The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the notification for the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2027. The examination will be conducted for recruitment to various Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ engineering services and posts under the Government of India.
According to the notification, approximately 480 vacancies are expected to be filled through ESE 2027, including 19 vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).
Candidates with the required engineering qualifications can apply online through the official UPSC online application portal. The online application process is scheduled from 16 September 2026 to 6 October 2026.
The ESE Preliminary Examination 2027 is scheduled to be held on 31 January 2027, while the Main Examination is scheduled for 18 June 2027.
UPSC ESE Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Organization Name | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination | Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2027 |
| Advt. No. | 02/2027-ENGG |
| Engineering Streams | Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecommunication |
| Total Vacancies | Approx. 480 Posts (19 PwBD Vacancies) |
| Qualification | B.Tech/B.E |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Important Dates
Start Date to Apply
16 September 2026
Last Date to Apply
06 October 2026
ESE Preliminary Examination
31 January 2027
ESE Main Examination
18 June 2027
Personality Test/Interview
To be announced
Candidates should complete the application before the prescribed deadline. The date for the Personality Test will be communicated to candidates who qualify for the Main Examination.
UPSC ESE 2027 Vacancy Details
UPSC has indicated approximately 480 vacancies for ESE 2027. The actual number of vacancies may change depending on requirements communicated by the concerned ministries and departments.
The vacancies cover various engineering services and posts in the following four disciplines:
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
PwBD Vacancy Details
A total of 19 vacancies are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), subject to the provisions mentioned in the official examination rules.
| PwBD Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Locomotor Disability (LD) | 11 |
| Low Vision (LV) | 1 |
| Specific Learning Disability & Multiple Disabilities (SLD & MD) | 1 |
| Other eligible PwBD categories | Included in total |
| Total | 19 |
The detailed distribution and functional requirements should be checked in the official ESE 2027 rules and annexures.
Engineering Services Covered Under ESE 2027
Successful candidates may be appointed to various Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ engineering services/posts under different Government of India ministries and departments.
These include services/posts such as:
- Central Engineering Service
- Central Engineering Service (Roads)
- Indian Railway Management Service
- Central Water Engineering Service
- Indian Telecommunication Service
- Indian Radio Regulatory Service
- Indian Naval Armament Service
- Indian Naval Material Management Service
- Indian Defence Service of Engineers
- Central Power Engineering Service
- Indian Skill Development Service
- Assistant Executive Engineer, Geological Survey of India
The complete list of services and posts is provided in the relevant annexure of the ESE 2027 rules.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
A candidate must satisfy the nationality conditions prescribed by UPSC. Generally, candidates must be:
- A citizen of India; or
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan; or
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India; or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India, subject to the prescribed conditions and certificate of eligibility where applicable.
Candidates should refer to the official notification for the complete nationality provisions.
Educational Qualification
Candidates generally need a degree in Engineering from a recognised institution/university or an equivalent qualification accepted under the ESE rules.
The notification provides for several recognised qualifications, including:
- Engineering degree from a recognised Indian university/institution.
- Sections A and B of the Institution Examinations of the Institution of Engineers (India), subject to the applicable conditions.
- Engineering degree/diploma from a recognised foreign university, college or institution.
- Graduate Membership Examination of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (India), subject to applicable restrictions.
- Associate Membership Examination Parts II and III/Sections A and B of the Aeronautical Society of India, subject to applicable restrictions.
- Graduate Membership Examination of the Institution of Electronics and Radio Engineers, London, subject to the conditions specified by UPSC.
For certain posts, including specified Electronics Engineering positions, an M.Sc. or equivalent qualification with the prescribed specialisation may also be accepted.
Important Qualification Restriction
Candidates holding qualifications from certain professional institutions should carefully read the eligibility provisions in the notification.
The ESE 2027 notification refers to relevant court judgments concerning qualifications from the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (India) and the Aeronautical Society of India obtained after the specified admission date.
The eligibility of certain Institution of Engineers (India) qualifications is also subject to the position stated in the notification.
Candidates should not rely solely on a general qualification list. Check the official ESE 2027 notification against your exact qualification and admission date before applying.
Can Final-Year Engineering Students Apply?
Candidates who have appeared, or intend to appear, for the qualifying examination may also be permitted to apply provisionally, subject to the conditions prescribed by UPSC.
Candidates who do not possess the required qualification at the time of application must meet the documentary requirements within the prescribed timeline. UPSC requires qualifying-document proof within the period specified in the notification after declaration of the Main Examination result.
UPSC ESE 2027 Age Limit (as on 1 January 2027)
A candidate must:
- Be at least 21 years old, and
- Not have attained 30 years of age
Therefore, candidates should generally have been born between: 2 January 1997 and 1 January 2006 subject to applicable age-relaxation provisions.
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | Up to 5 years |
| OBC | Up to 3 years |
| Eligible Defence Services Personnel | As prescribed |
| Ex-Servicemen/ECOs/SSCOs | As prescribed, generally up to 5 years |
| PwBD | Up to 10 years |
| Eligible Government Servants | Up to the prescribed upper age limit |
Additional/cumulative relaxation may apply in certain cases. Candidates should check the detailed conditions in the official notification before claiming relaxation.
UPSC ESE 2027 Application Fee
The application fee for ESE 2027 is ₹200.
Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempt from payment of the examination fee, subject to the conditions specified by UPSC.
OBC and EWS candidates are not automatically exempt from the application fee.
The fee can be paid through the payment methods permitted by UPSC, including:
- Net banking
- Visa/Master/RuPay credit or debit cards
- UPI
The examination fee, once paid, is generally not refundable or adjustable against another examination.
UPSC ESE 2027 Exam Pattern
The ESE selection process consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Personality Test
Stage I – Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination is an objective-type examination carrying 500 marks.
| Paper | Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies & Engineering Aptitude | 2 hours | 200 |
| Paper II | Engineering Discipline | 3 hours | 300 |
| Total | 5 hours | 500 |
Paper II is based on the engineering discipline selected by the candidate:
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
Candidates who qualify Stage I are eligible for the Main Examination according to the prescribed selection criteria.
Stage II – Main Examination
The Main Examination consists of two conventional-type engineering papers.
| Paper | Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Engineering Discipline | 3 hours | 300 |
| Paper II | Engineering Discipline | 3 hours | 300 |
| Total | 6 hours | 600 |
Both papers are based on the engineering discipline selected by the candidate.
The conventional papers are required to be answered in English, and the question papers are set in English.
Stage III – Personality Test
Candidates qualifying in the Main Examination are called for the Personality Test.
The Personality Test carries 200 marks.
There are no minimum qualifying marks prescribed for the Personality Test. UPSC evaluates various attributes such as leadership, initiative, intellectual curiosity, practical application, social qualities and integrity, as specified in the examination rules.
ESE 2027 Negative Marking
Negative marking applies to the objective-type papers in the Preliminary Examination.
For every incorrect answer, one-third (1/3) of the marks assigned to that question is deducted.
Important points:
- More than one answer marked for a question is treated as an incorrect answer.
- One-third negative marking applies to such answers.
- No penalty is imposed for a question left unanswered.
Candidates should therefore avoid making guesses without considering the negative-marking provision.
How Is the Final Merit List Prepared?
The marks obtained by candidates in the three stages are considered according to the rules prescribed for ESE.
The examination structure provides for a total of:
- Preliminary Examination: 500 marks
- Main Examination: 600 marks
- Personality Test: 200 marks
Total: 1,300 marks
Service allocation is made based on the applicable merit, vacancies, eligibility requirements and the service preferences submitted by candidates.
How to Apply for UPSC ESE 2027?
Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the official UPSC application portal.
Step 1: Visit the official UPSC online application portal.
Step 2: Complete account creation and Universal Registration, if not already completed.
Step 3: Complete the Common Application Form (CAF).
Step 4: Select the ESE 2027 examination-specific application module.
Step 5: Enter your personal, educational and other required details carefully.
Step 6: Select the examination centre and engineering discipline as applicable.
Step 7: Upload the required photograph, live photograph and scanned signature as instructed.
Step 8: Upload the required documents, including proof of date of birth and educational qualification where applicable.
Step 9: Pay the examination fee, if applicable.
Step 10: Review all information carefully and submit the application.
Step 11: Save/download the submitted application and retain the application details for future reference.
Documents to Keep Ready
Candidates should keep the required documents/details ready before starting the application, including:
- Matriculation/10th certificate for date of birth
- Engineering qualification documents
- Category certificate, where applicable
- PwBD certificate, where applicable
- Other certificates required for age or fee concessions
- Photograph and signature in the prescribed format
- Valid email address and mobile number
Candidates are advised to follow the document specifications given in the official application portal rather than relying on formats mentioned elsewhere.
Important Instructions for ESE 2027 Candidates
Candidates should keep the following points in mind:
- Meeting the eligibility requirements is the responsibility of the candidate.
- Admission to the examination at different stages remains provisional until UPSC verifies eligibility.
- Receiving an e-Admit Card does not by itself mean that the candidature has been finally accepted.
- Candidates should provide an active email address and mobile number.
- Keep the application number and other registration details safely.
- Candidates should carefully follow the instructions regarding marking and writing answers.
- Any prohibited or identifying material on an answer script may lead to penalties or non-evaluation.
- Candidates claiming reservation, age relaxation or other concessions must possess the required supporting documents.
- Candidates should carefully read the complete ESE 2027 examination notice and rules before submitting the application.
- Canvassing in connection with the examination can result in disqualification.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | View & Download |
| Official Website | www.upsc.gov.in |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The ESE 2027 notification was released on 16 September 2026.
UPSC has indicated approximately 480 vacancies, including 19 vacancies for PwBD candidates. The vacancy figure is subject to change.
The last date to submit the online application is 6 October 2026.
The Preliminary Examination is scheduled for 31 January 2027.
The prescribed application fee is ₹200. Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempt from payment, subject to the applicable conditions.
