UPSC ESE (IES) 2026 Notification – Dates, Vacancies, Eligibility, Exam Pattern & Strategy

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the Engineering Services Examination (ESE/IES) 2026 notification. This is one of the most prestigious competitive exams in India, providing engineering graduates an opportunity to join top government engineering services in Group A and B posts.

In this blog, we cover everything about UPSC ESE 2026—including notification details, important dates, vacancies, eligibility, exam pattern, salary, and preparation strategy.

 

What is UPSC ESE / IES?

The Engineering Services Examination (ESE), also known as Indian Engineering Services (IES), is conducted annually by UPSC. Through this exam, engineers are recruited into various government departments such as:

• Indian Railways
• Central Public Works Department (CPWD)
• Border Roads Organisation
• Central Water Engineering
• Ministry of Defence, Power, Telecommunications, etc.

Successful candidates enjoy not just a high salary but also prestige, authority, and career security.
 

UPSC ESE 2026 Key Highlights

Parameter	Details
Conducting Authority	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Exam Name	Engineering Services Examination (ESE/IES) 2026
Vacancies	474 (across four disciplines)
Branches Covered	Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecommunication
Notification Release Date	26 September 2025
Application Window	26 September – 16 October 2025
Prelims Exam Date	8 February 2026
Exam Mode	Offline (pen and paper)
Stages of Selection	Prelims → Mains → Interview
Application Fee	₹200 (SC/ST/PwD/Female exempt)
Official Website	upsc.gov.in

 

Important Dates (Exam Calendar)

Event	Date
Notification Release	26 September 2025
Application Window	26 Sept – 16 Oct 2025
Prelims Admit Card	Jan 2026 (tentative)
Prelims Exam	8 February 2026
Mains Exam	To be announced
Interview (Personality Test)	To be announced
Final Result	To be announced

 

Vacancy Distribution

The UPSC ESE 2026 offers 474 vacancies across four major engineering disciplines.

Discipline	Vacancies
Civil Engineering	To be announced
Mechanical Engineering	To be announced
Electrical Engineering	To be announced
Electronics & Telecommunication	To be announced
Total	474

(The detailed branch-wise distribution will be available in the official PDF notification.)

 

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

• A degree in Engineering (B.E./B.Tech) from a recognized university OR
• Equivalent qualifications such as AMIE, IETE, or membership of professional institutions recognized by the Government of India.

Age Limit (as on 1 Jan 2026)

• Minimum: 21 years
• Maximum: 30 years
• Relaxations:
  • OBC – 3 years
  • SC/ST – 5 years
  • PwD – 10 years

Nationality

• Indian citizen OR
• Subject of Nepal/Bhutan OR
• Tibetan refugee (before 1962) OR
• Person of Indian origin migrated from select countries with intent to permanently settle in India.

 

Exam Pattern

The exam is conducted in three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview.

(A) Preliminary Exam (Objective Type)

Paper	Subject	Duration	Questions	Marks
Paper I	General Studies & Engineering Aptitude	2 hrs	100	200
Paper II	Engineering Discipline	3 hrs	150	300
Total		5 hrs	250	500

• Objective type, OMR-based
• Negative marking: 1/3 mark deduction per wrong answer

 

(B) Main Exam (Descriptive)

Paper	Subject	Duration	Marks
Paper I	Engineering Discipline	3 hrs	300
Paper II	Engineering Discipline	3 hrs	300
Total		6 hrs	600

• Conventional (descriptive) papers
• Tests depth of technical knowledge, clarity, and presentation

 

(C) Personality Test (Interview)

• Marks: 200
• Focuses on technical knowledge, leadership, decision-making, communication, and suitability for public service.

 

Final Merit

Stage	Marks
Prelims	500
Mains	600
Interview	200
Total	1300

 

Selection Process (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Prelims (500 marks)

        ↓

Step 2: Mains (600 marks)

        ↓

Step 3: Personality Test (200 marks)

        ↓

Final Merit (based on 1300 marks)

✔                         Prelims                             →          Screening test
✔                         Mains                 →          Major weightage in merit
✔                         Interview          →          Final selection

 

Salary & Perks

• Pay Scale: Level 10, 7th Pay Commission
• Basic Pay: ₹56,100 + DA + HRA + TA
• In-hand Salary: ₹80,000 – ₹90,000 (approx.)
• Perks & Benefits:
  • Government accommodation
  • Medical facilities
  • Travel allowances
  • Pension and retirement benefits
  • Career progression to senior engineering and administrative posts

 

How to Apply

1. Visit upsc.gov.in
2. Register through One-Time Registration (OTR)
3. Fill in application details carefully
4. Upload scanned photograph, signature, and documents
5. Pay fee (if applicable) via online modes
6. Submit application and download confirmation receipt

 

10. Preparation Strategy for UPSC ESE 2026

Step 1: Prelims Strategy

• Focus on GS & Engineering Aptitude (ethics, ICT, environment, current affairs).
• Solve PYQs (Previous Years’ Questions).
• Take timed mock tests.

Step 2: Mains Strategy

• Write answers regularly.
• Practice diagrams, flowcharts, and derivations.
• Focus on concept clarity + presentation.

Step 3: Interview Strategy

• Stay updated on government schemes, policies, engineering developments.
• Work on soft skills & communication.
• Practice through mock interviews.

Time Allocation

Stage	Weightage	Preparation Focus
Prelims	500	Speed + accuracy
Mains	600	Depth of subject knowledge
Interview	200	Personality & communication

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can final-year engineering students apply for ESE 2026?
👉 Yes, but proof of degree completion must be submitted before the deadline.

Q2. Is there any attempt limit for UPSC ESE?
👉 No attempt limit. Only age criteria (21–30 years) apply.

Q3. Is Prelims only qualifying or counted in final merit?
👉 Prelims is qualifying + screening. Final merit = Mains + Interview.

Q4. What is the exam medium?
👉 English only (for both Prelims & Mains).

Q5. Is there negative marking in Prelims?
👉 Yes, 1/3rd mark deduction for wrong answers.

Q6. How many vacancies are there in 2026?
👉 474 vacancies across four engineering branches.

Q7. What is the starting salary of an ESE officer?
👉 ~₹80,000–₹90,000 per month (in-hand with allowances).

Q8. Which departments recruit through ESE?
👉 Railways, CPWD, BRO, Defence, Power, Telecom, Central Water Engineering, etc.

Q9. Do ESE officers get fast promotions?
👉 Yes, structured promotions lead to posts like Chief Engineer, Additional Secretary, etc.

Q10. Can foreign nationals apply?
👉 No, only Indian citizens (with some exceptions for Nepal, Bhutan, etc.).

 

The UPSC ESE 2026 exam is a golden opportunity for engineers aspiring to serve the nation in high-ranking technical positions. With 474 vacancies, the competition will be fierce, but systematic preparation and smart strategy can lead to success.

👉 Start your preparation early, follow a stage-wise approach, and stay updated with UPSC announcements.

Preparing for the UPSC ESE Mains isn’t just about having technical knowledge – it’s about how well you can present that knowledge in a structured, logical, and time-bound format. This is where most aspirants fall short.

But with a focused strategy, 45 days is enough time to sharpen your answer-writing skills, develop a disciplined approach, and gain the confidence to score high in the conventional paper. Let’s break down a 45-day roadmap to master answer writing for ESE Mains using proven methods – including IES Master’s CQPP (Conventional Question Practice Program).

Why Answer Writing is the Game-Changer in ESE Mains

Unlike prelims, the Mains stage tests:

Depth of understanding
Clarity of expression
Ability to apply concepts under time pressure

You must not only solve the question but structure it in a way that fetches full marks – this requires a different mindset and strategy.

45-Day Strategy to Master ESE Mains Answer Writing

Phase 1: Foundation (Days 1–10) – Clarity First

Revisit important concepts and formulas.
Watch topic-wise CQPP video lectures by IES Master to understand how questions are framed and how answers should flow.
Pick 2 subjects to begin with and focus on 1–2 questions per day.
Learn how to break down a question, identify what's being asked, and avoid writing generic answers.

Tip: Start maintaining an answer-writing journal. Write answers and self-evaluate using the CQPP solution logic.

Phase 2: Practice & Precision (Days 11–30) – Build Momentum

Begin full-length timed practice using previous year questions and CQPP-style questions.

Focus on:

Structuring answers with clear intro-body-conclusion
Adding neat diagrams wherever applicable
Writing precise, point-wise explanations

Target: At least 3–4 questions daily, timed for 15–20 mins each. Review and revise with model solutions.

Phase 3: Mock Simulation (Days 31–45) – Exam Mode

Simulate full-length conventional papers under strict timing.
Pick questions from CQPP and past ESE papers.
Evaluate answers critically:
Are you covering the required depth?
Is your answer technically accurate and well-structured?
Is your handwriting legible and your diagrams clear?

Use IES Master’s expert guidelines from CQPP sessions to fine-tune your approach. 
https://www.iesmaster.org/ese-mains-classroom-conventional-question-practice-program

What Makes CQPP by IES Master Ideal for This 45-Day Journey?

✔️ Video-based guidance on conventional questions
✔️ Structured thought process development
✔️ Handpicked practice questions with high exam relevance
✔️ Focus on interlinking concepts and writing pattern
✔️ Mentorship from top ESE educators

If you're serious about improving your score in ESE Mains, investing 45 days in focused answer writing practice – the CQPP way – can transform your preparation.

Success in ESE Mains depends not just on what you know, but how you present it. With a focused 45-day plan, guided video sessions, and strategic question practice, mastering answer writing is well within your reach.

📍Start your journey today with IES Master’s CQPP.
🎯 Build your answer-writing edge. Write like a topper. Clear like a pro.

https://www.iesmaster.org/ese-mains-classroom-conventional-question-practice-program