🏛️ Complete Guide to ESE/IES – UPSC Engineering Services Examination

The Engineering Services Examination (ESE), popularly known as IES, is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams in India conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It recruits engineers for various technical positions in the Government of India, offering a gateway to a powerful, secure, and prestigious administrative engineering career.

📌 What is ESE/IES?

ESE/IES stands for Engineering Services Examination / Indian Engineering Services. It is a national-level exam organized by UPSC to select engineers for high-level technical and managerial positions in government departments like:

• Indian Railways

• Central Public Works Department (CPWD)

• Indian Defence Services of Engineers

• Central Water Commission

• Border Roads Organization

• Telecom, Power, and other engineering services

Selected candidates become Class-1 Gazetted Officers.

📚 ESE Exam Overview

🧑‍🎓 ESE Eligibility Criteria

1. Nationality

• Must be an Indian citizen.

• Or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan.

• Or a Tibetan refugee settled in India before January 1, 1962.

2. Educational Qualification

• A degree in Engineering (B.E./B.Tech) from a recognized university.

• Final-year students are eligible to apply.

• For certain services, candidates from MSc (Wireless/Radio Physics or Electronics) are also eligible.

3. Age Limit

• Minimum Age: 21 years

• Maximum Age: 30 years (as of 1st January of the exam year)

• Age Relaxation:

  • SC/ST: 5 years

  • OBC: 3 years

  • Ex-Servicemen & certain others: as per government norms

📅 ESE Exam Pattern

The ESE exam is conducted in three stages:

Stage 1: Preliminary Exam (Objective)

✅ Qualifying in nature, but marks are counted in the final merit.

Stage 2: Mains Exam (Descriptive)

✅ Subjective answer writing. Only those who qualify Prelims can appear.

Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview)

• Marks: 200

• Assesses leadership, personality, technical knowledge, and communication skills.

📝 Engineering Streams in ESE

Candidates can apply through one of the following core engineering streams:

1. Civil Engineering (CE)

2. Mechanical Engineering (ME)

3. Electrical Engineering (EE)

4. Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering (ECE)

🛑 Note: You must choose your stream carefully as the entire exam (Mains and Prelims Paper II) will be based on this discipline.

📖 ESE Syllabus Overview

General Studies & Engineering Aptitude (Paper I – Common for All)

• Current issues of national and international importance

• Engineering Aptitude

• Engineering Mathematics & Numerical Analysis

• General Principles of Design, Drawing, and Ethics

• Project Management, Quality Practices

• Environment & Energy

• ICT (Information and Communication Technologies)

Technical Syllabus (Discipline Specific)

• Based on undergraduate engineering syllabus (GATE-level)

• Varies as per selected stream: CE, ME, EE, or ECE

🔗 [Check Detailed ESE Syllabus – PDF Available on UPSC Website]

🏛️ Departments That Recruit Through ESE

ESE officers are posted in prestigious central government departments, including:

• Indian Railways

• Central Engineering Service

• Central Water Engineering Service

• Indian Ordnance Factories

• Border Roads Organization

• Geological Survey of India

• Indian Telecommunication Service

💼 Career & Salary after ESE/IES

• Initial Post: Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) / Assistant Director

• Salary: ₹56,100 (Level 10) + DA, HRA, TA, and other allowances

• Perks:

  • Official vehicle

  • Government accommodation

  • Medical facilities

  • Gratuity and pension

  • Job security

  • Power and administrative control

Over time, promotions lead to Chief Engineer, Joint Secretary, and higher administrative posts.

🧠 How to Prepare for ESE?

🔑 Key Preparation Tips:

• Start preparation in 3rd year of engineering.

• Focus on engineering core subjects (GATE + ESE syllabus overlaps).

• Study General Studies & Aptitude regularly.

• Solve previous years’ papers (at least last 10 years).

• Practice subjective answer writing for the Mains exam.

• Join test series for Prelims and Mains.

• Develop communication skills for the interview.

📚 Recommended Books:

• General Studies: Topper Teachers Recommends Best Book As Per General Studies. 

• Engineering Subjects: Standard Textbooks (e.g., Thermodynamics by P.K. Nag, Networks by Van Valkenburg)

• Previous Year Papers: UPSC official question papers

🎓 Coaching for ESE

Join trusted institutes like:

• Topper Teachers – ESE Foundation, Crash Courses

These provide structured study plans, live classes, mocks, and mentorship.

🔔 ESE Notification & Application

• ESE Notification: Released every September on the UPSC official website

• Application Period: Usually opens in September-October

• Prelims Exam: Conducted in February

• Mains Exam: June/July

• Final Results: December-January

🏁 Conclusion

Cracking the ESE/IES exam is not just about clearing a test; it’s about entering the prestigious world of Indian engineering bureaucracy. It’s one of the few exams that offer technical expertise combined with administrative power, along with lifetime job security and societal respect.

If you dream of leading engineering projects for the nation, contributing to policy, and enjoying the benefits of civil service – ESE is your gateway.