UPSC ESE Notification 2026 Out, Exam Date, Apply Online, Vacancy
The Union Public Service
Commission (UPSC) has released the notification for the Engineering Services
Examination (ESE) 2026. The application process started on 26 September 2025 on
its official UPSC website, and candidates are advised to complete their online
applications before 16 October 2025. This exam is a great opportunity for
engineering graduates with a B.E. or B.Tech. degree holders who want to secure
a respected government job and build a strong career in their field. The
notification includes important details such as eligibility requirements,
number of vacancies, the selection procedure, and other essential guidelines to
help candidates apply and prepare effectively.
UPSC
ESE 2026-Overview
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is conducting the
UPSC ESE Exam 2026 to fill various vacancies. Candidates can refer to the key
highlights of the UPSC ESE Notification 2026 in the table below:
UPSC ESE 2026 |
|
Conducting
Authority |
Union
Public Service Commission |
Name
of Exam |
Engineering
Services Examination (ESE) 2026 |
Number
of Posts |
474 |
Name
of Disciplines |
Civil,
Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering |
Apply
Online Start |
26
September 2025 |
Apply
Last Date |
16
October 2025 |
Level
of Exam |
National |
Stages
of the Exam |
Preliminary,
Main & Interview |
Preliminary
Exam |
Objective-type |
Main
exam |
Conventional
(Descriptive Type) |
Exam
Mode |
Offline
(Pen-Paper Mode) |
Exam
Frequency |
Annually |
Qualifications |
Engineering
Degree in the relevant branch/stream |
Age
limit |
21
to 30 years |
Application
fee |
₹
200/- |
Salary |
Rs.
56,100/- to Rs. 1,77,500/- |
UPSC
ESE Official Website |
www.upsc.gov.in |
UPSC ESE Exam
2026
The Union
Public Service Commission (UPSC) organizes the Engineering Services Examination
(ESE) to recruit engineers for prestigious Grade A (Gazetted) posts in Civil,
Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering.
This exam is designed to test a candidate’s complete understanding of General
Studies, Engineering Aptitude, and their core engineering subjects. Anyone who
dreams of building a career in these top government positions should carefully
check all the important details like the official notification, exam schedule,
application process, eligibility rules, and the stages of selection.
UPSC ESE 2026
Important Dates
All important
dates, such as the start date of applying online, the last date to apply, the
exam schedule, the result announcement, and more, are mentioned in the detailed
notification. Candidates should check carefully the table below to stay updated
with all the important events.
Name of Events |
Important Dates |
Official
Notification Release |
26
September 2025 |
Online
Application Starts |
26
September 2025 |
Closing
Date of Online Application |
16
October 2025 |
Prelims
Admit Card Release |
February
2026 |
Prelims
Exam Date |
08
February 2026 |
Prelims
Answer Key Release |
February
2026 |
Prelims
Result Declaration |
To
Be Notified |
Mains
Exam Date |
To
Be Notified |
Mains
Result Declaration |
To
Be Notified |
Personality
Test |
To
Be Notified |
UPSC ESE
Vacancy 2026
The Union
Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced 474 vacancies for the
Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026 in its official notification. To
get an idea about the openings, candidates can find the breakdown of these
vacancies by branch and category in the table below.
Name of Posts |
Number of Vacancies |
UPSC
ESE 2026 |
474 |
UPSC ESE
Application Form 2026
The Union
Public Service Commission (UPSC) has started the online application process on
26 September 2025 for the ESE 2026 exam on its official website
www.upsc.gov.in. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can fill out and
submit their forms online. The entire registration process is conducted only
through the official website, and applications will not be accepted after the
deadline. The application link will be deactivated on 16 October 2025. All
interested candidates are advised to apply within the given timeline and make
sure to enter their details carefully before submitting the form. The official
link to apply online is provided below.
Steps To
Apply Online for UPSC ESE Exam 2026
To apply
online for UPSC ESE 2026, candidates need to follow the steps given below:
- Visit
the UPSC official website of UPSC i.e., www.upsc.gov.in
- Go
to the What’s New section on the home page and click on the ‘Indian
Engineering Services Examination 2026’ link.
- A
new window will be opened on the screen with the ESE Notification 2026.
- Download
the UPSC ESE 2026 Notification PDF and read it carefully.
- Now,
click on the ‘New Registration’ tab to complete your One Time Registration
(OTR).
- Enter
all the essential details and upload the required documents (photograph,
signature, etc.) in the prescribed format and size.
- Go
for online payment of application fees. After paying the application fees,
click on the final submit button.
- Take
a printout of the application form for future reference.
UPSC ESE
Application Fees 2026
To complete
the UPSC ESE 2026 application process, candidates need to pay the application
fees online using a debit card/credit card, internet banking, UPI wallet, etc.
The category-wise application fees required to apply for UPSC ESE 2026 are as
follows:
UPSC ESE 2026
Application Fees |
|
Category |
Amount |
UR/OBC/EWS |
Rs.
200/- |
SC/ST/PwD/Ex-Servicemen/Female |
NIL |
UPSC ESE
Eligibility Criteria 2026
The Union
Public Service Commission outlines specific eligibility criteria for the ESE
Exam 2026. Candidates must understand that the eligibility standards include
nationality, educational qualifications, and age limits. We have explained the
complete UPSC ESE eligibility criteria for 2026 in this section to make it
easier for applicants to understand.
Educational
Qualification
As per the
official notification and the UPSC ESE 2026 Eligibility Criteria, candidates
are required to possess a degree in Engineering/Technology (BE/B. Tech) or an
equivalent qualification in disciplines such as Civil, Mechanical, Electrical,
Electronics & Telecommunication from a recognized government
Institution/University.
Age Limit
The age limit for applicants to apply for UPSC ESE 2026 should
be as follows.
- Minimum
Age Limit: 21 Years
- Maximum
Age Limit: 30 Years
The
relaxation in the upper age limit for reserved categories will be applicable as
per the Govt. Norms are prescribed here.
Category-Wise Age Relaxation |
|
Category |
Age Relaxation |
OBC |
3
Years |
SC/ST |
5
Years |
ECOs/
SSCOs |
5
Years |
Domicile
of Jammu and Kashmir |
5
Years |
Ex-Serviceman |
5
Years |
Physically
Handicapped |
10
Years |
Nationality
As per the UPSC ESE
2026 Eligibility Criteria, an Applicant must be either:
(a) a citizen of India, or
(b) a subject of Nepal, or
(c) a subject of Bhutan, or
(d) a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 01 January 1962 to
permanently settle in India, or
(e) a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka,
or East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania,
Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam to permanently settle in India.
UPSC ESE
Selection Process 2026
The selection
process for UPSC ESE 2026 varies depending on the specific post and discipline.
Candidates should refer to the detailed table below to understand the distinct
selection stages for each position, as they may include written tests,
interviews, or a combination of both. The selection criteria will consist
of the following stages for the Engineering Services Examination 2026:
- Prelims
Exam (500 Marks) – Offline
- Main
Exam (600 Marks) – Offline
- Personality
Test/Interview (200 Marks)
- Document
Verification
- Medical
Examination
UPSC ESE
Salary Structure 2026
The
candidates appointed as IES (Group A, Gazetted) Officers through UPSC ESE 2026
will receive an attractive salary package along with various perks and benefits
as per the rules. The detailed IES Officer
Salary Structure is outlined below:
UPSC ESE 2026 Salary Structure |
|
Salary Components |
Amount (in Rs.) |
Basic
Salary |
Rs.
15600/- – Rs. 39100/- |
Grade
Pay |
Rs.
5400/- |
Net
Pay |
Rs.
21000/- |
HRA |
Rs.
13419/- |
TA |
Rs.
6600/- |
DA |
Rs.
23730/- |
Gross
Salary |
Rs.
64,749/- |
UPSC ESE Exam
Pattern 2026
Candidates
need to have a good understanding of the UPSC ESE Exam Pattern 2026 to
comprehend the structure of the question paper. The exam pattern provides
aspirants with an overview of the question paper format. Candidates must have
an in-depth understanding of the exam pattern to know the exam format to be
followed by the authorities. Please refer to the detailed eligibility criteria
for UPSC ESE 2026 mentioned below for the Prelims and Main Examination:
UPSC ESE
Stage I: Preliminary Test
The UPSC ESE
2026 Exam Pattern for the Preliminary Test is prescribed below:
Papers |
Subject |
Marks |
Duration |
Negative Marking |
Paper-I |
General
Studies & Engineering Aptitude Paper |
200
Marks |
2
Hours |
1/3 Marks |
Paper-II |
Engineering
Discipline – Specific Paper |
300
Marks |
3
Hours |
|
Total |
500 Marks |
5 Hours |
UPSC ESE
Stage II: Main Exam (Conventional Paper)
The UPSC ESE
Main (Stage II) Paper Pattern is tabulated in this section:
Papers |
Subjects |
Marks |
Duration |
Negative Marking |
Paper-I |
Engineering
Discipline – Specific Paper – I |
300
Marks |
3
Hours |
No
Negative Marking |
Paper-II |
Engineering
Discipline – Specific Paper – II |
300
Marks |
3
Hours |
|
Total |
600 Marks |
6 Hours |
UPSC ESE
Stage III: Personality Test
The UPSC ESE
Personality Test details are given below:
Stage III |
Maximum Marks |
Personality
Test (Interview) |
200
Marks |
Important Links
Notification: Click Here
Apply: Click Here
Official website: Click Here
Note: Before applying Candidates are suggested to please always check
once and confirm the above detail with the official website and
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