Organisation: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Post Name: Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2025
Vacancies: 400 (approx.)
Job Location: Across India
Last Date to Apply: 24 January 2026
Pay Scale: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 (as per 7th CPC)
About the Organisation
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts various prestigious national-level examinations for recruitment to Group A and Group B posts in the Central Government. The Engineering Services Examination (ESE), also known as the Indian Engineering Services (IES) exam, is one of the most sought-after exams for engineering graduates aspiring to serve in India’s top technical services such as railways, defence, central engineering, and public works.
About the Examination
The UPSC ESE 2025 notification has been released for the recruitment of engineers in four major categories — Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering. Candidates who qualify this exam will be appointed to top engineering posts under various ministries and departments of the Government of India.
Services / Cadres Covered Under ESE
- Indian Railways Service of Engineers (IRSE)
- Central Engineering Service
- Indian Defence Service of Engineers
- Central Water Engineering Service
- Indian Ordnance Factories Service
- Border Roads Engineering Service
- Survey of India Service
(and other allied technical services)
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (B.E./B.Tech) from a recognized university or equivalent qualification.
- Candidates appearing in the final year of their engineering degree may also apply.
Age Limit (as on 1 January 2025):
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
- Age relaxation: 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, and as per government norms for other categories.
Nationality:
Candidates must be citizens of India or subjects of Nepal/Bhutan or Tibetan refugees who came to India before 1 January 1962.
Selection Process
The UPSC ESE 2025 selection process is conducted in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination (Objective Type) – 500 Marks
- Main Examination (Conventional Type) – 600 Marks
- Personality Test (Interview) – 200 Marks
The final merit list is prepared based on the total marks secured in all three stages.
Exam Pattern Overview
Stage 1: Preliminary Exam
- Paper I: General Studies and Engineering Aptitude (200 marks, 2 hours)
- Paper II: Discipline-specific (300 marks, 3 hours)
Stage 2: Mains Exam
- Paper I & II: Conventional (descriptive) papers on Engineering Discipline (300 marks each)
Stage 3: Personality Test
- Carried out for shortlisted candidates from the mains exam.
Application Fee
- General / OBC / EWS: ₹200
- SC / ST / PwBD / Women: Exempted
Payment can be made online or through SBI Bank challan.
How to Apply
- Visit the official UPSC website: https://www.upsc.gov.in
- Go to “Examinations” → “Active Examinations.”
- Click on “Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2025.”
- Read the official notification carefully before applying.
- Register on the UPSC OTR portal: https://upsconline.nic.in
- Fill in all required details, upload documents, and pay the fee.
- Submit the application form before 24 January 2026.
Why Apply for UPSC ESE?
The Engineering Services offer engineers a stable, prestigious, and impactful career serving in critical infrastructure sectors of the nation. Officers get opportunities for leadership, technical innovation, and policy development within the Government of India framework.
Important Dates
- Notification Release Date: 25 September 2025
- Application Last Date: 24 January 2026
- Preliminary Exam: 23 February 2026
- Main Exam: July 2026
Official Notification / Apply Online:
👉 https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Notif-ESE-2025-Eng-25092025.pdf
