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    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