The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the detailed recruitment notification for the Engineering Services Examination 2027 (ESE 2027 / IES 2027) across 480 Group A and Group B engineering vacancies. This recruitment drive selects engineering graduates for executive positions in Central Water Engineering Service, Border Roads Engineering Service, Indian Skill Development Service, Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service, and Indian Naval Material Management Service.
Eligible candidates with a degree in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering can submit their online applications through the official portal (upsconline.nic.in).
UPSC ESE 2027: Important Dates
| Event / Phase | Official Schedule |
| Official Notification Release Date | September 16, 2026 |
| Online Application Registration Start Date | September 16, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online & Fee Payment | October 6, 2026 (till 06:00 PM) |
| Application Correction Window | October 7 to October 13, 2026 |
| Prelims Admit Card Download Start | January 2027 |
| Stage 1: Preliminary Examination Date | January 31, 2027 |
| Preliminary Examination Result | February – March 2027 |
| Stage 2: Mains Examination Date | June 18, 2027 |
| Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview) | August – September 2027 |
| Final Merit List Declaration | October 2027 |
Recruitment Overview & Total Vacancies
| Parameter | Details |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Engineering Services Examination 2027 (ESE) |
| Total Vacancies | 480 Posts (Includes Reserved & PwBD seats) |
| Engineering Streams Covered | Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Telecommunication (ECE) |
| Selection Mode | Stage I (Prelims) + Stage II (Mains) + Stage III (Personality Test) |
| Official Application Portal | upsconline.nic.in |
Stream Wise Cadres & Engineering Categories
The 480 vacancies are distributed across four engineering branches:
- Category I – Civil Engineering: Central Engineering Service (Civil), Border Roads Engineering Service (AEE Civil), Indian Skill Development Service, Central Water Engineering Service.
- Category II – Mechanical Engineering: Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Service, Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service, Indian Naval Material Management Service, Border Roads Engineering Service (Mechanical).
- Category III – Electrical Engineering: Central Power Engineering Service, Indian Naval Material Management Service, Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service, Indian Skill Development Service.
- Category IV – Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering: Indian Radio Regulatory Service, Central Power Engineering Service (ECE), Indian Naval Armament Service, Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Educational Qualification
- Candidates must hold a Degree in Engineering (B.E. / B.Tech) in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or ECE from a recognized University or Institute incorporated by an Act of Parliament.
- Final-year engineering students appearing for their qualifying degree exams are also eligible to apply provisionally.
2. Age Limit (As on 1st January 2027)
- Minimum Age: 21 Years
- Maximum Age: 30 Years
- Candidates must be born between 2nd January 1997 and 1st January 2006.
Age Relaxation Rules:
- SC / ST Candidates: 5 Years Upper Age Relaxation
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 Years Upper Age Relaxation
- Ex-Servicemen & Disabled Defence Personnel: 3 to 5 Years
- Departmental Candidates (Govt Servants): Up to 35 Years
Examination Pattern & Selection Process
The selection process comprises three consecutive stages totaling 1300 Marks:
Stage I: Preliminary Examination (Objective – 500 Marks)
Held in two sessions on a single day with negative marking (1/3rd penalty per wrong answer):
- Paper I (General Studies & Engineering Aptitude): 200 Marks | Duration: 2 Hours
- Paper II (Engineering Discipline – Specific Subject): 300 Marks | Duration: 3 Hours
Stage II: Mains Examination (Conventional / Subjective – 600 Marks)
Only candidates who clear the Stage I cutoff qualify for the Stage II written Mains exam:
- Paper I (Specific Engineering Discipline – Paper 1): 300 Marks | Duration: 3 Hours
- Paper II (Specific Engineering Discipline – Paper 2): 300 Marks | Duration: 3 Hours
Stage III: Personality Test / Interview (200 Marks)
Candidates who pass Stage I and Stage II are evaluated by the UPSC Interview Board on leadership skills, communication ability, and technical domain competence.
Application Fee & Payment Rules
| Category | Application Fee | Payment Mode |
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹200 | Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI, or SBI Cash Challan |
| Female Candidates (All Categories) | Exempted (₹0) | N/A |
| SC / ST / PwBD Candidates | Exempted (₹0) | N/A |
How to Apply Online at upsconline.nic.in
- Visit the official application portal of UPSC:
upsconline.nic.in. - Click on the “One Time Registration (OTR) for UPSC Examinations” link. If already registered, log in using your Email ID / Mobile Number and OTR Password.
- Complete or update your Universal Registration profile details.
- Go to “Latest Notifications” and click on “Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination 2027”.
- Fill up Part-I of the Common Application Form (CAF) with personal, educational, and communication details.
- Pay the required application fee of ₹200 (if applicable).
- Select your preferred examination center for the Stage I Preliminary examination.
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and valid Photo ID proof (Aadhaar Card/PAN Card/Voter ID).
- Verify all entries and submit the online application before 6:00 PM on 6th October 2026.
- Download and print the application confirmation page for future reference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the last date to submit the UPSC ESE 2027 application form?
The online application form must be submitted on upsconline.nic.in by October 6, 2026 till 06:00 PM.
2. When will the UPSC ESE 2027 Preliminary exam be conducted?
The UPSC ESE Stage I Preliminary examination is scheduled to be held on January 31, 2027.
3. How many vacancies are announced for UPSC Engineering Services 2027?
UPSC has announced 480 vacancies across Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication engineering disciplines.
4. Are final year engineering students eligible to apply for UPSC ESE 2027?
Yes, final year B.E./B.Tech students appearing for their final degree examinations are eligible to apply provisionally.
5. Is there negative marking in the UPSC ESE Prelims exam?
Yes, a negative marking penalty of one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted for each incorrect answer in the Stage I objective paper.
6. Is One Time Registration (OTR) mandatory to apply for UPSC ESE 2027?
Yes, completing the One Time Registration (OTR) on upsconline.nic.in is mandatory before filling out the examination form.
Direct Official Links
| Official Action / Resource | Direct Portal Link |
| UPSC Main Website | upsc.gov.in |
| UPSC Online Application Portal (OTR) | upsconline.nic.in |
| UPSC Official Examination Notices | upsc.gov.in/examinations/notifications |
