UPSC ESE Recruitment 2026 Notification
UPSC has released the official notification for the 2026 Engineering Services Examination (ESE). The UPSC ESE recruitment 2026 offers a fantastic opportunity for candidates who wish to build a career with the Union Public Service Commission. It is one of the most prestigious competitive examinations in India. Every year, thousands of engineering graduates aspire to join the top engineering services of the Government of India, and the ESE (also known as IES – Indian Engineering Services) provides an opportunity to join Group A and Group B services.
Here, we will share complete details about the UPSC ESE recruitment 2026, including vacancies, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, selection process, syllabus highlights, application process, important dates, and other essential guidelines.
Overview of UPSC ESE Recruitment 2026
The UPSC ESE 2026 exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment to prestigious technical posts in India. Candidates with a B.E. or B.Tech degree in relevant engineering disciplines and aged between 21 and 30 years are eligible to apply.
UPSC ESE 2026 Overview
| Exam Name | UPSC ESE 2026 |
| Exam Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Posts | IES Officer (Grade A) and Management Posts |
| Advertisement Number | 02/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 474 |
| Disciplines | Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, and Telecommunication Engineering |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Exam Frequency | Ones a year |
| Notification Release Date | September 26, 2025 |
| Online Registration | September 26, 2025 to October 16, 2025 |
| Exam Stages | Four – Preliminary (Objective), Main (Descriptive), Personality Test/Interview |
| Eligibility | B.E./B.Tech in relevant disciplines |
| Age Limit | 21–30 years |
| Application Fee | Rs. 200 (UR/OBC/EWS) |
| Pay Scale | Level 10 as per 7th Pay Commission |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Important Dates for UPSC ESE 2026
The important dates for the UPSC Engineering Services Examination Recruitment 2026 are as follows:
- Notification Release Date: 26th September 2025
- Application Start Date: 26th September 2025
- Last Date to Apply: 16th October 2025
- Preliminary Exam (Stage I): 8 February 2026
- Mains Exam (Stage II): Date to be announced
- Admit Card Release: To be announced
- Final Personality Test/Interview: To be scheduled after the Mains examination
Interested candidates should apply well in advance to avoid any technical issues at the last minute.
Vacancy Details for UPSC ESE 2026 Recruitment
The UPSC Engineering Services 2026 notification has been released, announcing a total of 474 vacancies. These include 26 reserved vacancies for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).
Details of PwBD Vacancies
- 15 vacancies: For persons with locomotor disability (including persons cured of leprosy, persons with dwarfism, persons suffering from acid attack, and persons with muscular dystrophy)
- 7 vacancies: For persons with hearing impairment
- 1 vacancy: For persons with low vision
- 3 vacancies: For persons with specific learning disability and intellectual disability
Services Covered Under UPSC ESE 2026 Notification
The exam recruits for four categories of engineering disciplines:
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering
Category I – Civil Engineering
- Central Engineering Service
- Central Engineering Service (Roads)
- Survey of India Group A Service
- AEE (Civil) in Border Roads Engineering Service
- AEE (QS&C) in MES Surveyor Cadre
- Central Water Engineering Service
- Indian Skill Development Service
- Indian Railway Management Service (Civil and Stores – Civil)
Category II – Mechanical Engineering
- Assistant Engineer (Grade II) in Geological Survey of India
- Indian Naval Stores Management Service (Mechanical)
- Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service (Mechanical)
- Assistant Engineer (E&M) in Border Roads Engineering Service
- Indian Skill Development Service
- Indian Railway Management Service (Mechanical and Stores – Mechanical)
- Indian Entrepreneurship Development Service (Grade I and II, Mechanical Trade)
- Assistant Engineer (Mechanical) in EME Corps
Category III – Electrical Engineering
- Central Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Service
- Indian Naval Stores Management Service (Electrical)
- Central Electrical Engineering Service
- Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service (Electrical)
- Indian Skill Development Service
- Indian Entrepreneurship Development Service (Electrical Trade)
- Indian Railway Management Service (Electrical and Stores – Electrical)
- AEE in Corps of EME (Electrical)
Category IV – Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering
- Indian Radio Regulatory Service
- Indian Telecom Service
- Indian Navy Stores Management Service (Electronics and Telecommunications)
- Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service (Electronics)
- Indian Skill Development Service
- Junior Telecom Officer, Group B
- Indian Enterprise Development Service (Electronics Trade)
- Indian Railway Management Service (Signal, Telecom and Stores)
- AEE (Electronics and Telecommunications) in EME Corps
These services are highly prestigious, offering Group A and B level positions in various central government engineering organizations.
Eligibility Criteria for UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2026
Candidates applying for the UPSC Engineering Services Exam 2026 recruitment must meet the requirements for citizenship, age, educational qualifications, and medical fitness.
Citizenship
Candidates for the UPSC ESE Recruitment 2026 must primarily be:
- A citizen of India, or
- A citizen of Nepal/Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee (who arrived before January 1, 1962), or
- A person of Indian origin who migrated to India from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries, or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Age Limit for UPSC ESE Recruitment 2026
The age of candidates for UPSC Bharti 2026 must be:
- Minimum age: 21 years
- Maximum age: 30 years (as on January 1, 2026)
- The candidate must have been born between January 2, 1996, and January 1, 2005.
Age Relaxation:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years
- Defence personnel disabled on duty: 3 years
- Ex-Servicemen/ECOs/SSCOs: Up to 5 years
- PwBD candidates: Up to 10 years
Educational Qualification for UPSC ESE Recruitment 2026
Candidates must possess an engineering degree from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification. Acceptable qualifications include:
- BE/B.Tech from a recognized university
- Passing Sections A and B of the Institution of Engineers (India) examination
- Graduate Membership of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE)
- Associate Membership of the Aeronautical Society of India (for some posts)
- M.Sc. degree in Wireless Communication/Electronics/Radio Physics (for specific services like the Indian Navy Ordnance Service and the Indian Radio Regulatory Service).
Note: Degrees obtained from certain private institutions (IETE, Aeronautical Society of India, IEI) after May 2013 may not be valid due to court orders. Candidates should verify this carefully.
Medical and Physical Standards
All candidates selected for appointment must pass a medical examination conducted by the government authority. Physical standards vary depending on the service.
UPSC ESE 2026 Exam Pattern and Selection Process
The selection process comprises in three stages:
Stage I: Preliminary Examination
- Paper I: General Studies and Engineering Aptitude (2 hours, 200 marks)
- Paper II: Subject-Specific (Civil/Mechanical/Electrical/E&T) (3 hours, 300 marks)
- Total: 500 marks
- Type: Objective (MCQ)
- Negative Marking: Yes
Stage II: Main Examination
- Paper I: Technical (3 hours, 300 marks)
- Paper II: Technical (3 hours, 300 marks)
- Total: 600 marks
- Type: Traditional (Written, Descriptive)
Stage III: Personality Test/Interview
- 200 marks
- This assessment evaluates your leadership skills, technical abilities, communication skills, and decision-making capabilities.
The final merit list is prepared based on the scores of Stage I + Stage II + Stage III (total 1300 marks).
UPSC ESE Recruitment 2026 Application Fee
- General/OBC/EWS (Male): ₹200/-
- SC/ST/PwBD/Female candidates: Exempted (no fee)
- Payment Modes: Online- SBI Branch, Debit/Credit Card, UPI, or Net Banking.
How to Apply for UPSC ESE 2026?
- Visit the official portal: www.upsconline.nic.in
- Create an account → Generate a Universal Registration Number (URN).
- Fill out the Common Application Form (CAF) with your personal, academic, and category details.
- Upload scanned copies of your photo, signature, and required documents in the specified format.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable).
- Select your preferred exam center (first-come, first-served basis).
- Complete the form and save a copy for your records.
Note: Once submitted, the application cannot be withdrawn.
Reservations and Relaxation
- SC/ST/OBC/EWS candidates will receive reservations as per government rules.
- Candidates with disabilities (40% or more disability) will be eligible for reservations in designated services.
- OBC/EWS candidates must submit their latest income certificate (based on FY 2024-25).
Syllabus Overview
General Studies and Engineering Aptitude (Prelims Paper I) for the Union Public Service Commission Examination
- Current issues of national/international importance
- Engineering Mathematics and Numerical Analysis
- Ethics and Values in the Engineering Profession
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- Basic Principles of Project Management
- Basic Principles of Energy and Environment
- Engineering Aptitude
Subject-Specific Paper (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, E&T)
This covers core engineering subjects at the undergraduate level, including theoretical concepts, problem-solving, and application-based questions.
Why choose ESE?
- Prestige: Engineers join the Central Government as Class-I officers (Group A).
- Career Growth: Promotion to the Secretary level in various ministries.
- Salary: As per the 7th Pay Commission – Level 10, starting salary ₹56,100 + allowances.
- Benefits: Government accommodation, official vehicle, medical facilities, opportunities for training abroad.
Tips for Candidates
- Start your preparation early – focus on both the Prelims exam (MCQ) and the Mains exam (descriptive).
- Refer to standard books like R.S. Khurmi, MADE EASY Notes, IES Master Material, etc.
- Go through past years’ question papers to get familiar with the exam pattern.
- Regularly revise formulas, current affairs, and engineering aptitude topics.
- Stay updated with the UPSC website for admit cards, syllabus updates, and other important notices.
Conclusion
The UPSC ESE Recruitment 2026 is a golden opportunity for engineering graduates aspiring to build a career in one of India’s most prestigious government services. The UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026 offers engineering graduates a fantastic opportunity to work in highly esteemed positions under the Government of India. With 474 vacancies across disciplines such as Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication, this exam is one of the most challenging and rewarding engineering competitive examinations.
If you dream of becoming a government engineer with significant responsibility, authority, and prestige, start preparing now! With proper preparation, discipline, and knowledge of the rules, candidates can secure a top engineering position under the Government of India.
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FAQs
Q.1) How many vacancies have been announced for UPSC ESE 2026?
Answer: UPSC has announced approximately 474 vacancies for ESE 2026. This includes 26 reserved seats for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).
Q.2) What is the age limit for UPSC ESE 2026?
Answer:
- Minimum age: 21 years
- Maximum age: 30 years (as of January 1, 2026)
- Age relaxation: 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, and up to 10 years for PwBD.
Q.3) What are the required educational qualifications?
Answer: Candidates must have a degree in Engineering (BE/B.Tech) from a recognized university. The following qualifications are also valid for some services:
- Section A and B of the Institution of Engineers (India)
- Graduate Membership of IETE
- Associate Membership of the Aeronautical Society of India (for some posts)
- M.Sc. in Wireless Communication/Electronics/Radio Physics (for some posts).
Q.4) How many attempts are allowed for ESE?
Answer: UPSC has not set a fixed limit on the number of attempts for ESE. Candidates can appear for the exam as long as they meet the age limit and eligibility criteria.
Q.5) What is the selection process for UPSC ESE 2026?
Answer: The selection process consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Objective type – 500 marks)
- Main Examination (Descriptive type – 600 marks)
- Personality Test/Interview (200 marks)
- The final merit list is prepared based on a total of 1300 marks.
Q.6) Is there negative marking in the exam?
Answer: Yes. There is negative marking for incorrect answers in the Preliminary Examination (objective type paper).
Q.7) What is the application fee for UPSC ESE 2026?
Answer:
- General/OBC/EWS (Male): ₹200
- Female/SC/ST/PwBD candidates: Exempt (no fee).
Q8.) How to apply for UPSC ESE 2026?
Answer: Candidates have to apply online through www.upsconline.nic.in. This involves creating a profile, generating a URN, filling out the common application form, uploading documents, paying the fee, and submitting the form.
Q9.) What is the salary of an ESE officer?
Answer: Selected candidates are appointed in Group A services at Level-10 (Basic Pay of ₹56,100/-) as per the 7th Pay Commission. With allowances, the monthly salary in most cities exceeds ₹80,000.
Q.10) Which branches are eligible for UPSC ESE 2026?
Answer: Only four main branches are eligible:
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering
Q.11) Can final year students apply for UPSC ESE 2026?
Answer: Yes, final year students can apply, provided they can submit proof of passing their degree before the personality test/interview stage.
Q.12) Where are the exam centers for UPSC ESE 2026?
Answer: Preliminary Exam Centers: In 40+ cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Lucknow, Hyderabad, etc.
Main Exam Centers: Conducted in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bhopal, Kolkata, etc.