Careers360 Logo
ask-icon
share
    UPSC ESE Cut off 2026 - Previous year & Expected Cutoff for prelims & Mains

    UPSC ESE Cut off 2026 - Previous year & Expected Cutoff for prelims & Mains

    Switch toEnglish IconHindi Icon
    Vishnukumar VUpdated on 26 Feb 2026, 08:51 PM IST
    Switch toEnglish IconHindi Icon

    Union Public Service Commission releases the UPSC ESE cut off 2026 in online mode on the official website - upsc.gov.in. The commission releases the ESE cut off category-wise and post-wise. The UPSC ESE cut off 2026 will be released in PDF format for the UPSC ESE exam. UPSC ESE 2026 cut off is the minimum qualifying marks that each candidate will be required to score in order to qualify. It is to be noted that the minimum qualifying UPSC ESE cut off percentile for prelims and mains exam is fixed by the authorities.

    This Story also Contains

    1. UPSC ESE Cut Off 2026 Important Dates
    2. Stages of UPSC ESE 2026 Cut off
    3. UPSC ESE Result 2026
    4. UPSC ESE Answer Key 2026
    UPSC ESE Cut off 2026 - Previous year & Expected Cutoff for prelims & Mains
    UPSC ESE Cut Off

    UPSC ESE Cut Off 2026 Important Dates

    To keep track of the release date of the cut offs for UPSC ESE 2026, candidates can check the important dates mentioned in the table below.

    UPSC ESE 2026 Cutoff Dates

    Events

    Dates

    UPSC ESE Prelims exam

    February 8, 2026

    Result of ESE Prelims exam

    February 26, 2026

    Mains Exam

    June 21, 2026

    UPSC ESE Mains result

    To be announced

    UPSC ESE Final Cut off

    To be announced

    Quick Links:

    Factors that determine UPSC ESE Cut off 2026

    The factors that are analysed while making the UPSC ESE cut off are given below.

    • Number of candidates appearing for the exam

    • Total number of ESE 2026 vacancies.

    • The difficulty level of the exam

    Stages of UPSC ESE 2026 Cut off

    The cut off for UPSC ESE 2026 is released for three stages: prelims, mains and final stage. Those who secure the UPSC ESE prelims cut off 2026 will be eligible to appear in the mains exam and similarly for the final stage of recruitment. Aspirants can check the detailed bifurcation of all stages below.

    UPSC ESE Cut off 2026 For Prelims Exam

    The cut off for UPSC ESE 2026 prelims exam is calculated out of 500 marks. As per previous years’ UPSC ESE cut off trend, candidates are required to secure the qualifying cut off as per their category in the preliminary exam which is 15% (for General, OBC, ST and SC) while it is 10% for PH.

    This means, candidates belonging to general category, OBC, ST and SC candidates have to secure 75 marks and PH category candidates have to score 60 marks. However, candidates are required to score the overall ESE prelims cut off declared by the commission discipline wise as per categories.

    Check Here List of Other Government Exams

    UPSC ESE Cut off 2026 For Mains Exam

    The cut off of UPSC ESE 2026 for the mains exam is calculated based on prelims and mains exam and is determined out of 1100 marks. Out of which. 500 are for the preliminary exam and 600 are for the mains exam respectively. As per previous years’ UPSC ESE 2026 analysis, the minimum qualifying marks for General, OBC, SC and ST candidates is 20% while for physically handicapped candidates is 10%.

    This means, candidates belonging to general category OBC, ST and SC candidates have to secure 120 marks and PH category candidates have to score 60. However, the candidates have to score the overall UPSC ESE Cut off 2026 released by the commission discipline wise for the different categories.

    UPSC ESE 2026 Cut off – Final Allotment

    The final cut off of UPSC ESE is based on the marks secured by the candidates for selection and is calculated out of 1300 marks (500 marks for prelims, 600 for mains and 200 for interview). All India Merit list to select suitable candidates for the exam is prepared based on the final allotment. Candidates are allotted to different posts as per their rank in the merit list and preferences of branches and posts.

    How to calculate the Final Cutoff of UPSC ESE?

    Final cut off marks (1300) = Preliminary exam (500) + Mains exam (600) + Personality test (200).

    UPSC ESE Final Cut off - Previous years

    UPSC ESE Cut Off 2024

    UPSC ESE Cut off 2024 - Civil Engineering

    Category

    Minimum Qualifying Standards * [ESE(P)]

    (Out of 500)

    Minimum Qualifying Standards [Written Exam] (Out of 1100)

    Marks secured by the last recommended Candidate [Final Stage] (Out of 1300)

    General

    174510691

    EWS

    167478641

    OBC

    172480667

    SC

    151411576

    ST

    160437626

    UPSC ESE 2024 Cut off - Mechanical Engineering

    CategoryMinimum Qualifying Standards * [ESE(P)] (Out of 500)Minimum Qualifying Standards [Written Exam] (Out of 1100)Marks secured by the last recommended Candidate [Final Stage] (Out of 1300)
    General217537725
    EWS202519702
    OBC217521701
    SC184450658
    ST153348491

    UPSC ESE Cut off 2024 - Electrical Engineering

    CategoryMinimum Qualifying Standards * [ESE(P)] (Out of 500)Minimum Qualifying Standards [Written Exam] (Out of 1100)Marks secured by the last recommended Candidate [Final Stage (Out of 1300)
    General199489655
    EWS180432632
    OBC198444625
    SC178415601
    ST159407568

    UPSC ESE 2024 Cut off - Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering

    CategoryMinimum Qualifying Standards * [ESE(P)] (Out of 500)Minimum Qualifying Standards [Written Exam] (Out of 1100)Marks secured by the last recommended Candidate [Final Stage] (Out of 1300)
    General129343546
    EWS82280461
    OBC129343545
    SC76225426
    ST76230389


    UPSC ESE Cut Off 2023

    UPSC ESE Cut off 2023 - Civil Engineering

    Category
    Minimum Qualifying Standards * [ESE(P)]
    (Out of 500)
    Minimum Qualifying Standards [Written Exam] (Out of 1100)
    Marks secured by the last recommended Candidate [Final Stage] (Out of 1300)
    General
    218
    590
    783
    EWS
    204
    537
    726
    OBC
    213
    551
    752
    SC
    167
    464
    659
    ST
    189
    505
    688
    Total



    UPSC ESE 2023 Cut off - Mechanical Engineering

    CategoryMinimum Qualifying Standards * [ESE(P)] (Out of 500)Minimum Qualifying Standards [Written Exam] (Out of 1100)Marks secured by the last recommended Candidate [Final Stage] (Out of 1300)
    General173445661
    EWS173367640
    OBC173445623
    SC153362555
    ST138382593
    Total


    UPSC ESE Cut off 2023 - Electrical Engineering

    CategoryMinimum Qualifying Standards * [ESE(P)] (Out of 500)Minimum Qualifying Standards [Written Exam] (Out of 1100)Marks secured by the last recommended Candidate [Final Stage (Out of 1300)
    General173458666
    EWS173447653
    OBC173458633
    SC151346562
    ST168435586
    Total


    UPSC ESE 2023 Cut off - Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering

    CategoryMinimum Qualifying Standards * [ESE(P)] (Out of 500)Minimum Qualifying Standards [Written Exam] (Out of 1100)Marks secured by the last recommended Candidate [Final Stage] (Out of 1300)
    General124372594
    EWS77258534
    OBC118360566
    SC77241463
    ST77241490
    Total


    Quick Links:

    UPSC ESE Result 2026

    The Commission has declared the UPSC ESE result on February 26, 2026 on its official website - upsc.gov.in. The UPSC ESE 2026 result is released in PDF format and includes the roll number and names of all qualified candidates for the prelims exam. To download the UPSC ESE 2026 result, candidates have to download the PDF and search for their roll numbers. Those candidates who have qualified for the preliminary exam are eligible to appear in the main exam.

    Also, check the cutoffs of other UPSC exams:

    UPSC ESE Answer Key 2026

    Leading coaching institutes like Made Easy and IES Master will release the UPSC ESE answer key. With the help of the UPSC ESE 2026 answer key, aspirants can calculate their expected scores. UPSC will release the official UPSC ESE answer key in the form of a PDF later.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: Will ESE 2026 be postponed?
    A:

    The UPSC ESE 2026 prelims exam date is not postponed. It was held on February 8, 2026.

    Q: Can I crack ESE in 6 months?
    A:

    Yes, but these 6 months must have all your efforts. The ESE exam is one of the toughest, so candidates need to prepare well in advance.

    Q: Is IES tougher than IAS?
    A:

    If compared on the basis of the difficulty level, both these exams are of the same difficulty level.

    Q: When is the UPSC ESE cut off 2026 going to be released?
    A:

    UPSC ESE cut off 2026 is released after the conclusion of the ESE selection process.

    Q: What is the cut off for ESE prelims?
    A:

    Based on previous years UPSC ESE cut off, the cut off is as follows - General: 249, 617, 804 (Prelims, Mains, Final) , SC- Not available, 484, 642.

    Q: Is it difficult to clear IES?
    A:

    Yes, the UPSC ESE exam is considered one of the toughest exams in India.

    Q: Will the UPSC ESE Cut Off score for Prelims & Mains same?
    A:

    No, the cut off for both stages will be different.

    Q: I met the final UPSC ESE cut off 2026. What’s next?
    A:

    If you meet the UPSC ESE final cut off, you have passed the Engineering services exam. The final allotment list will be released after the document verification process.

    Q: Where can I check the ESE cut off year wise?
    A:

    Candidates can check the ESE cut off year wise from the official website of UPSC.

    Articles
    |
    Upcoming Competition Exams
    Ongoing Dates
    MPPSC State Services Late Fee Application Date

    17 Feb'26 - 1 Apr'26 (Online)

    Ongoing Dates
    MPPSC SFS Exam Late Fee Application Date

    17 Feb'26 - 1 Apr'26 (Online)

    Certifications By Top Providers
    Study from Still Life
    Via Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi
    Online Course of Indian Constitution
    Via NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
    Access to Justice
    Via National Law University, New Delhi
    Sports Psychology
    Via Indian Institute of Technology Madras
    Research Ethics
    Via Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala
    Criminal Justice Administration
    Via National Law University, New Delhi
    Swayam
     220 courses
    Edx
     201 courses
    LawSikho
     127 courses
    NPTEL
     92 courses
    Futurelearn
     89 courses
    Coursera
     76 courses
    Explore Top Universities Across Globe

    Questions related to UPSC ESE

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to UPSC ESE ?
    • Student Preparation for UPSC and GATE:

      • Many B.Tech students at Gautam Buddha University (GBU), Noida , prepare for competitive exams like UPSC Civil Services (CSE), Engineering Services (ESE), and GATE alongside their studies.

      • The university does not have dedicated coaching for UPSC CSE or ESE, but students rely on self-study,

    At Gautam Buddha University (GBU), Greater Noida, students pursuing B.Tech in various disciplines do prepare for government examinations like UPSC CSE, UPSC ESE, and GATE. Here's a general scenario:


    Preparation for Government Exams

    - *UPSC CSE*: Some students prepare for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE)

    Hello,

    You cannot give the UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE/IES) with a BSc Engineering degree . Here are the eligibility criteria :

    • Educational Qualification: A degree in Engineering (B.E./B.Tech) from a recognized university is mandatory.
    • Eligible Streams: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering are accepted.
    • BSc Engineering: This

    Hello aspirant,

    Hope you are doing absolutely great.

    So with regard to your query, YES for the ESE (Engineering Service Examination) exam any student who is a graduate of engineering can apply for this exam. If you had graduated from Btech course, then you are eligible for the exam.

    Hope

    Hello Aspirant,

    Eligibility criteria for IES or ESE are

    Candidate must have received a degree in Engineering from a university integrated by an act of the central or state legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an act of Parliament or acknowledged as deemed to be universities under