The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2027 notification. The recruitment drive is expected to fill approximately 480 vacancies across Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering services.
The online application process started on 16 September 2026. Eligible candidates must submit their applications by 6 October 2026 at 6:00 PM through the official UPSC online application portal.
ESE 2027: Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination | Engineering Services Examination, 2027 |
| Conducting authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Notification number | 02/2027-ENGG. |
| Notification date | 16 September 2026 |
| Approximate vacancies | 480 |
| Application mode | Online |
| Last date to apply | 6 October 2026, 6:00 PM |
| Preliminary examination date | 31 January 2027 |
| Main examination date | 18 June 2027 |
| Official website | upsc.gov.in |
| Application portal | upsconline.nic.in |
ESE 2027 Important Dates
Candidates should note the following dates announced in the official notification:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Release of ESE 2027 notification | 16 September 2026 |
| Start of online applications | 16 September 2026 |
| Last date and time to apply | 6 October 2026, 6:00 PM |
| Preliminary examination | 31 January 2027 |
| Main examination | 18 June 2027 |
Candidates are advised not to wait until the final day. Examination centres are allotted on a first-apply-first-allot basis, subject to capacity, except at Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata and Nagpur for the Preliminary examination.
ESE 2027 Vacancy Details
UPSC expects to fill approximately 480 vacancies through ESE 2027. This total includes 19 vacancies for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD):
11 vacancies for eligible locomotor disability categories
6 vacancies for candidates who are hard of hearing
1 vacancy for candidates with low vision
1 vacancy for Specific Learning Disability and Multiple Disabilities
The notified vacancy count is provisional and may be changed by the Government. Reservation will be provided for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and eligible PwBD candidates according to Government of India rules.
Engineering Categories Covered Under ESE 2027
Candidates may apply under any one of the following engineering categories:
Civil Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering
The participating services include Central Engineering Service, Central Engineering Service (Roads), Survey of India Group A Service, Border Roads Engineering Service, Central Water Engineering Service, Indian Railway Management Service, Indian Defence Service of Engineers, Central Power Engineering Service, Indian Telecommunications Service, Indian Radio Regulatory Service and other notified Group A and Group B services/posts.
Final service allocation will depend on the candidate’s merit position, preferences, number of vacancies and medical fitness.
ESE 2027 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy the prescribed nationality, age, educational and physical-fitness requirements. Admission at every stage is provisional until UPSC verifies the original documents.
Nationality
An applicant must be:
A citizen of India; or
A subject of Nepal or Bhutan; or
A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India; or
A person of Indian origin who migrated from one of the countries specified in the notification with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Candidates in the latter categories may require a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
Age Limit
Candidates must be at least 21 years old and must not have attained the age of 30 years as on 1 January 2027.
Therefore, the candidate must have been born not earlier than 2 January 1997 and not later than 1 January 2006.
The main upper-age relaxations are:
| Category | Upper-age relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | Up to 5 years |
| OBC candidates eligible for reservation | Up to 3 years |
| Defence Services personnel disabled in specified operations | Up to 3 years |
| Eligible ex-servicemen/ECOs/SSCOs | Up to 5 years |
| Eligible PwBD candidates | Up to 10 years |
Certain eligible government servants working in specified departments may receive relaxation up to 35 years for the corresponding services/posts. Candidates should read the official notification carefully before claiming any relaxation.
Educational Qualification
In general, a candidate must hold an Engineering degree from a recognised university or institution. The notification also recognises certain specified professional examinations and approved foreign engineering qualifications.
Candidates who have appeared in, or intend to appear in, an examination that would make them educationally qualified may also apply provisionally. If shortlisted for the Personality Test/Interview, they must submit proof of passing the required qualification within the period prescribed by UPSC.
Special qualification provisions apply to certain posts in the Indian Naval Armament Service and Indian Radio Regulatory Service. Applicants relying on professional-institution qualifications should also check the notification’s conditions regarding the date of admission to those programmes.
Medical and Physical Standards
Candidates recommended for appointment must undergo a medical examination and satisfy the physical and medical standards prescribed for the allotted service or post.
ESE 2027 Application Fee
The application fee is Rs. 200.
The following candidates are exempted from paying the fee:
Female candidates
SC candidates
ST candidates
Eligible PwBD candidates
OBC and EWS candidates are not exempt and must pay the full fee. Payment can be made through net banking, Visa/Master/RuPay credit or debit card, or UPI. Once paid, the fee will not be refunded or carried forward to another examination.
Documents to Keep Ready
Before starting the ESE 2027 application, candidates should keep clear scanned copies of the following documents ready:
Proof of age
Educational qualification certificate
SC/ST/OBC/EWS certificate, if applicable
Certificate supporting any age or fee concession claimed
PwBD certificate, if applicable
Details of a valid government-issued photo ID
Photograph and signature prepared according to UPSC instructions
UPSC has advised candidates to use Aadhaar as the identity document for easier verification. Other accepted photo IDs include Voter ID, PAN card, passport, driving licence or another photo ID issued by the Central or State Government.
How to Apply for ESE 2027
Candidates must apply online through upsconline.nic.in. No other application mode is accepted.
Create an account on the UPSC online application portal.
Complete the Universal Registration and obtain the Universal Registration Number (URN).
Fill in the Common Application Form (CAF).
Open the examination-specific module for ESE 2027.
Select the engineering discipline and preferred examination centre carefully.
Upload the required photograph, signature and supporting documents.
Pay the application fee, if applicable.
Review every entry carefully and submit the application before the deadline.
Save the URN, application number and submitted application details for future reference.
While completing the CAF, applicants must upload a photograph and capture a live photograph. For the signature upload, candidates must sign three times, one below the other, on plain white paper using black ink.
No hard copy of the application needs to be sent to UPSC.
💡 Final Thoughts
The ESE 2027 notification offers a major opportunity for engineering graduates seeking prestigious technical posts under the Government of India. Since centre allotment is subject to availability and submitted applications cannot be corrected, eligible candidates should read the official notification carefully and apply well before 6 October 2026.
ESE 2027 Helpdesk
During the application window, candidates can contact the UPSC helpdesk for assistance with fee payment, document uploads or other application issues:
Phone: 011-24041001 / 011-40303444
Email: upscsoap@nic.in
Working hours: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on working days from 16 September to 6 October 2026
