UPSC ESE 2026 Exam: Your Gateway to a Prestigious Engineering Career
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the much-awaited UPSC ESE 2026 Notification, opening the door for aspiring engineers to secure a prestigious Group ‘A’ post in various government departments. This is a remarkable opportunity for engineering graduates to build a stable and rewarding career serving the nation. The Engineering Services Examination (ESE) is renowned for its challenging selection process and the high repute of the posts offered. With approximately 474 vacancies across different engineering streams, this recruitment drive promises a handsome salary package under the Level 10 pay scale, along with numerous government allowances and benefits. The application window is open from September 26, 2025, to October 16, 2025. If you have the required engineering degree and the passion to excel, this is your moment to shine.
Key Highlights of the UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2026
- Post Names: Group ‘A’/’B’ Services/Posts in various engineering disciplines.
- Total Vacancies: Approximately 474
- Salary/Pay Scale: Level 10 of Pay Matrix (Details below)
- Job Location: All India
- Application Start Date: September 26, 2025
- Application Last Date: October 16, 2025 (till 6:00 PM)
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India’s premier central recruiting agency, responsible for conducting examinations for appointments to various civil services of the Government of India. The Engineering Services Examination (ESE) is one of its flagship exams, conducted annually to recruit engineers for technical and managerial functions in diverse government sectors like Railways, Central Public Works Department, Border Roads Organisation, and more.
UPSC ESE 2026 Vacancy Breakdown
The commission has announced a tentative number of 474 vacancies, which includes 26 vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). The posts are distributed among four major engineering categories.
| Engineering Category |
|---|
| Category I – Civil Engineering |
| Category II – Mechanical Engineering |
| Category III – Electrical Engineering |
| Category IV – Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering |
UPSC ESE 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, it is crucial to carefully review the eligibility criteria regarding educational qualifications and age limits to ensure your candidature is valid.
Educational Qualification
To be eligible for the UPSC ESE 2026, a candidate must possess one of the following qualifications:
- A Degree in Engineering from a University incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India.
- An educational qualification from an institution established by an Act of Parliament or declared to be a Deemed University.
- Passed Sections A and B of the Institution Examinations of the Institution of Engineers (India).
- A degree/diploma in Engineering from a foreign University/College recognized by the Government of India.
- Passed Graduate Membership Examination of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (India).
- Passed Associate Membership Examination Parts II and III/Sections A and B of the Aeronautical Society of India.
Note: Candidates who have appeared for their final year examination and are awaiting results are also eligible to apply. However, they must produce proof of passing before the Personality Test stage.
Age Limit (as of January 1, 2026)
- Minimum Age: 21 Years
- Maximum Age: 30 Years
- Candidates must have been born not earlier than January 2, 1996, and not later than January 1, 2005.
Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories as per government norms:
- SC/ST: Up to 5 years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): Up to 3 years
- Defence Services Personnel (Disabled in operations): Up to 3 years
- Ex-servicemen: Up to 5 years
- Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD): Up to 10 years
UPSC ESE Salary and Benefits (Group A Officer)
A career through the UPSC ESE is not just about prestige; it’s also financially rewarding. Selected candidates are appointed to Group ‘A’ posts, which fall under Level 10 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) Pay Matrix. The starting basic pay in this level is ₹56,100 per month. But this is just the beginning. The total in-hand salary is significantly higher due to various allowances. Let’s break down the attractive salary structure:
- Basic Pay: ₹56,100
- Dearness Allowance (DA): This is revised biannually and is currently around 50% of the basic pay, which amounts to ₹28,050.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): This varies based on the city of posting (X, Y, or Z class). It can be up to 30% of the basic pay for metro cities, which is ₹16,830.
- Transport Allowance (TA): This is provided to cover travel expenses between home and office.
Adding these up, the gross monthly salary for a newly appointed UPSC ESE officer can be over ₹1,00,000 per month. Other perks include medical facilities for self and dependents, Leave Travel Concession (LTC), Gratuity, and benefits under the National Pension System (NPS).
UPSC ESE 2026 Selection Process Explained
The selection process for the Engineering Services Examination is a rigorous three-stage process designed to test the technical knowledge and personality of the candidates.
Stage I: Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
This is the first stage of the examination. It consists of two objective-type papers with multiple-choice questions. There is a penalty for wrong answers (negative marking), where one-third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.
| Paper | Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Studies and Engineering Aptitude | 2 Hours | 200 |
| Paper-II | Engineering Discipline Specific | 3 Hours | 300 |
| Total | 500 |
Stage II: Main Examination (Conventional Type)
Candidates who qualify the Preliminary exam are eligible to appear for the Main examination. This stage consists of two conventional (descriptive) papers in the candidate’s chosen engineering discipline.
| Paper | Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | Engineering Discipline Specific | 3 Hours | 300 |
| Paper-II | Engineering Discipline Specific | 3 Hours | 300 |
| Total | 600 |
Stage III: Personality Test (Interview)
Candidates who clear the Main examination will be called for the Personality Test, which is essentially an interview. This stage carries 200 marks and assesses a candidate’s leadership qualities, intellectual curiosity, mental alertness, and integrity of character. The final merit list is prepared based on the combined marks of Stage-I, Stage-II, and Stage-III.
How to Apply Online: Step-by-Step Guide for UPSC ESE 2026
Follow these simple steps to successfully submit your application form. Before you begin, ensure you have the following ready:
- A valid Photo ID Card (Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN Card, etc.)
- Scanned photograph and signature (each file between 20 KB and 300 KB in .jpg format).
- Matriculation (10th) certificate for date of birth verification.
- Debit/Credit Card or Net Banking details for fee payment.
- Visit the official UPSC online application portal: upsconline.nic.in.
- You will need to complete a one-time registration (if not already done) to create an account and generate a Universal Registration Number (URN).
- Log in and fill out the Common Application Form (CAF) with your personal, educational, and contact details.
- Proceed to the Exam Specific Form for the Engineering Services Examination, 2026.
- Select your preferred examination center and the engineering discipline you are applying for.
- Upload your scanned photograph and signature as per the specified format.
- Proceed to the payment gateway to pay the application fee.
- Review your application carefully before final submission.
- Download and print a copy of the submitted application form for your records.
UPSC ESE 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Starts On | September 26, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | October 16, 2025 (6:00 PM) |
| Preliminary Examination Date | February 8, 2026 |
UPSC ESE Application Fees
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹ 200/- |
| Female/SC/ST/PwBD | Exempted |
Essential Links for ESE 2026
| To Access | Link |
|---|---|
| Download Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Apply Online | Apply Now |
| Visit Official Website | Visit Now |
| Join Whatsapp Channel for Job Alerts | Click Here |
| Join Telegram Channel for Job Alerts | Click Here |
The UPSC ESE 2026 is more than just a job; it’s a chance to be part of India’s growth story. With a clear understanding of the process and dedicated preparation, you can achieve this goal. We encourage you to read the official notification thoroughly and apply well before the last date. We wish you the very best on your journey to success!