Syllabus

UPSC IES Syllabus 2025: Comprehensive Prelims & Mains Guide

Explore the detailed UPSC Indian Engineering Services (IES) 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 UPSC Engineering Services Examination (IES/ESE) is one of the most prestigious exams for engineering graduates in India. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the syllabus, exam pattern, detailed subject-wise topics, preparation tips, recommended books, and specialization options after selection.

1. Exam Pattern & Structure

Stage Papers Type Marks
Preliminary Paper I (GS & Aptitude)
Paper II (Core Discipline)
Objective 200 + 300 = 500
Main Paper I & II (Core Discipline) Descriptive 600
Personality Test Interview Descriptive 200
Total 1300 marks

2. Prelims – Paper I: General Studies & Engineering Aptitude (200 marks)

Topic Details
Current Issues National/international events, policies, infrastructure, green technology
Engineering Aptitude Reasoning, data interpretation, basic puzzles
Engineering Mathematics Calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, Fourier series
Design & Drawing Freehand sketches, projections, scales, sectioning
Standards & Quality ISO norms, QC tools, reliability, testing
ICT Networking basics, cyber security, IoT fundamentals
Ethics & Values Professional conduct, conflict resolution, responsibility
Project Management CPM/PERT, scheduling, budgeting, risk control
Environment & Sustainability Pollution control, eco-friendly engineering, climate action
Material Science Properties/module of elasticity, composites, failure modes

3. Prelims – Paper II: Core Engineering Discipline (300 marks)

Civil Engineering Syllabus

Topic Details
Building Materials & Construction Concrete mix, steel grades, durability
Structural Analysis Indeterminate structures, influence lines, energy methods
Steel & RCC Design Limit state design, slender columns, beams, plates
Geotechnical Engineering Soil classification, compaction, consolidation
Foundation Engineering Shallow and deep foundations, pile load tests, settlement
Fluid Mechanics Bernoulli’s theorem, head losses, hydraulic machines
Environmental Engineering Water & wastewater treatment, solid waste management
Transportation Engineering Pavement design, traffic systems, railway engineering
Surveying & Geomatics Theodolite, total station, GPS mapping
Construction Management Estimation, scheduling, contracts

Mechanical Engineering Syllabus

Topic Details
Thermodynamics Carnot cycle, Rankine cycle, refrigeration cycles
Fluid Mechanics & Turbo-machinery Laminar and turbulent flow, pumps, turbines
Heat Transfer Modes of heat transfer: conduction, convection, radiation
Strength of Materials Stress-strain analysis, torsion, deflection
Theory of Machines Mechanisms, cams, gears, balancing
Machine Design Fatigue, bearings, shafts, fasteners
Manufacturing Technology Machining processes, welding, CNC systems
Industrial Engineering Plant layout, production planning, quality control
Power Plant Engineering Boilers, turbines, thermal efficiency

Electrical Engineering Syllabus

Topic Details
Circuit Theory & Fields Transient analysis, network theorems, Maxwell’s equations
Electrical Machines Generators, motors, transformers, testing methods
Power Systems Load flow analysis, fault calculations, HVDC and FACTS
Control Systems Block diagrams, transfer functions, PID controller design
Analog & Digital Electronics Operational amplifiers, ADC/DAC converters, logic circuits
Measurements & Instrumentation Transducers, calibration techniques, measurement errors
Power Electronics Inverters, UPS systems, motor drives

Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering Syllabus

Topic Details
Networks & Transmission Lines Smith Chart, impedance matching, signal reflections
Devices & Analog Circuits BJT and MOSFET transistor models, amplifier design
Digital Electronics Flip-flops, counters, memory devices, microprocessors
Signals & Systems Fourier and Laplace transforms, convolution, sampling theory
Control Systems Stability analysis, root locus, Bode plot
Communication Systems Analog and digital modulation techniques, fiber optics
Electromagnetics & Microwave Engineering Waveguides, antennas, RADAR systems
Computer Organization CPU architecture, pipelining, cache memory, buses

4. Mains – Paper I & II (Descriptive – 600 marks)

Civil Engineering Syllabus

Paper Topics Details
Paper I RCC & Steel Design, Structural Dynamics, Water Resources, Hydraulics
  • RCC & Steel Design: Limit state design, slender columns, beams, plates
  • Structural Dynamics: Vibrations, seismic analysis, response spectrum
  • Water Resources: Hydrology, watershed management, irrigation systems
  • Hydraulics: Open channel flow, pipe flow, pumps, turbines
Paper II Environmental Engineering, Solid Waste Management, Transport Infrastructure, Advanced Surveying, Contracts
  • Environmental Engineering: Water & wastewater treatment, air pollution control
  • Solid Waste: Collection, segregation, disposal methods
  • Transport Infrastructure: Pavement design, traffic systems, road & railway construction
  • Advanced Surveying: Total station, GPS, remote sensing
  • Contracts: Tendering, contract conditions, arbitration

Mechanical Engineering Syllabus

Paper Topics Details
Paper I Thermodynamics, IC Engines, Steam Cycles
  • Thermodynamics: First and second laws, Carnot, Rankine cycles
  • IC Engines: Types, combustion, performance parameters
  • Steam Cycles: Rankine cycle, boilers, turbines
Paper II Machine Design, Vibrations, Manufacturing Systems, Plant Engineering
  • Machine Design: Fatigue, shafts, bearings, fasteners
  • Vibrations: Free and forced vibrations, damping, resonance
  • Manufacturing Systems: Machining, welding, CNC
  • Plant Engineering: Plant layout, material handling, maintenance

Electrical Engineering Syllabus

Paper Topics Details
Paper I Network Theory, Synchronous Machines, Protection Relays
  • Network Theory: Circuit theorems, transient analysis
  • Synchronous Machines: Operation, characteristics, testing
  • Protection Relays: Types, operation principles
Paper II Control System Design, Power-Electronic Converters, Instrumentation
  • Control System Design: Transfer functions, stability analysis
  • Power Electronics: Inverters, converters, motor drives
  • Instrumentation: Sensors, transducers, signal conditioning

Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering Syllabus

Paper Topics Details
Paper I RF/Analog Circuits, Digital Communication, DSP, Control Theory
  • RF/Analog Circuits: Amplifiers, oscillators, mixers
  • Digital Communication: Modulation, coding, multiplexing
  • Digital Signal Processing (DSP): Filters, FFT, signal analysis
  • Control Theory: Feedback, stability, controllers
Paper II VLSI, Embedded Systems, Microwave Circuit Design, Antennas
  • VLSI Design: CMOS technology, design methodologies
  • Embedded Systems: Microcontrollers, RTOS
  • Microwave Circuits: Waveguides, S-parameters
  • Antennas: Types, radiation patterns

6. Download UPSC IES (ESE) Syllabus:

 The official UPSC IES (ESE) 2025 syllabus PDF:

Download UPSC IES 2025 Syllabus PDF

It includes detailed syllabus for Prelims, Mains, and Personality Test across all engineering streams.

Let me know if you want me to share key highlights or syllabus summary!

5. Recommended Books For UPSC IES (ESE)

Subject/Stream Books
General Aptitude & Ethics R.S. Aggarwal; Made Easy GS Manual
Mathematics B.S. Grewal; Kreyszig
Civil Engineering C.S. Reddy, B.C. Punmia, Peavy & Rowe
Mechanical Engineering P.K. Nag, Streeter & Wylie, R.S. Khurmi
Electrical Engineering Fitzgerald, C.L. Wadhwa, Nise
Electronics & Telecommunication Sedra & Smith, Haykin, Pozar, Morris Mano

6. Preparation Strategy

  • Segment your study phases: Months 1–4 focus on Prelims (GS + core subjects); Months 5–10 dive into Mains with answer writing.
  • Dedicated weekly slots: Reserve 2–3 days for core subject and 1 day for GS/aptitude.
  • Concept → Practice: Read topics, study examples, and solve topic-wise problems daily.
  • Analyze Past Papers: Go through 15–20 years of ESE papers to identify repeated concepts.
  • Mock Tests & Feedback: Join a test series, review your weak areas.
  • Answer-Writing Drill: Time your Mains answers, focus on presentation, diagrams, calculation steps.
  • Revision Notes: Maintain compact formula sheets and short summaries per topic.
  • Personality Test Prep: Review service roles, ethics case studies, current affairs from Month 8 onwards.

7. Specializations & Services After Selection

Engineering Discipline Service Allocation
Civil IRSE, CPWD, BRO, MES, CWC
Mechanical IRSME, DRDO Armament, Ordinance Factory Board
Electrical IRSEE, CPES, CEA
Electronics & Telecom IRSSE, Indian Telecom Service, BSNL/MTNL

8. Conclusion

The UPSC IES 2025 examination demands excellence in both technical knowledge and general aptitude. To succeed:

  • Master your core technical subjects with clarity.
  • Consistently solve past papers and take mocks for practice.
  • Craft effective, diagram-supported Mains answers.
  • Build your Personality Test confidence through role knowledge and current affairs.

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