UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026: Comprehensive Recruitment Details
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is scheduled to conduct the prestigious Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026, which serves as the primary recruitment channel for various Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ Government Job Vacancy posts for engineers. The official notification is referenced as Advertisement No. 02/2026-ENGG.
Key Examination and Application Information
The ESE 2026 is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 8, 2026, across numerous centers nationwide.
- Total Vacancies: An estimated 474 positions will be filled, including 26 posts reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).
- Application Period: Eligible candidates must submit their applications online between September 26, 2025, and October 16, 2025.
- Application Link: The application portal will be available on the UPSC recruitment website at [suspicious link removed]. It is important to note that applications cannot be withdrawn after submission.
- Application Fee: The fee is ₹200/-. However, Female, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates are fully exempted from this payment. Fees can be paid via cash deposit at any State Bank of India (SBI) branch, or by using SBI’s net banking facility, or any Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card.
Engineering Disciplines and Services
The examination covers four main engineering categories, leading to positions in various services under the Indian Engineering Service:
Category I: Civil Engineering
This category includes services such as the Central Engineering Service (Civil), Central Engineering Service (Roads), Survey of India Group ‘A’ Service, Central Water Engineering (Group ‘A’) Service, and the Indian Railway Management Service (Civil) and (Stores). Posts like Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) in the Border Road Engineering Service and MES Surveyor Cadre are also included.
Category II: Mechanical Engineering
Successful candidates may join the Indian Naval Material Management Service, Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Services/SSO-II, Corps of EME, Ministry of Defence (AEE Gr ‘A’), Indian Railway Management Service (Mechanical), and various grades within the Indian Enterprises Development Service (IEDS).
Category III: Electrical Engineering
Services covered are the Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Service (Electrical Engineering Posts), Central Power Engineering Service Gr ‘A’, Indian Naval Material Management Service, Indian Railway Management Service (Electrical), Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service/SSO-II (Electrical), and the IEDS (Electrical Trade).
Category IV: Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
This discipline recruits for the Indian Radio Regulatory Service Gr ‘A’, Indian Telecommunication Service Gr ‘A’, and the Junior Telecom Officer Gr ‘B’. Other opportunities exist in the Indian Naval Material Management Service, Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service/SSO-II, and the Indian Railway Management Service (Signal & Telecommunication).
Note: All four categories also recruit for the Indian Skill Development Service.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit (as of 01/01/2026)
Candidates must be at least 21 years old and not exceed 30 years of age. Age relaxation rules apply for SC/ST/OBC and other reserved categories as specified in the official notice.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a degree in Engineering or an equivalent qualification. Other accepted qualifications include:
- Passing Sections A and B of the Institution Examinations of the Institution of Engineers (India).
- Passing the Graduate Membership Examination of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (India).
- Passing Associate Membership Examination Parts II and III/Sections A and B of the Aeronautical Society of India.
- Passing the Graduate Membership Examination of the Institution of Electronics and Radio Engineers, London (held after November 1959).
Special Eligibility: For specific posts like Indian Naval Armament Service (Electronics Engineering Posts), and Engineer Group ‘A’ in Wireless Planning & Coordination Wing/ Monitoring Organisation, an M.Sc. Degree or its equivalent with special subjects such as Wireless Communication, Electronics, Radio Physics, or Radio Engineering is also accepted.
Selection and Physical Standards
Candidates who clear the written examination will be called for a Personality Test. All applicants must adhere to the stipulated Physical Standards outlined in the recruitment notice to be considered physically fit for the service.
Detailed Information
For a complete understanding of the examination details, including the syllabus, examination centers, and the application registration process, candidates are advised to visit the UPSC website: upsconline.nic.in (under the path: Examination View Examination Notices).
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