The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the UPSC ESE 2026 Notification (Examination Notice No. 02/2026 ENGG.) on 26th September 2025. Through this highly prestigious Engineering Services Examination (ESE), UPSC will recruit engineers for top-level Group A and Group B central government engineering services in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering.
- The last date to apply online for UPSC ESE 2026 is 16th October 2025 (till 6:00 PM).
- The UPSC ESE 2026 Preliminary Exam will be held on 8th February 2026.
If you are an engineer aspiring for a secure central government job with top career growth opportunities, this is your chance to join elite services like Indian Railways, Central Engineering Services, Defence Engineering Services, and more.
Visit UPSC Online Portal to Apply Now
UPSC ESE 2026 Notification – Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Notification Release Date | 26th September 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 16th October 2025 (6:00 PM) |
| UPSC ESE 2026 Prelims Exam Date | 8th February 2026 |
| Vacancies | 474 (including 26 PwBD) |
| Engineering Disciplines | Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecommunication |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in / upsconline.nic.in |
UPSC ESE 2026 Exam Dates – Complete Schedule
Candidates must strictly adhere to the official timeline given below:
- Online Application Start Date: 26th September 2025
- Last Date to Apply Online: 16th October 2025 (up to 6:00 PM)
- Preliminary Exam Date (Stage-I): 8th February 2026
- Admit Card Release: Last week of January 2026
- Mains Exam Date (Stage-II): To be announced after Prelims
- Personality Test (Stage-III): After Mains
UPSC ESE 2026 Vacancy Details
The total vacancies announced are 474, distributed across four engineering categories.
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
Reserved Seats: Out of total, 26 vacancies are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). Category-wise reservations apply as per Government of India norms for SC, ST, OBC, and EWS candidates.
Services/Posts under UPSC ESE 2026
Candidates selected through ESE 2026 will be appointed to high-ranking Group A/Group B services such as:
- Civil Engineering: Central Engineering Services, Central Water Engineering, Indian Railway Management Service (Civil), Survey of India Group ‘A’.
- Mechanical Engineering: Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service, Indian Railway Management Service (Mechanical), AEE in Geological Survey of India.
- Electrical Engineering: Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Service, Central Power Engineering Service, Corps of EME (Defence), Indian Railway Management Service (Electrical).
- Electronics & Telecommunication: Indian Telecommunications Service, Indian Radio Regulatory Service, Junior Telecom Officer, Indian Railway Management Service (Signal & Telecom).
UPSC ESE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
Candidate must be:
- A citizen of India, OR
- A subject of Nepal/Bhutan, OR
- A Tibetan refugee (before 1st Jan 1962), OR
- A person of Indian origin from certain specified countries.
Age Limit (as on 1st Jan 2026)
- Minimum: 21 years
- Maximum: 30 years (born not earlier than 2nd January 1996 and not later than 1st January 2005).
Age Relaxation:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC (NCL): 3 years
- PwBD: 10 years
- Defence personnel & Ex-servicemen: As per rules.
Educational Qualification
Candidate must have a degree in Engineering from a recognized university OR equivalent qualifications like:
- Sections A & B of Institution of Engineers (India),
- Graduate Membership of Institution of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineers,
- Equivalent degree/diploma from foreign universities recognized by Government of India.
UPSC ESE 2026 Exam Pattern
UPSC conducts the Engineering Services Exam in 3 stages:
Stage-I: Preliminary Exam (Objective)
- Paper I (General Studies & Engineering Aptitude) – 200 marks
- Paper II (Engineering Discipline-specific) – 300 marks
- Total = 500 marks
Stage-II: Mains Exam (Conventional)
- Paper I (Discipline-specific) – 300 marks
- Paper II (Discipline-specific) – 300 marks
- Total = 600 marks
Stage-III: Personality Test
- Interview/Personality Test – 200 marks
Final Merit List = Prelims + Mains + Interview (1300 Marks).
UPSC ESE 2026 Syllabus Overview
- General Studies & Engineering Aptitude: Current issues, Engineering Mathematics, ICT, Project Management, Environment, Ethics in Engineering.
- Civil Engineering: Structures, Hydrology, Transportation, Environmental Engineering.
- Mechanical Engineering: Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Power Plant, Manufacturing, Mechatronics.
- Electrical Engineering: Circuits, Electrical Machines, Power Systems, Control Systems, Power Electronics.
- Electronics & Telecommunication: Analog & Digital Circuits, Communication Systems, Control, Computer Organization, Advanced Communication.
UPSC ESE 2026 Application Fee
- General/OBC/EWS (Male): ₹200/-
- Female/SC/ST/PwBD: Exempted
Payment can be made via online banking, UPI, debit/credit card, or challan.
How to Apply Online for UPSC ESE 2026?
Candidates must apply via the new Online Application Portal:
Steps:
- Account Creation (One-time process).
- Generate Universal Registration Number (URN).
- Fill Common Application Form (CAF).
- Fill Exam-Specific Form (ESE 2026).
- Upload recent photo & signature (JPG, 20KB–300KB).
- Pay application fee and submit.
UPSC Helpline for Queries
- Helpline Number: 011-24041001
- Working Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (Monday to Friday)
UPSC ESE 2026 – Key Takeaways
- Total vacancies: 474
- Last date to apply: 16th October 2025
- Prelims exam date: 8th February 2026
- Eligibility: Engineers (Civil/Mech/Electrical/E&T) with age 21–30 years
- Salary: As per 7th Pay Commission, with perks and career growth
Don’t wait until the last moment! Start your online application for UPSC ESE 2026 today and secure your chance to become part of India’s most prestigious engineering services.