Engineering Services (Main) Exam 2026: Date Announced? Check Complete Schedule & Syllabus Here

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has set the stage for one of the most prestigious examinations in the country. If you are an aspirant aiming for the coveted title of IES (Indian Engineering Services), this update regarding the Engineering Services (Main) Exam 2026 is crucial for your preparation strategy.

While the Preliminary stage filters the crowd, the Main Examination is where the real battle lies. The commission has released the schedule and details that every Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics aspirant must know.

Is there a change in the Mains pattern this year? When is the exact date for the conventional papers? We have compiled every single detail, from the Time Table to the Syllabus, in this comprehensive guide.

Engineering Services (Main) Exam 2026 Overview Table

Engineering Services (Main) Exam 2026: Latest Update

The Engineering Services (Main) Exam 2026 is the second and most decisive stage of the selection process. Candidates who qualify in the Preliminary exam (scheduled for February 2026) will be eligible to appear for the Mains.

According to the UPSC Annual Calendar and recent notifications, the Engineering Services (Main) Examination is typically scheduled for June 2026. This exam tests the in-depth technical knowledge of the candidates. Unlike the objective-type Prelims, the Mains exam is Conventional (Descriptive) in nature.

Aspirants are advised to download the official Time Table PDF (linked below) to understand the gap between papers and shift timings.

Read: UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist 2026: Exam Date, Schedule & Syllabus

Important Dates for ESE 2026

Missing a date can cost you a whole year. Keep these dates marked on your study table.

• Notification Release: September 2025
• ESE Prelims Admit Card: January 2026
• ESE Preliminary Exam Date: 08 February 2026
• Prelims Result Declaration: March/April 2026
• Engineering Services (Main) Exam Date: 21 June 2026 (Tentative/Refer Official Calendar)
• Mains Result: August/September 2026
• Interview/Personality Test: October/November 2026

Eligibility & Exam Pattern (Mains)

To sit for the Engineering Services (Main) Exam 2026, candidates must first clear the Prelims cut-off. Here is the detailed pattern you will face in the Mains:

The Exam Structure: The Mains exam consists of two papers for each discipline (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, E&T).

• Mode: Pen and Paper (Descriptive/Conventional).
• Duration: 3 Hours for each paper.
• Marks: 600 Marks Total (300 Marks per paper).

Paper Breakdown:

1. Paper-I (Discipline Specific): 300 Marks (3 Hours)
2. Paper-II (Discipline Specific): 300 Marks (3 Hours)

Key Rules:

• Calculators: Unlike Prelims, Scientific Calculators are allowed in the Main Examination.
• Medium: The paper must be answered in English only.
• Handwriting: Legible handwriting is essential; marks may be deducted for illegible scripts.

Detailed Syllabus for Mains 2026

The syllabus for the Engineering Services (Main) Exam 2026 is vast. Here is a brief overview of the core topics for each branch:

1. Civil Engineering:

• Paper I: Building Materials, Solid Mechanics, Structural Analysis, Design of Steel Structures, Design of Concrete & Masonry Structures, Construction Practice, Planning & Management.
• Paper II: Fluid Mechanics, Hydraulic Machines, Hydrology, Environmental Engineering, Geo-technical Engineering, Surveying, Transportation Engineering.

2. Mechanical Engineering:

• Paper I: Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer, IC Engines, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Turbo Machinery, Power Plant Engineering, Renewable Sources of Energy.
• Paper II: Engineering Mechanics, Engineering Materials, Mechanisms and Machines, Design of Machine Elements, Manufacturing, Industrial and Maintenance Engineering, Mechatronics.

3. Electrical Engineering:

• Paper I: Engineering Mathematics, Electrical Materials, Electric Circuits and Fields, 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.

4. Electronics & Telecommunication:

• Paper I: Basic Electronics Engineering, Basic Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Electronic Measurements and Instrumentation, Network Theory, Analog and Digital Circuits.
• Paper II: Analog and Digital Communication Systems, Control Systems, Computer Organization and Architecture, Electro Magnetics, Advanced Electronics Topics, Advanced Communication Topics.

How to Download Admit Card/Time Table (Step-by-Step)

When the admit card for the Engineering Services (Main) Exam 2026 is released (usually 3 weeks before the exam), follow these steps:

1. Visit the Official Portal: Go to upsc.gov.in.
2. Check What’s New: Look for the “e-Admit Card: Engineering Services (Main) Examination, 2026” link on the scrolling bar.
3. Read Instructions: Click on the link and read the important instructions carefully.
4. Login: Select “By Registration ID” or “By Roll Number”.
5. Enter Details: Enter your RID/Roll Number, Date of Birth, and the Captcha code.
6. Download: Your Hall Ticket will appear. Download it and take a printout.
7. Verify: Check your Name, Center, and Subject Codes.

Direct Links Section

Use the links below to access the official notifications directly.

FAQs Regarding Engineering Services (Main) Exam 2026

Q1: Is the Engineering Services (Main) Exam 2026 objective or subjective?

Ans: The Mains exam is Subjective (Conventional type), where candidates have to write descriptive answers. The Preliminary exam is Objective.

Q2: Are calculators allowed in the ESE Mains Exam?

Ans: Yes, candidates are allowed to use non-programmable scientific calculators in the conventional papers (Mains). However, they are strictly prohibited in the Prelims.

Q3: What are the total marks for the Mains stage? Ans: The Mains stage comprises two papers of 300 marks each, making the total 600 marks.

Q4: When will the ESE 2026 Mains Result be declared?

Ans: The results for the Mains exam are typically declared in August or September 2026, after which qualified candidates are called for the Interview.

Q5: Can I write the Mains exam in Hindi?

Ans: No, the question papers will be set in English, and candidates must answer them in English only.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on the official examination calendar and notifications released by the UPSC. Dates are subject to change by the commission. Please verify all details from the official website upsc.gov.in. We are an information portal.