UPSC Engineering Services (ESE) Preliminary Examination Syllabus 2026
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
The UPSC Engineering Services (ESE) Preliminary Examination is the first stage of the Engineering Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The examination consists of two objective-type papers: General Studies & Engineering Aptitude and a discipline-specific Engineering paper. The Preliminary Examination carries 500 marks, and the marks obtained are counted for the final merit. Candidates qualifying this stage are shortlisted for the Engineering Services Main Examination. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Duration
Paper-I: 2 Hours Paper-II: 3 Hours
Marking
* Paper-I: 100 objective questions carrying 200 marks. * Paper-II: 150 objective questions carrying 300 marks. * Total marks in the Preliminary Examination: 500 marks. * Marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are considered for the final merit along with the Main Examination and Personality Test.
Negative marking
One-third (1/3) of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for every incorrect answer in both papers. There is no penalty for unanswered questions.
Exam Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper | Subject | Questions |
| Paper-I | General Studies & Engineering Aptitude | 100 |
| Paper-II | Engineering Discipline (Objective) | 150 |
Subject-wise Syllabus
Paper-I: General Studies & Engineering Aptitude
### Current Issues, National Current Affairs, International Current Affairs, Science & Technology, Government Policies, Infrastructure Developments, ### Engineering Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability, Numerical Ability, Engineering Ethics, Professional Values, ### Engineering Mathematics, Linear Algebra, Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus, Differential Equations, Vector Calculus, Probability & Statistics, Numerical Methods, ### General Principles of Design, Drawing & Safety, Engineering Drawing, Design Principles, Safety Standards, Occupational Health, Industrial Safety, ### Standards & Quality Practices, Quality Control, ISO Standards, Six Sigma Basics, Total Quality Management (TQM), Quality Assurance, ### Basics of Energy & Environment, Conventional Energy Sources, Renewable Energy, Energy Conservation, Environmental Pollution, Climate Change, Sustainable Development, ### Basics of Project Management, Project Planning, Scheduling, PERT & CPM, Cost Estimation, Risk Management, Resource Management, ### Basics of Material Science & Engineering, Crystal Structure, Engineering Materials, Heat Treatment, Mechanical Properties, Corrosion, Composite Materials, ### Information & Communication Technologies (ICT), Computer Fundamentals, Networking, Internet, Communication Systems, Cyber Security, Digital Technologies, ### Ethics & Values in Engineering Profession, Professional Ethics, Integrity, Accountability, Corporate Governance, Engineering Case Studies
Paper-II: Engineering Discipline
Candidates must choose one engineering discipline. Questions are based on the complete undergraduate syllabus of the selected discipline., ### Civil Engineering, Building Materials, Structural Analysis, RCC & Steel Structures, Geotechnical Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Surveying, Hydrology, Construction Management, ### Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Theory of Machines, Machine Design, Manufacturing Engineering, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, Industrial Engineering, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, ### Electrical Engineering, Electrical Circuits, Electrical Machines, Power Systems, Power Electronics, Control Systems, Electrical Measurements, Analog & Digital Electronics, Electromagnetic Fields, Network Theory, Renewable Energy, ### Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering, Electronic Devices, Analog Electronics, Digital Electronics, Signals & Systems, Communication Systems, Microprocessors, Control Systems, Network Theory, Electromagnetic Theory, Digital Communication
Preparation Tips
- Build strong fundamentals in your engineering discipline before attempting technical questions.
- Complete Engineering Mathematics thoroughly, as it supports both papers.
- Revise Engineering Aptitude, Ethics, ICT, Project Management, and Environmental topics regularly.
- Solve previous years' UPSC ESE Preliminary papers to understand the difficulty level.
- Attempt full-length mock tests with proper time management.
- Revise current affairs related to engineering, infrastructure, energy, and technology.
- Focus on conceptual understanding instead of rote learning for technical subjects.