UPSC ESE Prelims 2026 Released: Engineering Services Preliminary Exam Scheduled for February 8
UPSC ESE Prelims 2026 Admit Card 2026: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the admit cards for the Engineering Services Preliminary Examination (ESE) 2026. Candidates who have successfully registered for the examination can now download their admit cards from the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in.
The Engineering Services Examination is one of the most prestigious competitive exams conducted by UPSC for recruitment to various engineering services under the Government of India. Through this examination process, a total of 474 candidates will be selected for different engineering posts. All eligible candidates must carry a printed copy of the admit card to the examination center, as entry without it will not be permitted.
Candidates can access their UPSC Engineering Services Admit Card 2026 by logging in with their registration ID or roll number along with their date of birth. The admit card contains important details such as the candidate’s name, roll number, examination center, exam timings, and essential instructions that must be followed on the exam day.
UPSC ESE Prelims 2026: Exam Date and Time
As per the official notification, the UPSC Engineering Services Preliminary Examination 2026 will be conducted on February 8, 2026, at various examination centers across the country. The examination will be held in two shifts on the same day.
- First Shift: 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
- Second Shift: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Candidates are advised to report to their allotted examination center well before the reporting time mentioned on the admit card to avoid any last-minute inconvenience.
UPSC ESE Prelims 2026: Exam Pattern and Marks
The Engineering Services Preliminary Examination will be conducted for a total of 500 marks. The exam will consist of two papers conducted on the same day:
- Paper I: 200 marks
- Paper II: 300 marks
Both papers are objective in nature and play a crucial role in qualifying for the next stage of the Engineering Services Examination. Candidates should carefully read and follow all the instructions provided on the admit card and ensure they carry a valid photo ID along with it.