The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the notification for the Engineering Services Examination (ESE), 2026. This is a prestigious opportunity for engineering graduates to join various Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ services/posts in the Central Government. The examination will be conducted in three stages to fill approximately 474 vacancies across four engineering disciplines.
Job Details
| Particulars | Details |
| Recruitment Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Employment Type | Permanent (Group A/B Services) |
| Job Title | Engineering Services Examination (ESE), 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 474 (approximately) |
| Application Start Date | September 26, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | October 16, 2025 (until 6:00 PM) |
| Job Location | Across India |
| Application Method | Online |
| Official Site | upsc.gov.in |
Advertisement No.
Examination Notice No. 02/2026 ENGG., Dated 26.09.2025
Post and Vacancy Details
The recruitment will be conducted for the following four engineering categories. The total number of vacancies is approximately 474, which includes 26 vacancies for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).
| Engineering Category | Services/Posts Included |
| Category I: Civil Engineering | Central Engineering Service, Central Engineering Service (Roads), Survey of India Group ‘A’ Service, AEE in Border Roads Engineering Service, AEE (QS&C) in MES Surveyor Cadre, Central Water Engineering Service, Indian Skill Development Service, Indian Railway Management Service (Civil/Stores). |
| Category II: Mechanical Engineering | AEE in GSI Engineering Service, Indian Naval Material Management Service, Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service, AEE in Border Roads Engineering Service, Indian Skill Development Service, Indian Railway Management Service (Mechanical/Stores), Indian Enterprises Development Service, AEE in Corps of EME. |
| Category III: Electrical Engineering | Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Service, Indian Naval Material Management Service, Central Power Engineering Service, Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service, Indian Skill Development Service, Indian Enterprises Development Service, Indian Railway Management Service (Electrical/Stores), AEE in Corps of EME. |
| Category IV: Electronics & Telecommunication Engg. | Indian Radio Regulatory Service, Indian Telecommunication Service, Indian Naval Material Management Service, Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service, Indian Skill Development Service, Junior Telecom Officer Gr ‘B’, Indian Enterprises Development Service, Indian Railway Management Service (Signal & Telecommunication/Stores), AEE in Corps of EME. |
Salary Details
The salary and pay scale for the selected candidates will be as per the norms for Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ posts in the Government of India.
Educational Qualification
A candidate must have :
- Obtained a Degree in Engineering from a recognized university or institution.
- Passed Sections A and B of the Institution Examinations of the Institution of Engineers (India).
- Obtained a degree/diploma in Engineering from a foreign university/college recognized by the Government.
- Passed the 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.
- Passed Graduate Membership Examination of the Institution of Electronics and Radio Engineers, London.
- For specific posts like Indian Naval Armament Service and Indian Radio Regulatory Service, an M.Sc. degree or its equivalent in relevant special subjects is also permissible.
Candidates who have appeared for their final exams or intend to appear are also eligible to apply, but they must produce proof of passing before the Personality Test.
Age Limit
- A candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 30 years on January 1, 2026.
- This means the candidate must have been born not earlier than January 2, 1996, and not later than January 1, 2005.
Age Relaxation:
- Up to 5 years for SC/ST candidates.
- Up to 3 years for OBC candidates.
- Up to 10 years for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).
- Relaxations are also available for Ex-servicemen and certain categories of Central Government employees as per the rules.
Selection Process
The examination will be conducted in three stages :
- Stage-I: Preliminary Examination: This stage consists of two objective-type papers for a total of 500 marks.
- Stage-II: Main Examination: This stage consists of two conventional-type papers in the specific engineering discipline for a total of 600 marks.
- Stage-III: Personality Test (Interview): This stage carries 200 marks.
The final ranking will be determined based on the marks obtained in all three stages.
How to Apply
- Candidates must apply online through the UPSC’s new application portal at
https://upsconline.nic.in. - It is mandatory to create an account and generate a Universal Registration Number (URN) on the portal. This is a one-time process.
- After creating the URN, fill out the Common Application Form (CAF) and then the examination-specific form.
- Upload required documents, including a recent photograph (not more than 10 days old from the start of the application process).
- Pay the application fee of Rs. 200/- online. Female/SC/ST/PwBD candidates are exempted from the fee.
- Submit the application before the closing date. No withdrawal of application is permitted.
Instructions
- Candidates must ensure they meet all eligibility conditions before applying.
- The use of mobile phones or any other electronic gadgets is strictly prohibited in the examination hall.
- There will be a penalty (negative marking) for wrong answers in the objective-type papers.
- Candidates must carefully choose their examination center and engineering discipline as changes are not permitted after submission.
- For any assistance during the application process, candidates can contact the helpline at 011-24041001 on working days.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Application Start Date | September 26, 2025 |
| Application End Date | October 16, 2025 (6:00 PM) |
| Preliminary Exam Date | February 8, 2026 |
Important Links
| Link | Details |
| Notification Link | Click Here |
| Application Link | Click Here |








