Great news for all engineering graduates in India! The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the much-awaited UPSC ESE Recruitment Notification 2026. This is your golden ticket to a prestigious and rewarding career in various government departments and ministries. 🤩
The Engineering Services Examination (ESE), also popularly known as the Indian Engineering Services (IES), is one of the toughest and most respected competitive exams in the country. If you’ve ever dreamt of using your engineering skills to serve the nation, this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
In this detailed article, we will walk you through everything you need to know about the UPSC ESE 2026 notification. From important dates and eligibility criteria to a step-by-step guide on how to apply online, we’ve got you covered. So, grab a cup of tea, and let’s dive deep into the world of ESE!
UPSC ESE Recruitment Notification 2026 – A Quick Look
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s take a quick look at the most important details of the Engineering Services Examination 2026. This table will give you a bird’s-eye view of the entire recruitment process.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Engineering Services Examination (ESE), 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Notification Release Date | September 2025 (Tentative) |
| Application Start Date | September 2025 (Tentative) |
| Last Date to Apply Online | October 2025 (Tentative) |
| Number of Vacancies | To be Announced |
| Eligible Engineering Streams | Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecommunication |
| Selection Process | Prelims Exam, Mains Exam, and Personality Test |
| Official Website | upsconline.nic.in |
Mark Your Calendars! Important Dates for UPSC ESE 2026
Timing is everything when it comes to competitive exams. Missing a deadline can cost you a whole year. To make sure you don’t miss out, we’ve created a simple table with all the tentative UPSC ESE 2026 Exam Dates.
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | September 2025 |
| Online Application Starts | September 2025 |
| Last Date to Submit Application Form | October 2025 |
| Prelims Admit Card Download | January/February 2026 |
| UPSC ESE Prelims Exam Date | February 2026 |
| Prelims Exam Result | March/April 2026 |
| Mains Admit Card Download | May/June 2026 |
| UPSC ESE Mains Exam Date | June/July 2026 |
| Mains Exam Result | August/September 2026 |
| Personality Test / Interview | October/November 2026 |
| Final Result Declaration | December 2026 / January 2027 |
Pro Tip: It’s a good idea to set reminders on your phone for the application start and end dates!
UPSC ESE 2026 Vacancy Details
Every year, UPSC recruits hundreds of engineers for various government posts through the ESE. The exact number of vacancies for 2026 will be announced in the official notification. These vacancies are spread across four main engineering disciplines:
- Category I: Civil Engineering
- Category II: Mechanical Engineering
- Category III: Electrical Engineering
- Category IV: Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
Successful candidates are appointed as Class-1 officers in prestigious organizations like the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Indian Railways, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and many more. The ESE Job Profile is not just a job; it’s a position of immense responsibility and pride.
Are You Eligible? UPSC ESE Eligibility Criteria 2026 Explained
This is the most important section for any applicant. Before you start filling out the form, make sure you meet the UPSC ESE Eligibility Criteria. We’ve broken it down into simple points for you.
Nationality
To apply, you must be one of the following:
- A citizen of India
- A subject of Nepal
- A subject of Bhutan
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling.
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or certain East African countries.
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
Your age will be calculated as of January 1, 2026. This means you must have been born not earlier than January 2, 1996, and not later than January 1, 2005.
However, there are age relaxations for certain categories. Check the table below:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC (Other Backward Classes) | 3 Years |
| SC/ST (Scheduled Castes/Tribes) | 5 Years |
| Ex-servicemen | 5 Years |
| PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability) | 10 Years |
Educational Qualification
This is the key academic requirement for the Engineering Services Examination.
- You must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (B.E./B.Tech) from a recognized university.
- Candidates who have passed Sections A and B of the Institution Examinations of the Institution of Engineers (India) are also eligible.
- Good news for final-year students! If you are in the final year of your engineering degree and are waiting for your results, you can also apply. However, you will need to submit proof of passing the degree before the main examination.
How to Apply Online for UPSC ESE 2026? A Step-by-Step Guide
Filling out the application form can seem tricky, but don’t worry! Just follow these simple steps to complete your UPSC ESE Application Form 2026 without any mistakes.
- Visit the Official Website: The first step is to go to the official UPSC online portal: upsconline.nic.in.
- One-Time Registration (OTR): If you are a new user, you must first complete the One-Time Registration process. This will create your profile on the UPSC portal. You’ll need a valid email ID and mobile number for this.
- Find the Application Link: On the homepage, look for the link that says “Engineering Services (Preliminary/Stage-I) Examination, 2026”.
- Fill the Application Form: Click on the link and log in with your OTR details. The form will be in two parts.
- Part 1: Fill in your personal details, educational qualifications, and choose your preferred examination center.
- Part 2: Upload your scanned photograph, signature, and photo ID proof. Make sure they are in the correct size and format as mentioned in the notification.
- Pay the Application Fee: Proceed to the payment gateway to pay the UPSC ESE Application Fee.
- Final Submission: Double-check all the details you have entered. Once you are sure everything is correct, click on the final submit button.
- Print Your Application: Don’t forget to download and take a printout of your completed application form for future reference.
UPSC ESE Application Fee 2026
The application fee is very nominal. Here is a clear breakdown:
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹200 (Two Hundred Rupees) |
| Female / SC / ST / PwBD | No Fee (Exempted) |
You can pay the fee online using a debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI.
UPSC ESE 2026 Salary and Job Profile
Why is the ESE so popular? Besides the prestige, the UPSC ESE Salary is a major attraction. An IES officer is appointed at the Junior Time Scale with a basic pay of ₹56,100 per month in Level 10 of the Pay Matrix.
But that’s not all! On top of the basic pay, you get several allowances like:
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Transport Allowance (TA)
Including all these allowances, the initial in-hand salary of an IES officer can be around ₹80,000 to ₹90,000 per month, depending on the city of posting. The career growth is fantastic, with opportunities to reach the highest levels in the government’s engineering departments.
Decoding the UPSC ESE 2026 Exam Pattern
The UPSC ESE Exam Pattern is a three-stage process designed to test your technical knowledge and personality.
Stage I: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type – 500 Marks)
This is a screening test. The marks obtained here are used to shortlist candidates for the next stage.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Studies & Engineering Aptitude | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper-II | Engineering Discipline (Civil/Mech/Elec/E&T) | 300 | 3 Hours |
| Total | 500 |
Important Note: There is negative marking in the Prelims exam. For every wrong answer, one-third (1/3) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.
Stage II: Mains Examination (Written/Descriptive – 600 Marks)
If you clear the Prelims, you will be eligible for the Mains exam. This stage tests your in-depth technical knowledge.
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | Engineering Discipline (Paper 1) | 300 | 3 Hours |
| Paper-II | Engineering Discipline (Paper 2) | 300 | 3 Hours |
| Total | 600 |
Stage III: Personality Test / Interview (200 Marks)
This is the final stage. Candidates who clear the Mains are called for an interview. It tests your leadership qualities, mental alertness, and overall suitability for a career in engineering services.
The final merit list is prepared based on the marks obtained in the Mains Exam (600 marks) + Interview (200 marks), for a total of 800 marks.
UPSC ESE 2026 Syllabus Overview
The UPSC ESE 2026 Syllabus is quite vast. A brief overview is provided below:
- General Studies and Engineering Aptitude (Common for all branches): This paper includes topics like Current Affairs, Engineering Aptitude (logical reasoning and analytical ability), Engineering Mathematics, General Principles of Design, Standards and Quality, Energy and Environment, Project Management, and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
- Engineering Discipline Paper: This covers the complete syllabus of your specific engineering branch (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or E&T). You should refer to the official UPSC ESE Recruitment Notification 2026 for the detailed, topic-wise syllabus.
Conclusion
The UPSC ESE Recruitment Notification 2026 is more than just a job announcement; it’s a call to the brightest engineering minds to come forward and build the nation. With a prestigious job profile, handsome salary, and the opportunity to make a real impact, the Engineering Services Examination remains a dream for many.
We’ve provided you with all the essential information to get started. Now, the ball is in your court. Check your eligibility, fill out the form carefully, and start your preparation with full dedication. This is your chance to turn your dream into reality.
All the very best for your journey! 👍
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the full form of UPSC ESE? The full form is Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Engineering Services Examination (ESE). It is also commonly known as the IES exam.
2. Can a final-year engineering student apply for ESE 2026? Yes, absolutely! Final-year students who are waiting for their results can apply.
3. What is the age limit for UPSC ESE 2026? The age limit is 21 to 30 years as of January 1, 2026. Age relaxation is available for reserved categories.
4. Is there negative marking in the ESE Prelims exam? Yes, there is a penalty for wrong answers in the objective-type Prelims exam. One-third of the marks for that question will be deducted.
5. What is the application fee for the ESE 2026 exam? The application fee is ₹200 for General/OBC/EWS male candidates. Female candidates and candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwBD categories are exempted from paying the fee.
6. What is the salary of a UPSC IES officer? The starting in-hand IES Officer Salary is approximately ₹80,000 to ₹90,000 per month, including all allowances.
7. Which engineering branches are eligible for ESE? Four engineering branches are eligible: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering.
8. How many attempts are allowed for the UPSC ESE exam? There is no limit on the number of attempts, as long as the candidate fulfills the age eligibility criteria.
9. Is a calculator allowed in the ESE exam? Non-programmable scientific calculators are allowed in the Mains (Stage-II) Examination but are not allowed in the Prelims (Stage-I) Examination.
10. When will the official UPSC ESE 2026 notification be released? The official notification is expected to be released by the Union Public Service Commission in September 2025 on their official website, upsc.gov.in.
