The Union Public Service Commission has announced the schedule for the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) Mains 2026, with the written stage set to be conducted on June 21, 2026. Candidates who qualified the preliminary examination will appear for two discipline-specific papers on the same day in separate shifts.The Mains exam will be held in conventional (descriptive) mode and will test core engineering knowledge across Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics and Telecommunication disciplines. Each paper will carry 300 marks, making the written stage crucial for shortlisting candidates for the interview round. Aspirants are advised to review the exam pattern and align their preparation with the official schedule released by UPSC.
UPSC ESE: Two papers to be held on same day
The ESE Mains 2026 will consist of two descriptive papers, each of three hours duration. The examination will be conducted in morning and afternoon shifts:
- Paper I: 09:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
- Paper II: 02:30 PM to 05:30 PM
Both papers will be conducted in offline (conventional) mode, requiring candidates to write detailed answers.Check official schedule released by UPSC here.
Disciplines covered in ESE Mains
The examination will be held for the following engineering streams:
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering
Each paper will be discipline-specific, testing candidates on core technical subjects from their respective branches.
Marking scheme and exam pattern
Each paper in the ESE Mains carries 300 marks, taking the total to 600 marks for the written stage. The papers are designed to assess candidates’ conceptual clarity, analytical ability, and problem-solving skills through descriptive answers.Candidates must appear in both Paper I and Paper II to be considered for the next stage of the selection process.Candidates are advised to regularly check the official UPSC website for updates on admit cards, exam instructions, and result announcements.
