UPSC ESE 2026 Notification released! Apply online for 474 Civil, Mechanical, Electrical & Electronics vacancies. Last date: 16 Oct 2025.
The UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026 Notification (No. 02/2026 ENGG.) was published by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on September 26, 2025. It is one of the most reputed and popular career opportunities for engineers in Group A and Group B central government services in India.
Let us go through the eligibility criteria, important dates, vacancies, exam pattern and application process for ESE 2026.
Table of Contents
🔹 Overview of UPSC ESE 2026
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Total Vacancies | Approximately 474 (including 26 for PwBD) |
| Notification Released | 26 September 2025 |
| Application Last Date | 16 October 2025 (6:00 PM) |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 8 February 2026 (Sunday) |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in / www.upsconline.nic.in |
💼 Number of Vacancies:-
This exam is anticipated to fill a total of 474 posts, including 26 vacancies for PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities). The classification of vacancies for each type of PwBD is as follows:
- Persons with Locomotor Disability (Leprosy cured, Dwarfism, Acid Attack victims, Muscular Dystrophy) – 15 posts
- Persons with Hard of Hearing – 7 posts
- Persons with Low Vision – 1 post
- Persons with Specific Learning Disability and Mental Disability – 3 posts
Please note that the number of posts is indicative and may be subject to change and modifications.
🏗️ Disciplines / Engineering Categories:-
Candidates can choose to apply for any one of the following four disciplines of engineering:
- Civil Engineering,
- Mechanical Engineering,
- Electrical Engineering,
- Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering,
each pertaining to different Group-A and Group-B services in various ministries and departments such as Railways, Defence, CPWD, CWC, BRO, etc.
⚙️ Major Participating Services (Examples):-
The following services/posts have primarily given preference to graduates:
- Central Engineering Service
- Indian Railway Management Service (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, S&T)
- Central Water Engineering (Group A)
- Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service
- Indian Skill Development Service
- AEE in Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
- Indian Telecommunications Service (Group A)
- Indian Radio Regulatory Service
- Junior Telecom Officer (Group B)
These positions are prestigious and offer good job security and decent career prospects and growth in various Central Government departments.
📅 Important Dates:-
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 26 September 2025 |
| Online Application Start | 26 September 2025 |
| Application Last Date | 16 October 2025 (6:00 PM) |
| Preliminary Exam | 8 February 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Last week of January 2026 |
| Main Exam | To be announced later |
🧾 Application Fee:-
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | INR 200 |
| Female / SC / ST / PwBD | Exempted (No fee) |
Mode of Payment:-
Online through Debit/Credit Card, UPI, Net Banking, or by cash in SBI Branch.
Fee once paid is non-refundable.
🧠 Educational Qualification:-
To meet the eligibility criteria for applying for UPSC ESE 2026, a candidate must have any one of the following qualifications:
- An engineering degree from a University or institution in India established by law.
- Passed Sections A & B of the Institution of Engineers (India).
- A degree/diploma which was granted by a foreign university which is recognised by the Government of India.
- Passed the Graduate Membership Examination of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (India).
- Passed the Associate Membership Examination (Parts II & III/Sections A & B) of the Aeronautical Society of India.
For Indian Radio Regulatory Service and Indian Naval Armament Service, a candidate with a M.Sc. in Wireless Communication, Electronics, or Radio Physics is eligible.
Note: As per a judgment of the Delhi High Court (WP 3239/2013), degrees obtained after having been admitted in technical societies after the date of 31 May 2013, may not be accepted.
👤 Age Limit (as on 1 January 2026):-
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
(Born between 2 January 1996 and 1 January 2005)
Age Relaxation:-
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- Ex-Servicemen / Defence Personnel: up to 5 years
- PwBD: up to 10 years
- Government Employees: up to 35 years (in specific departments)
🧩 Selection Process:-
The procedure for the selection process for the UPSC ESE 2026 requires three stages of examination:
Stage I – Preliminary Examination (Objective Type)
- Paper I: General Studies & Engineering Aptitude – 200 marks.
- Paper II – Engineering Discipline (Civil/Mechanical/Electrical/E&T) – 300 marks.
Stage II – Main Examination (Conventional Type)
- Paper I & II (Engineering Discipline)- 600 marks.
Stage III – Personality Test/Interview – 200 marks.
Total Marks: 1000
The merit of a candidate will be calculated on the basis of scores obtained in Stage II and Stage III.
📍 Examination Centres:-
The ESE (Prelims) 2026 will take place in several major Indian cities, namely:
Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bhopal, Lucknow, Patna, Jaipur, Guwahati, Dehradun, Chandigarh, Raipur, Ranchi, Vishakhapatnam, Trivandrum, Indore, and other cities.
Seats are allotted on a first-come-first-serve basis; therefore, candidates are encouraged to apply early.
📸 Photograph & Document Guidelines:-
- The photo must be new (taken within the last 10 days) from when you first start your application.
- The candidate’s face should cover just under ¾ of the photo.
- You must maintain the same appearance in the photo at each stage of the exam.
- Aadhaar Card is recommended for the verification and authentication process.
🧾 How to Apply for UPSC ESE 2026:-
- Go to https://upsconline.nic.in
- Register and create a universal registration number (URN).
- Fill out the common application form (CAF) and upload your documents.
- Pay the fee if needed.
- Fill out the final form and print a copy for your reference.
Please note: you cannot make any changes after submission.
🆘 UPSC ESE 2026 Helpline:-
The Commission has set up a dedicated Helpline – 011-24041001 (10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on working days)
for queries related to registration, document upload, or payment.
✅ Key Takeaways:-
- Total Vacancies: 474 (approx.)
- Eligibility: Engineering degree in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or E&T
- Age Limit: 21–30 years (as of 01.01.2026)
- Last Date: 16 October 2025
- Exam Date: 8 February 2026
- Application Mode: Online
🌟 Why Apply for ESE 2026?
- The Engineering Services Exam frequently is termed the “IAS of Engineers.”
- It provides great career stability, high pay, government benefits, and leadership roles in departments such as Railways, Defence, CPWD, and Telecommunication, that offer excellent career opportunities in India.
- If you are an ambitious engineer looking for a high-prestige government job, UPSC ESE 2026 is your opportunity.
🔗 Apply Now: https://upsconline.nic.in
Official Notification PDF: UPSC ESE 2026 Notification
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