Syllabus

UPSC ESE Syllabus 2025: Comprehensive Prelims & Mains Guide

Explore the detailed UPSC ESE (Engineering Services Examination) syllabus for 2025, covering both Prelims and Mains stages across Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering disciplines. Understand the exam pattern, key topics, and access downloadable PDFs to enhance your preparation.

The Engineering Services Examination (ESE), conducted by UPSC, is one of the most prestigious exams for engineering graduates aiming to join various government departments. It comprises two main stages — Preliminary and Mains, followed by an interview. This article provides a comprehensive and detailed syllabus for both Prelims and Mains, branch-wise, along with marks distribution, recommended books, preparation tips, and a direct syllabus PDF download link.

2. UPSC ESE Exam Pattern Summary

Exam Stage Papers Marks Duration Question Type Description
Prelims Paper I – General Studies & Engineering Aptitude 200 2 hours Objective (MCQ) Common for all branches
Prelims Paper II – Discipline-specific 300 3 hours Objective (MCQ) Branch-wise syllabus
Mains Paper I – Discipline-specific 300 3 hours Descriptive Branch-wise syllabus
Mains Paper II – Discipline-specific 300 3 hours Descriptive Branch-wise syllabus

3. UPSC ESE Prelims Syllabus

3.1 General Studies & Engineering Aptitude (Paper I) – Common to All Branches

Topic Description Approx. Marks (%)
Current Issues in National and International Importance Social, Economic, Political, Scientific developments 10-15%
Engineering Aptitude including Logical Reasoning and Numerical Analysis Analytical reasoning, data interpretation 10-15%
Engineering Mathematics Algebra, Calculus, Probability, Statistics 10-15%
General Principles of Design, Drawing and Safety Basics of engineering drawing and safety standards 5-10%
Standards and Quality Practices in Production, Construction and Maintenance ISO standards, quality control 5-10%
Basics of Energy and Environment Energy resources, renewable energy, environmental pollution 10-15%
Basics of Project Management CPM, PERT, resource allocation 5-10%
Basics of Material Science Engineering materials properties and classification 5-10%
Information and Communication Technologies Basics of computer and networking 5-10%
Ethics and Values in Engineering Profession Professional ethics, social responsibility 5-10%

3.2 Discipline-Specific Prelims Syllabus

Civil Engineering Prelims (Paper II)

Subject Topics
Building Materials Properties, classification, testing of stones, bricks, cement, concrete mix design
Structural Mechanics Stress, strain, bending moment, shear force, torsion
Structural Analysis Determinate & indeterminate structures, influence lines
Steel Design Working and limit state methods, design of beams and columns
Concrete Design Limit state design of reinforced concrete structures
Fluid Mechanics Fluid properties, types of flow, pipe flow
Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering Hydrological cycle, groundwater, irrigation methods
Environmental Engineering Water supply, sewage treatment, solid waste management
Geotechnical Engineering Soil properties, compaction, permeability
Surveying and Transportation Engineering Chain surveying, photogrammetry, road and railway engineering

Mechanical Engineering Prelims (Paper II)

Subject Topics
Engineering Mechanics Statics, dynamics, friction
Strength of Materials Stress-strain relations, bending, torsion
Theory of Machines Kinematics, velocity, acceleration, gears, flywheels
Fluid Mechanics Fluid properties, flow types, losses
Thermodynamics Laws, cycles, gas power, refrigeration
Heat Transfer Conduction, convection, radiation
Manufacturing Technology Casting, welding, machining processes
Industrial Engineering Work study, method study
Power Plant Engineering Boilers, turbines

Electrical Engineering Prelims (Paper II)

Subject Topics
Circuit Theory Network theorems, transient and steady-state analysis
Electrical Machines Transformers, induction and synchronous machines
Power Systems Generation, transmission, distribution
Control Systems Open/closed loop systems, transfer functions
Measurements and Instrumentation Measurement of electrical quantities
Power Electronics Rectifiers, inverters, converters
Analog and Digital Electronics Amplifiers, digital logic

Electronics & Telecommunication Prelims (Paper II)

Subject Topics
Networks and Circuits Network theorems, transient analysis
Electronic Devices Diodes, transistors, op-amps
Signals and Systems Fourier series, transforms
Control Systems Stability, block diagrams
Electromagnetics Maxwell’s equations, transmission lines
Digital Electronics Boolean algebra, combinational and sequential circuits

4. UPSC ESE Mains Syllabus

Civil Engineering Mains

Paper Topics
Paper I Building Materials, Solid Mechanics, Structural Analysis, Design of Steel Structures, Design of Concrete Structures
Paper II Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Machines, Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Surveying, and Transportation Engineering

Mechanical Engineering Mains

Paper Topics
Paper I Engineering Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Theory of Machines, Machine Design
Paper II Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Machines, Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer, Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Engineering, Power Plant Engineering

Electrical Engineering Mains

Paper Topics
Paper I Circuit Theory, Electrical Machines, Power Systems
Paper II Control Systems, Measurements and Instrumentation, Power Electronics, Analog and Digital Electronics

Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering Mains

Paper Topics
Paper I Networks, Electronic Devices, Signals and Systems, Control Systems
Paper II Electromagnetics, Digital Electronics, Communication Systems

5. Marks Distribution

Exam Stage Paper Marks Duration
Prelims Paper I (GS & Engineering Aptitude) 200 2 hours
Prelims Paper II (Discipline-specific) 300 3 hours
Mains Paper I (Discipline-specific) 300 3 hours
Mains Paper II (Discipline-specific) 300 3 hours

6. Recommended Books for UPSC ESE

Branch Subject Recommended Books
Civil Engineering Structural Analysis Structural Analysis by R.C. Hibbeler
Civil Engineering Concrete Technology Concrete Technology by A.M. Neville
Mechanical Engineering Thermodynamics Thermodynamics by P.K. Nag
Mechanical Engineering Strength of Materials Mechanics of Materials by Gere & Goodno
Electrical Engineering Electrical Machines Electrical Machines by P.S. Bimbhra
Electrical Engineering Power Systems Power System Engineering by D.P. Kothari
Electronics & Telecommunication Communication Systems Communication Systems by Simon Haykin
Electronics & Telecommunication Digital Electronics Digital Design by Morris Mano

7. Preparation Tips for UPSC ESE

  • Separate Strategy for Prelims & Mains: Focus on objective questions for Prelims and detailed concepts for Mains.
  • Conceptual Clarity: Build strong fundamentals using standard textbooks.
  • Previous Year Papers: Practice extensively to understand exam pattern.
  • Revision & Mock Tests: Regular revision and time-bound mock tests help improve speed and accuracy.
  • Time Management: Allocate study hours based on topic weightage and difficulty.

8. UPSC ESE Syllabus PDF Download

For official and updated syllabus, download the PDF from UPSC’s official website:
UPSC ESE Official Syllabus PDF

9. Conclusion

The UPSC Engineering Services Exam requires a disciplined approach, thorough knowledge of both prelims and mains syllabus, and consistent preparation. Use the detailed syllabus and recommended books to plan your study schedule efficiently and improve your chances of success.

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