Engineering Services Examination 2027: Eligibility, Exam Dates and How to Apply
Good news for engineering graduates! The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2027 notification for about 480 vacancies in Group A and Group B engineering services of the Central Government. These include Indian Railway Management Service, Central Engineering Service, Indian Telecommunications Service and many more. If you hold an engineering degree in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical or Electronics and Telecommunication, this is one of the most respected UPSC exams you can take, and it leads to a career of national importance.
The online form is open from 16 September 2026 to 6 October 2026 (6:00 PM). The Preliminary exam is on 31 January 2027 and the Main exam on 18 June 2027. Final-year students can also apply. In this article, we explain the vacancies, eligibility, age limit, fee, selection process and every rule that can cancel your candidature. Read it fully before you fill the form, and keep following GovtJobsAlert.in for every ESE 2027 update.
Key Highlights of UPSC ESE 2027 Notification
The Union Public Service Commission conducts ESE for engineering posts in Railways, Defence, Telecom, Water, Power and Roads. The ESE 2027 rules were notified by the Department of Telecommunications on 16 September 2026.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2027 |
| Notice No. | 02/2027-ENGG. |
| Total Vacancies | About 480 (including 19 for PwBD) |
| Disciplines | Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecommunication |
| Salary | Not specified in the notification |
| Job Location | All India |
| Application Window | 16 September 2026 to 6 October 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Application Mode | Online only |
How Many Vacancies are in UPSC ESE 2027?
The number of vacancies is approximate and liable to alteration. The notice does not give a discipline-wise or category-wise split. Reservation for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwBD candidates will be as fixed by the Government of India.
| Category (Discipline) | Services Included | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Category I: Civil Engineering | 10 Group A services | Not stated separately |
| Category II: Mechanical Engineering | 12 Group A/B services | Not stated separately |
| Category III: Electrical Engineering | 9 Group A/B services | Not stated separately |
| Category IV: Electronics & Telecommunication | 9 Group A/B services | Not stated separately |
| All categories | Total | About 480 |
The 19 PwBD vacancies are split as below.
| PwBD Sub-category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Locomotor Disability (incl. Leprosy cured, Dwarfism, Acid Attack victims, Muscular Dystrophy) | 11 |
| Hard of Hearing | 6 |
| Low Vision | 1 |
| SLD and MD | 1 |
You can apply for only ONE category (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical or E&T). Choose carefully, because you will be allotted services strictly by merit, your preferences and the vacancies, subject to medical fitness. PwBD candidates in the Blindness category are advised not to apply, as no vacancies are identified for them. Low Vision candidates should apply only for services they are eligible for as per Annexure-I of the Rules. The eligibility of transgender candidates for AEE (Civil) and AEE (E&M, Mechanical Engg. Posts) in Border Roads Engineering Service will be as per a Government decision in due course.
What is the Eligibility for UPSC ESE 2027?
Educational Qualification
| Route | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Main route | Degree in Engineering from a university established by an Act of Central or State Legislature, an institution established by Act of Parliament, or a deemed university |
| Institution of Engineers | Passed Sections A and B of the Institution Examinations of the Institution of Engineers (India) |
| Foreign degree | Degree or diploma in Engineering from a recognised foreign university, college or institution |
| IETE | Graduate Membership Examination of IETE (India) |
| Aeronautical Society | Associate Membership Examination Parts II and III / Sections A and B of the Aeronautical Society of India |
| IERE London | Graduate Membership Examination of the Institution of Electronics and Radio Engineers, London, held after November 1959 |
| Indian Naval Armament Service (Electronics Engg. Posts) | Also: M.Sc. or equivalent with Wireless Communication Electronics, Radio Physics or Radio Engineering as a special subject |
| Indian Radio Regulatory Service Gr A | Also: M.Sc. or equivalent with Wireless Communication Electronics, Radio Physics or Radio Engineering as a subject, or Master’s in Science with Physics and Radio Communication or Electronics or Telecommunication as a special subject |
Candidates admitted through the M.Sc. route will be considered only for those two posts. Their preference for other services will be ignored. For more such openings, see our list of engineering government jobs.
Degrees or certificates from IETE and the Aeronautical Society of India, where admission was taken after 31 May 2013, will not be admissible. For the Institution of Engineers (India) with admission after 31 May 2013, eligibility depends on a Government decision following the Delhi High Court case.
Final-year students can apply. Your admission will be provisional. If you qualify for the Personality Test, you must upload proof of passing within the 10-day window after the Main result, failing which you will not be allowed in the interview and your candidature is liable to be cancelled.
Age Limit
You must be 21 to 30 years old on 1 January 2027, that is, born not earlier than 2 January 1997 and not later than 1 January 2006.
| Category | Upper Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC (eligible for reservation) | 3 years |
| Defence personnel disabled in operations | 3 years |
| Ex-Servicemen incl. Commissioned Officers and ECOs/SSCOs (5 years service) | 5 years |
| ECOs/SSCOs with extended assignment (MoD certificate) | 5 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| Government servants in listed departments | Upper limit up to 35 years |
🎂 Not sure if you meet the age criteria? Use our free Age Calculator for Government Exams to find your exact age on the cut-off date and instantly check your eligibility — including any age relaxation you qualify for. →
| Government Servant Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Holds a permanent post substantively, or has at least 3 years of continuous regular temporary service on 1 January 2027 |
| Probationers | Not admissible, unless holding a lien on a permanent post |
| After submitting | Candidature under this concession shall be cancelled if you resign or are terminated after submitting the application; retrenchment does not affect it |
Save as provided, age limits can in no case be relaxed. Date of birth is taken only from the Matriculation or equivalent certificate, and no change is allowed later.
Nationality and Medical Fitness
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Citizen of India, subject of Nepal or Bhutan, Tibetan refugee settled before 1 January 1962, or person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia or Vietnam |
| Eligibility certificate | Needed for everyone except Indian citizens; the offer of appointment comes only after it is issued |
| Medical | Finally recommended candidates must pass the medical examination and meet the physical standards in Appendix-II of the Rules |
What is the Salary for UPSC ESE 2027?
The ESE 2027 notification does not specify the pay scale for the participating services, so we will not guess a figure for you. Check the rules of the service you prefer before filling your preferences.
What is the Selection Process for UPSC ESE 2027?
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Stage I: Preliminary Exam | Objective type, 500 marks. About 6 to 7 times the vacancies go to Mains. Marks count in final merit |
| Stage II: Main Exam | Conventional type, 600 marks |
| Stage III: Personality Test | 200 marks, no minimum qualifying marks. About twice the vacancies are called |
| Medical Examination | For finally recommended candidates |
| Paper | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Prelims Paper I: General Studies & Engineering Aptitude | 2 hours | 200 |
| Prelims Paper II: Engineering Discipline | 3 hours | 300 |
| Mains Paper I: Engineering Discipline | 3 hours | 300 |
| Mains Paper II: Engineering Discipline | 3 hours | 300 |
There is negative marking in objective papers: one-third of a question’s marks is deducted for each wrong answer, and multiple answers count as wrong. Blank questions carry no penalty. You need minimum qualifying marks in both Prelims papers. Question papers are in English only. Original documents are verified only after you qualify for the Personality Test. Since Prelims marks are added to your final merit, do not treat Stage I as just a screening test. Start early with the ESE syllabus and exam pattern guides.
How to Apply Online for UPSC ESE 2027?
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Visit the UPSC online application portal (link in Essential Links below) |
| 2 | Create your account and complete the Universal Registration Number (URN) profile with your photo ID details, or sign in if you already have a URN |
| 3 | Fill the Common Application Form, upload your photo, capture a live photo, and upload your signature signed three times in black ink |
| 4 | Fill the Examination Specific Module: choose your discipline and exam centre |
| 5 | Pay the fee online if you are not exempted |
| 6 | Submit, and keep your URN and Application Number safe |
Keep scanned copies of your age certificate, qualification certificate, and caste, EWS or PwBD certificate ready. You cannot withdraw or edit the application after submission. Centres are allotted on a first-apply-first-allot basis, and no request for a change of centre will be granted later, so apply early to get your preferred city.
A small tip from our side: the URN profile has only a one-time edit facility, and changes made there do not reach applications already submitted. So check your name, date of birth and photo ID details carefully before you lock the profile. Use an email ID you check daily, because UPSC may contact you by email at different stages.
What are the Important Dates for UPSC ESE 2027?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 16 September 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 16 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 6 October 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Preliminary Exam | 31 January 2027 |
| Main Exam | 18 June 2027 |
| e-Admit Card | Last working day of the week before the exam |
| Question Paper Representation | 3rd day of exam to 6:00 PM of 7th day |
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) and EWS certificates must be issued on or after 1 April 2026 and not later than 6 October 2026. You can download your call letter from our admit cards page when it is released.
What is the Application Fee for UPSC ESE 2027?
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹200 |
| Female (all categories) | Exempted |
| SC / ST | Exempted |
| PwBD | Exempted |
Pay through net banking, Visa/Master/RuPay credit or debit card, or UPI. Fee once paid shall not be refunded under any circumstances, and it cannot be kept in reserve for another exam. Forms without the fee, unless exemption is claimed, are summarily rejected.
Conditions That Can Cancel Your UPSC ESE 2027 Candidature
| Condition | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Missing documents | Failure to provide the required information or documents with the Common Application Form will entail cancellation |
| Eligibility | Admission is provisional at all stages; if you are found ineligible at any time, candidature will be cancelled |
| Incomplete form | Incomplete or defective applications are summarily rejected |
| Category change | A request to change from General to reserved, or between reserved categories, shall not be entertained. Reserved candidates who do not qualify on General standard cannot move to UR after the final result, else candidature shall be cancelled. PwBD sub-category cannot be changed |
| Employer permission | If your employer withholds permission, your application is liable to be rejected |
| Wrong centre or discipline | Papers are not valued and candidature is liable to cancellation |
| Banned devices | Mobile phones (even switched off), smart watches, AI glasses and Bluetooth devices lead to disciplinary action including a ban from future exams |
| Misconduct | Impersonation, fake documents or unfair means: liable to criminal prosecution; the candidate shall be disqualified and/or liable to be debarred permanently or for a specified period |
| Entry time | Entry closes 30 minutes before each session |
| Date of birth | Only the Matriculation or equivalent certificate counts; any variation found in your date of birth leads to disciplinary action |
| OMR errors | Mistakes in Roll Number or Test Booklet Series make the answer sheet liable for rejection |
| Representations | Accepted only online within the 5-day window, never after; the Commission shall not enter into any correspondence on them |
| Scribe | A false declaration about your scribe’s qualification means you forfeit your right to the post |
Government employees must also inform their Head of Office that they have applied.
UPSC ESE 2027 Essential Links
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Apply Online for UPSC ESE 2027
- Visit UPSC Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
If you have an engineering degree and are between 21 and 30, do not let this chance slip away. Pick your discipline, check your certificates, and submit the form well before 6 October 2026, 6:00 PM, because portals slow down on the last day. Keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in for more UPSC job updates, admit cards and results.