Engineering Services Examination, 2026 - Government

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has introduced a new Online Application Portal for registration and form submission for the Engineering Services Examination, 2026.
The portal comprises four modules: Account creation, Universal Registration (URN), Common Application Form (CAF), and examination-specific form. URN is a one-time registration.
All applicants must fill up the application and upload documents afresh; the old One Time Registration (OTR) module is no longer applicable.
Candidates are advised to use their Aadhaar Card for easy verification and authentication.

Nationality: Must be a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, a Tibetan refugee (pre-Jan 1, 1962), or a person of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanent settlement.
Age Limits: Candidates must be between 21 and 30 years as of January 1, 2026. This means born not earlier than January 2, 1996, and not later than January 1, 2005.
Age Relaxation: Up to 35 years for certain Government servants. Relaxations also apply for SC/ST (5 years), OBC (3 years), Defence Services personnel (3-5 years), Ex-servicemen (5 years), and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) (10 years).
Minimum Educational Qualification: A degree in Engineering from a recognized university/institution, or passed Sections A and B of the Institution Examinations (Engineers, Electronics & Telecommunication Engineers), or passed Associate Membership Examination (Aeronautical Society). Certain qualifications from specific institutions obtained post May 31, 2013, may not be admissible as per Delhi High Court judgment dated January 13, 2023.
Medical Examination: Finally recommended candidates must undergo a medical examination.
Physical Standards: Must meet physical fitness standards as per guidelines in Appendix-II of the Engineering Services Examination, 2026 Rules.

Approximately 474 vacancies are expected, including 26 for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).
Vacancies are subject to alteration.
Reservations apply for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Section (EWS), and PwBD as per Government of India rules.

Recruitment will be made for the following engineering categories:

Fee: Rs. 200/-
Exemptions: Female, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates are exempted from fee payment.
Payment Mode: Remit through State Bank of India branches, Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card, UPI Payment, or Internet Banking.

Applications must be submitted Online only through the website www.upsconline.nic.in.
Candidates need to create an account, generate a Universal Registration Number (URN), and fill out the Common Application Form (CAF) and the Exam Specific Form.
Upload scanned photograph and signature (max 300 KB, min 20 KB).
Ensure details on the application form match the Matriculation Certificate.
Provide details of a Photo ID Card (Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN, Passport, Driving Licence) which must be carried during the examination/Personality Test.
Candidates are advised to apply well in advance to avoid last-minute rush.

The examination will consist of three stages:

Stage-I (Preliminary/Stage-I) Examination: Objective Type Papers (Paper I - General Studies and Engineering Aptitude: 200 Marks; Paper II - Engineering Discipline specific: 300 Marks). Total 500 Marks. Negative marking (one-third deduction for wrong answers).
Stage-II (Main/Stage-II) Examination: Conventional Type Papers (Two papers, 300 Marks each). Total 600 Marks.
Stage-III (Personality Test): 200 Marks.

E-Admission Certificates will be issued on the UPSC website www.upsc.gov.in on the last working day of the preceding week of the examination date.
No hard copy of the Admission Certificate will be sent by post.

The notice provides a list of centres for both Preliminary and Main Examinations. Centre allotment is on a first-apply-first-allot basis.
The Commission reserves the right to change examination centres and dates.

General Studies and Engineering Aptitude (Paper I, Stage-I): Covers Current issues, Engineering Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, Design Principles, Standards & Quality, Energy & Environment, Project Management, Material Science, ICT, and Ethics.
Engineering Discipline Papers (Paper II, Stage-I and Papers I & II, Stage-II): Detailed syllabi for Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering are provided in the notice.

For any clarification, guidance, or assistance related to the application process or examination details, candidates may contact the helpline at 011-24041001.
The helpline will be operational from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on all working days during the application window (September 26, 2025, to October 16, 2025).

No withdrawal of applications will be allowed after submission.
Candidates must not bring mobile phones or any other electronic communication devices into the examination hall; disciplinary action will be taken for non-compliance.
Instructions for uploading photographs (not more than 10 days old, face occupying 3/4th space, consistent appearance during all stages).
Specific instructions are provided for PwBD candidates regarding scribes and compensatory time, as per RPwD Act, 2016. Relevant certificate formats are provided in Annexures III-VII.
Candidates must write answers in their own hand using a black ball pen for OMR sheets and conventional papers. Negative marking applies to objective type papers.