UPSC ESE (Mains) Exam Underway Today for Government Engineering Aspirants

The UPSC ESE 2025 Mains exam is being held on August 10. Find details on the exam schedule, paper timings, and essential instructions for government engineering aspirants.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is conducting the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) Mains 2025 today, August 10, across various cities nationwide. This is a critical second stage for thousands of engineering graduates who qualified in the Prelims and are vying for prestigious Group A and B government positions in departments like the Central Engineering Service, Military Engineer Services, and Indian Railways. The examination is being held in a conventional, descriptive format to test candidates' in-depth technical knowledge and analytical skills.

Exam Structure and Timings

The ESE Mains 2025 consists of two discipline-specific papers, both held on the same day. Each paper is a three-hour conventional written exam, carrying a total of 300 marks. The total marks for the Mains examination are 600.

• Paper-I: The first paper is being conducted from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This paper tests the fundamental and core concepts of a candidate's chosen engineering discipline.
• Paper-II: The second paper will be held in the afternoon shift, from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. This paper covers more advanced and applied topics within the same engineering discipline.

The four main engineering disciplines covered in the exam are Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering.

Admit Card and Key Instructions

Candidates were required to carry a printed copy of their e-Admit Card along with a valid photo identity card (Aadhar, PAN card, Voter ID, etc.) for entry into the examination hall. The admit card, which was released on July 30, also serves as a crucial document for the personality test, which is the third and final stage of the ESE selection process.

Aspirants were reminded to adhere to all instructions mentioned on their admit cards, including reporting time and a ban on electronic devices. The examination's descriptive nature requires candidates to manage their time effectively and present their answers in a structured, comprehensive manner.

The results for the ESE Mains 2025 are tentatively expected to be announced in September 2025, after which qualified candidates will be called for the final stage: the Personality Test/Interview.