UPSC Engineering Services (ESE):

Indian Engineering Services remains the most sought-after career for the engineering graduates in India. An all India level competitive examination, called Engineering Services Examination (ESE) is conducted every year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment to the Indian Engineering Services. The examination constitutes a two stage written examination and followed by an interview. ESE is considered as one of the toughest examination in India due to the difficulty related to the examination and the selection procedure. Also there are less number of posts and more number of aspirants.

The candidates who get selected for ESE, enjoy a very high respect and stature in the society. Candidates who are selected for ESE are appointed as Assistant Executive Engineer in various departments under central government for Group A and Group B posts. The various services in which recruitment is made through ESE include Indian Railways, Central Engineering, Central Water Engineering, Border Roads Engineering, Indian Defence Service of Engineers, Indian Ordinance Factories, Central Power Engineering, Indian Naval Armament Service, Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering, Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering, Indian Telecommunication Service, Wireless Planning & Co-ordination Wing etc.

ESE 2025: An Overview

  • Date of Notification : 18th September, 2024 
  • Last Date for Receipt of Applications : 22nd November, 2024
  • Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination : 8 th June, 2025
  • Engineering Services (Main) Examination : 10 th August, 2025
  • ESE Examination is conducted in following Engineering Streams:
    1. Civil Engineering
    2. Mechanical Engineering
    3. Electrical Engineering
    4. Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering

AGE LIMIT: 21 to 30 years (01st January 2025 of Examination Year)

(However certain categories of persons (SC, ST & OBC) and certain departmental candidates are eligible for age relaxation).

Educational qualifications: A degree in Engineering from a recognized university or equivalent. M.Sc. degree or its equivalent with Wireless Communications, Electronics, Radio Physics or Radio Engineering as special subjects are also eligible. Candidates appearing their final year engineering degree examination or equivalent are also eligible.

Engineering Service Examination
Year Vacancies (Approximately)
CE ME EE E & T IRMS STORE SERVICE TOTAL
2009 205 130 59 75 469
2010 178 134 102 170 584
2011 248 170 112 163 693
2012 269 169 103 94 635
2013 233 150 181 138 702
2014 242 125 104 118 589
2015 151 99 86 98 434
2016 225 179 106 94 604
2017 258 135 59 48 500
2018 161 136 108 106 511
2019 252 133 95 101 581
2020 193 86 100 116 495
2021 86 32 58 39 215
2022 127 39 25 55 246
2023 211 57 80 138 486
2024 113 13 29 86 251
2025
(Revised)
165 60 92 120 20 457

CUT OFF MARKS FOR ESE-2024

The candidate should secure minimum qualifying marks in each paper and also in aggregate of the three objective papers. The total marks of the last candidate finally selected for appointment are given below.

Marks Secured by the last recommended candidate (out of 1300 Marks)
Discipline Category
General EWS OBC SC ST PH-1 PH-2
Civil Engg. 691 641 667 576 626 391 -
Mech. Engg. 725 702 701 658 491 - -
Electrical Engg. 655 632 625 601 568 - -
Electronics & Telecom Engg. 546 461 545 426 389 499 455