ESE
Union Public Service Commission
🏛️ UPSC
🇮🇳 National level
● Active
UPSC ESE (Engineering Services Examination) is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit for: Group A and Group B engineering posts across the Indian Railways, Central Engineering Services, Military Engineer Services, Central Water Engineering Service, Indian Ordnance Factories Service, Indian Naval Armament Service and the Indian Radio Regulatory Service. Selection is through Preliminary Examination — Stage I (objective), followed by Main Examination — Stage II (conventional, descriptive), followed by Personality Test.
ESE 2026 — Key Facts at a Glance
| Exam name | UPSC ESE — Engineering Services Examination |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Government of India |
| Latest cycle | ESE 2026 |
| Vacancies | approximately 474 |
| Posts | Group A and Group B engineering posts across the Indian Railways, Central Engineering Services, Military Engineer Services, Central Water Engineering Service, Indian Ordnance Factories Service, Indian Naval Armament Service and the Indian Radio Regulatory Service |
| Qualification | A degree in Engineering from a recognised university, or Sections A and B of the Institution Examinations of the Institution of Engineers (India), or an equivalent recognised qualification. Candidates apply under one of four disciplines: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering. |
| Age limit | 21 to 30 years as on 1 January 2026 — born between 2 January 1996 and 1 January 2005 |
| Number of attempts | No limit on attempts within the age window. |
| Application fee | ₹200. Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempted. |
| Selection stages | Preliminary Examination — Stage I (objective) → Main Examination — Stage II (conventional, descriptive) → Personality Test |
| Total marks | Prelims 500 + Mains 600 + Personality Test 200 = 1300 marks |
| Negative marking | Yes — one third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer in the Preliminary Examination. The Main Examination is conventional and carries no negative marking. |
| Official website | upsc.gov.in |
UPSC ESE (Engineering Services Examination) is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit for Group A and Group B engineering posts across the Indian Railways, Central Engineering Services, Military Engineer Services, Central Water Engineering Service, Indian Ordnance Factories Service, Indian Naval Armament Service and the Indian Radio Regulatory Service. The ESE 2026 notification declares approximately 474.
UPSC ESE selection process
- Preliminary Examination — Stage I (objective)
- Main Examination — Stage II (conventional, descriptive)
- Personality Test
UPSC ESE exam pattern
| Paper | Subjects | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims Paper-I | General Studies and Engineering Aptitude | Objective | 200 | 2 hours |
| Prelims Paper-II | Engineering Discipline specific | Objective | 300 | 3 hours |
| Mains Paper-I | Engineering Discipline specific (conventional) | Descriptive | 300 | 3 hours |
| Mains Paper-II | Engineering Discipline specific (conventional) | Descriptive | 300 | 3 hours |
| Personality Test | Interview board | — | 200 | — |
Total marks
Prelims 500 + Mains 600 + Personality Test 200 = 1300 marks.
Negative marking
Yes — one third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer in the Preliminary Examination. The Main Examination is conventional and carries no negative marking.
UPSC does not normalise marks
This is the single most common misconception carried over from SSC. UPSC conducts each paper in one sitting with one question paper, so there are no shifts to equate and no normalisation formula. A published UPSC cut off is a raw mark you could actually have scored on the paper — which is why the figures are clean numbers rather than five-decimal scores.
What is next for UPSC ESE
The ESE 2026 Main Examination was held on 21 June 2026. The ESE 2027 notification was due on 16 September 2026, with the Preliminary Examination on 31 January 2027.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UPSC ESE vacancy for ESE 2026?
approximately 474. UPSC states in the notice that the number is liable to alteration.
What is the age limit for UPSC ESE?
21 to 30 years as on 1 January 2026 — born between 2 January 1996 and 1 January 2005. The upper limit is relaxed by 5 years for SC and ST, 3 years for OBC, and up to 10 years for PwBD candidates.
What qualification is required for UPSC ESE?
A degree in Engineering from a recognised university, or Sections A and B of the Institution Examinations of the Institution of Engineers (India), or an equivalent recognised qualification. Candidates apply under one of four disciplines: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering.
How many attempts are allowed for UPSC ESE?
No limit on attempts within the age window.
What is the UPSC ESE application fee?
₹200. Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempted.
Is there negative marking in UPSC ESE?
Yes — one third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer in the Preliminary Examination. The Main Examination is conventional and carries no negative marking.
What is the UPSC ESE selection process?
Selection is through Preliminary Examination — Stage I (objective), followed by Main Examination — Stage II (conventional, descriptive), followed by Personality Test.
What are the total marks in UPSC ESE?
Prelims 500 + Mains 600 + Personality Test 200 = 1300 marks.
What is the UPSC ESE salary?
Pay Level 10 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix (₹56,100 basic) at entry, plus Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and Transport Allowance.
Does UPSC normalise marks in UPSC ESE?
No. UPSC conducts each paper in a single sitting with one question paper, so there are no shifts to equate and no normalisation. Published cut offs are raw marks.
When does UPSC release the UPSC ESE answer key?
Only after the final result for that cycle is declared, under the Commission's disclosure policy. There is no post-exam challenge window of the kind SSC runs.
Where do I download the UPSC ESE admit card?
From upsc.gov.in. The e-Admit Card appears about two to three weeks before the examination and is not posted to candidates.
Do I need to register separately for UPSC ESE?
No. UPSC issues a Universal Registration Number (URN) that is registered once in a lifetime and used for every UPSC examination. Only the examination-specific module is filled per exam.
What is next for UPSC ESE?
The ESE 2026 Main Examination was held on 21 June 2026. The ESE 2027 notification was due on 16 September 2026, with the Preliminary Examination on 31 January 2027.