Does UPSC release an official answer key for IES exam?

Yes, UPSC will release the official UPSC ESE 2026 answer key in an online mode on the official website at upsc.gov.in. It will be released after completing the UPSC ESE/IES exam recruitment process.

How is the UPSC IES/ESE 2026 Prelims Exam Score?

The Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination will consist of two objective type (multiple choices) questions papers and carrying a maximum of 500 marks. Paper I: 200 Marks Paper II: 300 Marks. Each correct answer is awarded two marks. One-third marks deducted for each wrong answers. Only those candidates who are declared by the Commission to have qualified in the Preliminary Examination in the year will be eligible for admission to the Mains Examination. The Marks obtained in Preliminary Examination by the candidates who are declared qualified for admission to the Main Examination will be counted for determining their final order of merit.

How many papers are conducted by the UPSC in the IES Mains exam?

The UPSC IES 2026 Stage 2 is the Mains Exam. The examination comprises two papers. Both papers are based on the candidates' chosen engineering discipline. Details of subjects are provided below: Civil Engineering Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering

When will the UPSC IES 2026 Answer Key be released?

The UPSC will release the IES/ESE 2026 answer key on its official website - upsc.gov.in. The UPSC ESE answer key 2026 will be released after the declaration of the final result.

How to download the UPSC IES/ESE 2026 Prelims Answer Key?

Candidates can download the official UPSC ESE (IES) prelims answer key by the methods provided below: Visit the official website of UPSC – upsc.gov.in Click on the 'Examination' tab given at the top A drop list will appear, click on the Answer key link appearing on the list The ESE answer key PDF link will appear in the list Click on the link and get the ESE cutoff for all the categories and phases

Is there a negative marking in the ESE exam?

Yes. In the UPSC IES prelims exam, there is a negative marking of 1/3 for each incorrect answer.

Where UPSC IES 2026 cutoff will be released?

The UPSC ESE/IES cut off will be released on the official website of the exam conducting authority.

What is the type of questions and mode of the UPSC IES 2026 Mains exam?

The UPSC IES 2026 Mains exam will be conducted on June 21, 2026. It is a descriptive type exam. That assesses candidates' technical knowledge and problem-solving abilities in engineering disciplines. The Engineering Services Mains Examination consists of two conventional-type papers in engineering disciplines, each with a duration of three hours and a maximum score of 600 (300 marks in each paper).

What are the UPSC IES 2026 exam dates?

The UPSC released the calendar for the year 2026 on the official website. The UPSC IES prelims 2026 notification and application was released on September 26, 2025 and the last date to apply was October 16, 2025. The IES prelims exam will be conducted on February 8, 2026. On the other hand, UPSC IES 2026 Mains exam will be conducted on June 21, 2026.

Is the UPSC ESE 2026 exam centre list released?

Yes the examination centre lis was released for the UPSC ESE 2026 in the official notification. Therefore, candidates can go through the official notification for the list of exam centres. It is also provided on our Shiksha page.

How many papers are conducted by the UPSC in the IES Mains exam?

The UPSC IES 2026 Stage 2 is the Mains Exam. The examination comprises two papers. Both papers are based on the candidates' chosen engineering discipline. Details of subjects are provided below: Civil Engineering Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering

Why is UPSC IES 2026 exam analysis important?

UPSC IES/ESE analysis plays a crucial role in preparation journey. With help of analysis, candidates come to know difficulty level of questions asked in exam, question patterns, and exam trends for future. It also helps students to identify their strengths and weaknesses, prioritize study time, and more.

How is the UPSC IES/ESE 2026 Prelims Exam Score?

The Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination will consist of two objective type (multiple choices) questions papers and carrying a maximum of 500 marks. Paper I: 200 Marks Paper II: 300 Marks. Each correct answer is awarded two marks. One-third marks deducted for each wrong answers. Only those candidates who are declared by the Commission to have qualified in the Preliminary Examination in the year will be eligible for admission to the Mains Examination. The Marks obtained in Preliminary Examination by the candidates who are declared qualified for admission to the Main Examination will be counted for determining their final order of merit.

When will UPSC IES 2026 Mains exam get conducted?

As per the announced date, UPSC ESE 2026 Mains exam will be conducted on June 21, 2026 in two shifts.

What is the total number of papers conducted by the UPSC IES 2025 Preliminary Exam?

The commission will conduct the UPSC Preliminary Exam 2025 on June 8. The prelim exam consists of two papers Paper 1 (General Studies and Engineering Aptitude) and Paper 2 (Engineering Discipline Specific). Both papers are objective in nature and conducted in an offline mode.

What is the main purpose behind conducting the IES Personality Test?

The main purpose of conducting the UPSC IES face to face interview is to know about the candidates overall character, including mental alertness, critical thinking, leadership qualities, intelligence, honesty, confidence, depth of understanding of several concepts, communication skills, understanding of ground realities, etc.

What subjects are covered in UPSC ESE Prelims exam?

In the IES Prelims exam, subjects covered are General Studies and Engineering Aptitude and concerned Engineering Stream.

What type of questions are asked in IES Mains exam?

In the UPSC ESE/IES Mains exam, descriptive and subjective questions are asked. The exam consists of two papers from specific engineering stream. Maximum marks of each paper is 300 and the duration of each paper is three hours.

What type of questions are asked in UPSC ESE Prelims exam?

The UPSC IES exam pattern for prelims exam consists of two papers namely Paper 1 and Paper 2. Objective type questions are asked in the examination. It is conducted in offline mode (pen and paper based). In Paper 1, 100 questions are asked of maximum 200 marks and duration is two hours. In Paper 2, 150 questions are asked with 300 maximum marks and duration is three hours.

What are the UPSC IES 2026 exam dates?

The UPSC released the calendar for the year 2026 on the official website. The UPSC IES prelims 2026 notification and application was released on September 26, 2025 and the last date to apply was October 16, 2025. The IES prelims exam will be conducted on February 8, 2026. On the other hand, UPSC IES 2026 Mains exam will be conducted on June 21, 2026.

When will the IES 2026 Prelims Result be released?

The Union Public Service Commission will release the UPSC ESE (IES) 2026 Prelims exam result on the official website. The Commission will conduct the IES 2026 prelims exam on February 8, 2026. The Commission will release the UPSC IES cutoff 2026 online after the release of final result.

How to check UPSC ESE (IES) Cutoff 2026?

The candidates can check the UPSC IES Cutoff 2026 in the following manner: Go to the upsc.gov.in. Click on the 'Examination' tab given at the top. A drop list will appear, Click on the Cutoff link appearing on the list. The ESE Cutoff PDF link will appear in the list. Click on the link and get the it for all categories and phases.

What are the details mentioned on the UPSC IES 2026 admit card?

The UPSC IES 2026 admit card consists of the details as mentioned below: Gender General Instructions Shift timings Date of Examination Exam Centre Address Candidates' Roll Number Candidates' Registration ID Fathers' Name Candidates scanned Photograph and signature Test City, etc.

Can a candidate change the UPSC ESE 2026 exam centre?

No. A candidate can not change the examination centre. There is no such provision. Therefore, it is recommended to choose carefully the exam centre. Also, check the official notification for the same.

When will IES admit card 2026 for Mains exam be released?

The Commission will release the IES 2026 admit card for the Mains exam on the official website. The Commission will also announce the UPSC IES 2026 exam schedule on the official website. The Union Public Service Commission will conduct the IES 2026 Mains exam on June 21, 2026.

Is the UPSC IES 2026 application process started?

The authority activated the UPSC IES 2026 application apply link on the official website at upsconline.nic.in. Candidates can apply via direct link provided on this page as well.

What is the last date to apply for the UPSC ESE 2026 exam?

The last date to apply for the UPSC ESE 2026 exam was October 16, 2025 (6:00 PM). It was started on September 26, 2025.

What is the duration and total marks for each paper in the UPSC IES 2025 Mains exam?

Candidates can check below in detail: Each paper in the Mains exam is of three hours duration. Each paper carries 300 marks. Total marks: 600

UPSC ESE 2026: IES Prelims Exam Date (OUT), Schedule, Admit Card, Vacancies, Final result 2025 OUT

173 Students Q&A

Exam On - 8 Feb '26

Updated on Dec 19, 2025 16:05 IST

By Shikha Goyal, Assistant Manager

IES/ESE 2026: The Commission will conduct the IES 2026 exam on February 8 (Sunday). The exam time table was released at upsc.gov.in. It will be conducted in two shifts. The first shift is from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM and the second shift is from 2 PM to 5 PM. This is the preparation time. Candidates should focus on revision and go through exam pattern and syllabus. The authority will release the UPSC IES admit card few days prior to the exam date. A direct link will also be provided here once it is released. A total of 474 vacancies are announced for UPSC ESE. The notification PDF was released on September 26 and the application was closed on October 16. The selection process of the exam consists of prelims, mains and personal interview.

THE UPSC IES final result 2025 was released. The Mains 2025 result was released on September 4 for the exam held on August 10. The IES 2025 Prelims Result was announced on June 20 and the exam was conducted on June 8. Check below in detail about the IES 2026 including IES Exam syllabus, pattern, syllabus, analysis, and more.

Latest News & Updates

UPSC IES Prelims Exam 2026 Time Table Released; Check Date and Time Here

Table of contents

IES Exam Admit Card & Exam Centre 2026
IES 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
IES Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026
IES Exam Analysis 2026
IES Answer Key 2026
UPSC IES Result 2026
IES Notification & Application 2026
What is IES Exam?
IES Question Paper 2026
UPSC ESE Contact Information
UPSC ESE(IES) FAQs 2026

IES Exam Admit Card & Exam Centre 2026

IES 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of IES 2026 exam

Dates	Upcoming Exam Dates
08 Feb ' 26	UPSC ESE (IES) 2026 Prelims Exam Date
21 Jun ' 26	UPSC ESE (IES) 2026 Mains Exam Date

Dates	Past Exam Dates
26 Sep ' 25	UPSC ESE (IES) 2026 Prelims Notification
26 Sep ' 25 - 16 Oct ' 25	UPSC ESE (IES) 2026 Prelims Application Form
10 Aug ' 25	UPSC ESE (IES) 2025 Main Exam Day
View More Past Events (13)