Mastering the IES Exam 2024: Latest News, Exam Date, Eligibility, Salary & Syllabus
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
The IES Exam (Indian Engineering Services), conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is a highly competitive examination for engineering graduates seeking to join the government as Class-1 officers in various technical departments of the government of India. This exam is also known as the Engineering Services Examination (ESE). The UPSC Indian Engineering Services exam is conducted in three stages – a preliminary examination, a main examination, and a personality test. The examination is known for its high difficulty level; only a few candidates can crack it each year. The exam is highly respected and considered one of the most sought-after examinations for engineering graduates in India.
The UPSC Indian Engineering Services exam is held in various disciplines, including mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, and electronics and telecommunications engineering. Candidates who are successful in the examination are selected for various posts in government organizations, including the Indian Railways, Indian Telecommunications Service, Central Water Engineering, and Central Power Engineering. The UPSC Indian Engineering Services exam is prestigious and offers attractive remuneration and a challenging work environment. With many engineering graduates vying for a limited number of positions, the UPSC Indian Engineering Services exam is considered one of the toughest competitive exams in India.
IES Exam 2024: Overview
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Engineering Services Examination (ESE) |
| Level of Exam | National |
| Language | English and Hindi |
| Frequency of Exam | Once a year |
| Vacancies | 167 |
| Duration of Exam | Prelims – 5 Hours Mains – 6 hours |
| Job Location | Across India |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Upper Age Limit | 21-30 years |
| Educational qualifications | Engineering |
| Fees of Application | Rs 200 |
| Process of Selection | Preliminary, Main Exam & Interview |
| Exam Pattern | Preliminary exam – Objective-type Mains exam – Conventional |
| Official website | www.upsc.gov.in |
IES Exam Notification 2024
UPSC has also released a notification about the details for the Indian Engineering Services exam. Candidates can read the IES 2024 Notification below:
Notif-ESEP-24-engl-060923IES Exam Date 2024
The Indian Engineering Services Exam 2024, also known as the Engineering Services Examination (ESE), is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The Commission will conduct Preliminary and Main Examinations to select candidates for the available positions. Online applications can be submitted between September 6, 2023, and September 26, 2023, until 6.00 PM, after which the link will be deactivated.
| UPSC IES Events | UPSC IES Exam Date 2024 |
| Release of UPSC IES Notification | 6th September 2023 |
| Opening of UPSC IES Registration | 6th September 2023 |
| Closing of UPSC IES Registration | 26th September 2023 (6 p.m.) |
| Withdrawal of UPSC IES Application | To be declared |
| Release of Admit Card for UPSC IES Prelims Exam | February 2024 |
| UPSC IES Prelim Exam Date | 18th February 2024 |
| Result of the UPSC IES Preliminary Exam | March 2024 (tentative) |
| UPSC IES Mains Exam Date | 23th June 2024 |
IES Vacancy 2024
The official notification PDF has announced the IES vacancies branch-wise. Below is the table containing the total number of vacancies for Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electronics Telecommunication Engineering:
| Branch | Total Vacancy |
| CE | 167 |
| ME | |
| EE | |
| ECE |
IES Exam Eligibility Criteria 2024
Nationality:
To be eligible for this position, a candidate must meet one of the following criteria:
- a) be a citizen of India,
- b) be a subject of Nepal,
- c) be a subject of Bhutan,
- d) be a Tibetan refugee who arrived in India before January 1, 1962, to settle in India permanently
- e) be a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Uganda, Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, or Ethiopia, to settle in India permanently.
Note:
- A. Candidates who fall under categories (b), (c), (d), and (e) above must possess a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
- B. Candidates who require a certificate of eligibility may still be allowed to take the examination. Still, they will only be offered an appointment after receiving the necessary certificate from the Government of India.
IES 2024 Medical Examination
a. Candidates recommended by the Commission based on the Engineering Services Examination, 2023, will have to undergo a medical examination.
b. Each candidate recommended by the Commission must undergo a medical examination as determined by the Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunications, regardless of whether they have previously undergone a medical examination and were found fit or unfit.
c. The decisions of the Medical Board will be conclusive and applicable for all purposes related to the allotment.
Physical Fitness
According to the official notification of the Engineering Services Examination, 2023 Rules, which will be released in the Gazette of India Extraordinary, candidates must fulfil certain physical standards to be eligible for admission to the examination.
IES 2024 Educational Qualification
To be eligible for the examination, candidates must meet one of the following requirements:
- Possess an engineering degree from a university in India that is incorporated by an act of the central or state legislature, or from an educational institution established by an act of Parliament, or deemed as a university under section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956.
- Have completed Sections A and B of the Institution Examinations conducted by the Institution of Engineers (India).
- Have obtained an engineering degree/diploma from a foreign university/college/institution that is recognized by the government for this purpose.
- Have passed the Graduate Membership Examination of the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (India).
- Passing the Associate Membership Examination Parts two and three /Sections A and B of the Aeronautical Society of India.
- Having passed the Graduate Membership Examination held after November 1959 by the Institution of Electronics and Radio Engineers, London.
- For candidates applying to the Indian Radio Regulatory Service Group ‘A and Indian Naval Armament Service (Electronics Engineering Posts),’ possessing either of the aforementioned qualifications or an M.Sc. degree or equivalent with a specialization in Wireless Communication, Electronics, Radio Physics, or Radio Engineering.
- For candidates applying to the Indian Radio Regulatory Service Group ‘A,’ possessing either of the aforementioned qualifications or a Master’s degree in Science with a specialization in Physics and Radio Communication, Electronics, or Telecommunication.
Please note that the eligibility of candidates from the relevant institutions is subject to the decision of the government in compliance with the Supreme Court of India’s verdict in MA 2367/2018 in Civil Appeal No. 17922/2017 dated 13.08.2019.
IES AGE LIMIT 2024
(a) To be eligible for this exam, candidates must be at least 21 years old and no more than 30 years old as of January 1, 2023. That is, they must have been born between January 2, 1993, and January 1, 2002.
(b) The upper age limit of 30 years can be relaxed up to 35 years for government employees belonging to the categories mentioned in column 1, who work in a department/office under the control of any of the authorities mentioned in column 2, and apply for admission to the examination for any of the service(s)/posts listed in column 2, for which they are otherwise qualified.
(c) A candidate who has been continuously employed regularly in a temporary service in the specific Department/Office mentioned below for at least three years as of January 1, 2023, is eligible.
The upper age limit mentioned above can be relaxed as follows:
- Candidates belonging to a scheduled caste or scheduled tribe can receive a relaxation of up to five years.
- Candidates belonging to the OBC category can receive a relaxation of up to three years.
- Candidates who have served in the defence services and have been disabled in operations during hostilities with a foreign country or in a disturbed area can receive a relaxation of up to three years.
- Ex-servicemen, including ECOs/SSCOs and Commissioned Officers, who have served at least five years of military service as of January 1, 2023, and have been released either on completion of their assignment due to physical disability attributable to military service or on invaliding, can receive a relaxation of up to five years.
- ECOs/SSCOs who have completed five years of initial assignment in the military as of January 1, 2023, and have had their assignment extended beyond five years can receive a relaxation of up to five years if the Ministry of Defence issues a certificate that they are eligible to apply for civil employment and can be released on three months’ notice upon selection.
- Blind, deaf-mute, and orthopedically handicapped persons can receive a relaxation of up to ten years.
IES 2024 Application Form
To fill out the online application form for the Indian Engineering Services exam, follow these steps:
- Go to the UPSC official website and navigate to the exam notifications section.
- Find the online link for the UPSC ESE Prelims exam and click on it.
- Fill out Part I of the application form to receive your registration number.
- Log in using your registration number and date of birth to access the complete ESE exam application form.
- Upload the required documents as specified.
- Pay the application fee according to the category you have chosen.
- Confirm the declaration and submit the UPSC ESE online form.
- Print a copy of the application form for future reference.
IES 2024 Application Fees
To pay the application fee for the ESE IES exam, you may visit any branch of the SBI. The fee for the Application for the UPSC ESE exam is outlined below:
- Other Candidates: Rs. 200/-
- Women, SC, ST, and PWD candidates: Exempted
Documents Required
To complete the application process for the ESE/IES exam, you need to upload specific documents in the correct format. These documents must be in JPG format and should have a size ranging from 20 KB to 300 KB. The following documents are required for submission with the UPSC ESE 2023 application form:
| Document Required | Dimensions |
| Photo | Min: 350 pixels (Height) x 350 pixels (Width) Max: 1000 pixels (Height) x 1000 pixels (Width) |
| Signature | Min: 350 pixels (Height) x 350 pixels (Width) Max: 1000 pixels (Height)1000 pixels (Width) |
Candidates applying for the Indian Engineering Services exam should take note of the following important points:
- UPSC candidates will be selected based on their performance in all three stages of the ESE IES exam – Prelims, Mains, and Interviews.
IES Admit Card 2024
The admit card for the UPSC ESE 2024 will be released in February 2024, and candidates can download it using their login credentials. If there are any discrepancies, candidates can report them to the Commission at usengg-upsc@nic.in
The official notice indicates that entry into the examination venue will be closed 10 minutes before the scheduled start time of the exam. The morning session will be 09:50 A.M., and the afternoon session will be 01:50 P.M. No candidate will be allowed entry into the examination venue after the entry is closed.
Furthermore, candidates should remember that they will not be permitted to appear at any other examination venue except for the one specified in the e-admit card.
To download your admit card for the Engineering Services Examination 2024, follow these steps:
- Open the official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) at www.upsc.gov.in.
- Click on the ‘Examinations’ tab.
- From the dropdown menu, select ‘Active Examinations’.
- Look for the link to the ‘Engineering Services Examination 2024’ and click on it.
- On the exam’s page, find and click on the link for the IES admit card 2024.
- You will be taken to the IES admit card page.
- Read the instructions carefully and click ‘Yes’.
- Enter your Registration ID/Roll Number and other required details.
- Click on the “Submit” button to view your IES admit card.
- Finally, download and take a printout of your IES admit card for future reference.
DETAILS FOR ADMIT CARD
Upon downloading the UPSC IES admit card, candidates must review all the details listed for accuracy thoroughly. The following details should be verified:
- Candidate’s full name
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Category
- Roll number
- Registration ID
- Father’s full name
- Candidate’s photograph
- Test City
- Date of Examination
- Signature
- General instructions.
To ensure a smooth process for downloading your IES admit card, please follow the instructions below:
- Please use the latest versions of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browsers to download your admit card.
- Ensure that Javascript is enabled on your browser.
- Do not use mobile devices or other gadgets to download your e-admit card. We recommend using a Windows operating system on a desktop machine.
- If you encounter any issues downloading your e-admit card using the suggested browsers, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies via the browser settings. If you cannot download your e-admit card, try using another computer.
- If the server blocks your download due to repetitive attempts, please get in touch with the UPSC Administrator immediately via e-mail at web-upsc@nic.in to unblock the downloading process.
Items to bring with the admit card:
When going to the exam hall, candidates must bring their IES admit card and a valid photo ID card. Acceptable forms of photo identification include a passport, PAN card, voter ID, Aadhaar card, driver’s license, and others.
IES Exam Centers 2024
Prelims Exam Centers for IES 2024
The admit card for the IES Prelims exam will mention the exam centre. The Indian Engineering Services Exam will be conducted across several venues in India, and candidates can select their preferred exam centre. The following cities are among those that organize the Indian Engineering Services Prelims exam:
| Agartala | Ahmedabad |
| Aizawl | Aligarh |
| Prayagraj | Bangalore |
| Bareilly | Bhopal |
| Chandigarh | Chennai |
| Cuttack | Dehradun |
| Delhi | Dharwad |
| Dispur (Guwahati) | Gangtok |
| Hyderabad | Imphal |
| Itanagar | Port Blair |
| Raipur | Jhansi |
| Jammu | Jorhat |
| Kohima | Kolkata |
| Tirupati | Lucknow |
| Jaipur | Panaji (Goa) |
| Srinagar | Madurai |
| Mumbai | Ranchi |
| Kochi (Cochin) | Nagpur |
| Patna | Sambalpur |
| Shillong | Udaipur |
| Shimla | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Vishakhapatnam | – |
Mains Exam Centers for IES 2024
When filling out the application form for the IES Mains exam, candidates are provided with a list of exam centres. The table below displays the cities where the Mains Indian Engineering Services exam is conducted:
| Ahmedabad | Aizawl |
| Cuttack | Delhi |
| Dehradun | Raipur |
| Ranchi | Hyderabad |
| Bangalore | Bhopal |
| Chandigarh | Kolkata |
| Lucknow | Shillong |
| Jammu | Dispur (Guwahati) |
| Shimla | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Visakhapatnam | Mumbai |
| Patna | Jaipur |
| Allahabad | Chennai |
IES Exam Pattern
Aspirants aiming to take the ESE Exam should ensure that they meet all the eligibility criteria and fulfil the requirements at every stage of the examination. It is advisable for candidates to thoroughly review the complete details of the IES Exam Pattern before beginning the application process and preparation. The examination will be conducted in three stages as outlined below:
- Stage I: Engineering Services (Preliminary/Stage-I) Examination (consisting of Objective Type Papers) to shortlist candidates for the Main Exam.
- Stage II: Engineering Services (Main/Stage-II) Examination (consisting of Conventional Type Papers).
- Stage III: Personality Test.
Prelims Exam Pattern
The ESE Preliminary examination marks the initial stage of the selection procedure, and it consists of two papers as detailed below:
- Paper I and Paper II of the ESE Prelims Exam solely comprise objective-type questions.
- The total score in the UPSC ESE exam is 500 marks.
- While Paper I is standardized for all applicants, Paper II contains queries related to the fundamental engineering subject.
- The ESE Prelims test requires a total duration of 5 hours.
- An incorrect response attracts a deduction of ⅓ marks assigned to a question.
| Paper | Subject | Question-type | Marks | Duration |
| Paper I | General Studies And Engineering Aptitude | Objective | 200 | 2 hours |
| Paper II | Engineering (Civil/Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics and Telecommunication) | Objective | 300 | 3 hours |
| Total | 500 | 5 hours |
Main Exam Pattern
Those who pass the UPSC ESE Prelims exam will be invited to participate in the Mains exam, which has the following characteristics:
- The IES Mains exam consists of 2 papers, both of which are conventional.
- The papers are centred around the core engineering subject that you chose while completing the application form, namely Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Electronics Telecommunication Engineering.
- The commission reserves the authority to subtract up to 5% of your total marks if your handwriting is unclear.
| Paper | Subject | Question-type | Marks | Duration |
| Paper I | Engineering (Civil/Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics and Telecommunication) | Descriptive | 300 | 3 hours |
| Paper II | Engineering (Civil/Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics and Telecommunication) | Objective | 300 | 3 hours |
| Total | 600 | 6 hours |
IES Exam Syllabus 2024
IES Prelims Syllabus
IES Prelims syllabus 2024 for Paper I is the same for all the branches, while the Paper II syllabus differs as per the choice made by the candidate:
| Papers and Subjects | Topics |
| Paper I | Current affairs (national and international) Environment: conservation, pollution, climate change, and so on. Construction and production Maintenance, Importance of Safety, General Design & Drawing Principles Material Science Technologies of Information and Communication (ICT) Energy Basics Project Management Ethics and Values in the Engineering Profession Engineering Mathematics Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability |
| Paper-II (Civil Engineering) | Solid Mechanics Building Materials Steel Structures Design Construction Practice and Management Concrete design and Masonry structures |
| Paper-II (Mechanical Engineering) | Power Planting Engineering Fluid Mechanics IC Engines Refrigerations Turbo Machinery Thermodynamics and Heat Paper |
| Paper-II (Electrical Engineering) | Engineering Mathematics Electrical Materials Electronic Measurements Electric Circuits Computer Fundamentals Basic Electronic Engineering |
| Paper-II (Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering) | Analog and Digital Circuits Network Theory Basic Electronics Engineering Materials Science Basic Electrical Engineering Electronic Instrumentation and Measurements |
IES Mains Syllabus 2024
The IES Mains syllabus 2024 is the same as the IES Mains Paper I and IES Preliminary Paper II is the same. The difference lies that, in the preliminary examination, only objective questions are asked, while in the main paper, subjective questions are asked:
| Papers and Subjects | Topics |
| Paper-II (Civil Engineering) | Geotechnical Engineering Foundation Engineering Geology and Surveying Transportation Engineering Water Resource Engineering Hydraulic Machines and Hydropower |
| Paper-II (Mechanical Engineering) | Design of Machine Elements Engineering Materials Industrial and Maintenance Engineering Mechatronics and Robotics Mechanisms and Machines Engineering Machines |
| Paper-II (Electrical Engineering) | Systems and Signal Processing Digital and Analog Electronics Electrical Machines Control Systems Power Drive and Electronics |
| Paper-II (Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering) | Advanced Electronics Topics Advanced Communication Digital and Analog Communication Systems Electro Magnetics Architecture and Computer Organization Control Systems |
IES Result 2024
To check the IES results from 2024, you can visit the official website of UPSC, where the Union Public Service Commission releases the results. After clearing the IES Prelims exam, candidates must appear for the mains exam. The IES Mains Result is then declared, followed by the Final Result. To check your IES result, follow these steps:
- Go to the UPSC official website, upsc.gov.in, for more details.
- Select ‘Examination’ and then choose ‘Active Examination’ from the dropdown menu.
- From the dropdown option, select “Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2024.
- Following that, you will see all the important updates, including the results.
- Click on the Written Test result link to check your IES result.
IES Exam Cutoff 2024
The UPSC official website has released the category-wise cutoff for IES 2024. However, due to the high level of competition, surpassing the minimum qualifying marks does not ensure selection. The candidates with the top scores will be selected for the subsequent round of interviews.
| Category | Cutoff |
| General | 238 |
| EWS | 238 |
| OBC | 238 |
| SC | 202 |
| ST | 227 |
Selection Process
The IES selection process for 2024 consists of two primary stages, which are as follows:
IES Prelims & Mains Exam
To be selected, candidates must successfully clear both the IES Prelims and IES Mains exams. The IES 2024 Preliminary exam is divided into two components, General Ability and Engineering Subject. The General Ability test will be at the level of an Engineering/Science graduate. Only those candidates who pass both Paper 1 and Paper 2 of the IES Preliminary Examination will be considered eligible to appear for the IES Mains Examination.
IES Personal Interview
UPSC conducts the IES Personal Interview for all candidates who clear the Mains cutoff. Candidates who qualify for the Prelims and Mains exams will be called to participate in the IES Personality Test. The Personality Exam (Interview) carries a weightage of 200 points. After the candidate clears the personality test, their documents and eligibility will be thoroughly verified.
IES Salary
The 7th Pay Commission governs the salary and benefits of IES officers in 2024. The previous wage structure has been substantially revised, and officers now receive an in-hand salary of INR 55,135. Additionally, the following allowances are provided:
- Residential quarters or HRA, depending on whether the officer utilizes the allocated quarters or makes their lodging arrangements.
- Dearness allowance
- Travel allowance/tour allowance as an additional incentive.
- Official vehicle for official purposes such as attending meetings or visiting locations.
- Medical assistance
- Domestic helpers and drivers.
| LEVEL | IES SALARY | GRADE PAY |
| Junior (Entry) Level | Rs. 15,600 – 39,100 | Rs. 5,400 |
| Senior Scale Level | Rs. 15,600 – 39,100 | Rs. 6,600 |
| Junior Administrative Grade | Rs. 15,600 – 39,100 | Rs. 7,600 |
| Selection Grade Pay | Rs. 37,400 – 67,000 | Rs. 8,700 |
| Super Time Scale | Rs. 37,400 – 67,000 | Rs. 8,700 |
| Super Time Scale | Rs. 37,400 – 67,000 | Rs. 10,000 |
| Apex Pay Scale | Rs. 80,000/- | Not Available |
| Cabinet Secretary Grade | Rs. 90,000/- | Not Available |
The type of work an IES officer performs is mainly determined by their engineering discipline and the service or cadre they are enrolled in. The career progression is favourable, and officers earn significant respect. The first offered position is Assistant Executive Engineer, and the hierarchy culminates with the position of Chairman/Managing Director.
Responsibilities and Advancement Opportunities for IES 2024
- Upon selection, individuals will be designated as Assistant Executive Engineer or Assistant Director at the start of their careers.
- With 3 to 4 years of experience, individuals are eligible for promotion to Executive Engineer, Director, or Work Manager. Upon completion of 8 years of service, individuals can become Deputy General Manager or Joint Director.
- After accumulating over 13 years of experience, individuals can advance to the position of Joint General Manager or Chief Engineer of level 2.
- After 20 years of experience, individuals are qualified to become an Additional General Manager or Chief Engineer
- Upon providing 30 years of service to the government of India, individuals are eligible for the position of Senior General Manager or Engineer-in-Chief.
- Exceptional performance by IES officers with 34 years of experience can lead to their appointment as Chairman or Managing Director of a governmental organization.
IES Preparation Tips
Preparing for UPSC IES 2024 requires dedicated and consistent efforts. Here are some study tips that can help you in your preparation:
- Understand the Exam Pattern: Having a clear understanding of the exam pattern is essential before beginning your preparation, as it will provide you with valuable information regarding the structure of the exam, the types of questions that will be asked, and the marking scheme.
- Create a Study Plan: Create a study plan that is tailored to your strengths and weaknesses. The plan should cover all the topics that are included in the syllabus, and you should allocate time for each topic based on its importance.
- Focus on the Basics: Start with the basics of each topic and then move to the advanced concepts. Ensure that you have a clear understanding of the fundamental concepts before moving to the advanced topics.
- Make Notes: Make concise and comprehensive notes of important concepts and formulas that you come across while studying. This will help you in quick revision during the last days of the exam.
- Practice Previous Year Papers: Practice the previous year’s papers and mock tests to improve your speed, accuracy, and time management skills. This will also help you identify your weak areas and improve on them.
- Stay Updated: Stay updated with the latest news and current affairs. Read newspapers and magazines, and watch news channels regularly to keep yourself updated on the latest happenings.
- Take Breaks: Take regular breaks during your study sessions to avoid burnout. Taking short breaks in between study sessions will help you stay focused and refreshed.
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FAQs
What is UPSC IES 2024?
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts UPSC IES 2024 to recruit engineers to work in various government departments and organizations.
When will UPSC conduct the IES mains exam?
UPSC will conduct the IES mains exam later this year on 26th June 2024.
How many papers are there in the IES syllabus for mains?
The IES syllabus for mains constitutes two papers; Paper-I and Paper-II
When will UPSC release the IES аррliсаtiоn fоrms?
The application forms were available from September 6th to September 26th, 2023, on UPSC’s official website.
How does the UPSC conduct the IES exam?
The prelims stage is taken online. However, the main and interview stages are conducted offline.
What is the syllabus for UPSC IES 2024?
The syllabus for UPSC IES 2024 includes topics from the engineering discipline that the candidate has chosen, along with general studies and English language skills
How many vacancies does UPSC offer in the IES exams 2024?
There are 167 vacancies in the IES exams for session 2024.
Where can I check the IES results?
The IES results for all stages are available on UPSC’s official website.
What is the cut-off score for the IES exam?
The cut-off score for the IES exam will be available on the official website of the UPSC after the interview session.
What is the salary for UPSC IES 2024?
The salary for UPSC IES 2024 varies depending on the department and level of the post. However, the starting salary for an IES officer is around Rs. 56,100 per month.