UPSC IES Exam: Dates, Pattern, Syllabus, Papers

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is an authorized India’s central agency who conducts Civil Services Examination. Here, in this article, we will provide information about Indian Engineering Services (IES). There are three levels to clear this exam that is Preliminary, Main Exam and Personal Interview. It is important for all the aspirants to be aware of the criteria specified by the conducting body of this examination. Candidates who are willing to crack this exam must know the important dates, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Study criteria, Eligibility, and much more.

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UPSC IES Exam

Indian Engineering Services (IES) exam is conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) every year for various posts under PSU’s of Government of India. The IES is responsible for administering large sized government PSU’s in various sectors of the economy like Railways, Road, Power, Central Water, and Telecommunication. They join as an Assistant Executive Engineer and get elevated to the post of Managing Director/Chairman of the PSU.

There are four main categories in Engineering for which this exam is conducted.

• Civil Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronic and Tele-Communication
• Engineering and Mechanical Engineering

IES/ES Exam Pattern

There are three rounds for the selection of IES/ES that is, Preliminary round, Mains round and Interview round. We have discussed the Exam Pattern of all three rounds for IES/ES below.

Preliminary Round

Type of Paper: Objective type (MCQ)
No. of Paper: 2, Paper-1 and Paper-2
Marks: 600, Paper-1: 200 marks and Paper-2: 300 marks
Duration: 2 hours for Paper-1 and 3 hours for Paper-2
Marking scheme: For every incorrect answer, 1/3rd marks will be deducted. Unanswered questions will have no deduction.

Mains Round

Type of Paper: Conventional type
No. of Paper: 2, Paper-1 and Paper-2
Marks: 500, Paper-1: 300 marks and Paper-2: 300 marks
Duration: 3 hours each paper
Question Paper Language: English only

Interview Round

Candidates who will qualify both Preliminary and Main Round of the IES/ES will be called for the Personality test or the interview. This interview will be of 200 marks.

IES/ES Syllabus

Aspirants must be aware of the syllabus set by the commision for IES/ES, to score well at the examination. Here, the table below comprises of the topic wise syllabus that is to be covered from examination point of view.

IES/ES Selection Procedure

As mentioned above, that there are three rounds to get selected for IES/ES. The candidate who will qualify for all the three stages of this exam will be selected as an IES. Firstly, the candidate has to clear Preliminary round, then Mains round and after successfully clearing both the rounds commission will call the candidate for the Personal Interview on the basis of the marks achieved in both the rounds. After the Personality test or the Interview, UPSC will release a Merit List and decide the cut-off for the same. Aspirants who will be able to clear the decided cut-off will be appointed as an Engineer by UPSC.

How to prepare for UPSC IES?

Prepare well for the examination. Hence, here we have listed a few tips that would help the candidate to prepare and score well:

• Time management is really important for a student preparing for any competitive examination. Develop a timetable and follow it.
• Do not forget your NCERT’s
• Start preparing at least 6 months prior to the examination.The syllabus is vast hence the earlier you start the earlier you finish the syllabus
• Most of all, understanding the exam pattern is really important to score well in the IES Examination.
• Every topper swears by mock tests and sample papers. Hence, incorporate practising from the sample papers and prior years paper in your preparation process.
• Invest in the right preparation books
• Exercise and Eat Healthy.
• Being nervous will only make you forget what you have studied so keep a calm mind.

Best Books Recommended for IES / ESE Preparation

Here is a list of books that would help you prepare better for IES Examination.

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