UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026 — Overview

UPSC will recruit Engineers (Group A/B) through ESE 2026 for about 474 posts across central services.
Streams: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication.
Selection: Prelims (objective) → Mains (descriptive) → Personality Test.
Exam centres: Karnataka candidates can opt Bengaluru; candidates from other states should refer the official notification for the full centre list (centres may change).

⚡ Quick Overview

Posts & Vacancies (as per notice)

Recruitment spans four engineering categories. Service-wise breakup isn’t provided in the notice and may change with final approvals.

Final service allocation depends on merit, preferences, medical fitness and vacancy position.

Educational Qualification

• Essential: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Civil/Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics & Telecommunication) from a recognized University/Institution or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Government.
• Equivalent qualifications (as notified): Sections A & B of the Institution of Engineers (India); Graduate Membership/AMIETE of IETE; Aeronautical Society of India, etc., subject to Government recognition on the closing date.
• Special cases: For a few Electronics/Radio‐related posts, a relevant M.Sc. (e.g., Wireless/Electronics/Radio Physics) may be acceptable where specifically mentioned.
• Final-year/Result-awaited: Eligible to apply; proof of the required qualification must be produced within the stipulated window before the Personality Test, failing which candidature will be cancelled.
• Equivalence/Foreign degrees: Must have a Government/AIU-recognized equivalence certificate where applicable. Diplomas alone are not sufficient.

Age Limit (as on 01 Jan 2026)

• 21 to 30 years (born not earlier than 02 Jan 1996 and not later than 01 Jan 2005).
• Relaxations: SC/ST up to 5 years; OBC up to 3 years; PwBD up to 10 years (as identified); Ex-Servicemen and specified Government servants as per rules; departmental candidates in listed organizations up to 35 years for relevant posts.

Application Fee

• ₹200 for general candidates. Exempted: Female, SC, ST, PwBD.
• Pay via SBI branches, cards, UPI, or net-banking as permitted.
• Fee is non-refundable; incorrect/fictitious payments may lead to application rejection unless proof is submitted within the stipulated window.

How to Apply

1. Create an account and generate your Universal Registration Number (URN).
2. Fill the Common Application Form (CAF) with personal, category and qualification details and upload required documents.
3. Keep one valid Photo ID (Aadhaar/Voter/PAN/Passport/Driving Licence etc.) ready; the same ID is used throughout the process.
4. Upload a recent photograph (not older than 10 days from application start), ensuring the face covers ~¾ of the frame and appearance matches across all stages.
5. Complete the Exam-specific module for ESE 2026, choose centres and discipline carefully; requests for change are not entertained.
6. Pay the fee if applicable and confirm submission. Applications cannot be withdrawn after submission.
7. Download/retain the confirmation and monitor for e-Admit Card release prior to the exam.
8. For queries during the window, use the designated helpline (working days, 10:00 AM–5:30 PM).

Selection Process

• Stage-I: Preliminary Examination (Objective). Negative marking applies; use black ball pen on OMR.
• Stage-II: Main Examination (Conventional/Descriptive) in the opted engineering discipline.
• Stage-III: Personality Test. Final merit based on aggregate of Stage-I + Stage-II + Personality Test, with notified tie-break rules.
• Only provisionally eligible candidates are admitted; original verification occurs before Personality Test.

📅 Important Dates

Dates/centres are subject to change at the Commission’s discretion.

📥 Important Links

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