UPSC ESE Question Papers 2026 - Download Prelims Exam Question Papers PDF

UPSC ESE Question Papers 2026 - Download Prelims Exam Question Papers PDF

Meghana Mohana KrishnanUpdated on 21 Oct 2025, 12:11 PM IST

UPSC releases the UPSC ESE 2026 question paper in online mode. The UPSC ESE question papers 2026 are uploaded at upsc.gov.in a few days after the examination. Candidates can download the ESE prelims question papers from the table below. Those preparing for the UPSC ESE exam can prepare using previous years' UPSC ESE question papers.

UPSC ESE Question Papers 2026 - Download Prelims Exam Question Papers PDF
UPSC ESE question paper 2024

Candidates who are planning to appear for the exam must go through the UPSC ESE previous year question papers to know about the type of questions, question trends etc. Apart from the question papers, candidates are also advised to check the UPSC ESE syllabus and exam pattern. Check all details related to the UPSC ESE question paper 2026 here.

How to download UPSC ESE Question Papers 2026?

To download the UPSC ESE 2026 question papers, aspirants are advised to follow the steps mentioned below -

  • Visit the official website - upsc.gov.in

  • To download the previous year's question paper, aspirants must click on the "Examination" tab on the header and click on "Previous Question Papers" from the drop-down.

  • A new page will open, browse through the exams there and click on "ESE Question Papers"

  • Select the question paper set mentioned there and click on it.

  • The question paper PDF will be downloaded on a new page, download it and save it to practice.

Note: A direct link to download the UPSC ESE question paper 2026 will be shared here as well.

Quick Links:

UPSC ESE Question Papers - Previous Year’s

UPSC ESE Question Papers 2025 (Prelims)

Subjects (Question Paper PDF)

Download PDF Files

UPSC ESE General Studies & Engineering Aptitude

Click here

ESE Mechanical Engineering

Click here

UPSC ESE Civil Engineering

Click here

ESE Electrical Engineering

Click here

UPSC ESE Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering

Click here

UPSC ESE Question Papers 2024 (Prelims)

Subjects (Question Paper PDF)

Download PDF Files

UPSC ESE General Studies & Engineering Aptitude

Click here

ESE Mechanical Engineering

Click here

UPSC ESE Civil Engineering

Click here

ESE Electrical Engineering

Click here

UPSC ESE Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering

Click here

UPSC ESE 2023 Question Papers for Mains

Subjects

Paper 1

Paper 2

Mechanical Engineering

Click here

Download here

Civil Engineering

Click here

Download here

Electrical Engineering

Click hereDownload here

Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering

Click hereDownload here

UPSC ESE 2022 Question Papers for Mains

Subjects

Paper 1

Paper 2

Mechanical Engineering

Download here

Download here

Civil Engineering

Download here

Download here

Electrical Engineering

Download here

Download here

Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering

Download here

Download here

UPSC ESE Question Papers 2021 for Prelims

Subjects

Question Paper PDF

General Studies & Engineering Aptitude

Download here

Mechanical Engineering

Download here

Civil Engineering

Download here

Electrical Engineering

Download here

Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering

Download here

UPSC ESE 2021 Question Papers for Mains

Subjects

Paper 1

Paper 2

Mechanical Engineering

Download here

Click here

Civil Engineering

Download here

Click here

Electrical Engineering

Download here

Click here

Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering

Download here

Click here

Benefits of Solving UPSC ESE Question Papers 2026

  • By solving the question papers of UPSC ESE 2026, aspirants can know the previous year's question trends.

  • It helps candidates know about the difficulty level of the questions and the topics on which the questions are based.

  • By practising the question papers of UPSC ESE 2026, they can also prepare for the exam in an efficient way.

  • It will also benefit in time management and increase candidate's question-solving skills.

  • Candidates can sharpen their skills.

Other relevant ESE links:

UPSC ESE Preparation Tips 2026

Here are a few tips on how to prepare for the ESE 2026.

  • Go through the detailed exam pattern of UPSC ESE.

  • Download and solve previous year's question papers of UPSC ESE on a regular basis.

  • Refer to the best books of UPSC ESE 2026 and don't get confused with a lot of study materials that are available in the market.

  • Get into the details of the subject while preparing as the descriptive test ask questions in depth.

Also read:

How to Practice with ESE Question Papers 2026?

The best way is to download the ESE question paper 2026 and keep a timer tuned with the exam time duration and solve each question within the time specified. This method will help in increasing the candidate's time management. Candidates are advised to download at least 15 years of the previous year's question papers of UPSC ESE.

It is also advised to work on the weak part and not just solve the question from easier sections, however, it is good to strengthen the easier sections as well. Make a timetable and follow it on a daily basis and also allot at least 2-3 hours of the daily time to solve the questions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How to download the UPSC ESE 2026 prelims question papers?
A:

Candidates can download the question papers of UPSC ESE 2026 from the steps mentioned above or by clicking on the direct link from the table.

Q: Where can I check the cut off marks of the UPSC ESE?
A:

The UPSC ESE cut off can be check on the official website.

Q: Is the UPSC ESE difficult?
A:

Yes, it is difficult to qualify the exam but only if you haven't prepared. So prepare in a better way to qualify it.

Q: How many papers are there in the UPSC ESE?
A:

In prelims paper there are 2 papers (MCQ-based) while in mains paper there are 2 papers (Descriptive) the second mains paper will be for discipline specified.

Q: When the UPSC ESE 2026 prelims scheduled to be conducted?
A:

The UPSC ESE prelims 2026 exam will be conducted on February 8, 2026.

Q: Is it important to solve UPSC ESE question paper?
A:

Yes, solving the question paper of UPSC ESE 2026 will help the students to know their preparation level.

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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