The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official notification for the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026. This year, UPSC will recruit candidates for 474 vacancies across Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication engineering disciplines. The notification was published on September 26, 2025, and the online application process has already started. Candidates can apply online until October 16, 2025, through the official UPSC portal.
UPSC ESE 2026 Vacancy Details
The UPSC ESE 2026 will fill a total of 474 posts under four engineering categories:
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Category I: Civil Engineering
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Category II: Mechanical Engineering
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Category III: Electrical Engineering
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Category IV: Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
How to Apply for UPSC ESE 2026
Candidates must register on the new UPSC online portal (upsconline.nic.in) to apply for the ESE exam. A Universal Registration Number (URN) is mandatory to proceed with the Common Application Form (CAF). The portal has four modules:
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Account Creation
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Universal Registration
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Common Application Form (CAF)
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Examination-Specific Application
The first three modules can be filled anytime, while the exam-specific module must be completed during the application window.
Step-by-Step Application Process
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Visit the official UPSC portal – upsconline.nic.in.
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Complete all three mandatory modules of the CAF.
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Select “Apply for Examinations” under the 4th module.
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Choose UPSC ESE 2026 and enter required details.
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Upload scanned documents in the prescribed format.
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Pay the application fee online.
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Submit the form and save a copy for future reference.
UPSC ESE 2026 Application Fee
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General and OBC candidates: ₹200
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SC, ST, PwBD, and Female candidates: Exempted from fee
UPSC ESE 2026 Exam Date
According to the official UPSC calendar, the ESE 2026 Preliminary Examination will be conducted on February 8, 2026. The date is tentative and subject to change as per the Commission’s requirements.
Key Takeaway
The UPSC ESE 2026 notification offers a golden opportunity for engineering graduates aspiring to join India’s engineering services. Interested candidates must complete the online registration before October 16, 2025, to avoid last-minute issues.
