The UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026 Prelims has been successfully conducted, and thousands of engineering aspirants across the country have appeared in this prestigious national-level screening test.
The ESE Prelims is objective in nature and serves as the first stage of selection for one of the most competitive technical services examinations in India. After months of disciplined preparation, extensive revision, and consistent practice, candidates are now eager to evaluate their performance and estimate their chances of qualifying for the next stage, i.e., ESE 2026 Mains.
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At this crucial stage, the most reliable way to assess one’s attempt is through an authentic and expert-prepared ESE 2026 Prelims Answer Key with Detailed Solutions.
To support aspirants in this post-exam phase, IES Master has released the UPSC ESE Prelims 2026 Answer Key and Detailed Solutions, prepared by experienced faculty members and supported by a dedicated academic research team.
ESE 2026 Prelims Exam Overview
The Engineering Services Examination (ESE) conducted by UPSC is among the most respected recruitment exams for technical positions in various central government departments.
The ESE Prelims consists of two objective papers:
Paper I: General Studies & Engineering Aptitude (GS & EA)
- Total Marks: 200
Paper II: Engineering Discipline Paper (CE/ME/EE/ECE)
- Total Marks: 300
Total Prelims Marks = 500
This year’s prelims papers included questions from almost every portion of the syllabus, reinforcing the importance of extensive syllabus coverage and thorough revision.
ESE 2026 Paper Difficulty Level (Student Feedback)
Based on general feedback received from aspirants, the overall paper was reported to be on a slightly challenging side.
- Paper I tested conceptual understanding along with analytical aptitude.
- Paper II was found to be of moderate level, with a balanced mix of direct and application-based questions.
UPSC continues to frame questions where interlinking of concepts becomes the main challenge. Students with strong fundamentals and well-crystallized concepts are expected to perform better.
Why the Answer Key is Important After the Exam
It is a universal fact that whenever students appear for a highly competitive exam, they embark upon an emotional journey filled with curiosity, anxiety, and expectation.
Every aspirant hopes to secure a position in the merit list, but until the official results are declared, uncertainty remains. At this stage, candidates require an authentic source through which they can reconcile their attempt and evaluate their performance accurately.
This is where the IES Master Answer Key and Detailed Solutions become extremely valuable.
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UPSC ESE Prelims 2026 Answer Key & Detailed Solutions by IES Master
IES Master has come up with the ESE 2026 Prelims Answer Key and Detailed Solutions, designed carefully by expert faculty members and assisted by the institute’s academic research and development team.
These solutions are prepared to help students:
- Match their responses with an authentic answer key
- Understand the detailed explanation behind each question
- Avoid conceptual mistakes caused by tricky interlinked questions
- Calculate expected marks with confidence
- Identify areas requiring improvement for Mains preparation
The detailed solutions simplify the twists and turns of UPSC-style questions and provide clarity in approach.
Get Conceptual Clarity, answer-writing practice for ESE 2026 mains
How to Download ESE 2026 Answer Key & Detailed Solutions (IES Master)
Candidates can download the branch-wise answer key and solutions by following these simple steps:
Step 1
Visit the ESE 2026 Answer Key & Detailed Solutions by IES MASTER page:
https://iesmaster.org/upsc-ese-prelims-exam-question-paper-answer-key-and-detailed-solutions
Step 2
Click on the option labeled Detailed Solution.
Step 3
Fill in the required details.
Step 4
Download the complete solution PDF
Important Note on Updated Solutions
The solution has been crafted with utmost care, and suitable assumptions have been included wherever required.
However, minor updates may occur in revised versions. As it is often said, “the devil lies in the details.” Sometimes, deeper examination of a question amplifies a shade that may have been unnoticed initially.
Therefore, students are advised to keep checking the updated solution versions regularly.
How To Analyse ESE Prelims Answer Key 2026
- Download correct Paper I & II key (Set A/B/C/D)
- Match with your attempted answers (OMR/memory)
- Score: +1 correct, −1/3 wrong (Total 500 marks)
- Compare with past cut-offs (~250–300)
- If you are getting above expected cut-off, start Mains prep immediately
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Expected Cut-Off for ESE 2026 Prelims
The expected cut-off for ESE 2026 will depend on:
- Difficulty level of the paper
- Number of vacancies
- Candidate performance trends
- Category-wise competition
If vacancies increase compared to previous years, the cut-off may reduce slightly. However, UPSC will declare the final cut-off officially.
The release of the UPSC ESE Prelims 2026 Answer Key and Detailed Solutions by IES Master is a crucial resource for aspirants.
By carefully checking your responses, calculating marks accurately, and analyzing topic-wise performance, you can gain a clear understanding of your standing and confidently plan your next step towards ESE 2026 Mains.
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