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The IES Exam (Indian Engineering Services), conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is a highly competitive examination for engineering graduates seeking to join the government as Class-1 officers in various technical departments of the government of India. This exam is also known as the Engineering Services Examination (ESE). The UPSC Indian Engineering Services exam is conducted in three stages – a preliminary examination, a main examination, and a personality test. The examination is known for its high difficulty level; only a few candidates can crack it each year. The exam is highly respected and considered one of the most sought-after examinations for engineering graduates in India.
The UPSC Indian Engineering Services exam is held in various disciplines, including mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, and electronics and telecommunications engineering. Candidates who are successful in the examination are selected for various posts in government organizations, including the Indian Railways, Indian Telecommunications Service, Central Water Engineering, and Central Power Engineering. The UPSC Indian Engineering Services exam is prestigious and offers attractive remuneration and a challenging work environment. With many engineering graduates vying for a limited number of positions, the UPSC Indian Engineering Services exam is considered one of the toughest competitive exams in India.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Indian Engineering Services (IES) exam, a prestigious national-level competitive examination aimed at recruiting engineers for various departments and organizations under the Government of India. Commonly known as the UPSC ESE, this exam follows a three-stage selection process consisting of the Prelims, Mains, and a Personal Interview.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Conducting Body | UPSC |
| Full Form | Union Public Service Commission |
| Exam Name | Indian Engineering Services (IES) |
| Official Website | UPSC Official Website |
| Advertisement Number | 02/2025 ENGG. |
| Year | 2025 |
| Total Vacancies | 457 |
| Notification Release Date | 18th September 2024 |
| Last Date to Apply | 22nd November 2024 |
| Selection Process | Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, Interview |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year |
| Purpose | Recruitment for engineering roles in central government departments |
| Contact Numbers | 011-23385271, 011-23381125, 011-23098543 |
The UPSC IES 2025 is a golden opportunity for engineering graduates aiming to work in key government sectors. Make sure to follow the timeline and prepare accordingly.
UPSC has also released a notification about the details for the Indian Engineering Services exam. Candidates can read the IES 2025 Notification below:
Notif-ESEP-24-engl-060923Candidates planning to appear for the UPSC IES 2025 exam must stay informed about all the important dates related to the recruitment process. According to the official UPSC exam calendar, the key dates for the upcoming cycle are as follows:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Cycle | 2025 |
| Release of Official Notification | 18th September 2024 |
| Application Window | 18th September 2024 to 22nd November 2024 |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 8th June 2025 |
| Main Exam Date | 10th August 2025 |
Make sure to mark these dates and begin your preparation well in advance to stay ahead in the competition.
The UPSC IES 2025 exam offers a total of 457 vacancies across various engineering disciplines. The openings are available in the following branches:
A detailed category-wise vacancy distribution will be released shortly by the commission. Out of the total 457 posts, 22 vacancies are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) — including 13 for candidates with Locomotor Disabilities (such as those cured of leprosy, individuals with dwarfism, acid attack survivors, and those with muscular dystrophy) and 9 for candidates with hearing impairments.
Here is the Vacancy Trend for UPSC ESE (IES) Over the Last 7 Years:
| Year | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 457 |
| 2024 | 232 |
| 2023 | 327 |
| 2022 | 246 |
| 2021 | 215 |
| 2020 | 495 |
| 2019 | 581 |
To appear for the UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2025, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Candidates must ensure they meet all eligibility requirements before applying. For more details, visit the official website upsc.gov.in.
| Department | Post |
|---|---|
| Central Public Works Departments | C.E.S. Group ‘A’, CE&MES Gr ‘A’ |
| Ministry of Road Transport and Highways | Central Engineering Service (Roads) Gr. ‘A’ |
| Ministry of Communication, Dept of Telecommunication | Indian Radio Regulatory Service Group ‘A’, Indian Telecommunication Service Group ‘A’ |
| Ministry of Defence, Dept of Defence Production, Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance | Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service (DAQAS) Gr. ‘A’ |
| Ministry of Science & Technology, Dept. of Science & Technology | Survey of India Gr ‘A’ Service |
| Border Roads Organisation | BRES Gr. ‘A’ |
| Indian Navy | Indian Naval Armament Service, Indian Naval Material Management Service |
| Military Engineer Services | Indian Defence Service of Engineers (IDSE) Group ‘A’, AEE (QS&C) in Military Engineer Service (MES), Surveyor Cadre |
| Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources | Central Water Engineering Group-A Service |
| Central Electricity Authority | CPES Gr ‘A’ |
| Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship | Indian Skill Development Service |
| Ministry of MSME | Indian Enterprises Development Service |
The recruitment process for the Indian Engineering Services (IES) consists of three stages. Candidates must successfully clear each stage to be considered for final selection.
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination
The first step in the IES/ESE selection process is the Preliminary Exam, which serves as a qualifying round. It carries a total of 500 marks and is divided into two papers:
The General Studies paper will test knowledge at the graduate level, while the engineering-specific paper will be based on the standard of an Engineering Degree from a recognized university.
Stage 2: Mains Examination
Candidates who clear both papers of the Prelims will move on to the Mains stage. This phase consists of two descriptive papers, each worth 300 marks, making the Mains worth a total of 600 marks. The papers, known as Paper 3 and Paper 4, will cover topics from the candidate’s selected engineering discipline — Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering.
Stage 3: Personality Test
After clearing the Mains, candidates will be shortlisted for the Personality Test, also referred to as the personal interview. This final round carries 200 marks. Only candidates who meet the cut-off scores in the Prelims and Mains will be eligible for this stage.
Clearing all three stages is mandatory for final appointment to engineering posts under various government departments.
Candidates, except those belonging to SC/ST categories, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), and all female applicants, are required to pay an application fee of Rs. 200/-. The payment can be made online through net banking, credit card, or debit card. Alternatively, candidates can opt for offline payment by visiting the nearest SBI branch.
Application Fee Details:
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General/Unreserved | Rs. 200/- |
| SC/ST/PwBD/Female | Exempted (No Fee) |
To complete your application for the ESE/IES Exam 2025, ensure that you upload the necessary documents in the correct format. All documents must be in JPG format and should have a size between 20 KB and 300 KB. Below are the specifications for the required documents:
| Document Required | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Photo | – Minimum: 350 pixels (Height) x 350 pixels (Width) – Maximum: 1000 pixels (Height) x 1000 pixels (Width) |
| Signature | – Minimum: 350 pixels (Height) x 350 pixels (Width) – Maximum: 1000 pixels (Height) x 1000 pixels (Width) |
The IES 2025 admit card will be available on the official website, https://www.upsc.gov.in/, for each examination individually. Candidates who have successfully completed the application process are entitled to obtain their IES Admit Card from the official site.
To download the admit card, candidates must log in using their registration number and date of birth. Should there be any discrepancies found on the admit cards, candidates are advised to reach out to the examination authority for resolution.
A direct link to download the UPSC ESE (IES) 2025 admit card will be available on the official website once it is released.
Upon downloading the UPSC IES admit card, candidates must review all the details listed for accuracy thoroughly. The following details should be verified:
To ensure a smooth process for downloading your IES admit card, please follow the instructions below:
When going to the exam hall, candidates must bring their admit card and a valid photo ID card. Acceptable forms of photo identification include a passport, PAN card, voter ID, Aadhaar card, driver’s license, and others.
The exam centers for the IES 2025 exam are strategically located across various cities in India to facilitate candidates in accessing their examination venues easily.
| City | State |
|---|---|
| Agartala | Tripura |
| Ahmedabad | Gujarat |
| Aizawl | Mizoram |
| Aligarh | Uttar Pradesh |
| Prayagraj | Uttar Pradesh |
| Bangalore | Karnataka |
| Bareilly | Uttar Pradesh |
| Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
| Chennai | Tamil Nadu |
| Cuttack | Odisha |
| Dehradun | Uttarakhand |
| Delhi | Delhi |
| Dharwad | Karnataka |
| Dispur (Guwahati) | Assam |
| Gangtok | Sikkim |
| Hyderabad | Telangana |
| Imphal | Manipur |
| Itanagar | Arunachal Pradesh |
| Port Blair | Andaman and Nicobar Islands |
| Raipur | Chhattisgarh |
| Jhansi | Uttar Pradesh |
| Jammu | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Jorhat | Assam |
| Kohima | Nagaland |
| Kolkata | West Bengal |
| Tirupati | Andhra Pradesh |
| Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh |
| Jaipur | Rajasthan |
| Panaji (Goa) | Goa |
| Srinagar | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Madurai | Tamil Nadu |
| Mumbai | Maharashtra |
| Ranchi | Jharkhand |
| Kochi (Cochin) | Kerala |
| Nagpur | Maharashtra |
| Patna | Bihar |
| Sambalpur | Odisha |
| Shillong | Meghalaya |
| Udaipur | Rajasthan |
| Shimla | Himachal Pradesh |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala |
| Vishakhapatnam | Andhra Pradesh |
| City | State |
|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | Gujarat |
| Aizawl | Mizoram |
| Cuttack | Odisha |
| Delhi | Delhi |
| Dehradun | Uttarakhand |
| Raipur | Chhattisgarh |
| Ranchi | Jharkhand |
| Hyderabad | Telangana |
| Bangalore | Karnataka |
| Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
| Kolkata | West Bengal |
| Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh |
| Shillong | Meghalaya |
| Jammu | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Dispur (Guwahati) | Assam |
| Shimla | Himachal Pradesh |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala |
| Visakhapatnam | Andhra Pradesh |
| Mumbai | Maharashtra |
| Patna | Bihar |
| Jaipur | Rajasthan |
| Allahabad | Uttar Pradesh |
| Chennai | Tamil Nadu |
Aspirants aiming to take the ESE Exam should ensure that they meet all the eligibility criteria and fulfill the requirements at every stage of the examination. It is advisable for candidates to thoroughly review the complete details of the Exam Pattern before beginning the application process and preparation. The examination will be conducted in three stages as outlined below:
The ESE Preliminary examination marks the initial stage of the selection procedure, and it consists of two papers as detailed below:
| Paper | Subject | Question-type | Marks | Duration |
| Paper I | General Studies And Engineering Aptitude | Objective | 200 | 2 hours |
| Paper II | Engineering (Civil/Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics and Telecommunication) | Objective | 300 | 3 hours |
| Total | 500 | 5 hours |
Those who pass the UPSC ESE Prelims exam will be invited to participate in the Mains exam, which has the following characteristics:
| Paper | Subject | Question-type | Marks | Duration |
| Paper I | Engineering (Civil/Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics and Telecommunication) | Descriptive | 300 | 3 hours |
| Paper II | Engineering (Civil/Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics and Telecommunication) | Objective | 300 | 3 hours |
| Total | 600 | 6 hours |
IES Prelims syllabus 2025 for Paper I is the same for all the branches, while the Paper II syllabus differs as per the choice made by the candidate:
| Papers and Subjects | Topics |
| Paper I | Current affairs (national and international) Environment: conservation, pollution, climate change, and so on. Construction and production Maintenance, Importance of Safety, General Design & Drawing Principles Material Science Technologies of Information and Communication (ICT) Energy Basics Project Management Ethics and Values in the Engineering Profession Engineering Mathematics Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability |
| Paper-II (Civil Engineering) | Solid Mechanics Building Materials Steel Structures Design Construction Practice and Management Concrete design and Masonry structures |
| Paper II (Mechanical Engineering) | Power Planting Engineering Fluid Mechanics IC Engines Refrigerations Turbo Machinery Thermodynamics and Heat Paper |
| Paper-II (Electrical Engineering) | Engineering Mathematics Electrical Materials Electronic Measurements Electric Circuits Computer Fundamentals Basic Electronic Engineering |
| Paper-II (Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering) | Analog and Digital Circuits Network Theory Basic Electronics Engineering Materials Science Basic Electrical Engineering Electronic Instrumentation and Measurements |
The IES Mains syllabus 2025 is the same as the IES Mains Paper I, and IES Preliminary Paper II is the same. The difference lies that, in the preliminary examination, only objective questions are asked, while in the main paper, subjective questions are asked:
| Papers and Subjects | Topics |
| Paper-II (Civil Engineering) | Geotechnical Engineering Foundation Engineering Geology and Surveying Transportation Engineering Water Resource Engineering Hydraulic Machines and Hydropower |
| Paper-II (Mechanical Engineering) | Design of Machine Elements Engineering Materials Industrial and Maintenance Engineering Mechatronics and Robotics Mechanisms and Machines Engineering Machines |
| Paper-II (Electrical Engineering) | Systems and Signal Processing Digital and Analog Electronics Electrical Machines Control Systems Power Drive and Electronics |
| Paper-II (Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering) | Advanced Electronics Topics Advanced Communication Digital and Analog Communication Systems Electro Magnetics Architecture and Computer Organization Control Systems |
To check the IES results from 2025, you can visit the official website of UPSC, where the Union Public Service Commission releases the results. After clearing the Prelims exam, candidates must appear for the Mains exam. The Mains Result is then declared, followed by the Final Result. To check your IES result, follow these steps:
The cutoff for UPSC ESE (IES) 2025 is anticipated to be lower than in previous years. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will announce the ESE (IES) 2025 cutoff within a week after the final result is declared next year. The cutoff marks indicate the minimum required to pass each stage of the exam.
Key points regarding the cutoff:
Previous Year Reference: The UPSC released the cutoff for ESE (IES) 2024 on its official website, detailing category-wise cutoff marks for the prelims, mains, and final results for all engineering streams separately.
Release Timeline: The cutoff is expected to be published in December 2025.
Publication Method: The cutoff will be available online after the completion of the exam process to prevent any potential disputes.
| Category | Cutoff |
| General | 238 |
| EWS | 238 |
| OBC | 238 |
| SC | 202 |
| ST | 227 |
The 7th Pay Commission governs the salary and benefits of IES officers in 2025. The previous wage structure has been substantially revised, and officers now receive an in-hand salary of INR 55,135. Additionally, the following allowances are provided:
| LEVEL | IES SALARY | GRADE PAY |
| Junior (Entry) Level | Rs. 15,600 – 39,100 | Rs. 5,400 |
| Senior Scale Level | Rs. 15,600 – 39,100 | Rs. 6,600 |
| Junior Administrative Grade | Rs. 15,600 – 39,100 | Rs. 7,600 |
| Selection Grade Pay | Rs. 37,400 – 67,000 | Rs. 8,700 |
| Super Time Scale | Rs. 37,400 – 67,000 | Rs. 8,700 |
| Super Time Scale | Rs. 37,400 – 67,000 | Rs. 10,000 |
| Apex Pay Scale | Rs. 80,000/- | Not Available |
| Cabinet Secretary Grade | Rs. 90,000/- | Not Available |
The type of work an IES officer performs is mainly determined by their engineering discipline and the service or cadre they are enrolled in. The career progression is favorable, and officers earn significant respect. The first offered position is Assistant Executive Engineer, and the hierarchy culminates with the position of Chairman/Managing Director.
Preparing for the UPSC IES exam 2025 requires dedicated and consistent efforts. Here are some study tips that can help you in your preparation:
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The UPSC IES 2025 exam presents a valuable opportunity for engineering graduates who aspire to secure esteemed positions within government departments. With the exam scheduled for February 9, 2025, candidates must create a solid preparation plan that effectively addresses all three stages: Prelims, Mains, and the Interview. Early submission of the application form, timely payment of fees, and accurate documentation are crucial to avoid any procedural issues. Understanding the eligibility requirements and exam guidelines beforehand can prevent last-minute confusion. Staying organized and taking a proactive approach throughout the application and preparation stages are essential for navigating this competitive exam successfully.
To boost their chances of success, candidates should become thoroughly familiar with the exam pattern and syllabus, using it as a roadmap for their preparation. A focused study plan for both the Prelims and Mains, combined with regular practice through previous year question papers and mock tests, can improve speed, accuracy, and confidence. Knowing the expected cut-off trends also allows candidates to set realistic targets and track their progress. Maintaining a consistent study routine, adopting effective time management techniques, and staying positive are vital to excelling. Success in this exam can lead to high-responsibility roles such as executive engineers or managers, offering long-term career growth and the opportunity to serve the nation.
Ans. While IAS recruits individuals for administrative roles, IES focuses on selecting engineers for technical positions. The IAS emphasizes administrative skills, whereas the IES emphasizes technical expertise.
Ans. IES full form is Indian Engineering Services. The UPSC Engineering Services Exam (ESE), also known as UPSC IES (Indian Engineering Services), recruits officers to cater to the technical and engineering needs of the country.
Ans. The prelims stage is taken online. However, the main and interview stages are conducted offline.
Ans. The syllabus for UPSC IES 2025 includes topics from the engineering discipline that the candidate has chosen, along with general studies and English language skills
Ans. The basic IAS Salary starts from INR 56,100 per month.
It increases on the basis of the level of seniority and designation. The highest IAS Officer Salary can go up to INR 2,50,000 per month for the post of Cabinet Secretary of India.
Authored by, Amay Mathur | Senior Editor
Amay Mathur is a business news reporter at Chegg.com. He previously worked for PCMag, Business Insider, The Messenger, and ZDNET as a reporter and copyeditor. His areas of coverage encompass tech, business, strategy, finance, and even space. He is a Columbia University graduate.
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Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
