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UPSC IES Exam Pattern 2025: Check Paper Pattern for Prelims & Mains Both here!

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The UPSC IES Exam Pattern for all stages of the selection process is determined by the UPSC. Candidates preparing for the UPSC IES exam must carefully go through the exam pattern and plan their preparation for each stage accordingly. In this article, we have detailed the latest UPSC IES Exam Pattern. Read on, to know more and start your preparation accordingly.

  • The selection process is based on three stages i.e. Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and Personality Test.
  • The Preliminary examination consists of objective-type questions.
  • The Mains Exam is a conventional (descriptive-type) paper.

If you are preparing for UPSC IES, you should also check CSAT For UPSC IAS Online Coaching here to boost your chances of selection.

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UPSC IES Exam Pattern 

The prelims exam will consist of three two papers namely General Studies & Engineering Aptitude and paper based on engineering discipline. Both these papers will be objective type. Every wrong answer will result in a 1/3rd mark deduction. The detailed UPSC IES exam pattern is as given below.

UPSC IES (ESE) Prelims Exam Pattern

The details of the UPSC IES Prelims Exam Pattern has been given below:

Paper

Subject

Total Marks

Duration (hours)

Paper 1

General Studies & Engineering Aptitude

200

2 hours

Paper 2

Concerned Engineering Stream(Civil/Electrical/Mechanical/Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering)

300

3 hours

Total

500

-

  • The prelims exam will consist of three two papers namely General Studies & Engineering Aptitude and paper based on engineering discipline. 
  • Both these papers will be objective type. 
  • Both papers will be offline mode.
  • Paper I consists of 100 questions and the total marks will be 200. Paper-II consists of 150 questions and the total marks will be 300. 
  • Every wrong answer will result in a 1/3rd mark deduction. 
  • The paper I will be of a duration of 2 hours and Paper-II will be of a duration of 3 hours.

UPSC IES (ESE) Mains Exam Pattern

The UPSC IES main examination is a descriptive type exam consisting of 2 papers of 300 marks each.

  • Both the papers will be as per the respective engineering stream selected by the candidate. 
  • The details of the UPSC IES Mains Exam Exam Pattern has been given below:

UPSC IES Mains Exam Pattern

Papers

Marks

Duration

Paper 1 Civil/Electrical/ Mechanical/ Electronics & Telecommunication

300

3 Hours

Paper 2 Civil/Electrical/ Mechanical/ Electronics & Telecommunication

300

3 Hours

Total

600 Marks

6 Hours

  • The UPSC IES main examination is a descriptive type exam consisting of 2 papers of 300 marks each. 
  • The duration of each paper will be 3 hours.
  • Both the papers will have questions from the opted Engineering discipline (Civil Engineering/ Mechanical Engineering/ Electrical/ Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering).
  • Credit will be given for exact, to the point answer using an economy of words, and delivering efficient and effective answers.
Attempt UPSC ESE (IES) Civil Mock Test here and know your overall preparation. 
Read more about IES from our Articles :
IES Answer Key IES Cut Off
IES Selection Process IES Civil Syllabus
IES EE Syllabus IES Previous Year Papers
IES Eligibility Criteria IES Result

UPSC IES (ESE) Personality Test

Candidates securing minimum cut off marks as decided by the Commission will be called for the Personality test. The number of candidates called for Personality Test will be about twice the number of vacancies to be filled under this recruitment. In the Personality Test, candidates will be tested on their capacity for leadership, initiative and intellectual curiosity, tact and other social qualities, physical and mental energy, powers of practical application and integrity of character. This test will comprise of 200 marks.

Attempt  UPSC IES Electronics Mock Test here and check your preparation level

We hope this article on UPSC IES Exam Pattern was informative and helpful. Download the Testbook App  to prepare for this exam with the best resources like previous year papers, mock tests, etc.

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