The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2027 notification (Examination Notice No. 02/2027-ENGG.) for about 480 Group A and Group B engineering posts in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering. Candidates with an engineering degree, aged 21 to 30 years, can apply online at upsconline.nic.in from 16.09.2026 to 06.10.2026 (6:00 PM). The Preliminary exam is on 31.01.2027 and the Main exam on 18.06.2027.
From the 3rd day to the 7th day (6:00 PM) after the exam
Application Fee
Category
Fee
General / OBC / EWS (Male)
₹200
All Female Candidates
Nil (exempted)
SC / ST
Nil (exempted)
PwBD
Nil (exempted)
Payment Mode
Net banking, Visa / MasterCard / RuPay Credit or Debit Card, or UPI
Fee once paid will not be refunded. OBC and EWS candidates get no fee exemption and must pay the full ₹200.
Vacancy Details
UPSC expects to fill about 480 vacancies through ESE 2027. The number can change, and the notification does not give a category-wise (UR/OBC/EWS/SC/ST) or discipline-wise break-up – reservation will be applied as fixed by the Government of India. The PwBD break-up is:
Specific Learning Disability (SLD) and Multiple Disabilities (MD)
01
Total PwBD
19 (out of about 480)
Candidates with blindness are advised not to apply, as no vacancies are identified for them in this exam.
Participating Services (Discipline-wise)
Engineering Category
Services / Posts
Category I – Civil Engineering (Group A)
Central Engineering Service; Central Engineering Service (Roads) Group A; Survey of India Group A Service; AEE (Civil) in Border Roads Engineering Service; AEE (QS and C) in MES Surveyor Cadre; Central Water Engineering (Group A) Service; Indian Skill Development Service; Indian Railway Management Service (Civil); IRMS (Stores) – Civil Engg. Posts; Indian Defence Service of Engineers
Category II – Mechanical Engineering (Group A/B)
AEE in GSI Engineering Service Group A; Indian Naval Material Management Service (Mechanical); Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service / SSO-II (Mechanical); AEE (Electrical and Mechanical) in Border Roads Engineering Service (Mechanical); Indian Skill Development Service; IRMS (Mechanical); IRMS (Stores) – Mechanical Engg. Posts; Indian Defence Service of Engineers; Indian Naval Armament Service (Mechanical); Central Water Engineering (Group A) Service; Central Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Service (Mechanical); Central Power Engineering Service Group A (Mechanical)
Category III – Electrical Engineering (Group A/B)
Central Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Service (Electrical); Indian Naval Material Management Service (Electrical); Central Power Engineering Service Group A (Electrical); Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service / SSO-II (Electrical); Indian Skill Development Service; IRMS (Electrical); IRMS (Stores) – Electrical Engg. Posts; Indian Defence Service of Engineers; Indian Naval Armament Service (Electrical)
Category IV – Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering (Group A/B)
Indian Radio Regulatory Service Group A; Indian Telecommunications Service Group A; Indian Naval Material Management Service (E and T); Indian Naval Armament Service (E and T); Indian Skill Development Service; Junior Telecom Officer Group B; IRMS (Signal and Telecommunication); IRMS (Stores) – S and T Engg. Posts; Central Power Engineering Service Group A (E and T)
Eligibility Criteria
Criterion
Detail
Nationality
Citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal / Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee (came before 01.01.1962), or a person of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries (eligibility certificate needed for non-citizens)
Educational Qualification
Degree in Engineering from a recognised university; OR Sections A and B of the Institution of Engineers (India) exam; OR a recognised foreign engineering degree/diploma; OR IETE Graduate Membership; OR Aeronautical Society of India Associate Membership Parts II and III / Sections A and B; OR IERE London Graduate Membership (after November 1959)
Special Qualification (2 posts)
Indian Naval Armament Service (Electronics) and Indian Radio Regulatory Service Group A also accept an M.Sc. with Wireless Communication Electronics, Radio Physics or Radio Engineering (IRRS also accepts M.Sc. with Physics and Radio Communication / Electronics / Telecommunication)
IETE / AeSI / IE(I) Note
IETE and Aeronautical Society of India qualifications with admission after 31.05.2013 are NOT accepted; IE(I) cases with admission after 31.05.2013 are subject to the Government’s decision
Final-Year Students
Can apply; proof of passing must be uploaded within the 10-day window given after the Mains result
Apply for only ONE category – Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics and Telecommunication
Medical and Physical Standards
Finally recommended candidates must pass a medical exam and meet the physical standards in Appendix-II of the ESE Rules
Age Relaxation
Category
Relaxation (Upper Age)
SC / ST
5 years
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)
3 years
Defence personnel disabled in operations
3 years
Ex-Servicemen (incl. ECOs / SSCOs with 5 years of service)
5 years
ECOs / SSCOs with extended assignment (MoD certificate)
5 years
PwBD (Low Vision, Hard of Hearing, Locomotor, SLD, Mental Illness)
10 years
Central Govt employees of the listed departments (permanent, or 3 years’ regular temporary service)
Upper age limit up to 35 years (for their own department’s services)
SC/ST/OBC candidates who are also Ex-Servicemen or PwBD get the relaxation under both categories together.
Not sure whether you are within the age limit?
Enter your date of birth, the 01.01.2027 cut-off date and your category relaxation to see instantly whether you fall inside the 21 to 30 year band for UPSC ESE 2027.
Paper I: General Studies and Engineering Aptitude – 200 marks, 2 hours (common to all). Paper II: Engineering discipline – 300 marks, 3 hours. Total 500 marks. Negative marking: 1/3 of the marks of a question is cut for each wrong answer. Minimum qualifying marks in both papers. About 6 to 7 times the number of vacancies are called for Mains, and Prelims marks ARE counted in the final merit.
Stage II – Main Exam (Descriptive)
Two conventional (written) papers in your engineering discipline – 300 marks each, 3 hours each. Total 600 marks. Papers are set and must be answered in English only.
Stage III – Personality Test / Interview
200 marks, no minimum qualifying marks. About 2 times the number of vacancies are called. Original documents are checked at this stage.
Final Merit and Allocation
Total of all three stages (500 + 600 + 200 = 1300 marks). Services are allotted by rank, your service preference and vacancies.
Medical Examination
Finally recommended candidates must clear a medical exam conducted as decided by the Department of Telecommunications.
First-apply-first-allot, with a seat limit at every centre except Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata and Nagpur. No change of centre is allowed later.
Salary and Benefits
The ESE 2027 notification does not state the pay scale. Selected candidates join Group A or Group B Central Government services, and pay will be as per the rules of the service allotted.
How to Apply for UPSC ESE 2027
Go to upsconline.nic.in and create your account, then generate your Universal Registration Number (URN) – this is needed only once in your lifetime.
Fill the Common Application Form (CAF): upload your photo, capture a live photo, and upload your signature (signed three times, one below the other, in black ink).
Open the Examination Specific Form for ESE 2027, choose your engineering discipline and exam centre carefully.
Pay the ₹200 fee online (Net banking, card or UPI) – not needed for women, SC, ST and PwBD candidates.
Check every detail, submit before 06.10.2026 (6:00 PM), and save your URN and Application Number for future use.
Note: Applications are accepted online only. No correction or withdrawal is allowed after you submit the form.
Photograph or signature rejected by the upload form?
The UPSC form needs your photo and signature as JPG files between 20 KB and 300 KB. Resize them to the exact size in a few seconds before you start the application.
Do not delay – exam centres are allotted on a first-apply-first-allot basis and fill up fast.
Enter your name and date of birth exactly as in your Class 10 certificate; no change is allowed later.
Choose your discipline and centre carefully – if you appear at another centre or in another discipline, your papers will not be checked.
OBC and EWS candidates must hold certificates issued between 01.04.2026 and 06.10.2026, or the reservation claim can fail.
Use only a black ball pen on the OMR sheet and reach the venue early – entry closes 30 minutes before each session.
Do not carry a mobile phone, smart watch, AI-enabled glasses or any electronic device – it can lead to a ban from future exams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for UPSC ESE 2027?
The last date to apply online is 06.10.2026, till 6:00 PM.
How many vacancies are there in UPSC ESE 2027?
About 480 vacancies, including 19 for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities.
What qualification is needed for UPSC ESE 2027?
You need a degree in Engineering from a recognised university, or one of the equivalent qualifications listed in the notification.
What is the age limit for UPSC ESE 2027?
You must be 21 to 30 years old on 01.01.2027, with extra years allowed for SC/ST (5), OBC (3) and PwBD (10).
What is the application fee for UPSC ESE 2027?
The fee is ₹200, while women, SC, ST and PwBD candidates do not have to pay.
When is the UPSC ESE 2027 Prelims exam?
The Preliminary exam is on 31.01.2027 and the Main exam is on 18.06.2027.
What is the selection process for UPSC ESE 2027?
Selection is through a Prelims exam (500 marks), a Mains exam (600 marks) and a Personality Test (200 marks), followed by a medical exam.
Can final-year engineering students apply for UPSC ESE 2027?
Yes, final-year students can apply, but they must upload proof of passing within the 10-day window given after the Mains result.
Disclaimer: The information above has been compiled from the official notification for the convenience of job seekers. Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official website before applying.
