UPSC ESE Syllabus 2026 (Out) - Download prelims and mains exam Syllabus PDFs

UPSC ESE Syllabus 2026 (Out) - Download prelims and mains exam Syllabus PDFs

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Vishnukumar VUpdated on 29 Sep 2025, 10:46 AM IST
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Union Public Service Commission mentioned the UPSC ESE 2026 syllabus in the official notification. Candidates can download the UPSC ESE syllabus pdf 2026 at upsc.gov.in. Candidates are advised to check the ESE prelims syllabus and exam pattern before starting the exam preparation. With the help of the syllabus, candidates will know where they need to focus more and an overall idea about the UPSC ESE exam.

This Story also Contains

  1. UPSC ESE 2026 Syllabus PDF
  2. UPSC ESE Syllabus 2026 for Prelims
  3. UPSC ESE Exam Pattern 2026
  4. UPSC ESE Question Paper 2026
  5. How to prepare for UPSC ESE 2026
UPSC ESE Syllabus 2026 (Out) -  Download prelims and mains exam Syllabus PDFs
UPSC ESE syllabus 2026

According to the UPSC Engineering Services syllabus 2026, there will be two papers in the prelims exam whereas the main exam will have descriptive questions.

UPSC ESE 2026 Syllabus PDF

Candidates can start their exam preparation with the previous year's UPSC ESE prelims syllabus 2026. After the release of the UPSC ESE syllabus, candidates can match the chapters and topics. Candidates are advised to cover each and every topic of the UPSC ESE 2026 syllabus at least a month before the exam date so that they can utilize time for revision later on.

UPSC ESE Syllabus 2026 for Prelims

According to the ESE prelims syllabus 2026, the exam has two papers. UPSC ESE Paper I consist of general studies & engineering aptitude and Paper II will be based on the subject chosen by the candidates i.e, Civil Engineering/ Mechanical Engineering/ Electrical Engineering/ Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering. All the important topics like current affairs, logical reasoning, quantitative aptitude etc., will be covered in Paper-1 whereas Paper-2 covers topics of the relevant subject opted by the candidate.

Also check:

UPSC ESE 2026 Syllabus for Paper 1 (Prelims)

Paper

Topics [Preliminary Examination/Stage‐I (objective type Paper–II)]

Paper I - General Studies and Engineering Aptitude - Preliminary Examination (Objective type - Common to all Candidates)

  • Current issues of national and international importance relating to social, economic and industrial development

  • Engineering Aptitude covering Logical reasoning and Analytical ability

  • Engineering Mathematics and Numerical Analysis

  • General Principles of Design, Drawing, Importance of Safety

  • Standards and Quality practices in production, construction, maintenance and services

  • Basics of Energy and Environment: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, Climate Change, Environmental impact assessment

  • Basics of Project Management

  • Basics of Material Science and Engineering

  • Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) based tools and their applications in Engineering such as networking, e‐governance and technology-based education.

  • Ethics and values in the Engineering profession.


UPSC ESE Syllabus 2026 - Mains Exam (Papers 1 and 2)

Branches

Topics

ESE Civil Engineering Syllabus

Paper I:

Building Materials

Solid Mechanics

Structural Analysis

Design of Steel Structures

Design of Concrete and Masonry structures

Construction Practice

Planning and Management

Paper II:

Flow of Fluids, Hydraulic Machines and Hydro Power

  • Fluid Mechanics, Open Channel Flow, Pipe Flow

  • Hydraulic Machines and hydropower

Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering

Environmental Engineering

  • Water Supply Engineering

  • Waste Water Engineering

  • Solid Waste Management

  • Air, Noise Pollution and Ecology

Geo‐technical Engineering and Foundation Engineering

  • Geotechnical Engineering:

  • Foundation Engineering

Surveying and Geology

  • Surveying

  • Geology

Transportation Engineering

  • Highways

  • Tunnelling

  • Railways Systems

  • Harbours

  • Airports

Mechanical Engineering

Paper 1:

Fluid Mechanics

Thermodynamics and Heat transfer

IC Engines, Refrigeration and Air conditioning

Turbo Machinery

Power Plant Engineering

Renewable Sources of Energy

Paper 2:

Engineering Mechanics

Engineering Materials

Mechanisms and Machines

Design of Machine Elements

Manufacturing, Industrial and Maintenance Engineering

Mechatronics and Robotics

Electrical Engineering

Paper I:

Engineering Mathematics

Electrical Materials

Electrical and Electronic Measurements

Computer Fundamentals

Basic Electronics Engineering

Paper II:

Analog and Digital Electronics

Systems and Signal Processing

Control Systems

Electrical Machines

Power Systems

Power Electronics and Drives

Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering

Paper-1:

Basic Electronics Engineering

Basic Electrical Engineering

Materials Science

Electronic Measurements and Instrumentation

Network Theory

Analog and Digital Circuits

Paper-2:

Analog and Digital Communication Systems

Control Systems

Electro Magnetics

Advanced Electronics Topics

Advanced Communication Topics

Also read:

UPSC ESE Exam Pattern 2026

The exam pattern of UPSC ESE 2026 varies for prelims and main examinations. According to the UPSC ESE 2026 exam pattern, the total marks obtained in prelims stage will be 500 whereas the total marks for mains exam will be 600. Candidates can check the details about the exam pattern of UPSC ESE 2026 from the tables below.

UPSC ESE Prelims Exam Pattern 2026

Papers

Subjects

Marks

Exam Duration

Paper 1

General Studies & Engineering Aptitude

200

2 hrs

Paper 2

Civil/ Mechanical/ Electrical/ Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering

300

3 hrs

UPSC ESE Mains Exam Pattern 2026

Papers

Subjects

Marks

Exam Duration

Paper 1

Civil/ Mechanical/ Electrical/ Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering

300

3 hrs

Paper 2

Civil/ Mechanical/ Electrical/ Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering

300

3 hrs

UPSC ESE Question Paper 2026

While preparing for the UPSC ESE exam, which is one of the toughest exams, candidates need to make sure that their preparation is in the right direction. To provide aid to the students, UPSC provides the question paper of UPSC ESE every year after the conclusion of the examination. It is important to solve the question paper to understand every bit of the UPSC ESE 2026 syllabus and exam pattern.

Also check:

How to prepare for UPSC ESE 2026

  • Select the best books that need to be based on the syllabus and exam pattern before beginning UPSC ESE 2026 preparation.

  • To improve your understanding and accuracy in answering a question, solve UPSC ESE question papers/sample papers as much as possible.

  • It is very vital to prepare for the UPSC ESE 2026 in a topical way. Check your subject and prepare as per your time management

  • Keep yourself hydrated from time to time and exercise regularly. It is very crucial during tests to keep a healthy lifestyle.

  • Manage time as per your weaker and stronger areas in the UPSC ESE 2026 syllabus.

  • Appear in the UPSC mock tests on a regular basis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: When will UPSC provide the UPSC ESE syllabus 2026?
A:

UPSC ESE 2026 syllabus has been provided in the official notification on the official website on September 26, 2025.

Q: How many papers are there in the prelims stage?
A:

As per the UPSC syllabus 2026, there are two papers in the prelims stage of recruitment process.

Q: Is it important to check the UPSC ESE syllabus 2026?
A:

Yes, the UPSC ESE 2026 syllabus will help the students to understand the important topics and chapters.

Q: How can I select the books for UPSC ESE exam 2026?
A:

Candidates have to choose books based on the latest UPSC ESE syllabus and exam pattern 2026.

Q: Can I expect any change in the UPSC ESE 2026 syllabus?
A:

No, the UPSC ESE syllabus remains the same.

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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