Latest verified update
UPSC has issued the Engineering Services 2027 notification. The stated application deadline is 6 October 2026 at 6:00 pm IST, and Preliminary is scheduled for 31 January 2027. This deadline is an exact cut-off, not an indefinite “apply now” invitation. Separately, the ESE 2026 Main result was published on 24 July and its personality-test schedule began on 21 September.
ESE 2026 and 2027: choose the correct cycle
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| ESE 2027 | New recruitment; notification dated 16 September 2026 |
| Application cut-off | 6 October 2026, 6:00 pm IST, unless UPSC subsequently changes it |
| ESE 2027 Preliminary | 31 January 2027, as notified |
| ESE 2027 Main | 18 June 2027 in the annual calendar; subject to change |
| ESE 2026 | Main written stage completed; personality-test schedule issued |
| Do not confuse | Engineering Services Examination with the separate Indian Economic Service examination |
Notification and application deadline
The ESE 2027 notice and exam page specify 6 October 2026 at 6:00 pm as the application cut-off. After that time, treat this window as closed unless a later official extension is published. Use the official portal rather than a copied application link from an earlier cycle.
Official reference: Current ESE 2027 notification.
Vacancies and eligibility overview
Detailed guide: UPSC ESE 2027: Notification, 480 Vacancies, Exam Dates & Eligibility
The notification estimates approximately 480 vacancies, including 19 PwBD vacancies, subject to alteration.
The ordinary age condition is 21 years attained but 30 years not attained on 1 January 2027: birth dates 2 January 1997 through 1 January 2006 before applicable relaxation. Engineering qualifications and specified alternative routes are detailed in section 3(III); some posts have additional conditions.
Application requirements and fees
The application fee is ₹200, with exemptions for female, SC, ST and PwBD candidates. Registration/profile completion and submission of the examination-specific form are separate steps. The notification does not allow withdrawal or correction of the submitted application; verify every field before submission and save the acknowledgment. Follow the portal’s current photograph, signature and ID instructions rather than old screenshots.
ESE 2026 dates: previous cycle still in selection
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 21 June 2026 | Main written examination date |
| 24 July 2026 | Main written result uploaded |
| 7 September 2026 | Personality-test schedule published |
| From 21 September 2026 | Personality tests scheduled; use the roll-number-specific date/session |
| Interview reporting | 9:00 am for forenoon; 1:00 pm for afternoon in the published schedule |
A candidate’s interview appointment must be read from the official roll-number schedule and e-summon letter. The start date is not the date assigned to every candidate. A Main shortlist is not a final recommendation.
Exam pattern, syllabus and selection
Detailed guide: UPSC CSE Exam Pattern 2026: Prelims, Mains & Interview
Detailed guide: UPSC CSE 2026–27: Notification, Exam Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus & Latest Updates
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Stage I: Preliminary | 500 marks: General Studies/Engineering Aptitude 200 and discipline-specific paper 300 |
| Stage II: Main | Two conventional engineering papers, 300 marks and 3 hours each; total 600 |
| Stage III: Personality Test | 200 marks |
| Final maximum | 1,300 marks; Preliminary marks count toward final ranking |
The objective-paper penalty is one-third of the marks assigned to a wrong answer; unanswered questions have no penalty. Main conventional papers are set and answered in English. Use the notification’s discipline-specific syllabus for Civil, Mechanical, Electrical or Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering. Do not apply the Civil Services rule excluding Preliminary marks to ESE.
Preparation resources and next action
For written preparation, use the syllabus and official previous papers for your discipline. For the older cycle, focus on the personal e-summon and document instructions. See the ESE admit-card and e-summon guide for the distinction between the two document types.
Official sources and review scope
- ESE 2027 notification
- ESE Preliminary 2027 official examination page
- ESE Main 2026: results and interview notices
- 2026 personality-test schedule, issued 7 September
- 2027 annual calendar
Read subsequent official amendments and your candidate-specific instructions. A shortlist or provisional allotment does not by itself establish appointment. No unannounced 2027 recruitment facts are inferred.
Frequently asked questions
Is ESE 2027 only a calendar prediction?
No. Its notification was issued on 16 September 2026; the application and Preliminary dates above are supported by that examination page and notice.
Do Preliminary marks count in ESE?
Yes. The ESE scheme includes Preliminary, Main and personality-test marks in final ranking.
Is the 2026 interview start date my interview date?
Not necessarily. Read the individual roll-number schedule and e-summon letter.