🏛️ UPSCEngineering Services✅ Prelims Result Declared
UPSC ESE 2026 (IES) – Engineering
Services Examination Guide
India's most prestigious exam for engineers. 474 vacancies for Group A & B posts across Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecom branches. Prelims done. Mains: 21 June 2026. Starting salary: ₹56,100/month (Level 10, 7th CPC).
Vacancies 2026
474 Posts
Group A & B
Mains Exam Date
21 June 2026
Both shifts, 1 day
Age Limit
21–30 Years
as on 1 Jan 2026
Starting Salary
₹56,100/month
Level 10, 7th CPC
💡 Key Update (May 2026): UPSC released the Mains timetable on 8 April 2026 — both papers on a single day, 21 June 2026. Mains admit cards expected ~14 June 2026. Qualified candidates (1,443) must now focus entirely on descriptive answer writing and diagram practice. Check upsc.gov.in for admit card updates.
1What is UPSC ESE (IES) 2026?
The UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE), popularly known as IES (Indian Engineering Services), is conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission. It is one of the most competitive and prestigious exams for engineering graduates in India, recruiting officers for technical roles in central government departments.
Selected candidates are posted as Assistant Executive Engineers or equivalent in departments like CPWD, Indian Railways (IRMS), Border Roads Organisation, ISRO, DRDO, CWC, and more. These are Group A Gazetted posts with structured career progression to the highest technical posts in the Government of India.
ESE 2026 announced 474 vacancies — nearly double the 232 in 2025 — making this cycle especially attractive. The exam is open to graduates in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering.
🏛️ Conducting Body
Union Public Service Commission
📋 Post Type
Group A & B Gazetted
🎓 Qualification
B.E. / B.Tech (Engineering)
📋 Age Limit
21–30 Years
🌍 Four Branches
Civil · Mech · Elect · E&T
📊 Total Marks
1,300 (Pre + Mains + Interview)
2Current Status – ESE 2026 (May 2026)
✅
Prelims Result Declared — 26 February 2026
1,443 candidates qualified: 578 Civil · 420 Mechanical · 278 Electrical · 167 Electronics & Telecom
📝
Mains — 21 June 2026 (Both Papers in One Day)
Paper I: 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon · Paper II: 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM. Timetable officially released 8 April 2026. Admit cards expected ~14 June 2026.
⚠️
Personality Test & Final Result — TBN
Interview expected September–October 2026. Final recommendations and results expected November–December 2026.
💡 UPSC does not accept requests to change exam centre or discipline for Mains. Plan accordingly.
3Important Dates – UPSC ESE 2026
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Official Notification Released | 📅 26 September 2025 | Done |
| Online Application Opens | 📅 26 September 2025 | Done |
| Application Last Date | 📅 16 October 2025 | Done |
| Prelims Admit Card Released | 📅 30 January 2026 | Done |
| ESE Prelims Examination | 📅 8 February 2026 (Sunday) | Done |
| ESE Prelims Result Declared | 📅 26 February 2026 | Done |
| Mains Timetable Released | 📅 8 April 2026 | Done |
| Mains Admit Card (Expected) | 📅 ~14 June 2026 | Upcoming |
| ESE Mains — Paper I (All Branches) | 📅 21 June 2026 · 9:00 AM – 12 Noon | Upcoming |
| ESE Mains — Paper II (All Branches) | 📅 21 June 2026 · 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM | Upcoming |
| Personality Test / Interview | 📅 Sep–Oct 2026 (Expected) | TBN |
| Final Result & Recommendations | 📅 Nov–Dec 2026 (Expected) | TBN |
| ESE 2027 Notification (Expected) | 📅 September 2026 (Expected) | TBN |
4Eligibility Criteria
🪪 Nationality
- Indian Citizen
- Subject of Nepal or Bhutan
- Tibetan refugee settled in India before 1 Jan 1962
- Person of Indian Origin from specified countries
📋 Age Limit (as on 1 Jan 2026)
| Category | Age |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 21–30 years |
| OBC | 21–33 years (+3) |
| SC / ST | 21–35 years (+5) |
| PwBD | Up to 40 years (+10) |
🎓 Educational Qualification
Must hold a B.E. / B.Tech or equivalent degree from a recognised university in one of:
Civil EngineeringMechanical EngineeringElectrical EngineeringElectronics & Telecommunication
💡 Final-year students can apply provisionally. Degree certificate required at document verification.
5Vacancies 2026 – Services & Posts
| Service / Organisation | Branch | Group |
|---|---|---|
| Central Engineering Service | Civil | Group A |
| Central Water Engineering (CWE) | Civil / Mechanical | Group A |
| Border Roads Engineering Service | Civil / Elect / Mech | Group A |
| Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) | Civil / Mech / Elect. | Group A |
| Indian Telecommunication Service (ITS) | Electronics & Telecom | Group A |
| Central Power Engineering Service | Electrical | Group A & B |
| Indian Naval Armament Service (INAS) | Elect / Mechanical | Group A |
| Indian Defence Service of Engineers (IDSE) | Civil / Elect / Mech | Group A |
| Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS) | All Four Branches | Group A |
| Indian Skill Development Service | All Four Branches | Group A & B |
Total: 474 vacancies (Civil · Mechanical · Electrical · Electronics & Telecom). 26 posts reserved for PwBD candidates. Post-wise branch breakdown released after final result.
6Exam Pattern – Three Stages (1,300 Marks)
Stage I — Preliminary Exam (500 Marks)
| Paper | Subject | Qs | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies & Engineering Aptitude | 100 | 200 | 2 hrs |
| Paper II | Engineering Discipline-specific (Civil / Mech / Elect / E&T) | 150 | 300 | 3 hrs |
⚠️ Negative marking: 1/3 mark deducted per wrong answer in Prelims. Prelims marks count in the final merit list.
Stage II — Mains Exam (600 Marks) — 21 June 2026
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Time | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Engg. Discipline – Conventional (Shift 1: 9AM–12Noon) | 300 | 3 hrs | Descriptive |
| Paper II | Engg. Discipline – Conventional (Shift 2: 2:30–5:30PM) | 300 | 3 hrs | Descriptive |
| Interview | Personality Test | 200 | — | Verbal |
Total Marks Distribution: Prelims (500) + Mains (600) + Personality Test (200) = 1,300 marks. All three stages contribute to the final merit rank.
7Detailed Syllabus – All Branches
Tap a section to expand. Mains (Stage II) covers the same discipline topics in deeper conventional/descriptive format.
📋 Paper I – General Studies & Engineering Aptitude (Common for All Branches)
- Current Issues of National and International Importance
- Engineering Aptitude – Logical reasoning, Analytical ability, Data interpretation
- Engineering Mathematics – Linear algebra, Calculus, Numerical methods, Probability
- General Principles of Design, Drawing, Importance of Safety
- Standards and Quality Practices in Production, Construction, Maintenance
- Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) – Cloud computing, GPS, networking
- Ethics and Values in Engineering Profession
- Environmental Engineering – Pollution, Climate change, Renewable energy
🏗️ Paper II – Civil Engineering (Branch-Specific)
- Structural Analysis – Statically determinate/indeterminate structures, influence lines
- Concrete Structures – RCC design, limit state method, pre-stressed concrete
- Steel Structures – Design of beams, columns, connections
- Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engineering – Shear strength, consolidation, bearing capacity
- Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulics – Flow through pipes, open channels, hydraulic machines
- Water Resources Engineering – Irrigation, dams, canals, groundwater
- Environmental Engineering – Water supply, sewerage treatment, air pollution
- Transportation Engineering – Highway design, railway engineering, surveying
⚙️ Paper II – Mechanical Engineering (Branch-Specific)
- Engineering Mechanics & Strength of Materials
- Theory of Machines – Kinematics, dynamics, vibrations
- Design of Machine Elements – Shafts, bearings, gears, springs
- Manufacturing Science – Metal cutting, machining, welding, casting
- Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer – Laws, cycles, conduction, convection, radiation
- Fluid Mechanics & Turbo Machinery – Pumps, compressors, turbines
- Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
- Industrial & Production Engineering – Operations Research, inventory control
⚡ Paper II – Electrical Engineering (Branch-Specific)
- Electric Circuits & Fields – Network theorems, transient analysis, electromagnetic fields
- Electrical Machines – DC, synchronous and induction machines
- Power Systems – Generation, transmission, distribution, protection
- Control Systems – Transfer functions, Bode plots, stability analysis
- Electronics & Instrumentation – Amplifiers, oscillators, transducers
- Digital Electronics – Logic gates, flip-flops, microprocessors
- Measurements & Measuring Instruments
📡 Paper II – Electronics & Telecommunication (Branch-Specific)
- Electronic Circuits & Components – Diodes, transistors, op-amps, feedback
- Signals & Systems – Fourier, Laplace, and Z-transforms
- Digital Electronics & Microprocessors
- Communication Systems – Modulation, satellite & mobile communications
- Electromagnetics – Maxwell equations, wave propagation, antennas
- Networks & Control Systems – Network analysis, Bode plots, stability
- Instrumentation & Measurement
Full official syllabus PDF: upsc.gov.in
8Salary & Career Growth
💰 Pay Level (7th CPC)
Level 10
💰 Starting Basic Pay
₹56,100/month
💰 Gross In-Hand (Metro)
₹90,000–₹1,10,000/mo
💰 Pay Scale Range
₹56,100–₹1,77,500/mo
Allowances & Benefits
🏠 HRA: 24–30% of basic (city-based)
📊 Dearness Allowance (DA): revised biannually
🚗 Transport Allowance (TA)
🏥 Medical Facilities (CGHS)
✈️ Leave Travel Allowance (LTA)
🏛️ Official Accommodation / Govt. Quarter
📈 Pension (NPS) + Gratuity
🎓 Study Leave & Training opportunities
Career Progression
Assistant Executive Engineer
Level 10₹56,100/mo
Executive Engineer
Level 12₹78,800/mo
Superintending Engineer
Level 13₹1,23,100/mo
Chief Engineer / DG
Level 15₹1,82,200+/mo
910-Month Study Plan (for ESE 2027)
ESE 2026 Mains is on 21 June 2026. Use this roadmap to get ahead for ESE 2027.
Phase 1Months 1–3
Foundation & Basics
- Master Engineering Mathematics — directly tested in Paper I and underpins all technical subjects
- Cover all 8 GS & Aptitude topics for Paper I thoroughly
- Build strong fundamentals in your chosen discipline
- Solve 100+ previous year questions per subject to understand patterns
Phase 2Months 4–6
Core Technical Depth
- Deep-dive into all discipline-specific subjects for Paper II
- Make subject-wise formula sheets and concise revision notes
- Attempt at least 2 full-length Prelims mocks per week
- Join a reputed test series (MADE EASY, IES Master, or ACE Academy)
Phase 3Months 7–8
Revision & Mains Preparation
- Intensive revision of formula sheets and short notes
- Switch to descriptive practice for Mains — write full solutions daily with neat diagrams
- Solve 10 years of Mains conventional papers for your branch
- Focus on structured, well-illustrated answers
Phase 4Months 9–10
Final Sprint
- Daily 2-hour timed Prelims mock tests with detailed error analysis
- Continue Mains answer writing — target 2 full papers per week
- Revise all weak areas identified from mock test analytics
- Prepare for Personality Test: technical topics, current engineering news, final-year project
10Best Books for UPSC ESE 2026
| Book | Author | Subject | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Mathematics | B.S. Grewal | Mathematics | — |
| General Aptitude: Quantitative Aptitude & Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal | Aptitude | Buy |
| A Handbook of Civil Engineering | MADE EASY Publications | Civil | — |
| A Handbook of Mechanical Engineering | MADE EASY Publications | Mechanical | — |
| A Handbook of Electrical Engineering | MADE EASY Publications | Electrical | — |
| ESE Prelims Paper I – GS & Engineering Aptitude | IES Master Editorial Team | Paper I | — |
| Strength of Materials | R.K. Bansal | Civil / Mechanical | — |
| Power Systems | C.L. Wadhwa | Electrical | — |
| Electronic Devices & Circuits | J.B. Gupta | E&T | — |
| ESE Mains Solved Papers (Branch-Wise) | MADE EASY / IES Master | Mains Prep | — |
11Free Resources & Preparation Tools
📺📺🌐📄📱🌐
MADE EASY YouTube
Topic-wise lectures for all four ESE branches — Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, E&T.
IES Master YouTube
Free ESE Prelims Paper I (GS & Aptitude) series and Mains conventional practice videos.
UPSC Official Website
Official notifications, timetable, admit cards, results, and previous year papers.
ESE Previous Year Papers
Free PDFs of last 10 years of Prelims & Mains papers available on upsc.gov.in.
Telegram: ESE Aspirants
Daily practice questions, study material PDFs, and exam update communities.
TaiyarHo Eligibility Checker
Check if you qualify for ESE and 80+ other government exams instantly.
12Expert Tips to Crack UPSC ESE
1Master Engineering Mathematics first — it is directly tested in Paper I and underpins every technical subject in Paper II.
2Paper I (GS & Aptitude) is highly scoring if prepared well. Target 40–50% of your 500-mark Prelims score from Paper I alone.
3For Mains descriptive answers, draw neat diagrams and show all derivation steps — examiners reward structured, illustrated solutions.
4Solve last 10 years of Mains conventional papers in timed conditions. Pattern analysis reveals which topics appear most frequently.
5Join a quality test series (MADE EASY, IES Master, ACE Academy). Mock test analytics identify weak subjects before they hurt your rank.
6Do not neglect Prelims preparation even during Mains prep — Prelims 500 marks are part of the final 1,300-mark merit calculation.
7For the Personality Test, prepare technical FAQs about your final-year project, current engineering news, and government infra initiatives.
8Target 260–270+ in Prelims (out of 500) to safely qualify based on past cut-off trends across all four branches.
13Frequently Asked Questions
What is UPSC ESE 2026 and who conducts it?
UPSC ESE (Engineering Services Examination), also called IES, is conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit engineers for Group A and B posts in central government departments including Indian Railways (IRMS), CPWD, Border Roads Organisation, CWC, ISRO, DRDO, and more.
What are the total vacancies for UPSC ESE 2026?
474 vacancies were announced for ESE 2026 across four engineering disciplines: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication — nearly double the 232 vacancies in 2025.
What is the current status of UPSC ESE 2026?
Prelims were held on 8 February 2026 and results were declared on 26 February 2026, with 1,443 candidates qualifying. The Mains is on 21 June 2026 (both shifts in one day). Admit cards for Mains are expected around 14 June 2026.
What is the salary of a UPSC IES officer?
Selected officers join at Pay Matrix Level 10 (7th Pay Commission) with a starting basic pay of ₹56,100/month. With DA, HRA, and Transport Allowance, the gross in-hand salary is approximately ₹90,000–₹1,10,000/month in metro cities.
Can a final-year engineering student apply for ESE?
Yes, final-year B.E./B.Tech students can apply provisionally. They must produce the degree certificate or a pass certificate from the university at the time of document verification.