UPSC IES (Engineering Services) Mains
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UPSC IES Mains 2026: Latest Update
The UPSC Engineering Services (IES/ESE) 2026 Preliminary Examination was conducted on 08 February 2026 in two sessions. The official notification for the exam was released on 26 September 2025, announcing a total of 474 vacancies. Candidates who successfully clear the Preliminary stage will be eligible to appear for the Main Examination scheduled on 21 June 2026.
Overview
The UPSC Engineering Services Examination (IES/ESE) is a national-level competitive exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the recruitment of engineering graduates into prestigious government departments. The exam is held annually for four major disciplines: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication.
The selection process consists of three stages—Preliminary, Main, and Personality Test. The Preliminary exam is objective in nature, while the Main exam is descriptive. Candidates who qualify both written stages are called for the final interview, which plays a crucial role in the final selection.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Indian Engineering Services (IES) |
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Purpose | Recruitment to Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ engineering posts in Government of India |
| Exam Level | National |
| Prelims Exam Date | 08 February 2026 |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Important Dates
The official notification for ESE 2026 was released on 26 September 2025, and the application process continued until 16 October 2025. The Preliminary Examination was conducted on 08 February 2026, while the Main Examination will be held on 21 June 2026.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 26 September 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 16 October 2025 |
| Prelims Exam | 08 February 2026 |
| Mains Exam | 21 June 2026 |
Vacancy Details
Approximately 474 vacancies have been announced for ESE 2026, including 26 posts reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). These include categories such as locomotor disability, hearing impairment, low vision, and specific learning disabilities.
Reservation is provided for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD candidates as per Government of India norms. The final number of vacancies may change depending on administrative requirements.
The recruitment covers multiple Group A and Group B services across the four engineering branches, including departments such as:
Central Engineering Services
Indian Railway Management Service
Border Roads Engineering Service
Defence Services Engineering Units
Central Power Engineering Service
Indian Telecommunication and Radio Regulatory Services
Indian Skill Development Service
Final service allocation depends on rank, preferences, medical fitness, and vacancy availability.
Salary Structure
Selected candidates generally join as Assistant Executive Engineers or Assistant Directors under the Junior Time Scale.
| Level | Pay Scale | Career Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Time Scale | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 | At joining |
| Senior Time Scale | ₹67,700 – ₹2,08,700 | After 3–5 years |
| Junior Administrative Grade | ₹1,23,100 – ₹2,15,900 | 10–15 years |
| Senior Administrative Grade | ₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200 | 15–20 years |
| Higher Administrative Grade | ₹1,82,200+ | Senior positions |
| Apex Scale | ₹2,25,000 | Top level |
Apart from salary, officers receive several benefits such as:
Government accommodation or HRA
Official vehicle (as per post)
Dearness Allowance
CGHS medical facilities
Travel allowances
National Pension Scheme
Leave encashment and gratuity
Education allowance for children
Transport allowance and other reimbursements
The starting in-hand salary is approximately ₹80,000–₹90,000 per month.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet the eligibility conditions specified in the official notification.
Nationality
Applicants must be Indian citizens or belong to permitted categories such as subjects of Nepal/Bhutan or persons of Indian origin settled in India with a Government-issued eligibility certificate.
Age Limit (as on 01 January 2026)
Minimum: 21 years
Maximum: 30 years
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC (NCL) | 3 years |
| PwBD | Up to 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen / Defence Personnel | As per rules |
| Government Employees | Up to 5–7 years |
There is no limit on the number of attempts, provided age criteria are satisfied.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must possess a recognized Engineering degree or equivalent qualification such as AMIE, IETE membership, or other approved professional certifications. Certain Electronics posts may also accept an M.Sc. in relevant subjects.
Medical Standards
Candidates recommended for final selection must pass a medical examination. The decision of the Medical Board is final.
Exam Pattern
The ESE 2026 selection process consists of three stages with a total of 1300 marks.
Stage I – Preliminary Examination (500 Marks)
Objective type with two papers:
General Studies & Engineering Aptitude – 200 marks (2 hours)
Engineering Discipline – 300 marks (3 hours)
Stage II – Main Examination (600 Marks)
Two descriptive papers of the chosen engineering discipline, each of 300 marks and 3 hours duration.
Stage III – Personality Test (200 Marks)
Interview conducted by UPSC to evaluate technical knowledge, personality, leadership qualities, and decision-making ability.
Important points:
Negative marking (1/3) applies only in Prelims
Papers are in English
Calculators allowed only in Mains
PwBD candidates get compensatory time as per rules
Final merit is based on Prelims + Mains + Interview
Exam Syllabus
The syllabus is based on the level of an engineering graduate and includes both theoretical concepts and practical applications.
Common Topics (Prelims Paper I)
Current affairs related to engineering and industry
Engineering mathematics
Logical reasoning and analytical ability
Design and safety principles
Quality standards and project management
Energy, environment, and sustainability
ICT tools and engineering ethics
Discipline-Specific Subjects
Separate detailed syllabi are available for:
Civil Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
Each discipline covers core technical subjects relevant to university-level engineering.
Selection Process
The recruitment process includes three stages:
Preliminary Examination – Screening stage (objective)
Main Examination – Descriptive technical papers
Personality Test – Interview conducted by UPSC
Final selection is based on combined marks of Mains and Interview, and service allocation depends on rank, preferences, and vacancies.
How to Apply
The application process for ESE 2026 was conducted online between 26 September and 16 October 2025 through the UPSC portal.
Steps:
Visit upsconline.nic.in
Register and generate a Universal Registration Number (URN)
Fill the Common Application Form
Complete the exam-specific application
Choose discipline and exam centre
Pay the application fee (₹200 for General/OBC/EWS; exempted for SC/ST/Female/PwBD)
Submit and download the confirmation page
Documents required:
Recent photograph and signature
Valid photo ID
Educational and category certificates
Exam Centres
The Preliminary Examination is conducted in major cities across India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Bhopal, and many others. The Main Examination is conducted at selected centres only. The final allotted centre is mentioned on the admit card.
Admit Card
The e-Admit Card is released on the official UPSC website approximately 2–3 weeks before the examination.
Steps to download:
Visit upsc.gov.in
Go to the Admit Card section
Login using Registration ID or Roll Number
Download and print the admit card
Candidates must carry the admit card along with a valid photo ID to the exam centre.
Exam Result
Results are declared stage-wise on the official UPSC website.
Steps to check:
Visit upsc.gov.in
Go to the Results section
Download the result PDF
Search your Roll Number
Prelims results show only qualified candidates. Detailed marks are released after the final result.
Candidates who qualify:
Prelims → Fill DAF for Mains
Mains → Appear for Interview
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Official Notification | Available on UPSC website |
Overview
The UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE/IES) is a national-level competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit engineering graduates for prestigious government positions. The exam is held every year for four major engineering disciplines: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication.
The recruitment process consists of three stages—Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test. Both the Preliminary and Main exams are conducted in offline mode. The Preliminary stage is objective in nature, while the Main examination is descriptive. Candidates who qualify in both stages are called for the final interview, which is conducted with strict evaluation standards.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Indian Engineering Services (IES) |
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Purpose | Recruitment to Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ engineering posts in Government of India |
| Exam Level | National |
| Mode of Examination | Offline |
| Prelims Date | 08 February 2026 |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for ESE 2026 is provisional at all stages and is verified after the Personality Test. Candidates must ensure they meet all conditions mentioned in the official notification.
Nationality
A candidate must be:
A citizen of India, or
A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
A Tibetan refugee who migrated to India before 1 January 1962 for permanent settlement, or
A person of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries with the intention of settling permanently in India.
Candidates falling under certain categories must produce a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
Age Limit (as on 01 January 2026)
Minimum Age: 21 years
Maximum Age: 30 years
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| PwBD | Up to 10 years |
| Defence Personnel disabled in service | Up to 8 years |
| Ex-Servicemen / ECOs / SSCOs | Up to 5 years |
| Government Servants (specified departments) | Up to 5–7 years |
Important Notes
Age is calculated strictly as per the notification date.
Date of birth must match the Matriculation certificate.
No change in DOB is allowed later.
There is no limit on the number of attempts, provided age criteria are met.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must possess any of the following:
A degree in Engineering from a recognized university, or
Sections A & B of the Institution of Engineers (India), or
Equivalent professional qualifications such as IETE, Aeronautical Society membership, or recognized foreign engineering degrees.
For certain Electronics-related posts, an M.Sc. in relevant subjects may also be accepted.
Medical and Physical Standards
Candidates recommended for appointment must undergo a medical examination conducted by the concerned department. The Medical Board’s decision will be final. Candidates must meet the physical fitness standards prescribed in the official ESE rules.
Exam Pattern
The ESE 2026 examination is conducted in three stages with a total of 1300 marks.
Stage I: Preliminary Examination (Objective)
Total Marks: 500
Paper I: General Studies & Engineering Aptitude – 200 marks (2 hours)
Paper II: Engineering Discipline – 300 marks (3 hours)
Around 6–7 times the vacancies are shortlisted for the Main exam.
Separate cut-offs are applied for both papers.
Stage II: Main Examination (Conventional)
Total Marks: 600
Two descriptive papers of the chosen engineering discipline
Duration: 3 hours each (6 hours total)
Conducted at limited centres
Evaluates technical depth and problem-solving ability.
Stage III: Personality Test
Marks: 200
Candidates shortlisted based on Prelims and Mains performance
Conducted by a UPSC board
Assesses personality traits, leadership, decision-making, technical clarity, and communication skills
Final merit is prepared based on Prelims + Mains + Interview marks.
Important Points
Question papers are available in English only.
Negative marking (1/3) is applicable only in the Preliminary exam.
No penalty for unanswered questions.
About 6–7 times the vacancies qualify for Mains and about twice the vacancies for Interview.
PwBD candidates are eligible for compensatory time as per rules.
Calculators are allowed only in the Main exam.
Up to 5% marks may be deducted for poor handwriting in Mains.
Standard SI units and data tables are provided where required.
Exam Syllabus
The syllabus is based on the level of an engineering graduate. It includes both theoretical understanding and practical application.
Common Topics (Prelims Paper I)
Current national and international developments related to engineering and industry
Engineering mathematics and numerical analysis
Logical reasoning and analytical ability
Design principles, drawing, and safety
Quality standards and engineering practices
Energy, environment, and climate issues
Project management basics
Material science fundamentals
ICT tools and their engineering applications
Engineering ethics and professional values
Discipline-Specific Syllabus
Separate detailed syllabi are prescribed for:
Civil Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
Each discipline covers core technical subjects equivalent to university-level engineering and is applicable to both Prelims Paper II and the Main examination.
Selection Process
The recruitment process is completed in three stages:
Stage 1 – Preliminary Examination
Objective screening test consisting of two papers. Candidates scoring above the cut-off are shortlisted for the Main examination.
Stage 2 – Main Examination
Descriptive technical papers that assess conceptual clarity, analytical ability, and subject knowledge. Marks from this stage are considered for final merit.
Stage 3 – Personality Test
Interview conducted by UPSC to evaluate technical competence, personality, leadership qualities, and decision-making skills.
Final Selection
The final merit list is prepared based on marks obtained in the Main Examination and Interview. Allocation to services such as IRMS, CPWD, BRO, and others is done based on rank, preferences, medical fitness, and availability of vacancies.
EXAM SYLLABUS
The exam covers four categories: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering. The syllabus for Stage-I (Preliminary) Paper-I (General Studies and Engineering Aptitude) is common to all. Stage-I Paper-II and Stage-II (Main) Papers I & II are discipline-specific, with the content combined across both Main papers (as they are conventional/descriptive).
SYLLABUS OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
Paper I
Topic | Topic Description | Weightage |
Building Materials | Stone, Lime, Glass, Plastics, Steel, FRP, Ceramics, Aluminum, Fly Ash, Basic Admixtures, Timber, Bricks and Aggregates: | 5 Out of 8 Questions |
Solid Mechanics | Elastic constants, Stress, plane stress, Strains, plane strain, Mohr’s circle of stress and strain, Elastic theories of failure, | |
Structural Analysis | Basics of strength of materials, Types of stresses and strains, Bending moments and shear force, concept of bending and | |
Design of Steel Structures | Principles of Working Stress methods, Design of tension and compression members, Design of beams and beam column | |
Design of Concrete | Limit state design for bending, shear, axial compression and combined forces; Design of beams, Slabs, Lintels, | |
Construction Practice | Construction – Planning, Equipment, Site investigation and Management including Estimation with the latest project |
Paper II
Topic | Topic Description | Weightage |
Flow of Fluids, Hydraulic Machines and Hydro Power | (a) Fluid Mechanics, Open Channel Flow, Pipe Flow: | 5 Out of 8 Questions |
(b) Hydraulic Machines and Hydro power : | ||
Hydrology and Water | Hydrological cycle, Ground water hydrology, Well hydrology and related data analysis; Streams and their gauging; River morphology; Flood, drought and their management; Capacity of Reservoirs | |
Water Resources Engineering : Multipurpose uses of Water, River basins and their potential; Irrigation systems, water demand assessment; Resources – storages and their yields; Water logging, canal and drainage design, Gravity dams, falls, weirs, Energy dissipaters, barrage Distribution works, Cross drainage works and head-works and their design; Concepts in canal design, construction & maintenance; River training, measurement and analysis of rainfall | ||
Environmental Engineering | (a) Water Supply Engineering: | |
(b) Waste Water Engineering: | ||
(c) Solid Waste Management: | ||
(d) Air, Noise pollution and Ecology: | ||
Geo-technical Engineering | (a) Geo-technical Engineering: | |
(b) Foundation Engineering: | ||
Surveying and Geology: | (a) Surveying: | |
(b) Geology- | ||
Transportation Engineering | Highways – | |
Tunneling – Alignment, methods of construction, disposal of muck, drainage, lighting and ventilation. | ||
Railways Systems – | ||
Harbours – | ||
Airports – |
SYLLABUS OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Paper I
Topic | Topic Description | Weightage |
Fluid Mechanics | Basic Concepts and Properties of Fluids, Manometry, Fluid Statics, Buoyancy, Equations of Motion, Bernoulli’s equation and applications, Viscous flow of incompressible fluids, Laminar and Turbulent flows, Flow through pipes and head losses in pipes | 5 Out of 8 Questions |
Thermodynamics | Thermodynamic systems and processes; properties of pure substance; Zeroth, First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics; Entropy, Irreversibility and availability; analysis of thermodynamic cycles related to energy conversion: Rankine, Otto, Diesel and Dual Cycles; ideal and real gases; compressibility factor; Gas mixtures. | |
IC Engines, Refrigeration | SI and CI Engines, Engine Systems and Components, Performance characteristics and testing of IC Engines; Fuels; Emissions and Emission Control. Vapour compression refrigeration, Refrigerants and Working cycles, Compressors, Condensers, Evaporators and Expansion devices, Other types of refrigeration systems like Vapour Absorption, Vapour jet, thermo electric and Vortex tube refrigeration. Psychometric properties and processes, Comfort chart, Comfort and industrial air conditioning, Load calculations and Heat pumps | |
Turbo Machinery | Reciprocating and Rotary pumps, Pelton wheel, Kaplan and Francis Turbines, velocity diagrams, Impulse and Reaction principles, Steam and Gas Turbines, Theory of Jet Propulsion – Pulse jet and Ram Jet Engines, Reciprocating and Rotary Compressors – Theory and Applications | |
Power Plant Engineering | Rankine and Brayton cycles with regeneration and reheat, Fuels and their properties, Flue gas analysis, Boilers, steam turbines and other power plant components like condensers, air ejectors, electrostatic precipitators and cooling towers – their theory and design, types and applications | |
Renewable Sources of Energy | Solar Radiation, Solar Thermal Energy collection – Flat Plate and focusing collectors their materials and performance. Solar Thermal Energy Storage, Applications – heating, cooling and Power Generation; Solar Photovoltaic Conversion; Harnessing of Wind Energy, Bio-mass and Tidal Energy – Methods and Applications, Working principles of Fuel Cells |
Paper II
Topic | Topic Description | Weightage |
Engineering Mechanics | Basic Crystallography, Alloys and Phase diagrams, Heat Treatment, Ferrous and Non Ferrous Metals, Non metallic materials, Basics of Nano-materials, Mechanical Properties and Testing, Corrosion prevention and control | 5 Out of 8 Questions |
Engineering Materials | Basic Crystallography, Alloys and Phase diagrams, Heat Treatment, Ferrous and Non Ferrous Metals, Non metallic materials, Basics of Nano-materials, Mechanical Properties and Testing, Corrosion prevention and control | |
Mechanisms and Machines | Types of Kinematics Pair, Mobility, Inversions, Kinematic Analysis, Velocity and Acceleration Analysis of Planar Mechanisms, CAMs with uniform acceleration and retardation, cycloidal motion, oscillating followers; Vibrations –Free and forced vibration of undamped and damped SDOF systems, Transmissibility Ratio, Vibration Isolation, Critical Speed of Shafts. Gears – Geometry of tooth profiles, Law of gearing, Involute profile, Interference, Helical, Spiral and Worm Gears, Gear Trains- Simple, compound and Epicyclic; Dynamic Analysis – Slider – crank mechanisms, turning moment computations, balancing of Revolving & Reciprocating masses, Gyroscopes –Effect of Gyroscopic couple on automobiles, ships and aircrafts, Governors. | |
Design of Machine Elements | Design for static and dynamic loading; failure theories; fatigue strength and the S-N diagram; principles of the design of machine elements such as riveted, welded and bolted joints. Shafts, Spur gears, rolling and sliding contact bearings, Brakes and clutches, flywheels | |
Manufacturing, Industrial | Metal casting-Metal forming, Metal Joining, Machining and machine tool operations, Limits, fits and tolerances, Metrology and inspection, computer Integrated manufacturing, FMS, Production planning and Control, Inventory control and operations research – CPM-PERT. Failure concepts and characteristics-Reliability, Failure analysis, Machine Vibration, Data acquisition, Fault Detection, Vibration Monitoring, Field Balancing of Rotors, Noise Monitoring, Wear and Debris Analysis, Signature Analysis, NDT Techniques in Condition Monitoring | |
Mechatronics and Robotics | Microprocessors and Microcontrollers: Architecture, programming, I/O, Computer interfacing, Programmable logic controller. Sensors and actuators, Piezoelectric accelerometer, Hall effect sensor, Optical Encoder, Resolver, Inductosyn, Pneumatic and Hydraulic actuators, stepper motor, Control Systems- Mathematical modeling of Physical systems, control signals, controllability and observability. Robotics, Robot Classification, Robot Specification, notation; Direct and Inverse Kinematics; Homogeneous Coordinates and Arm Equation of four Axis SCARA Robot. |
SYLLABUS OF ELECTRIAL ENGINEERING
Paper I
Topic | Topic Description | Weightage |
Engineering Mathematics | Matrix theory, Eigen values & Eigen vectors, system of linear equations, Numerical methods for solution of non-linear algebraic equations and differential equations, integral calculus, partial derivatives, maxima and minima, Line, Surface and Volume Integrals. Fourier series, linear, non-linear and partial differential equations, initial and boundary value problems, complex variables, Taylor’s and Laurent’s series, residue theorem, probability and statistics fundamentals, Sampling theorem, random variables, Normal and Poisson distributions, correlation and regression analysis. | 5 Out of 8 Questions |
Electrical Materials | Electrical Engineering Materials, crystal structures and defects, ceramic materials, insulating materials, magnetic materials- basics, properties and applications; ferrities, ferro-magnetic materials and components; basics of solid state physics, conductors; Photo-conductivity; Basics of Nano materials and Superconductors | |
Electric Circuits and Fields | Circuit elements, network graph, KCL, KVL, Node and Mesh analysis, ideal current and voltage sources, Thevenin’s, Norton’s, Superposition and Maximum Power Transfer theorems, transient response of DC and AC networks, Sinusoidal steady state analysis, basic filter concepts, two-port networks, three phase circuits, Magnetically coupled circuits, Gauss Theorem, electric field and potential due to point, line, plane and spherical charge distributions, Ampere’s and Biot- Savart’s laws; inductance, dielectrics, capacitance; Maxwell’s equations | |
Electrical and Electronic Measurements | Principles of measurement, accuracy, precision and standards; Bridges and potentiometers; moving coil, moving iron, dynamometer and induction type instruments, measurement of voltage, current, power, energy and power factor, instrument transformers, digital voltmeters and multi-meters, phase, time and frequency measurement, Q-meters, oscilloscopes, potentiometric recorders, error analysis, Basics of sensors, Transducers, basics of data acquisition systems | |
Computer Fundamentals | Number systems, Boolean algebra, arithmetic functions, Basic Architecture, Central Processing Unit, I/O and Memory Organisation; peripheral devices, data represenation and programming, basics of Operating system and networking, virtual memory, file systems; Elements of programming languages, typical examples. | |
Basic Electronics Engineering | Basics of Semiconductor diodes and transistors and characteristics, Junction and field effect transistors (BJT, FET and MOSFETS), different types of transistor amplifiers, equivalent circuits and frequency response; oscillators and other circuits, feedback amplifiers. |
Paper II
Topic | Topic Description | Weightage |
Analog and | Operational amplifiers – characteristics and applications, combinational and sequential logic circuits, multiplexers, multi- vibrators, sample and hold circuits, A/D and D/A converters, basics of filter circuits and applications, simple active filters; Microprocessor basics- interfaces and applications, basics of linear integrated circuits; Analog communication basics, Modulation and de-modulation, noise and bandwidth, transmitters and receivers, signal to noise ratio, digital communication basics, sampling, quantizing, coding, frequency and time domain multiplexing, power line carrier communication systems. | 5 Out of 8 Questions |
Systems and Signal Processing | Representation of continuous and discrete-time signals, shifting and scaling operations, linear, time-invariant and causal systems, Fourier series representation of continuous periodic signals, sampling theorem, Fourier and Laplace transforms, Z transforms, Discrete Fourier transform, FFT, linear convolution, discrete cosine transform, FIR filter, IIR filter, bilinear transformation | |
Control Systems | Principles of feedback, transfer function, block diagrams and signal flow graphs, steady-state errors, transforms and their applications; Routh-hurwitz criterion, Nyquist techniques, Bode plots, root loci, lag, lead and lead-lag compensation, stability analysis, transient and frequency response analysis, state space model, state transition matrix, controllability and observability, linear state variable feedback, PID and industrial controllers. | |
Electrical Machines | Single phase transformers, three phase transformers- connections, parallel operation, auto-transformer, energy conversion principles, DC machines – types, windings, generator characteristics, armature reaction and commutation, starting and speed control of motors, Induction motors – principles, types, performance characteristics, starting and speed control, Synchronous machines – performance, regulation, parallel operation of generators, motor starting, characteristics and applications, servo and stepper motors | |
Power Systems | Basic power generation concepts, steam, gas and water turbines, transmission line models and performance, cable performance, insulation, corona and radio interference, power factor correction, symmetrical components, fault analysis, principles of protection systems, basics of solid state relays and digital protection; Circuit breakers, Radial and ring-main distribution systems, Matrix representation of power systems, load flow analysis, voltage control and economic operation, System stability concepts, Swing curves and equal area criterion. HVDC transmission and FACTS concepts, Concepts of power system dynamics, distributed generation, solar and wind power, smart grid concepts, environmental implications, fundamentals of power economics | |
Power Electronics | Semiconductor power diodes, transistors, thyristors, triacs, GTOs, MOSFETs and IGBTs – static characteristics and principles of operation, triggering circuits, phase control rectifiers, bridge converters – fully controlled and half controlled, principles of choppers and inverters, basis concepts of adjustable speed DC and AC drives, DC-DC switched mode converters, DC-AC switched mode converters, resonant converters, high frequency inductors and transformers, power supplies |
SYLLABUS OF ELECTRONICS & TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEERING
Paper I
Topic | Topic Description | Weightage |
Basic Electronics Engineering | Basics of semiconductors; Diode/Transistor basics and characteristics; Diodes for different uses; Junction & Field Effect Transistors (BJTs, JFETs, MOSFETs); Transistor amplifiers of different types, oscillators and other circuits; Basics of Integrated Circuits (ICs); Bipolar, MOS and CMOS ICs; Basics of linear ICs, operational amplifiers and their applications-linear/ non-linear; Optical sources/detectors; Basics of Opto electronics and its applications. | 5 Out of 8 Questions |
Basic Electrical Engineering | DC circuits-Ohm’s & Kirchoff’s laws, mesh and nodal analysis, circuit theorems; Electro-magnetism, Faraday’s & Lenz’s laws, induced EMF and its uses; Single-phase AC circuits; Transformers, efficiency; Basics-DC machines, induction machines, and synchronous machines; Electrical power sources- basics: hydroelectric, thermal, nuclear, wind, solar; Basics of batteries and their uses | |
Materials Science | Electrical Engineering materials; Crystal structure & defects; Ceramic materials-structures, composites, processing and | |
Electronic Measurements & Instrumentation | Principles of measurement, accuracy, precision and standards; Analog and Digital systems for measurement, measuring | |
Network Theory | Network graphs & matrices; Wye-Delta transformation; Linear constant coefficient differential equations- time domain analysis of RLC circuits; Solution of network equations using Laplace transforms- frequency domain analysis of RLC circuits; 2-port network parameters-driving point & transfer functions; State equations for networks; Steady state sinusoidal analysis. | |
Analog & Digital Circuits | Small signal equivalent circuits of diodes, BJTS and FETs; Diode circuits for different uses; Biasing & stability of BJT & JFET amplifier circuits; Analysis/design of amplifier- single/multi-stage; Feedback& uses; Active filters, timers, multipliers, wave |
Paper II
Topic | Topic Description | Weightage |
Analog and Digital Communication Systems | Random signals, noise, probability theory, information theory; Analog versus digital communication & applications: Systems- AM, FM, transmitters/receivers, theory/practice/ standards, SNR comparison; Digital communication basics: Sampling, quantizing, coding, PCM, DPCM, multiplexing-audio/video; Digital modulation: ASK, FSK, PSK; Multiple access: TDMA, FDMA, CDMA; Optical communication: fibre optics, theory, practice/standards | 5 Out of 8 Questions |
Control Systems | Classification of signals and systems; Application of signal and system theory; System realization; Transforms& their applications; Signal flow graphs, Routh-Hurwitz criteria, root loci, Nyquist/Bode plots; Feedback systems-open &close loop types, stability analysis, steady state, transient and frequency response analysis; Design of control systems, compensators, elements of lead/lag compensation, PID and industrial controllers | |
Computer Organization and Architecture | Basic architecture, CPU, I/O organisation, memory organisation, peripheral devices, trends; Hardware /software issues; Data representation& Programming; Operating systems-basics, processes, characteristics, applications; Memory management, virtual memory, file systems, protection & security; Data bases, different types, characteristics and design; Transactions and concurrency control; Elements of programming languages, typical examples. | |
Electro Magnetics | Elements of vector calculus, Maxwell’s equations-basic concepts; Gauss’, Stokes’ theorems; Wave propagation through different media; Transmission Lines-different types, basics, Smith’s chart, impedance matching/transformation, S- parameters, pulse excitation, uses; Waveguides-basics, rectangular types, modes, cut-off frequency, dispersion, dielectric types; Antennas-radiation pattern, monopoles/dipoles, gain, arrays-active/passive, theory, uses. | |
Advanced Electronics Topics | VLSI technology: Processing, lithography, interconnects, packaging, testing; VLSI design: Principles, MUX/ROM/PLA-based design, Moore & Mealy circuit design; Pipeline concepts & functions; Design for testability, examples; DSP: Discrete time signals/systems, uses; Digital filters: FIR/IIR types, design, speech/audio/radar signal processing uses; Microprocessors & microcontrollers, basics, interrupts, DMA, instruction sets, interfacing; Controllers & uses; Embedded systems | |
Advanced Communication Topics | Communication networks: Principles /practices /technologies /uses /OSI model/security; Basic packet multiplexed streams/scheduling; Cellular networks, types, analysis, protocols (TCP/TCPIP); Microwave & satellite communication: Terrestrial/space type LOS systems, block schematics link calculations, system design; Communication satellites, orbits, characteristics, systems, uses; Fibre-optic communication systems, block schematics, link calculations, system design, etc. |
EXAM PATTERN
The ESE 2026 is conducted in three stages: Preliminary (Stage I), Main (Stage II), and Personality Test (Stage III). The exam is for recruitment to Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering categories. The total marks are 1300 (500 for Prelims + 600 for Mains + 200 for Interview).
The Preliminary Exam is scheduled for 8 February 2026 (objective type). Qualifiers proceed to Mains (conventional type, tentative date around June 2026), followed by the Personality Test for shortlisted candidates.
Stage I: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
Purpose: Screening test. Marks count for final merit.
Format: Two papers with multiple-choice questions (4 options each).
Total Marks: 500
Duration: Paper-I: 2 hours; Paper-II: 3 hours.
Qualification Ratio: About 6-7 times the vacancies are admitted to Mains.
Minimum Qualifying: Separate cut-offs for Paper-I and Paper-II.
Category | Paper | Subject | Duration | Max Marks |
All Categories (Civil/Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics & Telecom) | Paper-I | General Studies and Engineering Aptitude (Common) | 2 hours | 200 |
Civil Engineering | Paper-II | Civil Engineering | 3 hours | 300 |
Mechanical Engineering | Paper-II | Mechanical Engineering | 3 hours | 300 |
Electrical Engineering | Paper-II | Electrical Engineering | 3 hours | 300 |
| Paper-II | Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering | 3 hours | 300 |
Total | – | – | 5 hours | 500 |
Stage II: Main Examination (Conventional Type)
Purpose: In-depth assessment. Answers in essay/descriptive format.
Format: Two papers (candidates write in their own hand; no scribe unless PwBD-eligible).
Total Marks: 600
Duration: 3 hours per paper (6 hours total).
Venue: Limited centres
Category | Paper | Subject | Duration | Max Marks |
Civil Engineering | Paper-I | Civil Engineering | 3 hours | 300 |
Paper-II | Civil Engineering | 3 hours | 300 | |
Mechanical Engineering | Paper-I | Mechanical Engineering | 3 hours | 300 |
Paper-II | Mechanical Engineering | 3 hours | 300 | |
Electrical Engineering | Paper-I | Electrical Engineering | 3 hours | 300 |
Paper-II | Electrical Engineering | 3 hours | 300 | |
Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering | Paper-I | Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering | 3 hours | 300 |
Paper-II | Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering | 3 hours | 300 | |
Total | 6 hours | 600 |
Stage-III: Personality Test (Interview)
Marks: 200 (no minimum qualifying marks).
Purpose: Assess leadership, initiative, intellectual curiosity, tact, social qualities, mental/physical energy, practical application, and integrity.
Shortlisting: About twice the vacancies, based on Prelims + Mains marks.
Format: Oral interview by UPSC board. No fixed duration, but typically 20-30 minutes.
Final Merit: Based on total marks (Prelims + Mains + Interview). Allocation to services/posts (e.g., IRMS, Central Engineering Service) per rank, preferences, and vacancies.
Important Points
Language: Question papers are in English only. Answers for conventional papers must be in English.
Negative Marking (Prelims only): 1/3rd of the marks deducted for each wrong answer. No penalty for unanswered questions. Multiple answers are treated as wrong.
Qualifying Criteria: Minimum marks fixed by UPSC for each stage. Prelims marks count towards the final merit.
Number of Candidates: About 6-7 times the vacancies (474) qualify for Mains. For the Interview, about twice the vacancies.
Scribe & Compensatory Time for PwBD: Allowed under specific conditions (e.g., 20 minutes extra per hour for Low Vision or other eligible disabilities; see Official Notification in Appendix IV to VI).
Handwriting & Presentation: Up to 5% deduction in Mains for illegible handwriting. Credit for orderly, effective expression with economy of words.
Calculators: Permitted only for Mains (battery-operated, non-programmable). Not allowed in Prelims.
SI Units: Used where required; standard tables/charts provided in exam hall.
Irrelevant Content: Penalty if answer scripts contain marks/signs revealing identity.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Candidates willing to apply for Indian Engineering Services (IES) Examination are required to fulfil certain conditions to be eligible for it. The candidate who does not satisfy the Eligibility criteria like Age, Minimum educational qualification etc., their candidature shall be rejected by the authorities. The criteria for eligibility Indian Engineering Services (IES) are decided by the conduction body itself. The candidate’s eligibility for Indian Engineering Services (IES) Examination is based on the fulfilment of the following conditions:-
1. Nationality
2. Age Limit & Relaxations
3. Educational Qualifications
4. Medical Examination
5. Physical Standards
Nationality
A candidate must be either:-
1. a citizen of India; or
2. a subject of Nepal; or
3. a subject of Bhutan; or
4. a Tibetan refugee who came over to India, before the 1st January 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India; or
5. a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (2), (3), (4) & (5) above shall be a person in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issues by the Government of India.
Note :- A candidate in whose case a certificate of eligibility is necessary, may be admitted to the examination, but the offer of appointment may be given only after the necessary eligibility certificate has been issued to him/her by the Government of India.
Age limit (as on 01 January 2026)
1. A candidate for this examination must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 30 years .
2. The upper age limit of 30 Years will be relaxable upto 35 years in the case of Government servants of the following categories, if they are employed in a Department/ Office under the control of any of the authorities mentioned in the Column 1 below and apply for admission to the examination for all or any of the Service(s)/ Post(s) mentioned in the Column 2, for which they are otherwise eligible.
3. A candidate who holds substantively a permanent post in the particular Department/ Office concerned. This relaxation will not be admissible to the probationer appointed against a permanent post in the Department/ Office during the period of his probation. However, this relaxation will admissible to the probationer so appointed provided he/she already retains a lien on a permanent post in Department/ Office under the control of any of the authorities mentioned in Column 1 below.
4. A candidate who has been continuously in a temporary service on a regular basis in the particular Department/ Office for at least 3 years on the Department/Office under the control of the authorities mentioned in the below table:
Column 1 | Column 2 |
Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) | I.R.S.E/I.R.S.M.E/I.R.S.E.E./I.R.S.S.E./I.R.S.S. |
Central Public Works Department | C.E.S. Group ‘A’, CE&MES Gr ‘A’ |
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways | Central Engineering Service (Roads) Gr. ‘A’ |
Ministry of Communication, Deptt. of Telecommunication | Indian Radio Regulatory Service Group ‘A’ Indian Telecommunication Service Group ‘A’, J.T.O. (G.C.S. Gr. ‘B’) |
Min of Defence, Deptt. of Defence Production, Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance | Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service (DAQAS)Gr ‘A’ |
Min of Science and Technology, Deptt. of Science and Technology | Survey of India Gr ‘A’ Service |
Geological Survey of India | Assistant Executive Engineer Gr ‘A’ |
Border Roads Organisation | BRES Gr. ‘A’ |
Indian Navy | Indian Naval Armament Service, Asstt. Naval Store Officer Grade-I |
Military Engineer Services | Indian Defence Service of Engineers (lDSE) Group ‘A’ AEE(QS&C) in Military Engineer Service (MES) Surveyor Cadre |
Min of Jal Shakti, Deptt. of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Central Water Commission | Central Water Engineering Group-A Service |
Central Electricity Authority | CPES Gr ‘A’ & CPES Gr ‘B’. |
Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship | Indian Skill Development Service |
Relaxation in upper age limit
Category | Years |
Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe | 5 Years |
Other Backward Classes | 3 Years |
Candidate who has ordinarily been domiciled in the State of Jammu & Kashmir during the period from January 1, 1980, to December 31, 1989 | 5 Years |
Defence Services Personnel disabled in operations during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area, and released as a consequence thereof. | Maximum of 3 years |
Ex-servicemen, including Commissioned Officers and ECOs/ SSCOs who have rendered at least five years Military Service as on August 1 | Maximum of 5 years |
(a) blindness & low vision, | Maximum of 10 years |
Educational Qualification
For admission to the examination, a candidate must have –
1. Educational Institutions established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as Universities under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956
OR
2. Passed Sections A and B of the Institution Examinations of the Institution of Engineers (India)
OR
3. Obtained a degree/diploma in Engineering from such foreign University/ College/ Institution and under such conditions as may be recognised by the Government for the purpose from time to time
OR
4. Passed Graduate Membership Examination of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (India)
OR
5. Passed Associate Membership Examination Parts II and III/ Sections A and B of the Aeronautical Society of India.
OR
6. Passed Graduate Membership Examination of the Institution of Electronics and Radio Engineers, London held after November 1959
Provided that a candidate for the post of Indian Naval Armament Services (Electronics Engineering Posts) and Indian Radio Regulatory Services Group ‘A’ may possess any of the above qualifications or qualifications mentioned below namely:-
For Indian Naval Armament Services (Electronics Engg. Posts)
M.Sc. degree or its equivalent with Wireless Communication Electronics, Radio Physics or Radio Engineering as special subject.
For Indian Radio Regulatory Service Group ‘A’
M.Sc. degree or its equivalent with Wireless Communication Electronics, Radio Physics or Radio Engineering as a subject or Master’s Degree in Science with Physics and Radio Communication or Electronics or Telecommunication as a special subject.
INDIAN ENGINEERING SERVICES (IES) MEDICAL EXAMINATION
Candidates finally recommended by the Commission on the basis of Engineering Services Examination, shall be required to undergo medical examination.
1. Every candidate, on being finally recommended by Commission will be required to undergo medical examination as and when so decided by the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) irrespective of the fact that he/she has appeared for such medical examination in the past and found fit/unfit on the basis of earlier examination.
2. The medical examination will be conducted at various Railway Hospitals under Ministry of Railways (Railway Board). The findings of the Railways Medical Board will be taken as final and binding for all allotment purposes.
UPSC INDIAN ENGINEERING SERVICES (IES) PHYSICAL STANDARDS
The Minimum standards, without which candidate cannot be accepted are as follows :-
For Height and Chest
Name of Services | Height | Chest girth fully expanded | Expansion |
Railway Engineering Service (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Signal), Central Engineering Service Group A, CES (Roads), Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Service Group A in the C.P.W.D. Military Engineer services (IDSE) CWES, BRES. Gr. ‘A’ in Border Roads Organisation. | |||
For Male Candidates | 152 cm | 84 cm | 5 cm |
For Female Candidates | 150 cm | 79 cm | 5 cm |
For distant and near vision with or without glasses
Service | Distant Vision | Near Vision | ||
Better Eye | Worse Eye | Better Eye | Worse Eye | |
A. Technical | ||||
Railway Engineering Service | 6/6 or 6/9 | 6/12 or 6/9 | J/ I | J/ II |
Central Engineering Service Group A, Central Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Service Group A Central Water Engineering Service GroupA, Central Power Engineering Service Group A and Group ‘B’ Central Engineering Service (Roads), Group A Engineer Gr. ‘A’ in the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing/ Monitoring Organisation Indian Telecommunication Service Gr. ‘A’, J.T.O Gr. B Assistant Executive Engineer, in P&T Building works (Gr. ‘A’) Service Indian Naval Armament Service. Indian Naval Stores Officer Indian Ordnance Factories Service Group A. | 6/6 or 6/9 | 6/12 or 6/9 | J/ I | J/ II |
Assistant Executive Engineer (Group ‘A’) in theCorps of EME or or Military Engineer Service Group ‘A’. (IDSE), BRES Gr. ‘A’ in Border Roads Organisation | 6/6 or 6/9 | 6/18 or 6/9 | J/ I | J/ II |
B. Non-Technical | ||||
Indian Railway Stores Service, Indian Supply Service. Group ‘A’ | 6/9 | 6/2 | J/ I | J/ II |
Note
1. In respect of the Technical Service mentioned at A above, the total amount of myopia (including the cylinder) shall not exceed—4,00 D. Total amount of Hypermetropia (including the cylinder) shall not exceed+400D.
2. In every case of myopia funds examination should be carried out and the results recorded. In the event of any pathological condition being present which is likely to be progressive and affect the efficiency of the candidate, he shall be declared unfit.
3. Radial Keratotomy/Laser Correction etc. shall be considered as a disqualification for appointment in Railway Technical Services (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Electronics). Permitted correction for conforming to prescribed visual standards is spectacles only.
For Colour perception
Grade | Higher Grade of colour perception | Lower Grade of colour perception |
Distance between the lamp and the candidate | 16 feet | 16 feet |
Size of aperture | 1.3 mm | 1.3 mm |
Time of exposure | 5 seconds | 5 seconds |
Note:- For the Railway Engineering Services (Civil, Electrical, Signal and Mechanical) and other service-connected with the safety of the public, a Higher grade of colour vision is essential but for others lower grade of colour, vision should be considered sufficient.
IMPORTANT DATES
For the UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE/IES) 2026, the notification was issued on 26 September 2025, and the application window remained open until 16 October 2025. The Preliminary examination was held on 8 February 2026, while the Main examination is scheduled for 21 June 2026.
Events | Date |
UPSC ESE Notification 2026 | 26 September 2025 |
Last Date to Apply Online | 16 October 2025 |
UPSC ESE Prelims Exam Date 2024 | 08 February 2026 |
UPSC ESE Mains Exam Date 2024 | 21 June 2026 |