UPSC ESE 2026 Eligibility Criteria – Age, Engineering Degree & Nationality

UPSC ESE 2026

Union Public Service CommissionGraduate (Engineering) hard

ESE eligibility requires a specific engineering degree from a recognized university or institution. The age limit is stricter than CSE, capped at 30 years for General category.

Nationality

Candidates must be citizens of India. Subjects of Nepal/Bhutan and persons of Indian origin who have migrated from specified countries and intend to permanently settle are also eligible.

Educational Qualification

BranchRequired Degree
Civil EngineeringBE / BTech in Civil Engineering or equivalent
Mechanical EngineeringBE / BTech in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent (incl. Production/Industrial Engg)
Electrical EngineeringBE / BTech in Electrical Engineering or Electrical & Electronics Engineering
Electronics & TelecommunicationBE / BTech in Electronics / Telecommunication / Electronics & Communication / Electronics & Instrumentation

Age Limit (As on 1st January 2026)

CategoryMaximum Age
General / EWS30 years
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)33 years (+3)
SC / ST35 years (+5)
PwD (General)40 years (+10)
PwD (OBC)43 years (+13)
PwD (SC/ST)45 years (+15)

Important Notes

  • Minimum age: 21 years for all categories
  • AMIE (Associate Member of Institution of Engineers) candidates are eligible subject to completion of both sections A and B
  • Final year engineering students can apply but must have degree by the time of document verification

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.Is a diploma in engineering sufficient for UPSC ESE?

No. A full degree (BE / BTech or equivalent) in the relevant engineering branch is mandatory. Diploma holders are not eligible for UPSC ESE.

Q.Can a candidate with M.Tech apply without B.Tech first?

No. The minimum eligibility is a recognized bachelor's engineering degree. M.Tech candidates are eligible only if they also hold a BE/BTech in the applicable branch.

Q.Are candidates with integrated MTech programs eligible?

Yes. Integrated B.Tech/M.Tech (5-year) degrees from recognized universities are generally considered equivalent and candidates are eligible to apply. Verify with the official notification.

Q.What is the age cut-off date for UPSC ESE 2026?

The age is calculated as on 1st January of the exam year (i.e., 1st January 2026 for ESE 2026). This is different from CSE where the cut-off date is 1st August.

UPSC ESE 2026 HubOfficial Website

Join UPSC ESE 2026 Telegram

Get instant updates about latest government jobs, results, and admit cards.

/ नवीनतम सरकारी नौकरियों, परिणामों और एडमिट कार्ड की तुरंत अपडेट प्राप्त करें।

Join Telegram Channel

Get Daily Job Alerts

Subscribe to receive notifications about new government job openings, exam dates, and results.