UPSC ESE Exam 2026 schedule has been officially released. The UPSC ESE Prelims is scheduled for 8 February 2026 (Sunday), followed by the Mains Examination on 21 June 2026. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) annually. 

This competitive exam selects engineers for prestigious Group A and B technical positions in various government departments. The UPSC ESE Exam 2026 is a critical opportunity for engineering graduates to join the public service. It assesses a candidate’s technical knowledge and general aptitude. Learn important dates, exam pattern, and preparation tips for UPSC ESE 2026 here.

UPSC ESE Exam 2026 Full Form

UPSC ESE stands for Union Public Service Commission Engineering Services Examination. It is a prestigious national-level examination conducted by the UPSC to recruit qualified engineering graduates into the Indian Engineering Services (IES), where they serve in key technical and managerial roles across various departments of the Government of India.

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UPSC Engineering Services Exam 2026 Overview

The UPSC Engineering Services Exam 2026 aims to fill 474 vacancies across Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering disciplines. The selection process involves three stages: Preliminary, Main, and Personality Test. Here is an overview of the exam:

UPSC ESE 2026 Notification PDF

The official UPSC ESE 2026 Notification PDF was released on September 26, 2025. It contains detailed information about the exam, including important dates, eligibility criteria, and application procedures. Access the official notification for complete details from the link below:

UPSC ESE 2026 Vacancy 

A total of 474 vacancies are available for UPSC ESE 2026. These are distributed across four engineering disciplines, including vacancies for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).

UPSC ESE Exam 2026 Dates

The UPSC ESE Exam 2026 schedule includes key dates for the preliminary and main examinations.

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UPSC ESE 2026 Eligibility

Candidates must meet specific nationality, age, and educational qualification criteria for UPSC ESE 2026.

Nationality: A citizen of India, a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or certain categories of migrants/Tibetan refugees with a certificate of eligibility.

Age Limit: Minimum 21 years, maximum 30 years as of January 1, 2026. Age relaxations apply to reserved categories.

Educational Qualification: A B.E./B.Tech degree in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering from a recognized university. Equivalent qualifications like Sections A and B of the Institution of Engineers (India) Examination are also accepted.

UPSC ESE Application Form 2026

The UPSC ESE Application Form 2026 was available online from September 26 to October 16, 2025, on the official UPSC website. Applicants needed to register on the One Time Registration (OTR) portal, fill out the Common Application Form (CAF), and the exam-specific form. The application fee is Rs. 200 for UR/OBC/EWS candidates, with exemptions for Female/SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen.

UPSC ESE Exam 2026 Syllabus

UPSC ESE Exam 2026 syllabus outlines discipline-wise syllabus for the Preliminary (Stage-I) and Main (Stage-II) examinations across Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering. A clear understanding of this syllabus is crucial for effective preparation and strategic planning for the ESE. Download the UPSC ESE Exam 2026 Syllabus PDF from here to access topics:

UPSC ESE Exam 2026 Pattern

The UPSC ESE Exam 2026 follows a three-stage pattern.

Stage-I: Prelims Exam (Objective Type)

The first stage is the UPSC ESE Prelims exam, which consists of objective-type papers. It includes a common paper on General Studies and Engineering Aptitude and a discipline-specific engineering paper. This stage serves as a screening test to shortlist candidates for the Mains Examination:

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Stage-II: Main Exams (Conventional Type)

The second stage is the Main Examination, which comprises conventional (descriptive) papers specific to the candidate’s engineering discipline. This stage evaluates in-depth technical knowledge and problem-solving skills, and the marks obtained are considered for the final merit:

Stage-III: Personality Test

The final stage is the Personality Test, conducted by the UPSC. This stage carries 200 marks and assesses a candidate’s leadership, initiative, intellectual curiosity, and suitability for engineering services.

UPSC ESE Exam 2026 Marking Scheme

The UPSC ESE Prelims exam has negative marking. One-third (1/3rd) of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for every wrong answer. No penalty applies for unanswered questions. However, the UPSC ESE Mains exam does not have a negative marking scheme due to its subjective nature.

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UPSC ESE Salary 2026

Selected candidates receive competitive salaries and benefits. An IES Officer’s entry-level pay is substantial.

Allowances include Residential Quarters, Dearness Allowance, CGHS Medical Facility, and more.

How to Prepare for UPSC ESE 2026?

To prepare effectively for UPSC ESE 2026, candidates should first develop a clear understanding of the exam pattern and focus on Mains-oriented preparation, as it demands in-depth conceptual clarity and descriptive answer writing. Here are some tips:

• Focus more on high-weightage ECE subjects such as Signals & Systems, Communication Systems, and Control Systems.
• Use standard textbooks only and avoid referring to multiple sources for the same subject.
• Practice previous years’ ESE questions regularly to understand trends and important topics.
• Strengthen conceptual clarity rather than memorizing formulas blindly.
• Prepare General Studies and Engineering Aptitude alongside technical subjects to avoid last-minute pressure.
• Practice topic-wise MCQs daily to improve speed and accuracy for the Preliminary Examination.
• Maintain a formula notebook and error log for quick revision and mistake analysis.
• Focus on answer presentation in Mains, including neat derivations, proper steps, and well-labeled diagrams.
• Revise each subject multiple times to ensure long-term retention of concepts.
• Join one reliable test series and analyze performance instead of focusing only on scores.
• Maintain consistency, discipline, and a realistic daily study schedule throughout the preparation period.

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