The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Dholpur House, New Delhi, has released the official notification for the Engineering Services Examination 2027 (UPSC ESE 2027 / IES 2027) to recruit approximately 480 vacancies (480 posts) in premier Group A and Group B engineering cadres across Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication disciplines. These prestigious techno-managerial posts serve central government ministries including Indian Railways, Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Military Engineer Services (MES), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and Central Water Engineering Services. Aspiring engineering graduates can apply online at upsconline.nic.in.
UPSC ESE 2027: Comprehensive Highlights
The Engineering Services Examination represents India's most prestigious competitive gateway for engineering professionals into constitutional and central civil services. Key operational facts are summarized below:
| Metric | Official UPSC Notification Data |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Dholpur House, New Delhi |
| Examination Title | Engineering Services Examination 2027 (ESE 2027) |
| Total Estimated Vacancies | 480 Posts (480 positions across 4 core engineering streams) |
| Cadre Classification | Central Civil Services / Central Engineering Services (Group 'A' Gazetted & Group 'B') |
| Pay Matrix Level | 7th CPC Level-10 (Rs. 56,100 to 1,77,500) with starting basic pay Rs. 56,100 |
| Three-Tier Selection Scheme | Stage-I Prelims (500 Marks) -> Stage-II Mains (600 Marks) -> Stage-III Personality Test (200 Marks) |
| Registration Portal | upsconline.nic.in via One Time Registration (OTR) |
| Application Deadline | 10 November 2026 (2026-11-10) up to 18:00 Hours |
Engineering Discipline-Wise Vacancy Allocations
The 480 posts (480 total vacancies) are partitioned among four primary engineering branches, covering premier central departments:
| Engineering Discipline | Approximate Vacancies | Key Participating Services / Cadres |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering (CE) | 210 Posts | Central Engineering Service (Roads), Central Water Engineering Service, CPWD, Military Engineer Services (MES), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS-Civil) |
| Mechanical Engineering (ME) | 105 Posts | Indian Naval Armament Service (Mechanical), Central Water Engineering Service, Geological Survey of India Engineering Service, Military Engineer Services (MES), Defense Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service |
| Electrical Engineering (EE) | 90 Posts | Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Service (CPWD), Military Engineer Services (MES), Indian Naval Armament Service, Central Power Engineering Service |
| Electronics & Telecom Engineering (ECE) | 75 Posts | Indian Radio Regulatory Service (DoT), Indian Telecommunication Service (ITS), Junior Telecom Officer (JTO), Defense Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service (Electronics) |
| Total Aggregated Posts | 480 Posts (480 vacancies) | Includes reservation for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and 16 PwBD vacancies |
Educational Qualifications and Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy rigorous academic and nationality standards established under UPSC examination regulations:
- Degree Requirement: Must have obtained a degree in Engineering (B.E. / B.Tech / B.Sc Engg) in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering from a University incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament.
- Equivalent Qualifications: Passed Sections A and B of the Institution Examinations of the Institution of Engineers (India) (AMIE), or Graduate Membership Examination of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (India), or Associate Membership Examination Parts II and III/Sections A and B of the Aeronautical Society of India.
- Final Year Students: Candidates appearing in their final year degree examination are fully eligible to apply for Stage-I Preliminary Examination, provided they submit proof of passing the qualifying degree at the time of Stage-II Mains Detailed Application Form (DAF) submission.
- Nationality: A citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal, or a subject of Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before the 1st January, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Age Limit and Relaxations
The reference date for age determination is 01 January 2027. A candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 30 years on 01-01-2027 (born not earlier than 02 January 1997 and not later than 01 January 2006):
| Candidate Category | Age Window | Maximum Age Concession |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS Category | 21 to 30 Years | Standard ceiling (No relaxation) |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC - Non Creamy Layer) | 21 to 33 Years | Up to 3 Years upper age relaxation |
| Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe (SC / ST) | 21 to 35 Years | Up to 5 Years upper age relaxation |
| Defense Services Personnel (Disabled in Operations) | 21 to 33 Years | Up to 3 Years relaxation |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 21 to 40 Years | Up to 10 Years relaxation (Cumulative with SC/ST/OBC) |
| Central Government Servants (In Engineering Depts) | 21 to 35 Years | Up to 5 Years departmental relaxation for permanent employees |
Salary Structure, Pay Matrix and Monthly In-Hand Emoluments
Engineers recruited through UPSC ESE are appointed as Assistant Executive Engineers (AEE) or Assistant Directors in Group A service, placed in Pay Matrix Level-10 of the 7th Central Pay Commission:
| Pay Element | Calculation Formula / Rate | Monthly Amount (Class X City - Delhi/Mumbai) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Pay (Level-10, Index 1) | 7th CPC Starting Basic Pay | Rs. 56,100 |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | 50% of Basic Pay | Rs. 28,050 |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | 30% of Basic Pay (Class X City) | Rs. 16,830 |
| Transport Allowance (TPTA) | Rs. 7,200 + 50% DA | Rs. 10,800 |
| Gross Monthly Remuneration | Sum of All Pay Components | Rs. 1,11,780 |
| Statutory Deductions (NPS Tier-I + CGHS + CGEGIS) | 10% of (Basic + DA) + Rs. 650 CGHS + Rs. 120 CGEGIS | Rs. 9,185 |
| Estimated Monthly In-Hand Net Salary | Disbursed directly into salary account | Rs. 1,02,595 |
Comprehensive Examination Scheme (3 Stages - 1300 Total Marks)
The UPSC Engineering Services Examination consists of three sequential testing stages evaluated out of an aggregate 1,300 marks:
Stage-I: Preliminary Examination (Objective MCQs - 500 Marks)
| Paper | Subject Description | Duration | Maximum Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies and Engineering Aptitude (Common to All Streams) | 2 Hours | 200 Marks | 1/3rd (0.33 deduction per wrong answer) |
| Paper II | Engineering Discipline Specific Paper (Civil / Mech / Elec / ECE) | 3 Hours | 300 Marks | 1/3rd (0.33 deduction per wrong answer) |
| Total Stage-I Marks | 500 Marks (Shortlists ~6 to 7 times vacancies for Stage-II) | |||
Stage-II: Mains Examination (Conventional Descriptive - 600 Marks)
| Paper | Subject Description | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Engineering Discipline Paper 1 (Descriptive / Conventional Problems) | 3 Hours | 300 Marks |
| Paper II | Engineering Discipline Paper 2 (Descriptive / Conventional Problems) | 3 Hours | 300 Marks |
| Total Stage-II Marks | 600 Marks (Shortlists ~2 times vacancies for Interview) | ||
Stage-III: Personality Test / Interview (200 Marks)
Candidates who achieve qualifying benchmarks in Stage-I plus Stage-II aggregate marks are invited to Dholpur House, New Delhi, for the Personality Test. The interview evaluates leadership potential, intellectual curiosity, social traits, moral integrity, and practical application of engineering knowledge. Total composite marks = 500 + 600 + 200 = 1,300 Marks.
Subject-Wise Detailed Syllabus
Preparation requires mastery of Paper 1 (General Studies) and specific discipline curricula:
General Studies & Engineering Aptitude (Stage-I Paper 1 - 200 Marks)
- Current issues of national and international importance relating to social, economic, and industrial development.
- Engineering Aptitude covering logical reasoning, analytical ability, and mathematical problem solving.
- Engineering Mathematics and Numerical Analysis (Differential equations, linear algebra, calculus, probability distributions).
- General Principles of Design, Drawing, and Importance of Safety in infrastructure projects.
- Standards and Quality practices in production, construction, maintenance, and services (ISO standards, TQM, Six Sigma).
- Basics of Energy and Environment: Conservation, environmental pollution, climate change, and environmental impact assessment (EIA).
- Basics of Project Management (PERT, CPM, project financing, execution).
- Basics of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) including artificial intelligence, cloud networks, and cybersecurity.
- Ethics and values in engineering profession, professional accountability.
Discipline Specific Core Syllabus Highlights
- Civil Engineering: Building Materials, Solid Mechanics, Structural Analysis, Design of Steel and Concrete Structures, Construction Practice & Management, Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulics, Hydrology & Water Resources, Environmental Engineering (Water and Wastewater treatment), Geo-technical Engineering & Foundation Design, Surveying and Geology, Transportation Engineering (Highway, Railway, Airport planning).
- Mechanical Engineering: Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Internal Combustion Engines, Power Plant Engineering, Strength of Materials, Theory of Machines, Machine Design, Material Science, Manufacturing Processes (Casting, Welding, Machining), Industrial Engineering & Operations Research.
- Electrical Engineering: Electromagnetic Fields, Electrical Materials, Electrical Circuits and Networks, Measurements & Instrumentation, Control Systems, Electrical Machines (Transformers, Induction, Synchronous machines), Power Systems (Transmission, Distribution, Protection, Load Flow), Power Electronics & Drives, Analog & Digital Electronics, Systems and Signal Processing.
- Electronics & Telecom Engineering: Basic Electronics Engineering, Basic Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Electronic Measurements & Instrumentation, Network Theory, Analog and Digital Circuits, Analog and Digital Communication Systems, Control Systems, Computer Organization and Architecture, Electro Magnetics, Advanced Communication Topics (Satellite, Optical Fiber, Cellular Mobile Networks).
Previous Years Cutoff Marks Trends
Analyzing UPSC ESE historical cutoffs provides concrete target benchmarks across candidate categories:
| Stage | Max Marks | General (UR) Cutoff | OBC Cutoff | SC / ST Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage-I Prelims | 500 Marks | 230 to 255 Marks | 220 to 245 Marks | 170 to 205 Marks |
| Stage-I + Stage-II (Written Total) | 1100 Marks | 560 to 610 Marks | 520 to 580 Marks | 430 to 490 Marks |
| Final Recommendation Rank | 1300 Marks | 720 to 770 Marks | 670 to 725 Marks | 560 to 620 Marks |
Online Application Procedure at upsconline.nic.in
Candidates must submit their applications through UPSC's One Time Registration (OTR) system:
- Navigate to the official portal upsconline.nic.in and access the 'One Time Registration (OTR) for Examinations of UPSC'.
- Complete OTR registration by submitting personal details, registered email address, active mobile number, and answering security questions.
- Log in using your registered mobile number / email and OTP. Complete your profile dashboard and verify that the latest photograph adheres to UPSC's new face-capture guidelines.
- Under 'Latest Notifications', find 'Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination 2027'. Click on 'Apply Now'.
- Select your engineering branch (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecom) and your preferred examination centers for Stage-I and Stage-II.
- Pay the application fee of Rs. 200 (Female, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates are 100% exempt from fee payment) via SBI Net Banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI.
- Submit the application, download your official application summary with Registration ID (RID), and verify that 'Application Status' displays 'Submitted Successfully'.
Document and Photograph Guidelines (UPSC 10-Day Rule)
- Photograph Guidelines: Must be taken not more than 10 days prior to the date of filling out the online application. The name of the candidate and the date on which the photograph was taken must be clearly stamped at the bottom of the photo. Dimensions: 350x350 to 1000x1000 pixels; size 20 KB to 300 KB in JPG format. Candidate's face should occupy 3/4th of the photograph space.
- Signature Upload: Scanned signature in JPG format, size 20 KB to 300 KB, clear and legible on white background.
- Photo Identity Card: Upload PDF scan of official Photo ID (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Passport, or Driving License) between 20 KB to 300 KB. The same ID card must be presented inside the examination hall.
Important Official Links
| Resource Title | Official Web Portal Link |
|---|---|
| Official UPSC ESE 2027 Notification PDF | Download Official Notification PDF |
| UPSC OTR & Online Application Portal | Apply Online at upsconline.nic.in |
| UPSC Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many total vacancies are offered in UPSC ESE 2027?
The Union Public Service Commission has announced approximately 480 vacancies (480 posts) across Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering disciplines for premier Group A/B central engineering cadres.
Are final-year engineering students eligible to apply for UPSC ESE 2027?
Yes, final-year engineering students appearing for their degree examination are eligible to apply for the Stage-I Preliminary Examination, provided they submit documentary proof of passing the degree at the time of Stage-II Mains Detailed Application Form (DAF) submission.
What is the age limit for general category candidates in UPSC ESE 2027?
Candidates must be between 21 and 30 years of age as of 01 January 2027 (born between 02 January 1997 and 01 January 2006). Permissible upper age relaxations include 3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST, and 10 years for PwBD candidates.
What is the starting in-hand salary of an Assistant Executive Engineer recruited via ESE?
Officers receive Level-10 pay with a basic pay of Rs. 56,100. Adding 50% DA, HRA (30% in Class X cities), and Transport Allowance, the gross monthly salary is Rs. 1,11,780, yielding an estimated net take-home in-hand salary of Rs. 1,02,595 per month.
Is there negative marking in the UPSC ESE Preliminary Examination?
Yes, negative marking is enforced in Stage-I Preliminary Examination where 1/3rd (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question are deducted for every wrong answer. Stage-II Mains consists of conventional descriptive questions without negative scoring penalties.
What is the last date to submit the UPSC ESE 2027 online application?
The online application window on upsconline.nic.in closes on 10 November 2026 (2026-11-10) strictly at 18:00 Hours IST. Candidates are urged to register and finalize applications early to avoid last-minute portal rush.
