The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the exam date for the Indian Engineering Services (IES) Preliminary Examination 2026. Students who have applied for this exam should note that the first stage, the Prelims exam, will be held on Sunday, February 8, 2026 . This important exam recruits engineers for various government jobs across India.
The IES exam, also known as the Engineering Services Examination (ESE), helps the Government of India find skilled engineers for technical roles. These roles are in key departments like Railways, Power, Defence, and Telecommunications. This announcement is for candidates who have already applied and are preparing for this competitive exam.
IES Prelims Exam 2026: Key Details
The IES Prelims 2026 exam will take place on February 8, 2026 , at different test centres throughout India. The exam is divided into two parts, or sessions, on the same day: a morning session and an afternoon session. This setup allows candidates to complete both required papers within a single day.
The examination covers major engineering fields. These include Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Electronics & Telecommunications Engineering . Candidates will take papers specific to their chosen engineering discipline.
Exam Schedule: February 8, 2026
| Date | Time | Subjects |
| February 8, 2026 | 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM | GENERAL STUDIES AND ENGINEERING APTITUDE PAPER (PAPER-I) (OBJECTIVE) |
| February 8, 2026 | 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM | CIVIL, MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONICS & TELECOM. ENGG. (DISCIPLINE-SPECIFIC PAPER) (PAPER-II) (OBJECTIVE) |
Understanding the IES Examination Process
The Indian Engineering Services exam is a three-stage selection process. Candidates must clear each stage to move forward. The Prelims exam is the first step.
- Stage 1: Preliminary Exam (Prelims)
This is the first screening test. It includes two objective-type papers. Objective means multiple-choice questions. Paper-I is about General Studies and Engineering Aptitude. Paper-II focuses on the candidate's specific engineering discipline.
- Stage 2: Main Exam
Candidates who pass the Prelims exam will qualify for the Main exam. This stage involves written papers that require detailed answers, unlike the objective format of the Prelims.
- Stage 3: Personality Test (Interview)
Those who clear the Main exam will be called for a Personality Test, also known as an Interview. This stage assesses a candidate's overall suitability for a government engineering position, including their communication skills, general awareness, and leadership qualities.
The final selection for IES posts is based on the combined marks from the Main exam and the Personality Test.
Important Information for Exam Day
The UPSC will release more detailed instructions closer to the exam date. These instructions will cover important aspects like exam day guidelines, what materials are allowed inside the examination hall, and the exact reporting time for each session. Candidates are advised to regularly visit the official UPSC website, upsc.gov.in , for these updates.
Preparing for the IES exam requires dedicated study and understanding of both general knowledge and specific engineering subjects. Students appearing for this exam should focus on the syllabus for both Paper-I and Paper-II to perform well.
This announcement provides a clear timeline for the upcoming Prelims, allowing candidates to finalize their preparation strategy. Keep checking the UPSC website for any further notices regarding admit cards and other important details.
