The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the highly anticipated Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026. This is a massive opportunity for engineering graduates across India to secure prestigious Group A and B service roles, contributing directly to nation-building through key infrastructural and technical positions.

The application window for the UPSC ESE 2026 is officially open. Aspiring candidates must ensure they apply before the tight deadline to seize one of the 474 vacancies available across four major engineering disciplines.

Key Dates and Application Window

The UPSC Engineering Services 2026 Notification was issued on September 26, 2025. Candidates are advised to act swiftly, as the online application portal is active only for a limited time.

Event	Date
Online Application Start Date	September 26, 2025
Registration Last Date	October 16, 2025 (18:00 Hours / 06:00 PM)
Last Date for Fee Payment	October 16, 2025
Tentative Preliminary Exam Date	February 8, 2026
Tentative Mains Exam Date	August 10, 2026

UPSC ESE Exam 2026 Vacancy Overview

A total of 474 vacancies are available under the Engineering Services Examination 2026. This count includes 26 posts reserved for PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) candidates.

The recruitment is structured across four main categories of engineering, leading to diverse postings in services like the Central Engineering Service, Indian Railway Management Service, and Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service.

Engineering Categories and Associated Posts:

Category	Engineering Discipline	Select Associated Services/Posts
Category I	Civil Engineering	Central Engineering Service, AEE (Civil) in Border Roads Engineering Service, Indian Railway Management Service (Civil)
Category II	Mechanical Engineering	AEE in GSI Engineering Service Gr ‘A’, Indian Naval Material Management Service (Mechanical), Indian Railway Management Services (Mechanical)
Category III	Electrical Engineering	Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Service (Electrical), Central Power Engineering Service Gr ‘A’ (Electrical), Indian Railway Management Service (Electrical)
Category IV	Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering	Indian Radio Regulatory Service Gr ‘A’, Indian Telecommunications Service Gr ‘A’, Junior Telecom Officer Gr ‘B’, Indian Naval Material Management Service (Electronics and Telecom)

Eligibility Criteria and Age Limit

Educational Qualification

Candidates must hold a degree in engineering from a recognised university incorporated by an act of central/state legislature or other recognised institutions. Candidates who are appearing for their engineering degree are also eligible to apply.

Alternative qualifications are also accepted for certain candidates, including passing Sections A and B of the Institution of Engineers (India) exams or holding a degree/diploma from foreign institutions recognised by the government. Specific posts, such as those in the Indian Radio Regulatory Service, may require an M.Sc. or equivalent in subjects like wireless communication electronics or radio physics.

Age Limit (as on 01 January 2026)

Minimum Age: 21 Years.
Maximum Age: 30 Years.
Candidates must have been born not earlier than 2nd January 1996 and not later than 1st January 2005.
Age relaxation is applicable as per government rules.

Application Fee Structure

The application fee varies based on the candidate category:

General / OBC / EWS Candidates: ₹ 200/-.
SC / ST / PwBD / Female Candidates: ₹ 00/- (Nil).

The examination fee can be paid through SBI Cash Deposit, Net Banking, or Visa/MasterCard credit/debit card.

UPSC ESE 2026 Selection Process

The selection process is rigorous and comprises three distinct stages:

1. Stage I: Preliminary/Stage-I Examination (Objective Type Papers).

2. Stage II: Mains/Stage-II Examination (Conventional Type Papers/Descriptive).

3. Stage III: Personality Test (Interview/Personal Interview).

The Preliminary Examination includes Paper I (General Studies and Engineering Aptitude, 2 hours, 200 marks) and Paper II (Engineering Discipline, 3 hours, 300 marks). The Mains Examination consists of two conventional (descriptive) papers specific to the chosen engineering discipline, each worth 300 marks and 3 hours in duration.

How to Apply for UPSC ESE 2026

Eligible candidates must apply online through the UPSC Online Portal.

1. Candidates must first complete the One Time Registration (OTR) Platform.

2. Visit the official UPSC website.

3. Fill out the application form, upload all required relevant documents, and pay the fee online.

4. The final submission deadline is 16/10/2025 till 6:00 PM.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the last date to apply for UPSC ESE 2026? The last date to apply for the UPSC ESE 2026 is October 16, 2025 (18:00 Hours).

Q2. What is the age limit for UPSC ESE 2026? The age limit is 21 to 30 years as on January 1, 2026. Candidates must have been born between January 2, 1996, and January 1, 2005.

Q3. What educational qualifications are required? A Degree in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecommunication) from a recognised Indian university or equivalent is required. Candidates who are appearing for the degree may also apply.

Q4. What is the total number of vacancies for UPSC ESE 2026? There are 474 vacancies announced for the Engineering Services Examination 2026.

Q5. What is the selection process for the ESE 2026? The selection process involves three stages: Stage I (Preliminary/Objective Exam), Stage II (Mains/Conventional Exam), and Stage III (Personality Test/Interview).

Important Links

Link Description	Availability
UPSC Direct Apply Online Link	Click Here
UPSC Detailed Notification PDF (English)	Click Here / English
Download Exam Pattern/Syllabus	Click Here
Official UPSC Website	Click Here

#UPSC2026 #UPSEESE #EngineeringJobs #GovtJobs #EngineeringServices #CivilEngineering #MechanicalEngineering #ElectricalEngineering #ElectronicsEngineering #ApplyOnline

Also Read

RRB JE 2025

Army DG EME Group C Recruitment 2025

RRB NTPC Recruitment 2025

ITR Chandipur Recruitment 2025

BISAG-N Recruitment 2025

DRDO RCI Hyderabad Recruitment 2025

KRCL Recruitment 2025

SSC DPHCT 2025

SSC Delhi Police Driver 2025

HUDCO Recruitment 2025

BEL Trainee Engineer-I Recruitment 2025