🚀 UPSC ESE Recruitment 2026 Notification Out — Apply Online for 474 Engineering Services Posts @ upsconline.nic.in
Updated: 29 September 2025
Source: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
📰 Overview
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026 Notification for 474 vacancies across various engineering disciplines — Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication.
Eligible candidates can apply online at upsconline.nic.in between September 26, 2025, and October 16, 2025.
📌 UPSC ESE 2026 Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 474 |
| Application Start Date | 26 September 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 16 October 2025 |
| Prelims Exam Date | 8 February 2026 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Official Website | upsconline.nic.in |
🗓️ Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 26 September 2025 |
| Application Start | 26 September 2025 |
| Application Deadline | 16 October 2025 |
| ESE Prelims Exam | 8 February 2026 |
| Mains Exam | To be announced |
| Personality Test / Interview | To be announced |
| Final Result Declaration | To be announced |
💰 Application Fee
| Category | Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹200 |
| SC / ST / PwBD | Exempted |
| Female Candidates | Exempted |
Payment can be made via debit/credit card, net banking, or offline (SBI challan).
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit (as on 1 January 2026)
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
- Age Relaxation:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- PwBD: 10 years
- As per Government of India rules
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have a degree in Engineering from:
- A university incorporated under an Act of Parliament or State Legislature in India,
or - Institutions declared as deemed universities under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956,
or - Passed Sections A and B of the Institution of Engineers (India),
or - An equivalent qualification recognized by the Government of India.
Eligible disciplines:
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
🧾 UPSC ESE 2026 Vacancy Details (474 Posts)
| Category | Engineering Disciplines / Services |
|---|---|
| Category I | Civil Engineering |
| Category II | Mechanical Engineering |
| Category III | Electrical Engineering |
| Category IV | Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering |
Each category covers multiple Group ‘A’ services under various ministries, such as:
- Central Engineering Services
- Indian Railway Management Services
- Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service
- Border Roads Engineering Service
- Central Power Engineering Service, and more.
(Refer to the official notification PDF for complete service-wise allocation.)
💼 Pay Scale / Salary Structure
| Grade | Pay Band (₹) | Grade Pay (₹) | Approx. In-Hand (₹/month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Level (Entry) | 15,600 – 39,100 | 5,400 | 55,000 – 65,000 |
| Senior Scale (after 5–6 yrs) | 15,600 – 39,100 | 6,600 | Higher with promotions |
| Junior Administrative Grade | 15,600 – 39,100 | 7,600 | Increases with promotion |
| Selection Grade / Chief Engineer | 37,400 – 67,000 | 8,700 | Higher with promotion |
| Apex / Cabinet Secretary Grade | 80,000 – 90,000 (fixed) | N/A | Top-level posts |
💡 Includes allowances as per 7th CPC and service-specific perks.
⚙️ Selection Process
The UPSC ESE selection is conducted in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination — Objective type (500 marks)
- Main Examination — Descriptive type (600 marks)
- Personality Test / Interview — 200 marks
Total Marks: 1300
📘 UPSC ESE 2026 Exam Pattern
Stage 1: Preliminary Exam
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies & Engineering Aptitude | 200 | 2 hours | 1/3 per wrong answer |
| Paper II | Engineering Discipline (Objective) | 300 | 3 hours | 1/3 per wrong answer |
| Total | 500 |
Stage 2: Main Exam
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Engineering Discipline (Descriptive) | 300 | 3 hours |
| Paper II | Engineering Discipline (Descriptive) | 300 | 3 hours |
| Total | 600 |
Stage 3: Personality Test
- Interview Marks: 200
Grand Total: 1300 Marks
📚 Syllabus Overview
Common Paper (Prelims Paper I)
- General Studies & Engineering Aptitude
- Engineering Mathematics & Reasoning
- Ethics and Safety
- Project Management
- ICT, Environment, and Sustainable Development
- Energy & Material Science
- Current Affairs (National & International)
Technical Papers (Paper II & Mains Papers I & II)
Branch-specific topics:
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
Detailed syllabus is available in the official notification PDF and on UPSC’s website.
🧾 How to Apply for UPSC ESE 2026
Follow these steps to submit your online application:
- Visit the official UPSC portal — https://upsconline.nic.in
- Click on “Engineering Services Examination 2026” link.
- Read the notification carefully and click “Apply Now.”
- Fill out the registration form and complete Part I & II.
- Upload required documents (photo, signature, ID proof).
- Pay the application fee (if applicable).
- Submit and print the final application form for future reference.
🔗 Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| UPSC Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Free Mock Tests / Resources | Click Here |
| Telegram / WhatsApp Job Alerts | Join Here |
🧠 Key Takeaways
- 📅 Apply between Sept 26 – Oct 16, 2025
- 🧾 Total Vacancies: 474 Posts
- 🧑🔧 Branches: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecommunication
- 💸 Application Fee: ₹200 (General/OBC/EWS); Free for others
- 📚 Exam Date (Prelims): 8 February 2026
- 🌐 Official Website: upsconline.nic.in