UPSC ESE 2027 – Key Examination Highlights
| Particulars |
Details |
| Exam Conducting Body |
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination Name |
Engineering Services Examination (ESE), 2027 |
| Notification Number |
02/2027-Engg (Dated: 16.09.2026) |
| Total Vacancies |
480 Posts (including 12 PwBD vacancies) |
| Disciplines Included |
Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecom Engineering |
| Cadre Classification |
Central Group 'A' and Group 'B' Services |
| Application Mode |
Online (through UPSC OTR Portal) |
| Registration Dates |
16th September 2026 to 6th October 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Preliminary Exam Date |
9th February 2027 |
| Official Website |
upsc.gov.in |
Discipline-Wise Engineering Categories
| Category Code |
Engineering Discipline |
Major Services Recruited |
| Category I |
Civil Engineering |
Central Engineering Service (Roads), Military Engineer Services (IDSE), Central Water Engineering Service, Border Roads Engineering Service (BRES) |
| Category II |
Mechanical Engineering |
Geological Survey of India Engineering Service, Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Service, Indian Naval Armament Service, Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service |
| Category III |
Electrical Engineering |
Central Power Engineering Service, Military Engineer Services, Indian Naval Material Management Service, Central Electrical Engineering Service |
| Category IV |
Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering |
Indian Radio Regulatory Service, Indian Telecommunication Service (ITS), Junior Telecom Officer (JTO), Defence Quality Assurance Service |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualifications:
- Candidates must have obtained a Degree in Engineering (B.E. / B.Tech) from a recognized University or approved technical institution in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering.
- Candidates who have passed Sections A and B of the Institution Examinations of the Institution of Engineers (India) are also eligible.
- Graduate Membership Examination of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (India).
- Associate Membership Examination Parts II and III/Sections A and B of the Aeronautical Society of India.
- Students appearing in their final semester/year engineering degree examinations are also provisionally eligible to apply for the preliminary stage.
Age Limit (as on 1st January 2027):
- Candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 30 years on 1st January 2027 (Born not earlier than 2nd January 1997 and not later than 1st January 2006).
Age Relaxation:
| Category |
Relaxation in Upper Age Limit |
| SC / ST |
5 Years (Up to 35 Years) |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) |
3 Years (Up to 33 Years) |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) |
10 Years (Up to 40 Years) |
| Ex-Servicemen (Defence Personnel) |
5 Years |
| Central Government Servants (Departmental) |
Up to 5 Years |
Application Fee & Payment Method
| Category |
Application Fee |
| Female Candidates (All Categories) |
NIL (Exempted) |
| SC / ST / PwBD Candidates |
NIL (Exempted) |
| All Other Candidates (General / OBC / EWS Male) |
Rs. 200/- |
Fee can be remitted online using Net Banking, UPI, Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Cards, or offline through cash payment at any State Bank of India (SBI) branch by generating a 'Pay-in-Slip'.
UPSC ESE 2027 Scheme of Selection
The recruitment selection process comprises three sequential stages:
- Stage-I: Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination (Objective Type - 500 Marks):
- Paper-I: General Studies and Engineering Aptitude (200 Marks, 2 Hours Duration).
- Paper-II: Specific Engineering Discipline Paper (300 Marks, 3 Hours Duration).
- Negative marking: One-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted for each incorrect answer.
- Stage-II: Engineering Services (Mains) Examination (Conventional Descriptive - 600 Marks):
- Two conventional papers of 300 marks each (3 Hours each) covering core discipline subjects.
- Stage-III: Personality Test / Personal Interview (200 Marks):
- Assessment of technical aptitude, leadership capabilities, decision-making, and intellectual integrity.
Important Dates
| Event |
Important Date |
| Release of Detailed Official Notification |
16th September 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date |
16th September 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Application Submission |
6th October 2026 (06:00 PM) |
| Application Form Correction Window |
7th October to 13th October 2026 |
| Engineering Services (Preliminary) Exam Date |
9th February 2027 |
| Preliminary Exam Admit Card Release |
3 Weeks prior to Examination |
Step-by-Step Application Procedure
- Navigate to the official UPSC One-Time Registration portal at
upsconline.nic.in.
- If you are a new applicant, complete your One-Time Registration (OTR) with basic profile details, active mobile number, and email ID.
- Log into the portal using your OTR credentials and locate the Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2027 listing.
- Fill out Part-I registration by providing your personal, academic, engineering stream, and communication details.
- Select your preferred examination centres for both Preliminary and Mains examinations.
- Upload clear scanned copies of your recent passport photograph and signature conforming to UPSC specifications.
- Pay the application fee of Rs. 200/- (if applicable) through online payment modes.
- Verify all filled-in details, agree to the declaration, and submit Part-II registration.
- Download and print a copy of the final application confirmation slip for your future reference.
Official Web Links
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – UPSC ESE 2027
What is the qualification required for UPSC ESE 2027?
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (B.E./B.Tech) in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering from a recognized university, or possess equivalent qualifications such as Sections A & B of AMIE.
What is the last date to apply for UPSC ESE 2027?
The online application window closes strictly on 6th October 2026 at 6:00 PM.
What is the age limit for UPSC Engineering Services Exam?
The applicant must be between 21 and 30 years of age as on 1st January 2027. Relaxations apply for SC, ST, OBC, and PwBD candidates.
When will the ESE 2027 Preliminary Examination be held?
The UPSC Engineering Services Preliminary Exam is scheduled to take place on 9th February 2027.
