UPSC ESE 2026 Exam Today (8 Feb): Check Shift Timings, Reporting Time & Guidelines
UPSC ESE 2026 Exam Today: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is conducting the Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2026 – Preliminary Exam today, 8 February 2026, across exam centres nationwide. Candidates appearing for the exam must strictly follow the official shift timings, reporting time, and exam-day instructions to avoid last-minute issues.
The UPSC ESE Prelims 2026 is being held in two shifts on the same day and includes Paper I (GS & Engineering Aptitude) and Paper II (Engineering Discipline).
UPSC ESE 2026 Exam Schedule & Shift Timings (Today)
| Exam Date | Shift | Exam Time | Paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08 February 2026 | Morning (Shift I) | 09:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Paper I – General Studies & Engineering Aptitude |
| 08 February 2026 | Afternoon (Shift II) | 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM | Paper II – Engineering Discipline |
📌 Important: Both Paper I and Paper II are compulsory for candidates appearing in UPSC ESE Prelims 2026.
UPSC ESE 2026 Reporting Time (Important)
Candidates must report at least 2 hours before the exam time mentioned on the admit card.
| Paper | Exam Time | Reporting Time |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | 09:30 AM – 11:30 AM | By 07:30 AM |
| Paper II | 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM | By 12:00 PM |
⛔ Important: Late entry is not allowed under any circumstances. Candidates must strictly adhere to the reporting time mentioned above.
UPSC ESE 2026 Exam Mode & Paper Details
-
Exam Mode: Offline (OMR-Based)
-
Question Type: Objective (MCQs)
-
Total Papers: 2
-
Engineering Disciplines Covered in Paper II:
-
Civil Engineering
-
Mechanical Engineering
-
Electrical Engineering
-
Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
-
Candidates must mark answers only on the OMR sheet provided at the exam centre.
UPSC ESE 2026: Documents Required at Exam Centre
Carry the following documents without fail:
-
Printed copy of UPSC ESE 2026 Admit Card
-
One valid photo ID proof:
-
Aadhaar Card
-
Voter ID
-
Passport
-
Driving Licence
-
📌 Entry will be denied without proper documents.
UPSC ESE 2026 Exam-Day Instructions
Candidates appearing today must strictly follow these instructions:
-
Reach the exam centre before reporting time
-
Do not carry mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, Bluetooth devices, or notes
-
Follow seating instructions mentioned on the admit card
-
Use black ball-point pen only for OMR marking
-
Maintain discipline inside the examination hall
Any violation of rules may lead to disqualification.
What Happens After UPSC ESE Prelims 2026?
-
Candidates qualifying the Preliminary Exam will be shortlisted for:
-
UPSC ESE Mains 2026
-
-
Prelims is qualifying in nature, but marks decide shortlisting
-
Official answer key and result will be released later on the UPSC portal
NaukriBee Insight
UPSC ESE is one of the most competitive engineering exams in India. Candidates appearing today should focus on accuracy, time management, and calm execution rather than attempting all questions.
FAQs – UPSC ESE 2026 Exam Today
Q1. Is UPSC ESE 2026 being held today?
👉 Yes, the ESE Prelims 2026 is being conducted on 8 February 2026.
Q2. How many shifts are there today?
👉 Two shifts – Morning (Paper I) and Afternoon (Paper II).
Q3. Is the exam online or offline?
👉 The exam is offline (OMR-based).
Q4. Is reporting time mandatory?
👉 Yes, candidates must report 2 hours before the exam.
| 📱 Join our WhatsApp Channel for Daily Updates |
