The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2027 notification (Examination Notice No. 02/2027-ENGG) for recruitment to various Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ engineering services and posts. The examination is expected to fill approximately 480 vacancies, including 19 reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). Online applications will be accepted from 16.09.2026 to 06.10.2026 through the UPSC online portal; the Preliminary Examination is scheduled for 31.01.2027 and the Main Examination for 18.06.2027. Eligible candidates should review the notification, eligibility criteria, application process, exam pattern and other instructions before applying.
Key dates
Important timelines for ESE 2027 are provided in the notification and must be observed by applicants.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Date of Notification | 16.09.2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 16.09.2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 06.10.2026 |
| Preliminary (Stage-I) Examination | 31.01.2027 |
| Main (Stage-II) Examination | 18.06.2027 |
| Personality Test/Interview (Stage-III) | To be intimated to qualified candidates |
Vacancy details
The notification states an expected total of approximately 480 vacancies across Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Electronics & Telecommunication disciplines; the number is liable to change.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Total expected vacancies | Approximately 480 (subject to alteration) |
| PwBD vacancies (included in total) | 19 (includes 11 for Locomotor Disability; Low Vision 1; Specific Learning Disability & Multiple Disabilities 1; Hard of Hearing included within the 19 — exact split in official notice) |
Services and posts
Recruitment is to Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ engineering services/posts across multiple Ministries and Departments of the Government of India as listed in Annexure-I of the ESE 2027 Rules.
Examples of services and cadres include Central Engineering Service, Central Engineering Service (Roads), Indian Railway Management Service (Civil/Mechanical/Electrical/Signal & Telecommunication/Stores), Central Water Engineering Service, Indian Telecommunication Service, Indian Radio Regulatory Service, Indian Naval Armament Service, Indian Naval Material Management Service, Indian Defence Service of Engineers, Central Power Engineering Service, Indian Skill Development Service, and Assistant Executive Engineer (Geological Survey of India).
Eligibility — nationality, educational qualification and age
Candidates must satisfy nationality, educational and age criteria specified in the notification. Admission at all stages is provisional and subject to verification of original documents.
Nationality
The notification permits citizens of India and specified categories including subjects of Nepal and Bhutan, certain Tibetan refugees, and persons of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries, subject to the Government of India certificate of eligibility where applicable.
Educational qualification
Candidates must possess one of the prescribed engineering qualifications or equivalent as set out in the notification; candidates who have appeared for or intend to appear for the qualifying examination may apply provisionally and must submit proof of passing within the time limit stated.
Accepted qualifications include, among others, an engineering degree from a recognised university, Sections A & B of the Institution of Engineers (India) examinations, specified foreign degrees/diplomas, Graduate Membership examinations of relevant professional bodies and specified qualifications for select posts (for example, an M.Sc. in Wireless Communication Electronics/Radio Physics/Radio Engineering for certain posts).
Important legal and eligibility notes in the notification include a Delhi High Court judgment effect: degrees/certificates from the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (India) and the Aeronautical Society of India obtained after admission post 31.05.2013 will not be admissible for ESE 2027. Eligibility of candidates with Institution of Engineers (India) degrees admitted after 31.05.2013 is subject to a pending Government decision referenced in the notification.
Age limit and relaxations
Age limits and applicable relaxations are set out in the notification; the basic age range is provided below.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 21 years (as on 01.01.2027) |
| Maximum age | 30 years (as on 01.01.2027; born not earlier than 02.01.1997 and not later than 01.01.2006) |
Permitted age relaxations include:
- SC / ST: up to 5 years
- OBC (eligible for reservation): up to 3 years
- Defence Services personnel disabled in operations/hostilities: up to 3 years
- Ex-Servicemen (including Commissioned Officers, ECOs/SSCOs with ≥5 years’ service): up to 5 years
- PwBD (specified categories): up to 10 years
- Eligible Government servants in certain departments (holding permanent posts or ≥3 years’ continuous temporary service): up to 5 years
Application process and fee
Applications are to be submitted online through the UPSC online portal during the specified window; candidates should follow the examination-specific steps in the notification and retain their application details for future correspondence.
Key application steps provided in the notification include account creation, Universal Registration and completion of the Common Application Form (CAF), filling the examination-specific module during the application window, uploading required photographs and signatures, uploading proof of age and educational qualification, paying the prescribed fee (if applicable), and submitting before the closing date.
The application fee is ₹200 for candidates required to pay; Female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates are exempted. Accepted payment modes are net banking, Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card or UPI. Fee once paid is non-refundable and payment through other modes is not valid.
Exam pattern and selection stages
ESE 2027 will be conducted in three stages: Stage-I Preliminary (objective), Stage-II Main (conventional) and Stage-III Personality Test/Interview. Marks from all three stages contribute to the final ranking and service allocation is based on rank and preferences.
Stage-I: Preliminary Examination (Objective type)
The Preliminary Examination is objective type and consists of two papers; only candidates who qualify Stage-I are eligible for Stage-II.
| Paper | Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Studies and Engineering Aptitude | 2 hours | 200 |
| Paper-II | Engineering Discipline-specific (Civil/Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics & Telecommunication) | 3 hours | 300 |
| Total | 500 | ||
Stage-II: Main Examination (Conventional type)
The Main Examination comprises two conventional papers in the candidate’s chosen engineering discipline; papers must be answered in English.
| Paper | Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | Engineering Discipline-specific | 3 hours | 300 |
| Paper-II | Engineering Discipline-specific | 3 hours | 300 |
| Total | 600 | ||
Stage-III: Personality Test/Interview
The Personality Test carries 200 marks; candidates summoned are about twice the number of vacancies. The Personality Test assesses leadership, initiative, intellectual curiosity, social qualities, practical application, integrity and related attributes.
Negative marking and final ranking
Objective papers include negative marking: one-third of the marks for a question will be deducted for each wrong answer. Multiple answers to a question are treated as wrong and penalised. Final ranking is determined by the total marks across Stage-I, Stage-II and Stage-III.
Medical examination and physical standards
Candidates recommended for appointment will undergo a medical examination as decided by the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications. Physical standards prescribed in Appendix-II of the ESE 2027 Rules (Gazette of India (Extraordinary) dated 16.09.2026) apply for allocation and final appointment.
Important instructions for applicants
The notification includes several important instructions that applicants must follow to avoid rejection or disqualification.
- Ensure you fulfil all eligibility conditions; admission at all stages is provisional pending verification.
- Issue of an e-Admit Card does not imply final clearance of candidature; original documents will be verified after qualification for the Personality Test.
- All communication will be through the registered email ID and the Commission’s website; provide an active email and mobile number.
- Retain your Application Number, Roll Number and other registration details for future correspondence.
- Irrelevant matter or identity-disclosing marks on answer scripts may attract penalty or non-evaluation of the script.
- Read the full Rules of ESE 2027 and the Examination Notice carefully, including functional classification and physical requirements for PwBD categories.
- The Commission does not enter into correspondence regarding non-selection or non-shortlisting; canvassing in any form will lead to disqualification.
Official links
Candidates should use the official UPSC portals and notification PDF for application and authoritative information.
