UPSC Engineering Services Mains Admit Card 2026

The UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE) is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit engineers for various Group 'A' services under the Government of India. The ESE Mains 2026 Admit Card is issued to candidates who have successfully cleared the ESE Prelims examination. This examination selects engineers for prestigious services including Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE), Indian Railway Stores Service (IRSS), Central Engineering Service (CES), Indian Defense Service of Engineers (IDSE), Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS), Indian Naval Armament Service (INAS), Indian Radio Regulatory Service (IRRS), Indian Supply Service (ISS), and other central government engineering posts. Successful candidates are appointed to key technical and administrative positions in infrastructure development, defense establishments, railways, telecommunications, and other strategic sectors across India.

Important Dates

Typical / Indicative figures based on recent UPSC ESE patterns:

Vacancy Distribution

Note: Exact vacancy numbers are announced in the official notification. Vacancies are distributed across Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering disciplines.

Educational Qualification

For Civil Engineering Posts

• Degree in Civil Engineering from a recognized university or institution
• Equivalent qualification recognized by UPSC

For Mechanical Engineering Posts

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering from a recognized university or institution
• Equivalent qualification recognized by UPSC

For Electrical Engineering Posts

• Degree in Electrical Engineering/Electrical & Electronics Engineering from a recognized university
• Equivalent qualification recognized by UPSC

For Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering Posts

• Degree in Electronics Engineering/Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering/Electronics & Communication Engineering from a recognized university
• Equivalent qualification recognized by UPSC

Age Limit

Age Relaxation

Nationality

A candidate must be either:

• A citizen of India, OR
• A subject of Nepal, OR
• A subject of Bhutan, OR
• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 with intention of permanent settlement, OR
• A person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam with intention of permanent settlement in India

How to Apply Online

1. Registration: Visit the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) and click on 'Online Application for Various Examinations of UPSC'
2. Part-I Registration: Fill in basic details (Name, Date of Birth, Email ID, Mobile Number) and submit to receive Registration ID
3. Part-II Application: Log in using Registration ID and complete the detailed application form with educational qualifications, category, choice of engineering discipline, and exam centre preferences
4. Upload Documents: Upload scanned photograph (3.5 cm × 4.5 cm), signature, and ID proof as per specified format (JPG format, size limits as mentioned)
5. Fee Payment: Pay application fee through online mode (SBI Net Banking/Credit Card/Debit Card) or offline mode (SBI Bank Challan)
6. Submit Application: Review all details carefully and submit the final application form
7. Print Confirmation: Take printout of the complete application form with payment details for future reference
8. Retain Registration ID: Save Registration ID and Password for downloading admit card and future correspondence

Application Fees

Fee once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances.

Selection Stages

1. Stage I - Engineering Services Preliminary Examination (Objective Type): Computer-based screening test comprising two papers - General Studies & Engineering Aptitude (Paper I) and Engineering Discipline specific paper (Paper II). This is a qualifying examination and marks are not counted for final merit.

1. Stage II - Engineering Services Main Examination (Conventional/Descriptive Type): Written examination consisting of two conventional type papers of 300 marks each, conducted offline. Only candidates who qualify Prelims are eligible to appear for Mains. Marks obtained in Mains are counted for final merit ranking.

1. Stage III - Personality Test (Interview): Candidates securing minimum qualifying marks in ESE Mains are called for interview/personality test of 200 marks conducted by UPSC board. The interview assesses candidate's personality, communication skills, technical knowledge, and suitability for engineering services.

1. Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates undergo detailed document verification where original certificates of educational qualifications, age proof, category certificates, and other relevant documents are verified.

1. Medical Examination: Finally selected candidates undergo comprehensive medical examination as per standards prescribed for respective services to ensure physical and medical fitness for engineering duties.

1. Final Merit List: Final selection is based on combined marks of ESE Mains (600 marks) and Personality Test (200 marks). Service allocation is done based on merit rank and candidate preferences.

ESE Preliminary Examination Pattern (Objective Type)

Negative Marking in Prelims: 1/3rd mark deducted for each wrong answer in both papers.

ESE Main Examination Pattern (Conventional/Descriptive Type)

Negative Marking in Mains: No negative marking in conventional/descriptive type papers.

Minimum Qualifying Marks: General category candidates must secure minimum 25% marks in each paper of Mains and 30% aggregate. SC/ST candidates require 16.67% in each paper and 20% aggregate.

General Studies & Engineering Aptitude (Paper I - Prelims)

Section A: General Studies

• Current events of national and international importance
• History of India and Indian National Movement
• Indian and World Geography - Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World
• Indian Polity and Governance - Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues
• Economic and Social Development - Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives
• General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change
• General Science

Section B: Engineering Aptitude

• Engineering Mathematics: Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential Equations, Complex Variables, Probability and Statistics
• Engineering Mechanics and Material Science
• Basic principles of Engineering Drawing

Civil Engineering (Paper II Prelims & Mains)

Structural Engineering

• Theory of Structures: Determinacy and Indeterminacy, Force method and Displacement method, Slope deflection, Moment distribution
• Concrete Structures: Working stress and Limit state design concepts, Design of beams, slabs, columns, footings
• Steel Structures: Working stress and Limit state design, Design of tension and compression members, beams, roof trusses, plate girders

Geotechnical Engineering

• Soil Mechanics: Origin, classification, index properties, permeability, seepage, compaction, consolidation, shear strength
• Foundation Engineering: Types of foundations, bearing capacity, settlement analysis, design of shallow and deep foundations

Water Resources Engineering

• Fluid Mechanics: Fluid properties, statics, kinematics, dynamics, dimensional analysis, flow through pipes, open channel flow
• Hydrology: Hydrologic cycle, precipitation, runoff, hydrograph analysis, floods, droughts, reservoir planning
• Irrigation: Water requirements, canal design, cross drainage structures, canal regulation

Environmental Engineering

• Water Supply Engineering: Quality standards, intake, treatment, distribution systems
• Wastewater Engineering: Characteristics, collection, treatment, disposal
• Solid Waste Management: Collection, disposal, processing methods
• Air Pollution: Sources, effects, control measures

Transportation Engineering

• Highway Engineering: Geometric design, pavement design, construction, maintenance, traffic engineering
• Railway Engineering: Track components, design, construction, maintenance

Surveying & Geomatics

• Principles of surveying, leveling, theodolite surveying, tacheometry, triangulation
• Remote sensing and GIS applications

Construction Management

• Network analysis (CPM/PERT), cost optimization, resource leveling
• Contracts management, specifications, arbitration

Mechanical Engineering (Paper II Prelims & Mains)

Applied Mechanics

• Engineering Mechanics: Free body diagrams, equilibrium, friction, kinematics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies
• Mechanics of Materials: Stress, strain, elastic constants, beams, torsion, springs, thin cylinders

Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer

• Laws of thermodynamics, thermodynamic systems, processes, air standard cycles, refrigeration, heat pumps
• Modes of heat transfer: Conduction, convection, radiation, heat exchangers, evaporation, condensation

Fluid Mechanics & Machines

• Properties, statics, kinematics, dynamics, Bernoulli's equation, laminar and turbulent flow
• Pumps, turbines, compressors, performance characteristics

Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering

• Metal Casting: Patterns, molds, melting, solidification, design of gating system
• Forming Processes: Rolling, forging, extrusion, drawing, sheet metal operations
• Machining: Turning, milling, drilling, grinding, tool life, economics
• Joining Processes: Welding, brazing, soldering, adhesive bonding
• Metrology and Inspection: Limits, fits, tolerances, measuring instruments
• Manufacturing Planning: Process planning, production control, inventory control, quality management

Machine Design

• Design for static and dynamic loading, fatigue strength, factor of safety
• Design of machine elements: Shafts, keys, couplings, bearings, gears, springs, fasteners

Theory of Machines

• Mechanisms and machines, degree of freedom, velocity and acceleration analysis
• Cams, gears, gear trains, flywheels, governors, balancing

Material Science

• Structure and properties of materials, phase diagrams, heat treatment
• Ferrous and non-ferrous materials, ceramics, polymers, composites

Electrical Engineering (Paper II Prelims & Mains)

Electric Circuits & Networks

• Network elements, Kirchhoff's laws, mesh and nodal analysis, network theorems
• Natural response, transient response, steady state response, resonance, two-port networks

Electromagnetic Fields

• Electrostatics, magnetostatics, Maxwell's equations, wave propagation, transmission lines

Signals & Systems

• Signal analysis, Fourier series, Fourier transform, Laplace transform, Z-transform
• Linear time-invariant systems, discrete-time signals and systems

Electrical Machines

• DC Machines: Construction, characteristics, starting, speed control, efficiency
• Transformers: Construction, operation, equivalent circuit, regulation, efficiency, testing
• Induction Machines: Construction, operation, starting, speed control, efficiency
• Synchronous Machines: Construction, operation, regulation, parallel operation, power angle curve

Power Systems

• Power generation: Thermal, hydro, nuclear, renewable energy sources
• Transmission and Distribution: Line parameters, performance, HVAC, HVDC, compensation
• Protection: Faults analysis, overcurrent, differential, distance protection, circuit breakers
• Switchgear: Rating, types, selection, maintenance

Control Systems

• Mathematical modeling, transfer function, block diagrams, signal flow graphs
• Time domain and frequency domain analysis, stability analysis, root locus, Bode plot
• Compensators, state variable analysis

Power Electronics

• Power semiconductor devices: Diodes, transistors, thyristors, MOSFETs, IGBTs
• Rectifiers, inverters, choppers, cycloconverters, applications

Electrical & Electronic Measurements

• Measurement of voltage, current, power, energy, resistance, inductance, capacitance
• Instrument transformers, digital meters, oscilloscopes, signal generators

Analog & Digital Electronics

• Diode, BJT, MOSFET circuits, amplifiers, oscillators, operational amplifiers
• Number systems, Boolean algebra, combinational and sequential circuits, microprocessors

Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering (Paper II Prelims & Mains)

Networks, Signals & Systems

• Network analysis, network theorems, transient response, steady state response
• Continuous and discrete time signals, Fourier series, Fourier transform, Laplace transform, Z-transform
• LTI systems, sampling theorem, signal transmission through LTI systems

Electronic Devices & Circuits

• Semiconductor physics, PN junction diode, Zener diode, BJT, MOSFET, characteristics and applications
• Amplifiers: Small signal equivalent circuits, frequency response, feedback amplifiers
• Oscillators: Barkhausen criterion, types of oscillators
• Operational Amplifiers: Characteristics, applications
• Power Electronics: SCR, TRIAC, commutation, applications

Analog Circuits

• Diode circuits, clipping, clamping, rectifiers
• Amplifiers: BJT and MOSFET amplifiers, differential amplifiers, power amplifiers
• Frequency response, filters, oscillators, voltage regulators

Digital Electronics

• Number systems, Boolean algebra, logic gates, combinational circuits
• Sequential circuits: Flip-flops, registers, counters
• A/D and D/A converters, semiconductor memories

Control Systems

• Block diagram representation, signal flow graphs, transfer function
• Time domain and frequency domain analysis, Routh-Hurwitz criterion, Nyquist plot, Bode plot
• Root locus technique, lag, lead and lag-lead compensators

Communication Systems

• Amplitude Modulation, Frequency Modulation, Phase Modulation
• Pulse Code Modulation, Digital modulation techniques: ASK, FSK, PSK, QAM
• Information theory: Entropy, source coding, channel capacity, Shannon's theorem
• Error control coding: Block codes, Cyclic codes, Convolutional codes

Electromagnetics

• Maxwell's equations, wave propagation, transmission lines, Smith chart
• Waveguides, antennas: Types, radiation pattern, impedance, gain

Microwave Engineering

• Microwave tubes, microwave solid state devices, microwave measurements
• S-parameters, microwave components and circuits

Computer Engineering

• Microprocessors: Architecture, instruction set, programming, interfacing
• Microcontrollers: 8051 architecture, programming
• Data structures, algorithms, programming in C

Typical / Indicative salary structure for UPSC Engineering Services officers:

Salary Structure (7th Pay Commission)

Additional Benefits: Group 'A' officers receive government accommodation or HRA, medical facilities for self and dependents, Leave Travel Concession (LTC), pension benefits under National Pension Scheme (NPS), life insurance coverage, children education allowance, and various other service-specific allowances. Officers posted in difficult terrains or special duty areas receive additional allowances ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹25,000 per month.

UPSC Engineering Services officers start at Level 10 (Junior Engineer/Assistant Executive Engineer) and progress through clearly defined promotional levels. Typical progression: Junior Engineer → Assistant Executive Engineer (4-5 years) → Executive Engineer/Level 11 (8-10 years) → Superintending Engineer/Level 12 (15-18 years) → Chief Engineer/Level 13 (22-25 years) → Higher Administrative Grade (HAG)/Level 14-15 for exceptional performers. Officers can reach Additional Secretary/Secretary level positions in central ministries through inter-cadre deputations, with final pay scales exceeding ₹2.5 lakh basic pay, making this among the most prestigious technical career paths in Indian government.

The ESE Mains 2026 Admit Card will be released approximately 3 weeks before the commencement of Main Examination on the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in). Candidates who have qualified the ESE Prelims examination will receive SMS and email notifications on their registered contact details. To download, candidates must log in to the UPSC portal using their Registration ID/Roll Number and Date of Birth, then download and print the admit card on A4 size paper. The admit card contains candidate's photograph, signature, exam centre address, reporting time, and important instructions that must be carried to the examination hall along with a valid photo ID proof.

ESE Mains 2026 results will be declared approximately 6-8 weeks after the completion of Main Examination through a press release and on the UPSC official website. The result will contain roll numbers of candidates who have secured minimum qualifying marks and are eligible for Personality Test (Interview). Detailed scorecards with paper-wise marks will be available for download from the candidate login portal. The final result after Personality Test, declaring the selected candidates with their All India Rank and service allocation, will be published 8-10 weeks after completion of interviews, typically in December 2026.

ESE Mains cutoff marks vary by category and engineering discipline, typically ranging from 150-200 marks out of 600 for General category, 130-170 for OBC, 100-140 for SC, and 90-130 for ST candidates in recent years. The cutoff depends on factors including paper difficulty level, number of vacancies, number of candidates appeared, and reservation policy. For the Personality Test stage, the qualifying marks are 30% aggregate for General/EWS (180/600) and 20% for SC/ST (120/600). The final merit cutoff for service allocation generally ranges from 450-550 out of 800 total marks (Mains + Interview) for premier services like IRSE and CES, while other services have cutoffs ranging from 380-480 marks depending on category and service preference.

ESE Mains 2026 Examination Centres

UPSC conducts ESE Mains examination at designated centres across major cities in India:

North: Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow, Allahabad, Dehradun, Jammu, Shimla

South: Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Mysuru

East: Kolkata, Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Bhagalpur

West: Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Nagpur, Surat, Indore, Vadodara, Panaji

Northeast: Guwahati, Shillong, Imphal, Agartala, Kohima, Aizawl, Itanagar, Dibrugarh

Central: Bhopal, Raipur, Jabalpur

Candidates can select three preferred exam centre choices during application. UPSC allocates centres based on availability and administrative convenience. The exact exam centre address and reporting time are mentioned on the admit card.