The much-awaited Indian Engineering Services (IES) exam notification for 2025 has been released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). For engineering graduates aiming to enter prestigious technical services in the central government, this is a key opportunity. In this post, we cover the latest details — dates, eligibility, exam pattern, preparation tips — everything you need to know to get started.
The IES (also called ESE — Engineering Services Examination) is a national-level examination conducted by UPSC for recruitment into various engineering services under the Government of India.
Selected candidates take up roles in departments such as Railways, Central Engineering Services, Border Roads, Defence, Central Water Engineering, and more.
The exam tests not only technical proficiency but also general aptitude, problem solving, and personality.
Here are the major dates and schedules for IES 2025:
| Event | Date / Details |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 18 September 2024 upsc.gov.in+2PW Only IAS+2 |
| Application Start | 18 September 2024 upsc.gov.in+1 |
| Application Deadline (first window) | 8 October 2024 PW Only IAS+2PW Only IAS+2 |
| Application Window Re-opened | 18 October to 22 November 2024 Utkarsh Classes+2PW Only IAS+2 |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 8 June 2025 PW Only IAS+3upsc.gov.in+3https://www.careerindia.com+3 |
| Main Exam Date | 10 August 2025 Testbook+2PW Only IAS+2 |
For the year 2025, 457 vacancies have been announced across different engineering disciplines. Prep.in+2PW Only IAS+2
The branches generally include Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering. rguktn.ac.in+2PW Only IAS+2
A detailed category-wise distribution (by discipline, service, reservation) is expected to be released or updated by UPSC in the notification or in addenda.
To appear in IES 2025, candidates must satisfy certain eligibility conditions. Below is an outline (based on the official notification and past practice):
Nationality
Must be a citizen of India (or meet specific criteria for certain other territories) as per UPSC norms.
Educational Qualification
A degree in Engineering (or equivalent) in one of the eligible branches (C / ME / EE / E&TC) from a recognized university.
Some relaxations or conditions may apply for those in the final year of engineering (check the official notification).
Age Limit
A candidate must have attained the age of 21 years and must not have attained the age of 30 years on 1 January 2025.
That is, they should be born not earlier than 2 January 1994 and not later than 1 January 2004. VKSIR
Age relaxations are applicable as per government rules for SC, ST, OBC, etc.
Other Conditions
The candidate should be of good character.
The candidate should satisfy medical standards (if prescribed).
Meeting any prerequisites mentioned in the official notification (such as minimum marks, etc.).
Always refer to the official notification PDF for precise and binding eligibility clauses.
The IES exam has three phases:
Preliminary Examination (Stage I)
Objective type (multiple choice)
Two papers:
Paper-I: General Studies & Engineering Aptitude
Paper-II: Engineering Discipline (based on branch chosen)
Negative marking is applicable (typically one-third mark deduction for wrong answers) madeeasy.in+1
Main Examination (Stage II)
Conventional / descriptive type
Two papers focused on the candidate’s engineering discipline (in-depth) madeeasy.in+2upsc.gov.in+2
Personality Test / Interview (Stage III)
Candidates who clear the Main Examination are called for a personality test/interview.
Assessment of overall personality, communication, decision-making, and suitability for a government engineering role.
The final merit list is formed based on the cumulative marks secured across all phases.
Applications must be submitted online via the UPSC portal (not through any offline method).
Upload scanned copies of required documents (photograph, signature, educational certificates, etc.).
Pay the application fee (if applicable) in the stipulated mode within the deadline window.
Stick to the timeline for corrections (if allowed) and keep all transaction & application references safely stored.
After successful registration, download the admit cards when released (usually published a few weeks before exam dates).
Here are some strategies to boost your chances:
Know the Syllabus & Pattern Thoroughly
Download the official notification and syllabus PDF. Mark important topics, weightage, and past trends.
Make a Study Schedule
Allocate daily/weekly time to general studies (for Paper I) and discipline-specific topics (for Paper II & mains).
Include revision slots, mock tests, and problem-solving drills.
Practice Past Year Papers
Solve previous years’ question papers under timed conditions to get familiar with the exam style, difficulty level, speed, and negative marking.
Mock Tests & Evaluation
Regular online or offline mock tests help you assess progress and identify weak areas. Analyze mistakes and rectify them.
Stay Updated with Technical & General Knowledge
Read technical journals, engineering magazines, national current affairs, government policies, infrastructure projects, etc.
Revision & Short Notes
Maintain concise notes, formula sheets, charts, and mind maps for last-minute revisions.
Time Management in Exam Hall
— Read questions carefully, avoid silly mistakes, manage time per question.
— Do not get stuck too long on one question; move on and return later if time permits.
Download and read the official notification PDF carefully (eligibility, exam center rules, documents, etc.).
Fill in the application early; avoid last-minute rush or server issues.
Mark exam dates in your calendar and work back from them to plan your revision.
Form study groups (if helpful), take mock tests, regularly revise.
Keep an eye on official updates, corrigenda, admit card release, result announcements, etc.
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