UPSC ESE 2027: Engineering Services Examination Notification Released
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially issued the notification for the Engineering Services Examination 2027 (UPSC ESE 2027). The recruitment aims to fill approximately 480 vacancies across Group A and Group B engineering cadres in four primary disciplines: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering.
📌 Introduction to UPSC ESE 2027
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially published the recruitment notification for the Engineering Services Examination, 2027 under Advertisement Number 02/2027-ENGG. on 16 September 2026. Through this prestigious national competitive examination, UPSC invites online applications from eligible graduate engineers to fill approximately 480 vacancies across four premier engineering disciplines: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering.
Candidates can submit their online applications through the official UPSC portal between 16 September 2026 and 6 October 2026, with the application window closing strictly at 6:00 PM. According to the official UPSC Annual Calendar, the Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination 2027 will be conducted on 31 January 2027, followed by the Engineering Services (Main) Examination scheduled for 18 June 2027. Selection is carried out through a comprehensive three-tier evaluation system comprising Preliminary, Mains, and the Personality Test interview.
📢 UPSC ESE 2027 – Latest Official Status
Notification & Application Status: The online application registration has officially commenced on 16 September 2026 on the newly upgraded UPSC Online portal (upsconline.nic.in). Candidates must ensure they generate their Universal Registration Number (URN) or OTR profile before completing the Common Application Form (CAF).
Important Examination Schedule: The Stage-I Preliminary Examination is scheduled for 31 January 2027 in offline OMR mode across 42+ designated city centres. Candidates qualifying Prelims will appear in the conventional Stage-II Main Examination on 18 June 2027.
Update-Friendly Notice: This page will be updated sequentially throughout the 2027 examination cycle with direct links for application correction window, exam centre verification, Prelims admit cards, official answer keys, cut-off marks, Mains results, and Personality Test interview schedules.
⚡ UPSC ESE 2027: Quick Overview
| Particular | Official Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination Name | Engineering Services Examination, 2027 |
| Common Examination Name | UPSC ESE 2027 / UPSC IES 2027 |
| Advertisement Number | 02/2027-ENGG. |
| Notification Release Date | 16 September 2026 |
| Approximate Vacancies | Approximately 480 Posts (Liable to alteration) |
| Engineering Categories | Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecommunication |
| Application Mode | Online (upsconline.nic.in) |
| Application Start Date | 16 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 06 October 2026 (Strictly up to 6:00 PM) |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 31 January 2027 (Sunday) |
| Main Exam Date | 18 June 2027 |
| Official Websites | upsc.gov.in & upsconline.nic.in |
📊 UPSC ESE Vacancy 2027: Breakdown & Categories
According to the official notification, approximately 480 vacancies are expected to be filled through the Engineering Services Examination 2027. Candidates should note that this vacancy count is liable to alteration as per requirements communicated by various cadre-controlling central ministries and departments before final allocation.
Recruitment is categorized strictly under four distinct engineering branches:
Category I – Civil Engineering
Covers Central Engineering Service, CPWD, BRO, Water Resources, Border Roads, Defence Engineers, and Indian Railway Management Service.
Category II – Mechanical Engineering
Encompasses Border Roads, Central Water, Power Engineering, Naval Armament, Defence Services, and Indian Railway Management Service.
Category III – Electrical Engineering
Includes Central Power Engineering, CPWD Electrical, Naval Armament, Skill Development, and Indian Railway Management Service.
Category IV – Electronics & Telecommunication
Covers Indian Radio Regulatory Service, Indian Telecommunication Service (ITS), Naval Armament, Power Engineering, and Railways (S&T).
🏛️ UPSC ESE 2027 Services and Posts Allocation
Below are the official services and departments covered under each engineering discipline as notified by UPSC:
Category I – Civil Engineering Posts
| Service / Post Name | Cadre Group | Ministry / Department |
|---|---|---|
| Central Engineering Service (Civil) | Group A | Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (CPWD) |
| Central Engineering Service (Roads) Group A | Group A | Ministry of Road Transport & Highways |
| Survey of India Group A Service | Group A | Ministry of Science & Technology |
| AEE (Civil) in Border Roads Engineering Service | Group A | Ministry of Defence (Border Roads) |
| AEE (QS&C) in MES Surveyor Cadre | Group A | Military Engineer Services (MES), MoD |
| Central Water Engineering Service Group A | Group A | Ministry of Jal Shakti (Central Water Commission) |
| Indian Defence Service of Engineers (IDSE) | Group A | Ministry of Defence |
| Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS - Civil) | Group A | Ministry of Railways |
| Indian Railway Management Service (Stores) | Group A | Ministry of Railways |
| Indian Skill Development Service | Group A | Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship |
Category II – Mechanical Engineering Posts
| Service / Post Name | Cadre Group | Ministry / Department |
|---|---|---|
| AEE (Mechanical) in Border Roads Engineering Service | Group A | Ministry of Defence (Border Roads) |
| Central Water Engineering Service Group A | Group A | Ministry of Jal Shakti (CWC) |
| Central Power Engineering Service (Mechanical) | Group A / B | Ministry of Power (Central Electricity Authority) |
| Indian Defence Service of Engineers (IDSE - Mech) | Group A | Ministry of Defence |
| Indian Naval Armament Service (INAS - Mech) | Group A | Integrated HQ, Ministry of Defence (Navy) |
| Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Service | Group A | CPWD, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs |
| Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS - Mech) | Group A | Ministry of Railways |
| Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service (DAQAS) | Group A | Ministry of Defence |
Category III – Electrical Engineering Posts
| Service / Post Name | Cadre Group | Ministry / Department |
|---|---|---|
| Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Service | Group A | CPWD, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs |
| Central Power Engineering Service (Electrical) | Group A / B | Ministry of Power (Central Electricity Authority) |
| Indian Defence Service of Engineers (IDSE - Electrical) | Group A | Ministry of Defence |
| Indian Naval Armament Service (INAS - Electrical) | Group A | Integrated HQ, Ministry of Defence (Navy) |
| Indian Skill Development Service | Group A | Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship |
| Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS - Electrical) | Group A | Ministry of Railways |
| AEE in Corps of EME | Group A | Ministry of Defence |
Category IV – Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering Posts
| Service / Post Name | Cadre Group | Ministry / Department |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Radio Regulatory Service Group A | Group A | Ministry of Communications (WPC Wing) |
| Indian Telecommunication Service (ITS) Group A | Group A | Department of Telecommunications (DoT) |
| Indian Naval Armament Service (INAS - Electronics) | Group A | Integrated HQ, Ministry of Defence (Navy) |
| Central Power Engineering Service (Electronics) | Group A / B | Ministry of Power (CEA) |
| Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS - S&T) | Group A | Ministry of Railways |
| Junior Telecom Officer (JTO) / Assistant Director | Group B | Ministry of Communications |
♿ UPSC ESE 2027 PwBD Vacancy Reservation
According to the official notification, approximately 19 vacancies are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) across the identified participating services. Reservation is provided across designated disability sub-categories in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016:
- Locomotor Disability (LD): Including Leprosy Cured, Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victims, and Cerebral Palsy.
- Hearing Impairment (HI): Hard of Hearing (HH) candidates meeting functional classification requirements.
- Visual Impairment (VI): Low Vision (LV) candidates for specifically identified non-field cadre posts.
- Specific Learning Disability (SLD) & Multiple Disabilities: Permissible in identified central civil departments as per detailed service-wise functional schedules.
Note: Functional classification and physical requirements (S, ST, W, BN, SE, RW, H, C) differ from service to service. Candidates must refer to Appendix-I of the official notification for service-specific eligibility.
⚠️ Important Rule: Can a Candidate Apply for More Than One Engineering Category?
No. A candidate is permitted to apply for only ONE of the four engineering categories (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics & Telecommunication).
You must select the engineering category that strictly matches your qualifying degree or institutional membership qualification. Candidates submitting multiple applications for different categories risk rejection, and only the latest valid application registered with fee payment will be accepted by UPSC.
🎓 UPSC ESE Educational Qualification 2027
A candidate must have obtained a degree in Engineering from an institution recognized by the Government of India or the Parliament. The detailed qualifying credentials accepted by UPSC are:
🔬 Special Qualification Provisions (M.Sc. Candidates)
The UPSC notification provides special educational eligibility for certain specialized services:
For posts in the Indian Naval Armament Service (INAS) and Indian Radio Regulatory Service (IRRS), candidates holding an M.Sc. degree or equivalent with Wireless Communication, Electronics, Radio Physics, or Radio Engineering as special subjects are also eligible under Category IV (Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering).
*Note: This M.Sc. qualification provision is specific only to these designated cadres and does not confer generalized eligibility across all other ESE services.
⏳ Can Final-Year Engineering Students Apply for UPSC ESE 2027?
Yes! Candidates appearing in the final year / final semester of their qualifying engineering degree examination are provisionally eligible to apply for UPSC ESE 2027.
- Candidates must be otherwise eligible in terms of age, nationality, and discipline prerequisites.
- Such candidates are admitted to the Preliminary Examination provisionally.
- Mandatory Proof of Passing: All such appearing candidates who qualify in the Preliminary Examination must produce proof of having passed the requisite qualifying engineering examination along with their Detailed Application Form (DAF) for admission to the Main Examination.
- Failure to produce the passing certificate or marksheet by the prescribed DAF submission cut-off date will lead to immediate cancellation of candidature.
🎂 UPSC ESE Age Limit & Cut-Off Date 2027
| Requirement | Official Criteria |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 Years |
| Maximum Age | 30 Years |
| Crucial Cut-Off Date | 1 January 2027 |
| Permissible Date of Birth Range | Candidate must have been born not earlier than 2 January 1997 and not later than 1 January 2006. |
Category-Wise Upper Age Relaxation
| Candidate Category | Relaxation | Maximum Upper Age |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) | Up to 5 Years | 35 Years |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC Non-Creamy Layer) | Up to 3 Years | 33 Years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | Up to 10 Years | 40 Years |
| Central Government Servants (Regular / Substantive) | Up to 5 Years | 35 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen (Military Service rendered) | Up to 5 Years | As per MoD rules |
| ECOs / SSCOs who have completed initial 5-year assignment | Up to 5 Years | 35 Years |
| Defence Services Personnel disabled in operations | Up to 3 Years | 33 Years |
💳 UPSC ESE Application Fee 2027
| Candidate Category | Application Fee | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male Candidates) | ₹200/- | Non-refundable fee payable online or via SBI branch cash slip |
| Female Candidates (All Categories) | NIL (Exempted) | 100% Fee Concession |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) | NIL (Exempted) | 100% Fee Concession |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | NIL (Exempted) | 100% Fee Concession |
Payment Modes: Internet Banking of SBI or any authorized bank, Visa/MasterCard/RuPay Debit or Credit Card, UPI, or cash deposit through SBI 'Pay by Cash' challan generated before the prescribed cash closing deadline.
📝 How to Apply Online for UPSC ESE 2027 (New UPSC Online Workflow)
upsconline.nic.in. If you have not registered previously, complete the One Time Registration (OTR) module by entering your basic demographic data, email ID, and mobile number.
📷 UPSC Photo, Live Capture & Signature Guidelines 2027
Photograph / Live Capture Specifications
- Photograph should be clear, front-facing, and captured against a white or light-coloured plain background.
- The photograph must not be older than 10 days from the date of start of online application.
- Candidate's face should occupy at least 3/4th (75%) of the photograph space.
- The name of the candidate and date of photograph capture must be imprinted at the bottom.
- File size: 20 KB to 300 KB in JPG/JPEG format with minimum 350x350 pixel dimensions.
Signature & Photo ID Specifications
- Signature must be made in running hand in black ink on white paper.
- Capital letters signatures will be summarily rejected.
- File size: 20 KB to 300 KB in JPG/JPEG format with minimum 350x350 pixel dimensions.
- Photo ID Document (Aadhaar / Voter ID / PAN / Passport): PDF format, 20 KB to 300 KB.
📍 UPSC ESE Prelims Exam Centres & Capacity Ceiling
UPSC conducts the Preliminary Examination across 42+ designated city centres throughout India. Important "First-Apply-First-Allot" Principle: Admission to examination centres is granted strictly on a first-come-first-served basis. Each examination centre has a frozen maximum candidate ceiling (except Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata, and Nagpur where no ceiling applies). Once the candidate capacity of a particular centre is exhausted, it will be frozen on the portal, requiring later applicants to choose from alternative available centres. Candidates are strongly advised to apply early to secure their preferred exam centre.
🏆 UPSC ESE Selection Process 2027: 3-Stage Architecture
Preliminary Examination
Objective Type (MCQ) OMR test comprising Paper I (General Studies & Engg Aptitude - 200m) and Paper II (Discipline Paper - 300m). Negative marking of 1/3rd applies. Used for shortlisting candidates to Mains (approx 6 to 7 times the vacancies).
Main Examination
Conventional (Descriptive/Subjective) Written Examination comprising two discipline-specific technical papers (Paper I - 300m & Paper II - 300m, 3 hours each). Shortlists candidates for Personality Test (approx 2 times the vacancies).
Personality Test / Interview
Comprehensive oral assessment conducted at UPSC Dholpur House, New Delhi. Evaluates candidate's leadership abilities, technical depth, intellectual curiosity, integrity, and fitness for public service.
📐 UPSC ESE Exam Pattern 2027 (Prelims & Mains)
Stage-I: Preliminary Examination Pattern (Objective / 500 Marks)
| Paper | Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies and Engineering Aptitude (Common to all disciplines) | 2 Hours | 200 Marks |
| Paper II | Engineering Discipline Specific Paper (Civil / Mech / Elect / E&T) | 3 Hours | 300 Marks |
| Total Preliminary Stage | 5 Hours | 500 Marks | |
*Negative Marking: There is a penalty of one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question for every incorrect answer. Multiple marked bubbles are treated as an incorrect answer. No deduction for unanswered questions.
Stage-II: Main Examination Pattern (Conventional / 600 Marks)
| Paper | Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Engineering Discipline Paper-I (Conventional / Descriptive) | 3 Hours | 300 Marks |
| Paper II | Engineering Discipline Paper-II (Conventional / Descriptive) | 3 Hours | 300 Marks |
| Total Main Stage | 6 Hours | 600 Marks | |
*Medium: Conventional question papers must be answered in English only. Questions are set in English only.
🎖️ UPSC ESE Final Merit Calculation (Total 1300 Marks)
Unlike Civil Services Examination (CSE) where Prelims marks are purely screening/qualifying, in the Engineering Services Examination (ESE), Preliminary Examination marks are officially added to the Mains and Personality Test marks to calculate the final aggregate rank!
| Examination Stage | Evaluation Type | Contribution to Final Merit |
|---|---|---|
| Stage-I: Preliminary Examination | Objective (Paper I + Paper II) | 500 Marks |
| Stage-II: Main Examination | Conventional (Paper I + Paper II) | 600 Marks |
| Stage-III: Personality Test (Interview) | Personal Interview Board | 200 Marks |
| Grand Total Aggregate Merit | 1300 Marks | |
📚 UPSC ESE Syllabus 2027: Detailed Discipline Topics
Common Paper I: General Studies and Engineering Aptitude
The questions test knowledge of current developments and generalized engineering principles without requiring deep subject-specific specialization:
Civil Engineering Syllabus
Paper I: Building Materials, Solid Mechanics, Structural Analysis, Design of Steel Structures, Design of Concrete and Masonry Structures, Construction Practice, Planning and Management.
Paper II: Flow of Fluids, Hydraulic Machines and Hydro Power, Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geo-technical Engineering and Foundation Engineering, Surveying and Geology, Transportation Engineering.
Mechanical Engineering Syllabus
Paper I: Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Heat transfer, IC Engines, Refrigeration and Air conditioning, Turbo Machinery, Power Plant Engineering, Renewable Sources of Energy.
Paper II: Engineering Mechanics, Engineering Materials, Mechanisms and Machines, Design of Machine Elements, Manufacturing, Industrial and Maintenance Engineering, Mechatronics and Robotics.
Electrical Engineering Syllabus
Paper I: Engineering Mathematics, Electrical Materials, Electric Circuits and Fields, Electrical and Electronic Measurements, Computer Fundamentals, Basic Electronics Engineering.
Paper II: Analog and Digital Electronics, Systems and Signal Processing, Control Systems, Electrical Machines, Power Systems, Power Electronics and Drives.
Electronics & Telecom Syllabus
Paper I: Basic Electronics Engineering, Basic Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Electronic Measurements and Instrumentation, Network Theory, Analog and Digital Circuits.
Paper II: Analog and Digital Communication Systems, Control Systems, Computer Organization and Architecture, Electro Magnetics, Advanced Electronics Topics, Advanced Communication Topics.
💰 UPSC ESE Salary & Pay Scale (7th CPC Group A Services)
The examination notification does not provide a single unified salary figure because candidates are recruited to multiple distinct Group A and Group B central engineering services across varied ministries.
However, in general, Group A officers appointed through UPSC ESE (Assistant Executive Engineer / Assistant Director) are placed in Pay Level 10 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (7th CPC) matrix:
*Officers also receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA) or government leased accommodation, Transport Allowance, CGHS medical benefits, and official vehicle facilities where authorized.
🔄 Service Allocation and Cadre Preferences
Allocation of recommended candidates to the various services and posts is determined by the Government based on:
- The candidate's rank in the final aggregate merit list (out of 1300 marks).
- The order of preferences expressed for services/posts in the Detailed Application Form (DAF).
- The number of vacancies available in each service/cadre for their respective reservation category.
- Fulfillment of medical fitness standards prescribed for each specific service (e.g., technical eye standards, color vision, and physical requirements).
⚠️ Common Application Mistakes to Avoid in UPSC ESE 2027
🎫 UPSC ESE 2027 Admit Card & Result Status
Admit Card Release Date: The UPSC ESE 2027 Preliminary Examination e-Admit Card has not been released yet. UPSC typically releases the e-Admit Card approximately 3 weeks prior to the examination date (expected in the 1st/2nd week of January 2027). No paper admit card will be sent by post.
Result Declaration: UPSC will publish the Stage-I Preliminary Examination result as a PDF list of qualified roll numbers in February / March 2027. Qualified candidates will subsequently submit their Detailed Application Form (DAF) for the Stage-II Main Examination.