UPSC Engineering Services (ESE) Main Examination Syllabus 2026
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
The UPSC Engineering Services (ESE) Main Examination is the second stage of the Engineering Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It consists of two conventional (descriptive) papers, both based on the candidate's chosen engineering discipline. The Main Examination carries 600 marks and evaluates candidates' conceptual understanding, analytical ability, numerical problem-solving skills, and engineering design aptitude. Candidates qualifying the Main Examination are called for the Personality Test (Interview). :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Duration
Paper-I: 3 Hours Paper-II: 3 Hours
Marking
* Paper-I: 300 marks. * Paper-II: 300 marks. * The Main Examination carries a total of 600 marks. * Both papers are descriptive (conventional) in nature and test engineering fundamentals, analytical ability, numerical problem-solving, and design concepts.
Negative marking
There is no negative marking in the UPSC Engineering Services Main Examination, as both papers are descriptive.
Exam Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
| Paper-I | Engineering Discipline (Descriptive) | 300 |
| Paper-II | Engineering Discipline (Descriptive) | 300 |
Subject-wise Syllabus
Civil Engineering
### Structural Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Structural Analysis, RCC Design, Prestressed Concrete, Steel Structures, ### Geotechnical Engineering, Soil Mechanics, Foundation Engineering, Earth Pressure, Slope Stability, ### Water Resources Engineering, Fluid Mechanics, Hydraulics, Hydrology, Irrigation Engineering, ### Environmental Engineering, Water Supply Engineering, Wastewater Engineering, Solid Waste Management, Air Pollution, Environmental Impact Assessment, ### Transportation Engineering, Highway Engineering, Railway Engineering, Airport Engineering, Traffic Engineering, ### Surveying & Construction, Surveying, Estimation & Costing, Construction Planning, Project Management, ---
Mechanical Engineering
### Engineering Mechanics, Statics, Dynamics, Friction, Virtual Work, ### Strength of Materials, Stress & Strain, Torsion, Bending, Deflection of Beams, ### Theory of Machines, Kinematics, Gears, Governors, Balancing, ### Machine Design, Design of Machine Elements, Bearings, Springs, Brakes, Clutches, ### Manufacturing Engineering, Casting, Welding, Machining, Metrology, CNC Machines, ### Thermal Engineering, Thermodynamics, IC Engines, Boilers, Gas Turbines, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, Heat Transfer, ### Industrial Engineering, Production Planning, Operations Research, Quality Control, Inventory Management, ---
Electrical Engineering
### Electrical Circuits, Network Analysis, Circuit Theorems, AC & DC Circuits, ### Electrical Machines, Transformers, DC Machines, Induction Motors, Synchronous Machines, ### Power Systems, Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Protection, Switchgear, ### Power Electronics, Rectifiers, Inverters, Choppers, Converters, ### Control Systems, Transfer Functions, Stability Analysis, Controllers, ### Electrical Measurements, Measuring Instruments, Bridge Circuits, Sensors, Transducers, ### Analog & Digital Electronics, Operational Amplifiers, Logic Gates, Flip-Flops, Digital Circuits, ---
Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
### Electronic Devices, Diodes, Transistors, FET, MOSFET, ### Analog Circuits, Amplifiers, Oscillators, Operational Amplifiers, ### Digital Electronics, Logic Gates, Flip-Flops, Counters, Registers, ### Signals & Systems, Fourier Series, Laplace Transform, Signal Analysis, ### Communication Systems, Analog Communication, Digital Communication, Optical Communication, Satellite Communication, ### Control Systems, Mathematical Modelling, Stability, Frequency Response, ### Microprocessors & Embedded Systems, 8085 & 8086, Microcontrollers, Memory Interfacing, ### Electromagnetic Theory, Transmission Lines, Waveguides, Antennas, Microwave Engineering
Preparation Tips
- Develop strong conceptual clarity in all core engineering subjects of your chosen discipline.
- Practice descriptive answer writing along with detailed numerical solutions.
- Revise standard engineering formulas, IS codes, and design procedures.
- Solve previous years' UPSC ESE Main question papers to understand answer presentation.
- Improve diagram drawing and engineering sketching wherever applicable.
- Manage time effectively by practicing full-length descriptive mock tests.
- Focus on presenting structured, step-by-step solutions with proper assumptions, calculations, and conclusions.