#CareerBytes: All about Indian Engineering Services and UPSC ESE
The Indian Engineering Services (IES) is the most sought-after career option for engineering graduates in the country. Every year, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) at the national level to recruit aspiring engineers for various IES posts. The three-stage exam comprises the Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personality Test. Here's everything to know about IES and ESE.
The Indian Engineering Services (IES) consists of engineers who work under the Government of India. Candidates selected through ESE are posted in various Ministries and Departments of the government—including Indian Railways, Power, Public Works, Telecommunications, Central Engineering, Military Engineering, Central Water Engineering, and Defense Service of Engineers, among others. Through ESE, UPSC recruits engineers of four domains: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunications.
Candidates who hold a bachelor's degree in engineering from a recognized university are eligible to register for ESE. The age limit to appear for the exam is 21-30 years of age. Candidates should also be physically fit as per the standards set by the authorities.
The UPSC ESE is conducted in offline mode. While Prelims papers are objective in nature, Mains papers are of conventional type. Prelims: Paper-I General Studies and Engineering Aptitude (300 marks) and Paper-II Engineering discipline (300 marks). Mains: Paper-I Engineering Discipline-I (300 marks) and Paper-II Engineering Discipline-II (300 marks). Also, the syllabus for ESE is divided according to different engineering disciplines (Civil/Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering).
Prelims Paper-I (General Studies and Engineering Aptitude) is common to all engineering streams. Questions in Prelims Paper-I are based on basic engineering aptitude, engineering mathematics, numerical analysis, current issues, etc. Meanwhile, questions in Prelims Paper-II and both Mains papers are based on chosen engineering disciplines.
IES aspirants can prepare for ESE either through offline coaching institutes or online programs, depending on their requirements. While coaching institutes offer guidance/mentorship of experienced tutors and good material, online platforms also provide good quality study material and other resources. There are many online platforms that provide preparatory courses, study material, test series, etc. for ESE aspirants.
