How many questions are there in UPSC ESE (Engineering Services)?

Prelims: 250 questions, 500 marks, 2 h + 3 h. Mains: descriptive questions, 600 marks, 3 h each. Personality test: descriptive questions, 200 marks, —.

Is there negative marking in UPSC ESE (Engineering Services)?

Prelims: 1/3 of marks per wrong. Mains: None. Personality test: —.

Who can apply for UPSC ESE (Engineering Services)?

Graduate, age 21–30. Held yearly by UPSC.

UPSC ESE (Engineering Services) — exam pattern

UPSC · Graduate · Yearly · Age 21–30 · checked 2026-10-19

Notification · admit card · result timeline Mock test

Prelims

OMR · 2 h + 3 h · Negative marking: 1/3 of marks per wrong · 250 questions · 500 marks

Section	Questions	Marks	Weightage
Paper I — General Studies & Engineering Aptitude	100	200	40%
Paper II — Engineering discipline	150	300	60%

Mains

Descriptive · 3 h each · Negative marking: None · 600 marks

Section	Questions	Marks	Weightage
Paper I	—	300	50%
Paper II	—	300	50%

Personality test

Interview · — · Negative marking: — · 200 marks

Section	Questions	Marks	Weightage
Interview	—	200	100%

Frequently asked

How many questions are there in UPSC ESE (Engineering Services)?: Prelims: 250 questions, 500 marks, 2 h + 3 h. Mains: descriptive questions, 600 marks, 3 h each. Personality test: descriptive questions, 200 marks, —.
Is there negative marking in UPSC ESE (Engineering Services)?: Prelims: 1/3 of marks per wrong. Mains: None. Personality test: —.
Who can apply for UPSC ESE (Engineering Services)?: Graduate, age 21–30. Held yearly by UPSC.