UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ENGINEERING SERVICES (MAIN) EXAMINATION, 2025

Key Insight

ESE 2025: UPSC’s gateway for engineering talent in central services.

Key Facts

1. UPSC will conduct the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2025.
2. ESE 2025 comprises a Preliminary screening test followed by two Main papers.
3. Paper I – General Studies & Engineering Aptitude: 100 marks, 2 hours.
4. Paper II – Engineering Discipline (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics & Telecommunication): 200 marks, 3 hours.
5. Eligibility: Indian citizen, age 21‑30 years, and a B.E./B.Tech degree from a recognized university.
6. Vacancies are announced for each engineering discipline as per the UPSC notification.

Background

The ESE is a key recruitment gateway for technical cadres in the central government, linking directly to the UPSC's mandate of merit‑based selection. Understanding its pattern and eligibility is essential for aspirants, as it intersects with GS topics on governance (public sector recruitment), constitutional provisions on civil services, and the role of engineering in nation‑building.

Mains Angle

In Mains, this can be framed as a question on the relevance of technical recruitment for effective governance, suitable for GS‑III (Science & Technology, Public Administration). Candidates can discuss how ESE aligns with the constitutional vision of a competent bureaucracy.