UPSC ESE Selection Process 2025, Check Stage-wise Details

UPSC ESE Selection Process: The Union Public Service Commission announced the UPSC ESE Selection Process 2025, describing all the stages conducted for final selection.

The UPSC ESE Exam 2025 aims to fill 457 Grade A & B vacancies in various departments, including Telecommunications, Indian Railways, Central Water Engineering, Power, Defence Service of Engineers, etc.

The UPSC ESE 2025 Selection Process includes the Prelims Exam, Mains Exam, and Interview. The preliminary examination for UPSC ESE 2025 was conducted on June 8, 2025, while the Mains exam is scheduled on August 10, 2025.

Those who clear both stages will be eligible to appear for the Personality Test. We have outlined the comprehensive UPSC ESE 2025 Selection Process for the ease of aspirants.

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UPSC ESE 2025 Selection Process

The UPSC ESE 2025 Selection Process comprises Prelims, Mains, and Interview stages. Candidates must clear all the stages to be shortlisted for the position.

The UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE) selection process begins with the Preliminary Exam, which serves as the initial screening stage. The Prelims consist of two objective-type papers: Paper 1 (General Studies & Engineering Aptitude, 200 marks, 2 hours) and Paper 2 (Engineering Discipline-specific, 300 marks, 3 hours), totaling 500 marks.

Both papers are of a graduation level and test candidates on general aptitude as well as core engineering knowledge relevant to their chosen stream. Only those who qualify in both papers are shortlisted for the next stage - the Mains examination.

Candidates who clear the Prelims are called for Mains, which comprises two descriptive papers, each focused on the candidate's selected engineering discipline and carrying 300 marks each (total 600 marks). The UPSC ESE Mains exam tests in-depth technical understanding through conventional written answers.

Those who qualify the Mains are then called for the Personality Test (Interview), which not only assesses technical knowledge but also leadership, decision-making, and communication skills to ensure the candidate's suitability for engineering services.

The final merit list is prepared based on the combined scores of the Mains and the Interview, determining selection for various engineering posts in central government departments.

Also, Check: UPSC ESE Exam Analysis 2025 (Prelims)

UPSC ESE Selection Process 2025 Overview

The UPSC ESE Selection Process involves three phases i.e. Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test. Aspirants must refer to the below table to check a brief overview of the UPSC IES Selection Process:

UPSC ESE Selection Process 2025 - Stages

Candidates should undergo the following stages to get selected under the UPSC ESE Exam 2025. Candidates must clear all these stages to get final selection under UPSC ESE 2025:

1. Preliminary Examination - 500 marks
2. Mains Examination - 600 marks
3. Personality Test - 200 marks
4. Document Verification

All these stages include the specific weightage, and the selection of candidates will be based on their performance in all the above stages.

UPSC ESE Selection Process 2025 - Prelims Exam

The UPSC ESE Prelims Exam consists of two papers worth a total of 500 marks, conducted offline. Paper 1 includes questions from General Studies and Aptitude & Paper 2 will have specific discipline-related questions.

The time duration for both papers is 2 hours and 3 hours, respectively. The negative marking of 1/3 mark is also applied to the preliminary examination.

Check the complete UPSC ESE Paper Pattern for Prelims Exam highlighted below:

UPSC ESE Selection Process 2025 - Mains Exam

The UPSC ESE Main Exam is conducted offline (descriptive), having two papers, each carrying 300 marks. The questions in the main examination are asked from the specific technical subjects. Refer to the section below to know the detailed exam pattern for UPSC ESE Main:

UPSC ESE Selection Process 2025 - Personality Test

Candidates who qualified in both the stages, i.e. Prelims and Mains, are shortlisted for the Personality Test, which has a weightage of 200 marks. It aims to evaluate a candidate's problem-solving skills, technical knowledge, and academic abilities.

UPSC ESE Selection Process 2025 - Document Verification

After all three stages, the selected candidates are called for the document verification phase. In this stage, the original documents and certificates of candidates are verified by the authorities. Candidates must have the following documents to appear for the document/certificate verification phase:

• Birth Certificate
• 10th Class Marksheet/Passing Certificate
• 10+2 Class Marksheet/Passing Certificate
• BE/B.Tech. or required qualification Mark Sheets
• Category Certificate (if claiming a reservation)
• Domicile Certificate
• Photo Identity Proof (Aadhar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Driving License, Passport, etc.)

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