INDNotice

Engineering Services Examination Plan, Syllabus, and Application Instructions

NOTIFICATIONAdded: 29 Sep 2025UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

This notice outlines the plan of examination, syllabi, and instructions for candidates applying to the Engineering Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

1. Plan of Examination

The examination will be conducted in three stages:

  • Stage-I: Engineering Services (Preliminary/Stage-I) Examination (Objective Type Papers) for selection to Stage-II.
  • Stage-II: Engineering Services (Main/Stage-II) Examination (Conventional Type Papers).
  • Stage-III: Personality Test.

Preliminary/Stage-I Examination

  • Consists of two objective type (multiple choice) question papers, carrying a maximum of 500 marks (Paper I - 200 Marks & Paper II - 300 Marks).
  • Candidates declared qualified will be admitted to the Main/Stage-II Examination.
  • Marks obtained in Preliminary/Stage-I Examination will be counted for determining the final order of merit.
  • The number of candidates admitted to Main/Stage-II Examination will be approximately six to seven times the total approximate number of vacancies.
  • Note I: Qualification for Main/Stage-II is based on minimum qualifying marks in General Studies and Engineering Aptitude Paper (Paper-I) and Engineering Discipline specific paper (Paper-II) of Preliminary/Stage-I Examination.
  • Note II: Negative Marking: One-third (1/3) of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each wrong answer. If more than one answer is given, it will be treated as a wrong answer. No penalty for unanswered questions.
  • Penalty for Irrelevant Matter: Candidates writing irrelevant matter/signages/marks in the answer script(s) that could disclose their identity will face penalty deductions or non-evaluation of the script.

Main/Stage-II Examination

  • Consists of two conventional type papers in the Engineering Discipline specific, each of 3 hours duration and 300 marks. Total 600 marks.

Personality Test (Stage-III)

  • Carries 200 marks, with no minimum qualifying marks.
  • Candidates will be summoned for the Personality Test based on minimum qualifying marks fixed by the Commission in Stage-I and Stage-II examinations.
  • The number of candidates summoned for Personality Test will be about twice the number of vacancies.
  • Final ranking will be determined by marks obtained in Stage-I, Stage-II, and Stage-III. Allotment to services will be based on rank and preference.

2. General Instructions

  • Candidates are advised to read special instructions for conventional and objective type tests in Appendix-III.
  • The Examination Notice, uploaded on www.upsc.gov.in, includes procedures for filling the Answer Sheet of objective type tests (as of 26.09.2025).
  • Personality Test Assessment: Special attention will be paid to leadership, initiative, intellectual curiosity, tact, social qualities, mental and physical energy, practical application, and integrity of character.
  • Conventional papers must be answered in English, and question papers will be set in English only.
  • Details of syllabi for Stage-I and Stage-II are provided in Section III.

3. Examination Scheme by Category (Section-II)

Stage-I (Preliminary/Stage-I) Examination

The examination comprises two papers:

Category Subject Duration Maximum Marks
Civil Engineering Paper-I (General Studies and Engineering Aptitude) 2 hrs. 200
Paper-II (Civil Engineering) 3 hrs. 300
Total 500
Mechanical Engineering Paper-I (General Studies and Engineering Aptitude) 2 hrs. 200
Paper-II (Mechanical Engineering) 3 hrs. 300
Total 500
Electrical Engineering Paper-I (General Studies and Engineering Aptitude) 2 hrs. 200
Paper-II (Electrical Engineering) 3 hrs. 300
Total 500
Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering Paper-I (General Studies and Engineering Aptitude) 2 hrs. 200
Paper-II (Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering) 3 hrs. 300
Total 500

Stage-II (Main/Stage-II) Examination

The examination comprises two papers:

Category Subject Duration Maximum Marks
Civil Engineering Paper-I (Civil Engineering) 3 hrs. 300
Paper-II (Civil Engineering) 3 hrs. 300
Total 600
Mechanical Engineering Paper-I (Mechanical Engineering) 3 hrs. 300
Paper-II (Mechanical Engineering) 3 hrs. 300
Total 600
Electrical Engineering Paper-I (Electrical Engineering) 3 hrs. 300
Paper-II (Electrical Engineering) 3 hrs. 300
Total 600
Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering Paper-I (Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering) 3 hrs. 300
Paper-II (Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering) 3 hrs. 300
Total 600

4. Special Provisions for Candidates with Disabilities

  • Scribe Facility: Candidates with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) in categories such as Low Vision, or other specified disabilities with physical limitation to write, will be provided a scribe if desired and certified by a competent medical authority.
  • Compensatory Time: PwBD candidates in the Low Vision category will receive 20 minutes compensatory time per hour of examination. Similar provisions apply to other specified disabilities with physical writing limitations.
  • The Commission has the discretion to fix minimum qualifying marks in any or all papers.
  • Marks will not be allotted for superficial knowledge.
  • Up to 5% deduction of maximum marks for illegible handwriting.
  • Credit will be given for orderly, effective, and exact expression.

5. Standard and Syllabi (Section-III)

  • The standard of the General Studies and Engineering Aptitude paper (Preliminary Stage-I) will be comparable to an Engineering/Science Graduate level.
  • Papers in other subjects will be approximately at the level of an Engineering Degree Examination of an Indian University. No practical examination will be conducted.

General Studies and Engineering Aptitude (Preliminary Examination/Stage-I, Paper I)

Topics include:

  1. Current issues of national and international importance related to social, economic, and industrial development.
  2. Engineering Aptitude (Logical reasoning, Analytical ability).
  3. Engineering Mathematics and Numerical Analysis.
  4. General Principles of Design, Drawing, Importance of Safety.
  5. Standards and Quality practices in production, construction, maintenance, and services.
  6. Basics of Energy and Environment (Conservation, pollution, climate change, impact assessment).
  7. Basics of Project Management.
  8. Basics of Material Science and Engineering.
  9. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) based tools and applications in Engineering.
  10. Ethics and values in Engineering profession.

Note: Questions from all 10 topics will be set, with marks ranging from 5% to 15% of the total marks in the paper.

Detailed Syllabi for Engineering Disciplines

Detailed syllabi for both Preliminary/Stage-I (objective type Paper-II) and Main/Stage-II (Conventional type Paper-I and Paper-II) are provided for the following engineering disciplines:

  • Civil Engineering (Paper-I & Paper-II cover Building Materials, Solid Mechanics, Structural Analysis, Design of Steel Structures, Design of Concrete and Masonry Structures, Construction Practice, Planning and Management, Flow of Fluids, Hydraulic Machines and Hydro Power, Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geo-technical Engineering and Foundation Engineering, Surveying and Geology, Transportation Engineering).
  • Mechanical Engineering (Paper-I & Paper-II cover Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Heat transfer, IC Engines, Refrigeration and Air conditioning, Turbo Machinery, Power Plant Engineering, Renewable Sources of Energy, Engineering Mechanics, Engineering Materials, Mechanisms and Machines, Design of Machine Elements, Manufacturing, Industrial and Maintenance Engineering, Mechatronics and Robotics).
  • Electrical Engineering (Paper-I & Paper-II cover Engineering Mathematics, Electrical Materials, Electric Circuits and Fields, Electrical and Electronic Measurements, Computer Fundamentals, Basic Electronics Engineering, Analog and Digital Electronics, Systems and Signal Processing, Control Systems, Electrical Machines, Power Systems, Power Electronics and Drives).
  • Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering (Paper-I & Paper-II cover Basic Electronics Engineering, Basic Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Electronic Measurements and Instrumentation, Network Theory, Analog and Digital Circuits, Analog and Digital Communication Systems, Control Systems, Computer Organization and Architecture, Electro Magnetics, Advanced Electronics Topics, Advanced Communication Topics).

6. Instructions for Filling Online Applications (Appendix-IIA)

  • Candidates are required to apply online via www.upsconline.nic.in.
  • The online application process involves four stages: Account Creation, Universal Registration Number (URN) Generation, Common Application Form, and Exam Specific Form.
  • Application Fee: Rs. 200/-
    • Exemptions: SC/ST candidates and specified categories are exempt from fee payment.
    • Payment Methods: Remittance at any branch of State Bank of India or through Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card/UPI Payment or Internet Banking.
  • Required Documents for Upload: Scanned photograph and signature in .jpg format (20 KB to 300 KB each).
  • Matriculation Certificate: Details for Candidate's Name, Father's Name, Mother's Name, and Date of Birth must match the Matriculation Certificate.
  • Photo ID Card: Details of one Photo ID Card (Aadhaar Card/Voter Card/PAN Card/Passport/Driving Licence/Any other State/Central Government issued Photo ID) must be provided. This Photo ID will be used for future referencing and should be carried to the examination/Personality Test.
  • Online Application Dates: Application forms can be filled from 26th September, 2025 to 16th October, 2025 till 6:00 PM.
  • Multiple Applications: Candidates should avoid multiple applications. If unavoidable, the application with the higher Registration ID (RID) will be considered complete.
  • Email Communication: Applicants must ensure valid and active email IDs for Commission communication.
  • Candidates are strongly advised to apply online well in advance of the last date.

7. Withdrawal of Applications (Appendix-IIB)

  • Candidates will not be allowed to withdraw their application after submission.

8. Special Instructions for Conventional and Objective Type Papers (Appendix-III)

Part A: Conventional Type Papers

  • Permitted Articles: Battery-operated non-programmable calculators, mathematical/engineering/drawing instruments (flat rule, slide rule, set squares, protractor, compasses), pencils, colored pencils, mapping pens, eraser, T-square, and drawing board.
  • UPSC Supplied Tables: If necessary, UPSC may supply Mathematical/Physical/Chemical and Engineering Tables, Steam Tables, and National Building Code.
  • Answers must be written in the candidate's own hand, in ink (pencil allowed for maps, mathematical drawings or rough work).
  • Candidates must write their roll number only in the space provided on the answer book. Ensure answer books are complete; do not tear out pages or leave blank spaces.
  • Answers exceeding the prescribed number will be ignored.
  • Graph/precis sheets will be supplied on demand by invigilators and must be fastened inside the answer books.
  • Unfair means are strictly prohibited.

Part B: Objective Type Papers

  • Permitted Articles: Clipboard or hard board (without writing), good quality black ball pen.
  • Not Permitted Articles: Books, notes, loose sheets, electronic devices (mobile phone, pager, smart watches, camera, Bluetooth), calculators, mathematical/drawing instruments, Log Tables, stencils, slide rules, Test Booklets from earlier sessions.
  • Penalty for Wrong Answers (Negative Marking): One-third (0.33) of the marks for a wrong answer will be deducted. Giving more than one answer is treated as a wrong answer. No penalty for blank answers.
  • Answer Sheet Particulars: Candidates must fill in Centre, Subject, Test Booklet Series, Subject Code, and Roll Number with a black ball pen. Encode these details in the circles provided.
  • Exercise due care in handling and filling Answer Sheets as they are evaluated by computerized machines. Use black ball pen only to darken circles.

9. Annexures

  • Appendix-IV: Certificate regarding physical limitation in an examinee to write.
  • Appendix-V: Letter of Undertaking for Using Own Scribe.
  • Appendix-VI: Certificate for person with specified disability (covered under Section 2(s) of the RPwD Act, 2016, but not under Section 2(r), having less than 40% disability and difficulty in writing).
  • Appendix-VII: (Blank)

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