Overview
UPSC ESE (commonly called IES) recruits engineering graduates into Group A/B central engineering services across four disciplines — Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication. It mirrors the UPSC CSE's multi-stage structure but with a fully technical syllabus: an objective Preliminary stage, a descriptive-and-conventional Main examination in the candidate's own discipline, and a Personality Test. Because both stages test deep, discipline-specific engineering knowledge, ESE preparation overlaps heavily with core degree coursework and GATE-level conceptual clarity.
What's New in the 2026 Cycle
What changed in the 2026 cycle
- Four disciplines only — Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering — no other branches are currently covered.
- Prelims Paper I (General Studies & Engineering Aptitude) is common to all disciplines; Paper II is fully discipline-specific.
- Mains has two fully conventional/descriptive discipline-specific papers, distinct from the MCQ-based Prelims.
- Final merit combines Prelims, Mains and Interview marks — unlike CSE, Prelims marks do count toward the ESE final score.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | 21–30 years (as on 1 January of the exam year; relaxation per government norms) |
| Educational Qualification | Engineering degree in the relevant discipline from a recognised university/institute (or equivalent professional qualification) |
| Nationality | Indian citizen (or as specified for Nepalese/Bhutanese/Tibetan-refugee candidates per UPSC norms) |
| Application Fee | ₹200 (General/OBC male candidates). Women and SC/ST/PwBD candidates are exempted. |
UPSC ESE / IES Exam Pattern
The UPSC ESE / IES selection process runs through prelims + mains + interview. Each stage has its own timing, marking scheme and qualifying rules, detailed below.
Preliminary Examination
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I — General Studies & Engineering Aptitude | 100 | 200 |
| Paper II — Discipline-specific Engineering | — | 300 |
Main Examination
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I — Discipline-specific Engineering | — | 300 |
| Paper II — Discipline-specific Engineering | — | 300 |
Personality Test (Interview)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Personality, technical competence & suitability for engineering services | — | 200 |
UPSC ESE / IES Detailed Subject-Wise Syllabus
Below is the complete topic-wise UPSC ESE / IES syllabus for every subject tested across all stages, with a short note on what each section actually rewards — use this to build a section-wise study plan rather than relying on generic topic summaries.
Prelims Paper I — General Studies & Engineering Aptitude
A comparatively low-effort, high-return section if prepared consistently — don't neglect it in favour of only technical revision.
- Current issues of national & international importance
- Engineering aptitude — logical reasoning & analytical ability
- Engineering mathematics & numerical analysis
- General principles of design, drawing & safety
- Standards & quality practices
- Basics of energy, environment, project management
- Basics of material science & digital electronics
- Ethics & values in the engineering profession
Civil Engineering (Prelims Paper II & Mains)
Structural and geotechnical topics carry heavy recurring weight across both Prelims and Mains.
- Building materials, structural analysis & RCC/steel design
- Geotechnical engineering & foundation design
- Surveying
- Hydraulics, irrigation & water resources engineering
- Environmental engineering
- Transportation engineering
- Construction technology, planning & management
Mechanical Engineering (Prelims Paper II & Mains)
Thermal engineering and machine design are consistently high-weightage areas year on year.
- Theory of machines, machine design & vibration
- Engineering mechanics & strength of materials
- Thermodynamics, IC engines & heat transfer
- Fluid mechanics & turbomachinery
- Manufacturing science & industrial engineering
- Refrigeration & air conditioning
Electrical Engineering (Prelims Paper II & Mains)
Power systems and electrical machines dominate — build strong circuit-theory fundamentals first.
- Electric circuits & fields
- Electrical & electronic measurements
- Power electronics & drives
- Control systems
- Electrical machines
- Power systems — generation, transmission & protection
- Analog & digital electronics
Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering (Prelims Paper II & Mains)
Communication systems and signals & systems carry disproportionate weight relative to other topics.
- Basic electronics engineering & materials science
- Analog & digital circuits
- Signals & systems
- Control systems
- Communication systems
- Electromagnetic theory
- Advanced electronics & communication topics
Selection Process
- Preliminary Examination — General Studies & Engineering Aptitude (Paper I) plus discipline-specific Paper II.
- Main Examination — two discipline-specific conventional/descriptive papers.
- Personality Test (Interview).
- Final merit based on combined Prelims + Mains + Interview marks.
Salary & Job Profile
ESE-recruited engineers typically start at Pay Level 10 (₹56,100 basic) in Group A engineering services, with promotion to senior engineering and administrative roles over a career, plus Dearness Allowance, HRA and other applicable allowances.
Best Books for UPSC ESE / IES Preparation
- Discipline-specific GATE/ESE standard textbooks (e.g. RCC Design, Fluid Mechanics, Power Systems, as per branch)
- UPSC ESE Previous Years' Papers — discipline-wise (various publishers)
- General Studies & Engineering Aptitude — Made Easy Publications
- NCERT Class 11–12 Physics & Mathematics (for foundational revision)
Previous Cut-off Trends
Approximate — always verify officially
UPSC ESE cut-offs vary sharply by discipline (Civil/Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics & Telecom) and by stage (Prelims/Mains/final), since each branch has a different vacancy count and applicant pool every year. Always check the discipline-wise official cut-off release rather than assuming a common figure.
Preparation Tips
- Revise your core degree subjects methodically discipline-by-discipline rather than relying only on generic MCQ practice — Mains rewards depth and correct engineering fundamentals.
- Since Prelims marks count toward the final total (unlike UPSC CSE), don't treat Prelims as disposable — every mark there carries into the aggregate.
- Practise writing full conventional answers with labelled diagrams for Mains; presentation and clarity matter as much as correctness.
- Keep the General Studies & Engineering Aptitude paper light-touch but consistent — current affairs and basic aptitude questions are scoring opportunities relative to preparation time required.
Exam Day Guidelines
- Carry the e-Document Checker and a valid original photo ID to the centre for every stage.
- Carry your own geometry box, pens and permitted stationery for the descriptive Mains papers.
- Only black ballpoint pens are permitted for the OMR sheet in Prelims.
- No electronic devices, including calculators, are allowed inside the examination hall unless explicitly permitted in that year's notification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Only four — Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering.
Yes — unlike UPSC CSE, ESE's Preliminary Examination marks are included in the final aggregate along with Mains and Interview marks.
Descriptive/conventional — candidates write full technical answers with derivations and diagrams, unlike the MCQ-based Prelims.
Yes, in the objective Prelims papers — 1/3rd of the marks allotted to a question is deducted for every wrong answer; the descriptive Mains papers have no negative marking.
Candidates must be between 21 and 30 years of age as on 1 January of the exam year, with standard relaxations for reserved categories.
Related Exams
Back to Syllabus Hub — browse all government exam syllabus pagesSyllabus content on this page is compiled and reviewed against the official Union Public Service Commission notification as of 30 Apr 2026. Exam patterns, vacancies, salary figures and cut-offs are subject to change — always cross-check with the official notification at upsc.gov.in before applying.