UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2027: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2027 under Examination Notice No. 02/2027-ENGG. Through this examination, UPSC is expected to fill approximately 480 vacancies in various Group A and Group B engineering services/posts under the Government of India.
The online application process started on 16 September 2026, and eligible candidates can submit their applications up to 6 October 2026 at 6:00 PM. The UPSC Engineering Services Preliminary Examination 2027 is scheduled for 31 January 2027, while the Main Examination is scheduled for 18 June 2027.
Details for UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2027:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | Engineering Services Examination 2027 |
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination Notice | 02/2027-ENGG. |
| Total Vacancies | Approximately 480 |
| Engineering Categories | Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecommunication |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 16 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 6 October 2026, up to 6:00 PM |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 31 January 2027 |
| Main Exam Date | 18 June 2027 |
| Application Fee | ₹200 |
| Official Website | UPSC |
| Application Portal | UPSC Online |
Vacancy Details
The number of vacancies to be filled based on the results of ESE 2027 is expected to be approximately 480, including 19 vacancies reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) – 11 for Locomotor Disability, and the remainder distributed across Hard of Hearing, Low Vision, and Specific Learning Disability & Multiple Disabilities categories, as detailed below. The number of vacancies is liable to alteration.
| PwBD Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Locomotor Disability (LD) | 11 |
| Hard of Hearing (HH) | Included within the 19 total (exact split by category in the official notice) |
| Low Vision (LV) | 1 |
| Specific Learning Disability & Multiple Disabilities (SLD & MD) | 1 |
| Total PwBD Vacancies | 19 |
Engineering Categories and Participating Services
Category I – Civil Engineering
Some of the participating services/posts include:
- Central Engineering Service
- Central Engineering Service (Roads)
- Survey of India Group A Service
- Assistant Executive Engineer (Civil) in Border Roads Engineering Service
- AEE (QS&C) in MES Surveyor Cadre
- Central Water Engineering Group A Service
- Indian Skill Development Service
- Indian Railway Management Service (Civil)
- IRMS (Stores) – Civil Engineering Posts
- Indian Defence Service of Engineers
Category II – Mechanical Engineering
Services/posts include:
- AEE in GSI Engineering Service Group A
- Indian Naval Material Management Service
- Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service
- AEE (Electrical and Mechanical) in Border Roads Engineering Service
- Indian Skill Development Service
- Indian Railway Management Service (Mechanical)
- IRMS (Stores) – Mechanical Engineering Posts
- Indian Defence Service of Engineers
- Indian Naval Armament Service
- Central Water Engineering Service
- Central Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Service
- Central Power Engineering Service
Category III – Electrical Engineering
Participating services/posts include:
- Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Service
- Indian Naval Material Management Service
- Central Power Engineering Service
- Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service
- Indian Skill Development Service
- Indian Railway Management Service (Electrical)
- IRMS (Stores) – Electrical Engineering Posts
- Indian Defence Service of Engineers
- Indian Naval Armament Service
Category IV – Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
Services/posts include:
- Indian Radio Regulatory Service Group A
- Indian Telecommunications Service Group A
- Indian Naval Material Management Service
- Indian Naval Armament Service
- Indian Skill Development Service
- Junior Telecom Officer Group B
- Indian Railway Management Service (Signal & Telecommunication)
- IRMS (Stores) – Signal & Telecommunication Engineering Posts
- Central Power Engineering Service
Candidates can apply under only one engineering category for the examination.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
A candidate must be either a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal, a subject of Bhutan, a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 01.01.1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or specified East African countries or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India (subject to a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India for the latter categories).
Educational Qualification
Candidates should generally possess a degree in Engineering from a recognised university or institution.
UPSC also accepts certain specified equivalent qualifications, including recognised engineering examinations and qualifications mentioned in the official notification.
Eligible qualifications include, subject to the detailed conditions:
- Engineering degree from a recognised university/institution
- Sections A and B of the Institution Examinations of the Institution of Engineers (India)
- Certain recognised foreign engineering degrees/diplomas
- Graduate Membership Examination of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (subject to applicable conditions)
- Certain Aeronautical Society of India qualifications
- Certain specified Electronics and Radio Engineering qualifications
Special educational provisions are also available for selected posts under the Indian Naval Armament Service and Indian Radio Regulatory Service, including specified M.Sc./equivalent qualifications.
Candidates awaiting results of the qualifying examination may also be permitted to apply subject to the conditions laid down by UPSC and production of proof within the prescribed period.
Age Limit
A candidate must have:
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: Below 30 years
The age will be calculated as on 1 January 2027.
Therefore, candidates should have been born:
Not earlier than 2 January 1997 and not later than 1 January 2006.
Age Relaxation
Upper-age relaxation is available according to Government rules, including:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| Defence Services personnel disabled in specified operations | 3 years |
| Eligible Ex-Servicemen/ECOs/SSCOs | Up to 5 years |
| Eligible PwBD candidates | Up to 10 years |
Certain eligible government employees may also receive relaxation up to 35 years, subject to the conditions specified in the notification.
Selection Process
The Engineering Services Examination will be conducted in three stages:
Stage I – Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination consists of two objective-type papers carrying a total of 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 will be based on the engineering discipline selected by the candidate:
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
There is negative marking in objective papers. For an incorrect answer, one-third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted. No penalty is imposed for questions left unanswered.
Stage II – Main Examination
Candidates qualifying the Preliminary Examination will be eligible for the Main Examination.
The Main Examination consists of two conventional/descriptive engineering papers:
| Paper | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Paper I | 3 Hours | 300 |
| Engineering Paper II | 3 Hours | 300 |
| Total | 6 Hours | 600 |
Both papers are specific to the engineering discipline selected by the candidate.
Stage III – Personality Test/Interview
Candidates qualifying the required written stages will be called for the Personality Test/Interview.
Personality Test Marks: 200
UPSC states that there are no prescribed minimum qualifying marks for the Personality Test itself.
Total Marks
The final ranking takes into account marks obtained in all three stages:
- Preliminary Examination: 500 marks
- Main Examination: 600 marks
- Personality Test: 200 marks
- Total: 1300 marks
Final service/post allocation is based on ranking, preferences, availability of vacancies and other applicable eligibility requirements.
How to Apply
Candidates must submit their application online through the UPSC Online Application Portal. UPSC does not accept applications through any other mode.
Follow these steps:
- Visit the UPSC online application portal.
- Create/login to your UPSC account.
- Complete the Universal Registration Number (URN) profile.
- Complete the Common Application Form (CAF).
- Select Engineering Services Examination 2027.
- Complete the examination-specific application module.
- Select the required engineering discipline and examination centre carefully.
- Upload the required photograph, live photograph, signature and supporting documents as prescribed.
- Pay the ₹200 application fee, if applicable.
- Verify all information carefully.
- Submit the application before 6 October 2026 at 6:00 PM.
- Save the Application Number and URN for future reference.
UPSC specifically states that no correction, alteration or modification in the application fields is permitted after final submission, so candidates should check all details before submitting.
Documents Required
Candidates should keep scanned copies of relevant documents ready, including:
- Age/Date of Birth Certificate
- Educational Qualification Certificate
- SC/ST/OBC/EWS Certificate, if applicable
- Age/Fee concession certificate, if applicable
- PwBD Certificate, if applicable
- Valid Photo Identity document
- Photograph
- Signature
Original documents will be required at the Personality Test/Interview stage.
Photograph and Signature Requirements
UPSC requires applicants to upload a photograph and also complete live photograph capture while filling the Common Application Form.
For the signature, applicants are required to sign three times, one below another, on plain white paper using black ink and upload the signature according to the prescribed instructions.
Important Dates
Candidates should keep the following UPSC ESE 2027 dates in mind:
| Notification Release Date | 16 September 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 16 September 2026 |
| Last Date for Application | 6 October 2026 |
| Closing Time | 6:00 PM |
| Preliminary Examination | 31 January 2027 |
| Main Examination | 18 June 2027 |
Applications submitted after 6:00 PM on 6 October 2026 will not be accepted.
Important Links
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
FAQs – UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2027
What is the last date to apply for UPSC ESE 2027?
The last date to submit the online application is 6 October 2026, up to 6:00 PM.
How many vacancies are available through UPSC Engineering Services Examination 2027?
Approximately 480 vacancies are expected to be filled, including 19 PwBD vacancies. The final number may change.
When will the UPSC ESE Preliminary Examination 2027 be held?
The Preliminary Examination is scheduled for 31 January 2027.
When will the UPSC ESE Main Examination 2027 be held?
The Main Examination is scheduled for 18 June 2027.
What is the application fee for UPSC ESE 2027?
The application fee is ₹200. Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempt from paying the fee.
What is the age limit for UPSC ESE 2027?
Candidates should be between 21 and below 30 years of age as on 1 January 2027, subject to applicable category-wise relaxation.
Is there negative marking in UPSC ESE Preliminary Examination?
Yes. One-third of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for an incorrect answer in the objective papers.
What are the engineering branches available in UPSC ESE 2027?
The examination covers Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering.
Can candidates edit the application after submission?
UPSC states that correction, alteration or modification of application fields is not permitted after submission. Candidates should therefore carefully verify the form before final submission.
