What is ESE?
The Engineering Services Examination (ESE), commonly called IES, is conducted by UPSC for recruitment to engineering services/posts under the Government of India.
The examination is conducted in four engineering disciplines: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering. UPSC's 2026 examination archive confirms the ESE Preliminary Examination was notified on 26 September 2025 and held on 8 February 2026. citeturn0search2
Engineering Branches
Civil Engineering
Infrastructure, construction, structures, transportation, water resources and related engineering.
Mechanical Engineering
Thermodynamics, machines, manufacturing, industrial engineering and related areas.
Electrical Engineering
Circuits, machines, power systems, measurements, control and related areas.
Electronics & Telecommunication
Networks, signals, electronics, communication, control and related engineering areas.
Eligibility
| Requirement | General Information |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Engineering degree or other qualification accepted under the applicable ESE rules/notification. |
| Engineering Discipline | Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering, as applicable to the examination. |
| Age | The exact age limit and cut-off date are specified in the latest UPSC ESE notification. |
| Nationality | Nationality/citizenship conditions are specified in the applicable rules. |
| Medical Standards | Selected candidates must satisfy the prescribed medical and service-specific standards. |
Eligibility conditions can change. Always verify the latest UPSC notification and Engineering Services Examination Rules before applying.
ESE Exam Pattern
| Stage | Paper | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary | Paper I — General Studies & Engineering Aptitude | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Preliminary | Paper II — Engineering Discipline | 300 | 3 Hours |
| Preliminary Total | Paper I + Paper II | 500 | 5 Hours |
| Main | Engineering Discipline — Paper I | 300 | 3 Hours |
| Main | Engineering Discipline — Paper II | 300 | 3 Hours |
| Main Total | Two conventional engineering papers | 600 | 6 Hours |
| Personality Test | Interview / Personality Test | 200 | — |
The ESE selection process consists of Preliminary, Main and Personality Test stages. UPSC's 2026 result information confirms candidates qualifying the Main examination are called for Interview/Personality Test. citeturn0search1turn0search3
Paper I — General Studies & Engineering Aptitude
| Area | What to Study |
|---|---|
| Current Issues | Current developments related to engineering, technology, infrastructure and national/international issues. |
| Engineering Aptitude | Logical reasoning, analytical ability, engineering mathematics and basic engineering concepts. |
| Engineering Mathematics | Basic mathematical methods and applications relevant to engineering. |
| Design & Safety | Engineering design principles, safety and standards. |
| Energy & Environment | Energy, environmental issues, pollution and sustainable development. |
| Project Management | Planning, scheduling, cost, quality and project-management fundamentals. |
| Material Science | Engineering materials and their properties and applications. |
| ICT | Information and communication technology and its engineering applications. |
| Ethics & Values | Professional ethics, values and responsibilities in engineering. |
Civil Engineering — Main Subjects
| Subject | Important Areas |
|---|---|
| Engineering Mechanics | Statics, dynamics, force systems and equilibrium |
| Strength of Materials | Stress, strain, bending, torsion and columns |
| Structural Engineering | Concrete, steel, structural analysis and design |
| Fluid Mechanics | Fluid properties, flow, pipes, open channels and hydraulics |
| Hydrology & Water Resources | Hydrology, irrigation, dams and water-resource systems |
| Environmental Engineering | Water supply, wastewater, solid waste and pollution control |
| Geotechnical Engineering | Soil properties, foundations, bearing capacity and earth pressure |
| Transportation Engineering | Highways, traffic, railways, airports and transportation systems |
| Surveying | Levelling, traversing, surveying instruments and modern methods |
Mechanical Engineering — Main Subjects
| Subject | Important Areas |
|---|---|
| Engineering Mechanics | Statics, dynamics, friction and kinematics |
| Strength of Materials | Stress, strain, bending, torsion and failure |
| Theory of Machines | Mechanisms, gears, governors, vibrations and balancing |
| Thermodynamics | Laws, cycles, properties and thermodynamic processes |
| Heat Transfer | Conduction, convection, radiation and heat exchangers |
| Fluid Mechanics | Fluid flow, turbines, pumps and hydraulic machines |
| IC Engines | Engine cycles, combustion, performance and emissions |
| Manufacturing | Machining, casting, welding, forming and production systems |
| Industrial Engineering | Production planning, quality, operations research and management |
Electrical Engineering — Main Subjects
| Subject | Important Areas |
|---|---|
| Electrical Circuits | Network laws, theorems, AC/DC circuits and transients |
| Electrical Machines | Transformers, DC machines, induction machines and synchronous machines |
| Power Systems | Generation, transmission, distribution, faults and protection |
| Control Systems | Transfer functions, stability, time response and controllers |
| Measurements | Electrical measurements, instruments and measurement errors |
| Power Electronics | Converters, rectifiers, inverters and semiconductor devices |
| Analog & Digital Electronics | Diodes, amplifiers, logic circuits and digital systems |
| Signals & Systems | Continuous/discrete signals, transforms and system analysis |
Electronics & Telecommunication — Main Subjects
| Subject | Important Areas |
|---|---|
| Network Theory | Network analysis, theorems, transients and frequency response |
| Electronic Devices | Semiconductor devices, diodes, transistors and applications |
| Analog Electronics | Amplifiers, oscillators, feedback and operational amplifiers |
| Digital Electronics | Boolean algebra, combinational and sequential circuits |
| Signals & Systems | Signal analysis, transforms and linear systems |
| Communication Systems | Analog/digital communication, modulation, noise and information concepts |
| Control Systems | System modelling, stability and controllers |
| Microprocessors & Microcontrollers | Architecture, programming and interfacing basics |
Recommended Books — Common Paper
| Area | Suggested Material | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Aptitude | Standard ESE General Studies & Engineering Aptitude book + PYQs | Prelims Paper I practice |
| Engineering Mathematics | Standard engineering mathematics textbook + ESE PYQs | Concepts and numerical practice |
| Current Affairs | Reliable newspaper/current-affairs source + monthly notes | Current issues and revision |
| Previous Year Papers | Official UPSC ESE question papers | Pattern and practice |
Recommended Books — Branch Wise
| Branch | Books / Material |
|---|---|
| Civil | Standard textbooks for Strength of Materials, Fluid Mechanics, RCC, Steel, Geotechnical, Environmental and Transportation + ESE PYQs |
| Mechanical | Standard textbooks for Thermodynamics, SOM, TOM, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, IC Engines, Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering + ESE PYQs |
| Electrical | Standard textbooks for Circuits, Machines, Power Systems, Control, Measurements, Power Electronics and Electronics + ESE PYQs |
| Electronics & Telecommunication | Standard textbooks for Networks, Devices, Analog/Digital, Signals, Communication, Control and Microprocessors + ESE PYQs |
For ESE technical papers, use your core engineering textbooks and standard ESE reference books rather than relying on NCERT alone.
NCERT Books for ESE
| Area | NCERT Use | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Classes 11–12 for basic concepts | Useful |
| Mathematics | Classes 11–12 for foundational mathematics | Useful |
| Chemistry | Basic engineering/science foundation where relevant | Low to Useful |
| Technical Engineering Subjects | Use engineering degree-level textbooks and ESE-specific material | Very Important |
Important: Unlike school-level general exams, ESE is a specialised engineering examination. NCERT is only a foundation and cannot replace degree-level technical preparation.
Selection Process
Preliminary Exam
General Studies & Engineering Aptitude plus the chosen engineering discipline.
Main Exam
Two conventional papers in the selected engineering discipline.
Personality Test
Interview/personality assessment for candidates who qualify the written stages.
Document Verification
Original documents are checked as required by UPSC.
Medical
Applicable medical and service standards must be satisfied.
Final Selection
Selection is based on the applicable rules, merit, vacancies and eligibility.
Preparation Strategy
Build Core Concepts
Study every technical subject from standard engineering textbooks.
Solve PYQs
Analyse official ESE papers topic-wise and identify repeated concepts.
Numerical Practice
Practise calculations regularly and maintain an error notebook.
Mock Tests
Take full-length tests with the actual time limits and analyse mistakes.
GS & Current Affairs
Prepare engineering-related current issues, environment, technology and aptitude.
Mains Answer Writing
Practise clear, step-by-step conventional answers with diagrams wherever appropriate.
Documents Generally Required
- Matriculation/10th certificate for date-of-birth proof as prescribed
- Engineering degree/provisional degree and marksheets
- Valid photo identity details
- Category certificate, if applicable
- Other certificates/documents required by the latest UPSC instructions
Official UPSC Resources
Important Note
ESE eligibility, vacancies, age limits, engineering services/posts, syllabus details and other conditions can change between notifications. Always use the latest UPSC Engineering Services Examination notification and rules as the final authority. UPSC's 2026 ESE Main examination was held on 21 June 2026, and candidates qualifying the written Main stage were called for Personality Test/Interview. citeturn0search1turn0search3
ESE क्या है?
Engineering Services Examination (ESE), जिसे कई बार IES भी कहा जाता है, UPSC द्वारा आयोजित engineering examination है। इसके माध्यम से भारत सरकार की विभिन्न engineering services/posts के लिए भर्ती की जाती है।
ESE चार मुख्य engineering disciplines में होता है: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical और Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering। 2026 में ESE Preliminary परीक्षा 8 February 2026 को आयोजित हुई थी। citeturn0search2
Engineering Branches
Civil Engineering
Construction, structures, transportation, water resources और infrastructure से संबंधित engineering।
Mechanical Engineering
Thermodynamics, machines, manufacturing और industrial engineering।
Electrical Engineering
Circuits, machines, power systems, measurements और control systems।
Electronics & Telecommunication
Electronics, communication, signals, networks और control systems।
Eligibility
| Requirement | जानकारी |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Engineering degree या latest ESE rules में स्वीकार की गई qualification। |
| Engineering Discipline | Civil, Mechanical, Electrical या Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering, applicable discipline के अनुसार। |
| Age | Exact age limit और cut-off date latest UPSC notification में देखें। |
| Nationality | Nationality/citizenship conditions applicable rules में दी जाती हैं। |
| Medical | Prescribed medical और service-specific standards पूरे करने होते हैं। |
ESE Exam Pattern
| Stage | Paper | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | General Studies & Engineering Aptitude | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Prelims | Engineering Discipline | 300 | 3 Hours |
| Prelims Total | दोनों Papers | 500 | 5 Hours |
| Mains | Engineering Discipline Paper I | 300 | 3 Hours |
| Mains | Engineering Discipline Paper II | 300 | 3 Hours |
| Mains Total | दो Technical Papers | 600 | 6 Hours |
| Personality Test | Interview | 200 | — |
Subjects
| Area | क्या पढ़ें |
|---|---|
| General Studies & Engineering Aptitude | Current issues, engineering aptitude, mathematics, design/safety, energy/environment, project management, material science, ICT और ethics |
| Civil | SOM, Structural, Fluid, Hydrology, Environmental, Geotechnical, Transportation, Surveying आदि |
| Mechanical | SOM, Thermodynamics, TOM, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, IC Engines, Manufacturing आदि |
| Electrical | Circuits, Machines, Power Systems, Control, Measurements, Power Electronics आदि |
| Electronics & Telecommunication | Networks, Devices, Analog/Digital, Signals, Communication, Control, Microprocessors आदि |
Subject-wise Books
| Area | Books / Material |
|---|---|
| Common Paper | Standard ESE General Studies & Engineering Aptitude book + PYQs |
| Civil | Standard Civil Engineering textbooks + ESE reference material + PYQs |
| Mechanical | Standard Mechanical Engineering textbooks + ESE reference material + PYQs |
| Electrical | Standard Electrical Engineering textbooks + ESE reference material + PYQs |
| Electronics & Telecommunication | Standard Electronics/Telecommunication textbooks + ESE reference material + PYQs |
| Current Affairs | Reliable current-affairs source + monthly notes |
NCERT Books
| Area | NCERT | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Classes 11–12 | Useful |
| Mathematics | Classes 11–12 | Useful |
| Chemistry | Basic foundation where relevant | Low to Useful |
| Technical Subjects | Degree-level engineering textbooks are required | Very Important |
ESE technical preparation के लिए केवल NCERT पर्याप्त नहीं है। Core engineering subjects के degree-level concepts और standard textbooks जरूरी हैं।
Selection Process
Prelims
General Studies & Engineering Aptitude + Engineering Discipline।
Mains
Selected engineering discipline के दो conventional papers।
Interview
Personality Test/Interview।
Document Verification
Original documents की verification।
Medical
Applicable medical standards पूरा करना।
Final Selection
Rules, merit, vacancies और eligibility के अनुसार final selection।
Preparation Strategy
Core Concepts
हर technical subject को standard engineering textbooks से पढ़ें।
PYQs
Official ESE papers को topic-wise solve और analyse करें।
Numerical Practice
Calculation speed और accuracy बढ़ाने के लिए नियमित practice करें।
Mock Tests
Actual time limit के साथ full-length tests दें।
GS + Current Affairs
Technology, environment, engineering और national issues पढ़ें।
Mains Answer Writing
Step-by-step conventional answers और suitable diagrams की practice करें।
Official UPSC Resources
महत्वपूर्ण सूचना
ESE की age, vacancies, eligibility, services/posts और syllabus से संबंधित details notification के अनुसार बदल सकती हैं। Latest UPSC ESE notification और rules को final authority मानें।