UPSC IES Overview
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Engineering Services Examination (ESE), often referred to as IES, annually to recruit graduate engineers for various technical posts under the Government of India. Eligibility typically requires a Bachelor's degree in specific engineering disciplines – Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics & Telecommunication – along with adherence to age limits (usually 21-30 years, with relaxations). The selection process is multi-staged, beginning with an objective-type Preliminary Examination (Stage I), followed by a conventional (descriptive) Mains Examination (Stage II) for qualified candidates, and concluding with a Personality Test (Interview - Stage III). The final merit list is based on marks obtained in the Mains Exam and the Personality Test. The ESE 2025 process is currently underway (Mains typically held mid-year), and the notification for the ESE 2026 cycle is expected later in 2025. Okay, here's a short overview of the UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE/IES)
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Exam Date
Expected on Preliminary Exam: June 8, 2025
Main Exam: August 10, 2025
Personality Test (Interview): Dates will be announced after the Main exam results.
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Conducting Body
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) (expected).
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Exam Format
- Paper-I: General Studies and Engineering Aptitude (Common to all disciplines)
- Paper-II: Engineering Discipline Specific (Objective)
- Paper-I & Paper-II: Engineering Discipline Specific (Conventional/Descriptive)
UPSC IES Exam Pattern
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPSC ESE / UPSC IES |
| Full Form | Engineering Services Examination |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Annually (Once a year) |
| Exam Mode | Stage-I (Prelims): Offline (Pen & Paper based - OMR sheets) - Objective, Stage-II (Mains): Offline (Pen & Paper based) - Conventional/Descriptive, Stage-III: Interview (Offline) |
| Total Marks | Prelims: 500 (Screening only), Mains: 600, Personality Test: 200, Total for Final Merit: 800 (Mains + Personality Test) |
| Total Questions | Prelims: 250 (Expected: Paper-I: 100, Paper-II: 150), Mains: Varies (Conventional/Descriptive Type questions) |
| Posts/Disciplines Offered | Recruitment of engineers to Group 'A'/'B' posts in government services/departments under four disciplines: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering |
| Exam Fees | ₹ 200/- for General/OBC male candidates. Exempted (No fee) for Female/SC/ST/Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) candidates. |
| Exam Duration | Prelims: 5 hours total (Paper-I: 2 hours + Paper-II: 3 hours), Mains: 6 hours total (Paper-I: 3 hours + Paper-II: 3 hours) |
| Marking Scheme | Prelims: Objective type with Negative Marking (1/3rd marks deducted for wrong answers). Mains: Conventional/Descriptive type, marks awarded based on answers. No negative marking. |
| Medium of Examination | English only |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in | upsconline.nic.in |
| Contact Details | Address: Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi – 110069. Facilitation Counter: 011-23385271 / 011-23381125 / 011-23098543 (Working days, 10 AM - 5 PM) |
Stage-I: Preliminary Examination
| Paper | Subjects/Tests | Type | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | General Studies & Engineering Aptitude | Objective | 100* | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper-II | Engineering Discipline Specific** | Objective | 150* | 300 | 3 Hours |
| Total (Preliminary) | 250* | 500 | 5 Hours |
Stage-II: Mains Examination
| Paper | Subjects/Tests | Type | No. of Questions / Nature | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I | Engineering Discipline Specific** | Conventional | Conventional / Descriptive Type*** | 300 | 3 Hours |
| Paper-II | Engineering Discipline Specific** | Conventional | Conventional / Descriptive Type*** | 300 | 3 Hours |
| Total (Mains) | 600 | 6 Hours |
UPSC IES Exam Syllabus
1. Stage-I: Preliminary Examination
- Current Affairs (National/International: Social, Economic, Industrial relevance)
- Engineering Aptitude (Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability)
- Engineering Mathematics and Numerical Analysis
- Design, Drawing principles, Safety standards
- Standards and Quality practices
- Energy and Environment basics (Conservation, Pollution, Climate Change)
- Project Management basics
- Material Science and Engineering basics
- Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) applications
- Engineering Ethics and Values
- Covers the core technical subjects of the candidate's chosen engineering branch (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics & Telecommunication). Syllabus aligns with a standard undergraduate engineering curriculum for that branch.
2. Stage-II: Mains Examination
- Paper-I & Paper-II: Engineering Discipline Specific (Conventional/Descriptive)
- In-depth coverage of the core technical subjects of the candidate's chosen engineering branch. The syllabus is generally the same as Prelims Paper-II but tested through descriptive, long-answer questions requiring detailed problem-solving and theoretical explanations.
UPSC IES Syllabus & Key Information
Exam Syllabus
The UPSC IES exam consists of main sections:
- Paper-I: General Studies and Engineering Aptitude (Common to all disciplines)
- Paper-II: Engineering Discipline Specific (Objective)
- Paper-I & Paper-II: Engineering Discipline Specific (Conventional/Descriptive)
Key Dates
- Preliminary Exam: June 8, 2025
- Main Exam: August 10, 2025
- Personality Test (Interview): Dates will be announced after the Main exam results
Admit Card Download
- Visit UPSC Website: Go to the official UPSC portal (upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in)
- Find e-Admit Card Link: Navigate to the "Admit Cards" or "e-Admit Cards" section
- Select Exam: Click the link for "Engineering Services Examination, 2025" (Preliminary or Main)
- Enter Credentials: Registration ID (RID) or Roll Number, Date of Birth, and Captcha code
- Download: View and download your e-Admit Card (PDF)
- Print: Take a clear printout of the downloaded admit card
UPSC IES Answer Key
Answer Key Release:
- No Provisional Answer Key: UPSC generally does not release a provisional answer key for the Preliminary (Objective) exam.
- Official Answer Key: Released only after the final results are declared.
- Question Papers: Usually uploaded on the UPSC website shortly after the exam.
Result Calculation
Stage I: Preliminary Exam Result
- Marks for Paper-I and Paper-II are calculated based on OMR responses.
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
- Minimum qualifying marks and an overall cut-off are set by UPSC.
- Only those who meet both criteria are shortlisted for the Main Exam.
- Note: Prelims marks are not counted in the final merit list.
Stage II: Main Exam Result
- Consists of two descriptive papers, 300 marks each.
- Total marks: 600.
- Cut-off is determined; qualifying candidates proceed to Personality Test.
Stage III: Personality Test
- Interview for a maximum of 200 marks.
- Assesses candidate's suitability for public service.
Final Result Calculation
- Final Score = Main Exam Marks (600) + Personality Test Marks (200)
- Total = 800 marks
- Merit list prepared based on total score; service allocation based on rank, preferences, category, and vacancies.
Understanding the UPSC IES Exam
Nature of the Exam
A prestigious national-level exam conducted by UPSC for recruiting engineers into various government services. It's known for its comprehensive syllabus and competitive nature.
Structure of the Exam
- Stage-I (Prelims): Objective type (Offline, OMR-based)
- Paper-I: General Studies & Engineering Aptitude – 200 Marks, 2 hrs
- Paper-II: Engineering Discipline Specific – 300 Marks, 3 hrs
- Negative marking of 1/3rd for wrong answers
- Stage-II (Mains): Conventional/Descriptive type (Offline)
- Two papers from the selected engineering discipline – 300 Marks each, 3 hrs each
- Stage-III (Personality Test):
- Interview carrying 200 Marks
Key Aspects for Success
Success requires a strong grasp of fundamental engineering concepts, good problem-solving skills, awareness of general studies relevant to engineers, and effective time management.
Paper-I (General Studies & Engineering Aptitude) in Prelims often serves as a crucial differentiator among candidates.
UPSC IES Preparation Tips
1️⃣ Intensive Revision: This is the priority now. Focus on revising subjects and topics you have already studied. Avoid starting large new topics if possible.
2️⃣ Prelims Focus: Channel maximum effort towards the Prelims papers.
Paper-I (GS & Engg. Aptitude): Quickly revise Engineering Mathematics, Aptitude, and core concepts of other GS topics (Environment, Project Management, Materials, ICT, Ethics, Quality, Safety). Practice aptitude questions daily. Briefly review current affairs notes relevant to engineering/economy/environment.
Paper-II (Engg. Discipline): Revise all core subjects, focusing on formulas, key concepts, and standard problem types. Speed and accuracy are critical.
Paper-I (GS & Engg. Aptitude): Quickly revise Engineering Mathematics, Aptitude, and core concepts of other GS topics (Environment, Project Management, Materials, ICT, Ethics, Quality, Safety). Practice aptitude questions daily. Briefly review current affairs notes relevant to engineering/economy/environment.
Paper-II (Engg. Discipline): Revise all core subjects, focusing on formulas, key concepts, and standard problem types. Speed and accuracy are critical.
3️⃣ Previous Year Questions (PYQs): This is NON-NEGOTIABLE. Solve UPSC ESE PYQs for both Paper-I and Paper-II daily. Analyze the pattern, difficulty level, and important areas.
4️⃣ Mock Tests: Take at least 5–10 full-length Prelims mock tests (Paper-I & Paper-II) in a simulated exam environment. Analyze performance deeply to identify weak spots, time management issues, and accuracy levels.
5️⃣ Formula & Short Notes: Consolidate your short notes and formula sheets for quick last-minute revision.
6️⃣ Accuracy over Guessing: Remember the negative marking. Avoid blind guessing; focus on accuracy and confident questions.
7️⃣ Time Management: Practice solving questions within the stipulated time during your revision and mocks.
8️⃣ Health: Maintain good sleep, eat well, take breaks, and avoid burnout.
Best Books for UPSC ESE Preparation
1️⃣ Must-Haves:
- UPSC ESE Previous Years' Solved Papers (Paper-I & Paper-II, Objective)
- Books with detailed solutions (Made Easy, ACE, IES Master Publications)
- Your own notes/coaching material for focused revision
2️⃣ Paper-I (GS & Engg. Aptitude):
- ESE Paper-I books by Made Easy, ACE, IES Master
- Standard Aptitude book (e.g., R.S. Aggarwal)
- Source for current affairs relevant to engineering and environment
3️⃣ Paper-II (Engg. Discipline):
- Standard textbooks for clearing doubts (e.g., Khurmi/Bansal for ME, Theraja for EE)
- Discipline-specific Handbooks (e.g., Made Easy Handbooks)
- GATE PYQs for additional numerical practice (watch syllabus overlap)
