs 2019 | Click here |
| ESE 2019 : Electronics & Communication Engg Topic wise Objective Solved Paper – 1 | Click here |
| Current Affairs for ESE and Other Competitive Exams | Click here |
| ESE Mechanical Obj-II (2019-2020) Examination | Click here |
Preparation Tips for UPSC IES 2020
IES 2020 exam consists of both subjective and objective questions in the Main stage. The preliminary exam has only objective questions. Therefore, candidates cannot expect to score high marks just by memorizing. Here we have provided some important and useful preparation tips and tricks to follow.
Tip#1
Use previous year questions decisively and wisely. Use an analytical approach to evaluate the question pattern. Check out how marks distribution has changed in the IES exam in the previous years.
Tip#2
Check out the proportion of technical and non-technical questions. Check the weightage of marks allotted to each type of questions. Prioritise the study topics and areas accordingly.
Tip#3
Focus on the devoting extensive time and effort to general ability preparations. It consists of a significant weightage of marks and is relevant for the personal interview.
Tip#4
To keep updated on current events, refer to newspapers, recent news on television and even the internet. Note down important dates and names.
Tip#5
Learn to solve numerical problems using shortcut techniques. This can be achieved with practice and guidance.
Tip#6
Practice writing technical (and non-answers) descriptively. This is important to enhance tour presentation and comprehension skills in writing answers that can achieve higher marks.
Tip#7
Do not harbor confusion about the basic technical concepts and theoretical understanding of the subjects. Solve these queries before aspirants progress through their study plans.
Strategy to Prepare for UPSC IES 2020
A well-planned strategy to study and complete the syllabus of the exam is necessary to secure good marks and get selected in the final merit list. We have provided some useful preparation tips in this article. Besides, one can also check out the video links provided below to develop and implement a productive study strategy to prepare for IES 2020.
How to Prepare for IES 2020 exam by Suraj K Classes
Preparation plan for ESE by DigiiMento
How to crack Indian Engineering Service exam by Delhi Knowledge Track
Exam Centre for UPSC IES 2020
The examination centres for UPSC IES 2020 are allocated and indicated on the admit card as the venue of the exam.
Centres of Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination:
| Chandigarh | Madurai |
| Imphal | Shillong |
| Dispur (Guwahati) | Vishakapatnam |
| Kohima | Bareilly |
| Raipur | Gangtok |
| Ranchi | Kolkata |
| Bhopal | Hyderabad |
| Lucknow | Sambalpur |
| Agartala | Srinagar |
| Chennai | Aizwal |
| Itanagar | Dehradun |
| Mumbai | Jammu |
| Shimla | Panaji (Goa) |
| Ahemdabad | Thiruvanthapuram |
| Cuttack | Aligarh |
| Jaipur | Delhi |
| Nagpur | Jorhat |
| Allahabad | Patna |
| Dharwad | Tirupati |
| Cochi | Udaipur |
| Port Blair | Bangalore |
Centers for Engineering Services (Main) Examination
| Ahmedabad | Hyderabad |
| Chandigarh | Mumbai |
| Dispur | Shimla |
| Lucknow | Allahabad |
| Shillong | Cuttack |
| Dehradun | Jammu |
| Bhopal | Raipur |
| Kolkata | Ranchi |
| Delhi | Vishakapatnam |
| Aizwal | Jaipur |
| Chennai | Patna |
| Banglore | Thiruvananthapuram |
Answer Key of UPSC IES 2020
The Commission releases the answer key of the UPSC IES 2020 exam officially at the UPSC website. The answer keys are available only for the Preliminary exam which consist of objective type questions only. The aspirants can check the correct answer to all the questions asked in UPSC IES 2020 exam in the answer keys. Check out the basic steps to download the UPSC IES 2020 Answer Keys below.
Step 1: Visit the official website upsc.gov.in.
Step 2: Navigate to examination -> Answer keys
Step 3: On clicking the answer keys, search for Engineering Services examination.
Step 4: Corresponding to the exam names aspirants can check the answer keys PDFs available for download in PDF formats.
Step 5: Download the same and save in the device to check answers.
Note: The answer keys are available for all the sets of question papers asked in the exam.
Unofficial answer key of UPSC IES 2020: On the same day as the exam, aspirants can check the unofficial answer key in PDF format released by various subject matter experts and trainers. These answer keys can be available in PDF format/video format or any other formats.
Result of UPSC IES 2020
UPSC declares the result of the IES 2020 exam on the official website only. Separate merit lists are released after the completion of each selection stage to indicate the names of the shortlisted candidates. At first, the result for the UPSC IES Preliminary exam is released online. The result is released in the pdf format which consists of the roll number of the candidates who qualify for the UPSC IES 2020 Main Examination. Subsequently, a similar process is followed to release the results of the Main exam. The final results indicating the candidates actually shortlisted for a final appointment is published after completion of the personality test and document verification stages.
UPSC IES 2020 Cut Offs
UPSC IES 2020 is held in three stages. The candidates have to qualify each of the stages to move on to the next stage. Thus to qualify each stage the candidates are needed to achieve a cutoff mark. It is the minimum marks needed to get shortlisted in the merit list.
The cutoff deciding factors can include the following:
- Candidates taking the exam
- Total vacancy available
- Difficulty level of the exam
- Other factors as decided by authorities
Candidates can check below the latest UPSC IES cut off in the table below for reference:
| Discipline | Gen | OBC | SC | ST |
| Civil Engineering | 188 | 185 | 143 | 159 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 187 | 187 | 166 | 169 |
| Electrical Engineering | 221 | 211 | 191 | 172 |
| Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering | 226 | 221 | 176 | 165 |
Official Notification of UPSC IES 2020
Union Public Service Commission released the Indian Engineering Services Notification 2020 on September 25, 2019. The notification is available for download. Aspirants can click here or click on the image below to download it.
Application Process for UPSC IES 2020
Candidates can apply online for UPSC IES 2020 at the official website, upsc.gov.in as per schedule. Candidates must ensure that they fulfill all eligibility conditions before applying for the examination. Applicants are advised to submit only one application form. However, if due to any unavoidable situation, if a candidate submits multiple applications, then they must ensure that application with the higher RID (Registration ID) is complete in all respects as this is the one that is considered by the Commission. Incomplete applications are rejected by the Commission.
Application Fee:
The application fee as specified in the detailed advertisement must be deposited during the process of online application. Check out the category-wise payable fees below.
| Category | Fee |
| Unreserved | Rs 200 |
| SC/ST | Nil |
| PWD | Nil |
Mode of Payment: The mode of payment is online through credit card/debit card or UPI.
UPSC IES 2020 Application Form Withdrawal
The Commission provides the facility of withdrawal of application for those candidates who do not want to appear for the IES Examination and want to withdraw their applications. The link to withdraw IES 2020 Application form is activated at the official website, upsc.gov.in as per schedule. To withdraw applications, candidates have to log in with their login credentials such as the registration number. Candidates must note that the fee is not refundable even if the application form is withdrawn after submission.
Eligibility Criteria for UPSC IES 2020
The candidates applying for the UPSC IES 2020 examination should ensure that they fulfill all the eligibility conditions for admission. Candidates must fulfill the following eligibility criteria in order to qualify to appear for the UPSC IES 2020 exam.
Nationality:
- A citizen of India, Or
- A subject of Nepal, Or
- A subject of Bhutan, Or
- A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before January 01, 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India,
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka or East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia or from Vietnam with the intention of permanently setting in India.
Age Limit: Minimum age limit of the candidate must be 21 years and the maximum of 30 years. The upper age‐limit of 30 years will be relaxable up to 35 years in case of Government servants.
Minimum Educational Qualification:
- Candidates must obtain a degree in Engineering from a University, Or
- Candidates passed Sections A and B of the Institution Examinations of the Institution of Engineers (India), Or
- Candidates must obtain a degree/diploma in Engineering from such foreign University/College/Institution, Or
- Candidates must pass Graduate Membership Examination of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (India), Or
- Candidates must pass Associate Membership Examination Parts II and III/Sections A and B of the Aeronautical Society of India.
Medical Examination:
- Every candidate, on being finally recommended is required to undergo a medical examination.
- The medical examination is conducted at various Railway Hospitals under the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) in order to check candidates medically fit or not.
About UPSC
Responsible for all the examinations and appointments to all India services, the Union Public Service Commission is known as the premier recruiting agency of India. The entity is situated in Dholpur, New Delhi, and is currently managed by Arvind Saxena since June 2018. It has its secretariat, the members of which are appointed by the President of India. The UPSC is also responsible for conducting the IES exam. The various other duties of the UPSC include making recruitment rules, general housekeeping works of the Commission, and administration.
Official Website: upsc.gov.in
For more detail regarding UPSC IES 2020 – Download Official Notification.
UPSC IES / ESE 2020 Exam Frequently Asked Questions
Ans : The candidates can give exam for unlimited no. of times until he is 30 years old.
Ans : Yes, there is provision for withdrawing of Application for those candidates who do not want to appear for the IES Examination and wanted to withdraw their applications.
Ans : The total no. of vacancies are expected to be approximately 495 in number.
Ans : As per 6th pay commission, IES officers have a salary of PayBand III which has a scale of 15600-39100 and grade pay of 5400.
Ans : Yes, the calculator is permitted in the exam hall.
Ans : Yes, the upper limit of age slab is 35 years for the government servant. Hence, you are eligible for appearing in the exam.
Ans : There will be 2 paper in the preliminary exam. The first paper will be of 2 hours and the second paper will be of 3 hours.
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