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The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the UPSC ESE Exam Date 2026 for a total of 474 vacancies on its Official Website for Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering disciplines. The UPSC ESE Exam will be held from 8th February 2026. The UPSC has also released the Admit Card on 30 January 2026 and it is available on its official website. Candidates can check the latest updates about the UPSC ESE 2026 exam through this article.
UPSC ESE Exam 2026
The UPSC has officially announced the exam dates for the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026. As per the notification, the Preliminary Exam will be held on 8 February 2026, while the Main Exam is scheduled for 21 June 2026. Candidates should note these dates carefully to plan their preparation properly and appear for both exams without any issues. The official exam schedule PDF is available in this article.
UPSC ESE Notification 2026 PDF
The UPSC ESE 2026 official notification gives complete eligibility information, how to apply, and the selection process for different posts. Every candidate should carefully read the full notification from the official website to make sure they meet all the requirements and clearly understand the rules before applying. The direct link to download the UPSC ESE Notification 2026 has been shared below.
UPSC ESE Notification 2026- Click Here to Download PDF
UPSC ESE Exam Date 2026-Overview
| 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 |
| Exam Date | 08 February 2026 |
| ESE Admit Card | 30 January 2026 |
| Stages of the Exam | Preliminary, Main & Interview |
| Preliminary Exam | Objective-type |
| Main exam | Conventional (Descriptive Type) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen-Paper Mode) |
| 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 2026 Important Exam 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 | 30 January 2026 |
| Prelims Exam Date | 08 February 2026 |
| Prelims Answer Key Release | February 2026 |
| Prelims Result Declaration | To Be Notified |
| Mains Exam Date | 21 June 2026 |
| Mains Result Declaration | To Be Notified |
| Personality Test | To Be Notified |
UPSC ESE 2026 Vacancy Details
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 2026 Eligibility Criteria
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.
UPSC ESE 2026: 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 2026 Selection Process
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 2026 Salary Structure
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/- |
Exam Pattern for UPSC ESE 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 |
UPSC ESE 2026 Syllabus
The syllabus is a crucial component for effective exam preparation. The Union Public Service Commission has released the UPSC ESE Syllabus 2026 along with the official notification. Candidates preparing for the UPSC ESE 2026 Exam must understand the detailed syllabus to plan their preparation strategy. Candidates can check the brief UPSC ESE Syllabus 2026 through the direct link provided here.
UPSC ESE 2026 Preparation Tips
The candidates must follow effective tips and preparation strategies to ace the exam. The UPSC ESE 2026 preparation tips are given here to help the aspirants. Follow the preparation tips and tricks given here to crack the UPSC ESE 2026 Exam with a good score:
- Understand the UPSC ESE Syllabus & Exam Pattern
First, get a clear idea of the syllabus and how the exam is structured. This will help you know what to study and how much time to give each subject. - Create a Practical Study Timetable
Plan your daily routine with proper time slots for every subject. Make sure your timetable is realistic and easy to follow. - Practice All Sections Regularly
Do not skip any part of the syllabus. Give equal importance to technical, non-technical, and general studies sections. - Use the Right Study Material
Choose standard books, coaching notes, and other trusted resources. Avoid too many reference books that may confuse you. - Revise Consistently
Revision is the key to remembering concepts. Keep short notes for quick revision before the exam. - Attempt Mock Tests Frequently
Solve online and offline mock tests to improve your speed and accuracy. Treat them like the real exam. - Evaluate Your Strong and Weak Areas
After every test, analyze your performance. Identify the topics where you score less and focus on improving them. - Work on Weak Topics
Don’t ignore your weak areas. Spend extra time understanding concepts and practicing questions from those sections. - Take Care of Your Health
Eat healthy, sleep well, and exercise regularly. A fresh mind and a healthy body will help you perform better in the exam.
UPSC ESE 2026 Result
The UPSC ESE 2026 Result will be declared after the completion of the exam. The commission will announce the stage-wise results on its official website. The candidates can check their UPSC ESE results through the link provided here. The commission will activate the UPSC ESE 2026 Result Link after the exam.
UPSC ESE 2026 Question Papers PDF
Candidates preparing for the UPSC ESE 2026 Exam should practice the UPSC ESE previous question papers to understand the difficulty level, exam pattern, and important topics. The UPSC ESE Previous Year Question Papers are essential for boosting preparation and familiarizing aspirants with the exam. Below, we have provided a direct link to download the UPSC ESE Previous Year Papers PDF for your convenience.
UPSC ESE 2026 Previous Year Cut Off
In the UPSC ESE Exam 2026, candidates must achieve the necessary marks to progress to the next stages. The cutoff marks are the minimum scores required to pass the exam, and the commission will publish category-specific cutoffs for each branch. Candidates can find a direct link here to review UPSC ESE Previous Year cutoff marks and analyze the trends to predict the UPSC ESE 2024 cutoff.



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