UPSC ESE 2026 Notification Out – Apply Now Before 16th October!

UPSC ESE 2026

Hello everyone! If you are preparing for UPSC, here’s some exciting news. UPSC has released the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026 Notification. The wait is finally over, and the UPSC ESE 2026 notification is out with all the details about eligibility, exam dates, syllabus, and application process. If you are serious about making a career through ESE, now is the time to act fast and apply before the last date. Many students were eagerly waiting for this, and finally, it’s here! Let’s go through all the important details one by one.

UPSC ESE 2026 Notification – Overview

Vacancy Details UPSC ESE 2026

The posts are divided into four major engineering categories.

• Category I: Civil Engineering
• Category II: Mechanical Engineering
• Category III: Electrical Engineering
• Category IV: Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering

UPSC ESE 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

• The Aeronautical Society of India’s Associate Membership Examination Parts II and III/Sections A and B were successfully completed.
• A degree or diploma in engineering from a foreign university/college recognized by the Government of India.
• I passed the Graduate Membership Examination of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (India).
• I passed Sections A and B of the Institution of Engineers (India) Examinations.
• A degree in engineering from a university established by an Act of the Central or State Legislature of India.
• An educational qualification conferred by a parliament-established institution or a Deemed University.

Age Limit

• Age Limit: 21 to 30 years as on 1st January 2026.
• Age Relaxation:
• SC/ST: +5 years
• OBC (NCL): +3 years
• Govt servants: up to 35 years (for certain categories)
• Certificates: Candidates applying under EWS, OBC, SC, ST must upload valid certificates while filling form.
• EWS Income Certificate must be based on FY 2024–25 (issued on/after 14 April 2025).

Salary and Benefits

One of the main reasons why lakhs of candidates apply for UPSC Engineering Services (ESE) is the attractive salary and benefits package. After passing the exam and going through the selection process, candidates are appointed as Class 1 Gazetted Officers in various central government departments.

The starting basic pay is approximately ₹56,100 per month (Level 10, 7th CPC Pay Matrix). Along with this, officers receive various allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Travel Allowance (TA), Medical Facilities, Pension, and other benefits. The monthly salary ranges from ₹85,000 to ₹1,00,000, or higher, depending on the posting location.

So, clearing UPSC ESE not only gives you a stable government job but also a prestigious career with power, perks, and long-term benefits.

UPSC ESE 2026 Selection Process & Exam Pattern

The UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE/IES) is administered in three stages. To be selected, candidates must go through all stages in order. Let us break it down:

Stage 1 – Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)

• The Prelims exam is the first stage, held in offline (pen-paper) mode.
• It consists of two papers:

1. Paper 1 (General Studies & Engineering Aptitude)
   • Duration: 2 hours
   • Marks: 200
   • Covers topics like Current Issues, Engineering Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Mathematics, ICT, Ethics, Project Management, and General Studies.
2. Paper 2 (Engineering Discipline Paper)
   • Duration: 3 hours
   • Marks: 300
   • Subject-specific (Civil / Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics & Telecommunication)

Total Marks in Prelims = 500

Stage 2 – Mains Examination (Conventional Type)

• The Mains exam is descriptive in nature.
• It also has two papers, both based on the candidate’s engineering discipline.

1. Paper 1 (Subject Paper) – 300 Marks – 3 Hours
2. Paper 2 (Subject Paper) – 300 Marks – 3 Hours

Total Marks in Mains = 600

Stage 3 – Personality Test (Interview)

• Candidates who clear Mains are called for the Personality Test / Interview.
• Marks: 200
• Conducted by UPSC board to test Leadership qualities, Decision making skills, Communication skills, Knowledge of technical as well as general issues and Mental alertness and overall suitability for government service.

Exam Syllabus (Quick Highlights)

• General Studies & Aptitude (Prelims Paper 1): Current Affairs, Engineering Aptitude, Ethics, ICT, Project Management, General Mental Ability.
• Engineering Discipline Papers (Prelims Paper 2 + Mains Papers): Subject-specific syllabus for Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecommunication.

How to Apply for UPSC ESE 2026

This year, the UPSC launched a new online application system for candidates. Under this system, you must first complete a Universal Registration form, which will be valid for your entire lifetime. After completing this one-time registration, you will receive a Universal Registration Number (URN). This URN will be the same for all future UPSC exams, so you won’t have to go through the process again. In addition, you will only need to fill out a Common Application Form (CAF) once. This means that candidates will not have to register separately for each exam, making the application process much simpler and more effective.

Photo & ID Instructions

• Upload a recent photo (not older than 10 days).
• 3/4th of your face must be clearly visible.
• Carry the same ID (Aadhaar, Voter ID, etc.) used during URN registration.

How to Apply Online Step-by-Step

1. Visit the official portal.
2. Create an account and get your URN.
3. Enter all of your information in the CAF.
4. This URN will be valid for life; use it for all UPSC exams.
5. Provide information such as your DOB, category, educational qualifications, and photo ID proof (Aadhaar, voter ID, etc.).

Note: Please keep in mind that the ID card provided during URN registration will also be used for future exams. Make sure to use the same one.

UPSC ESE 2025 Application Fees

• General / OBC / EWS: ₹200/-
• Female/SC/ST/PwBD: Exempted

Important Instructions for Candidates

• Candidates are advised to reach the exam venue at least 30 minutes before the reporting time to avoid last-minute hassle.
• Remember, if anyone tries to use false information or fake claims, strict action will be taken by UPSC so make sure all details are correct and genuine.
• If you belong to the PWD category, don’t worry! You are allowed to use a scribe as per the rules mentioned in the notification.
• Finally, keep in mind that a medical examination will also be conducted before the final selection to ensure candidates are fit for the services.