Engineering graduates looking for a central government engineering career can now register for the UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2027. The Union Public Service Commission has published the examination notification and opened the online application window for the new ESE cycle.
The recruitment covers engineering positions associated with four disciplines: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering. Around 480 vacancies are included in the present notification.
The registration facility became available on 16 September 2026. Applicants have until 6 October 2026 to submit their forms. The first examination stage is planned for 31 January 2027, while the Engineering Services Main Examination is scheduled for 18 June 2027.
At a Glance: ESE 2027
|
Recruitment Authority |
Union Public Service Commission |
|
Examination |
Engineering Services Examination 2027 |
|
Advertisement Number |
02/2027-ENGG. |
|
Approximate Vacancies |
480 |
|
Application Method |
Online |
|
Registration Period |
16 September 2026 to 6 October 2026 |
|
Preliminary Examination |
31 January 2027 |
|
Main Examination |
18 June 2027 |
|
Official Portal |
upsc.gov.in |
What the 2027 ESE Notification Means for Engineering Graduates
The Engineering Services Examination is one of UPSC's examinations for filling engineering-related positions in central government services. The examination is commonly referred to as the Indian Engineering Services (IES) Examination.
Instead of a single general engineering paper for every applicant, the technical component is linked to the discipline selected by the candidate. Therefore, an applicant's engineering qualification and chosen stream are important while completing the form.
The four disciplines participating in the 2027 examination are:
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Civil Engineering
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Mechanical Engineering
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Electrical Engineering
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Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
480 Vacancies Have Been Kept for the ESE 2027 Cycle
The notification provides for approximately 480 vacancies. This figure is not necessarily the final number because the Commission has indicated that vacancies can be revised depending on the requirements received from the concerned government departments and services.
The vacancy figure also includes 19 vacancies for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).
|
Recruitment Detail |
Current Information |
|---|---|
|
Total expected vacancies |
480 |
|
PwBD vacancies |
19 |
|
Engineering disciplines |
4 |
|
Broad service category |
Group A and Group B Engineering Services |
The vacancy count is approximate and can be modified by UPSC.
Mark These ESE 2027 Dates Before Starting Preparation
The application and examination schedule gives candidates a clear sequence for the upcoming recruitment cycle. The registration period starts in September 2026, while the two written examination stages are scheduled in January and June 2027.
|
Schedule Item |
Specified Date |
|---|---|
|
Notification issued |
16 September 2026 |
|
Application window opens |
16 September 2026 |
|
Application window closes |
6 October 2026 |
|
ESE Preliminary Examination |
31 January 2027 |
|
ESE Main Examination |
18 June 2027 |
Educational Qualification: Which Candidates Can Enter ESE 2027?
The basic academic requirement is an engineering qualification recognised under the conditions specified by UPSC. Candidates may qualify through the engineering degree route or through certain alternative qualifications specifically recognised in the examination rules.
The notification recognises the following qualification routes, subject to the detailed conditions:
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A degree in Engineering from a recognised university or institution.
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Successful completion of Sections A and B of the Institution Examinations of the Institution of Engineers (India).
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An engineering degree or diploma obtained from a recognised foreign university, college or institution under the applicable conditions.
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Graduate Membership Examination of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (India).
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Associate Membership Examination Parts II and III / Sections A and B of the Aeronautical Society of India.
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Graduate Membership Examination of the Institution of Electronics and Radio Engineers, London, conducted after November 1959.
Because the acceptable qualification can depend on the engineering discipline and service, applicants should match their qualification with the detailed conditions in the UPSC notification before selecting an examination category.
Age Rule Applicable to ESE 2027
The prescribed general age bracket for this examination is 21 to 30 years.
For the 2027 examination, the age is reckoned on 1 January 2027. A candidate must have been born between 2 January 1997 and 1 January 2006, both dates inclusive as specified by the notification.
Relaxation in the upper age limit is available to eligible categories according to the applicable Government of India rules.
Application Fee and Exemption
The examination fee for candidates required to pay it is Rs.200.
Female candidates, candidates belonging to SC or ST categories, and PwBD candidates do not have to pay the examination fee.
Applicants who are not exempt should complete the prescribed payment procedure during the online application process. The fee, once paid, is subject to the conditions stated by UPSC.
How the ESE 2027 Recruitment Is Conducted
The examination is divided into successive stages. Clearing an earlier stage is necessary before moving to the next applicable stage.
Stage 1 — Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination is the screening stage and contains two papers. One paper assesses General Studies and Engineering Aptitude, while the second paper is based on the candidate's selected engineering discipline.
Stage 2 — Main Examination
Candidates qualifying through the Preliminary Examination can appear in the discipline-specific Main Examination. The Main Examination contains two technical papers.
Stage 3 — Personality Test
Applicants who qualify the written examination stages are considered for the Personality Test in accordance with the UPSC rules.
ESE Preliminary Exam Pattern 2027
The first written stage contains 600 marks divided between two papers. The first paper covers General Studies and Engineering Aptitude, whereas the second paper tests technical knowledge from the selected engineering discipline.
|
Paper |
Subject Area |
Marks |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Paper I |
General Studies and Engineering Aptitude |
200 |
2 Hours |
|
Paper II |
Relevant Engineering Discipline |
300 |
3 Hours |
|
Total |
Preliminary Examination |
500 |
5 Hours |
Important: The examination scheme and marking provisions should be checked against the detailed UPSC notification before relying on the pattern for preparation.
ESE Main Examination Structure
The Main Examination concentrates on the candidate's selected engineering discipline. It contains two technical papers, carrying a combined total of 600 marks.
|
Paper |
Area |
Marks |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Paper I |
Engineering discipline selected by the candidate |
300 |
3 Hours |
|
Paper II |
Engineering discipline selected by the candidate |
300 |
3 Hours |
|
Total |
Technical papers |
600 |
6 Hours |
Exam Dates: Plan the Two Written Stages
UPSC has already placed both written stages on its examination calendar. The Preliminary Examination is scheduled for January, giving applicants a defined first target. The Main Examination follows in June for candidates who qualify for that stage.
31 January 2027: Engineering Services Preliminary Examination
18 June 2027: Engineering Services Main Examination
Online Application: What Applicants Need to Do
The ESE application is submitted through the UPSC online system. Rather than waiting until the final day, applicants should complete the registration and form submission after checking that their qualification, age and selected engineering discipline satisfy the notification.
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Visit the UPSC official website.
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Open the current online application section.
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Locate the Engineering Services Examination 2027.
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Complete the registration requirements.
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Provide the requested personal information.
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Enter educational qualification details carefully.
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Select the appropriate engineering discipline.
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Document Upload: Attach each certificate, photograph or other file required by the UPSC application portal in the prescribed format before moving ahead with the submission
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Complete the fee payment when applicable.
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Check every entered field before final submission.
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Submit the application within the permitted period.
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Keep the submitted application information for future use.
Before Submitting the ESE Application
A final review can help prevent avoidable errors in the application. In particular, applicants should cross-check the following:
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Name and personal information
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Date of birth
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Engineering qualification
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Selected engineering discipline
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Category information
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Uploaded documents
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Contact details
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Fee payment status, where applicable
Why the Engineering Discipline Matters
ESE is not a one-size-fits-all engineering examination. The technical papers are connected to the discipline chosen by the applicant. For this reason, candidates should not select a stream simply because it appears in the vacancy list.
The qualification held by the applicant should correspond with the discipline and service requirements described in the UPSC notification.
UPSC ESE 2027: Key Facts in One Place
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Recruitment Authority: The Engineering Services Examination 2027 is being organised under the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
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The 2027 cycle is identified as Engineering Services Examination 2027.
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The advertisement number is 02/2027-ENGG.
-
Approximately 480 vacancies have been notified.
-
The examination covers four engineering disciplines.
-
Online registration opened on 16 September 2026.
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The application deadline is 6 October 2026.
-
The Preliminary Examination is scheduled on 31 January 2027.
-
The Main Examination is scheduled on 18 June 2027.
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The general age range is 21 to 30 years, subject to applicable relaxations.
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The examination fee is Rs.200 for candidates who are not exempt.
Questions Candidates Commonly Ask
Has UPSC issued the ESE 2027 notification?
Yes. UPSC released the Engineering Services Examination 2027 notification on 16 September 2026.
How many ESE vacancies are available in 2027?
The current notification provides for approximately 480 vacancies. The number can be revised by the Commission.
What is the ESE 2027 application deadline?
Registration Deadline: Applicants must finish and submit their ESE 2027 applications by 6 October 2026 forms submitted after the closing date will not be considered.
When is the ESE Preliminary Examination?
The Engineering Services Preliminary Examination is scheduled for 31 January 2027.
When will the ESE Main Examination take place?
The Engineering Services Main Examination is scheduled for 18 June 2027.
Which branches are covered by ESE 2027?
The four disciplines are Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering.
What is the minimum and maximum age for ESE 2027?
The general age requirement is 21 to 30 years as on 1 January 2027, subject to the prescribed rules and relaxations.
How much is the ESE application fee?
The applicable examination fee is Rs.200. Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempt from payment.