How to start preparing for UPSC ESE 2025?

UPSC ESE Preparation

Every year, the UPSC conducts the engineering services examination. Students have started their UPSC ESE preparation and are working hard to clear the exam and ensure a safe and successful career. Indian Engineering Services (IES) is considered one of the toughest examinations in the nation due to the high level of competition.

The Engineering Services Examination (ESE), also referred to as the Indian Engineering Services (IES) exam, is highly coveted among engineering graduates. Along with providing a job with high respect and demeanour, IES allows engineering graduates to put their four years of hard work into practice while also serving the country. Thus, the job provides for all one wants and aims for in his or her future.

The Engineering Services Examination is conducted in three phases:

ESE Stage I:

It is a preliminary (Stage-I) Examination that has objective-type papers for the selection of applicants for the Stage-II Engineering Services (Main/Stage-II) Examination. There will be negative markings. One-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be subtracted as the penalty for every wrong answer.

ESE Stage II:

Applicants who qualify in Stage-I (preliminary) will appear in the Engineering Services (Main/Stage-II) Examination, which is a conventional type of paper.

ESE Stage III: Personality Test. (200 Marks)

The Engineering Services Examination consists of written tests followed by an interview for the personality test. Qualified applicants will be recruited in the following areas:

• Civil Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering

The above information will provide you with a brief overview of the examination, along with the pattern and type of subjects needed. After a summary of the exam, it is time to actually know how to start your preparation for ESE.

Every year, lots of students, some after their graduation, start preparing for the ESE examination to reap maximum benefits. There are some important pointers that one must know during the preparation phase in order to beat the cutthroat competition.

Before we learn about the expert-recommended ways associated with IES preparation, let’s get to know the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

How many attempts are allowed to clear ESE?

UPSC ESE aspirants who are into full-fledged IES preparation often worry about the number of attempts available for the IES examination. But now you can relax, as the IES exam has unlimited attempts.

How do I start UPSC ESE Preparation from zero?

Almost every UPSC ESE aspirant feels lost or confused while getting started with the exam preparation, especially if he or she aims to crack the UPSC IES (ESE) examination. It is because the exam syllabus is vast, which makes it essential for the aspirants to build a strong ESE preparation strategy. Here are some of the points you need to keep in mind if you are about to start UPSC preparation from zero.

• Build the right mindset to kick-start your ESE preparation.
• Understand the UPSC ESE syllabus properly.
• Allot specific time slots to prepare for both strong and weak areas, focusing your efforts on improving weak areas.
• Analyze your performance based on the mock tests. Accordingly, you can change and improve your study schedule and focus areas to achieve the best possible results.
• Make it a priority to avoid comparing your ESE preparation to others. It will help you to have a peaceful mind.
• Finally, remain dedicated to your UPSC ESE preparation strategy and achieve success in the IES examination.

Ready to prepare ESE?

We hope you have decided to prepare for the ESE and are all set to clear it with full dedication and sincerity. While some of you may have already begun your studies, others are still awaiting the right moment. You must have had a brief idea regarding how to prepare for the UPSC ESE. Now, read the following points to find out the best ESE preparation strategy created for all the students to guide and help them on their journey to excellence.

1. Begin with a bang:

Every start should be filled with enthusiasm and lots of confidence. This makes the start all worth it, and you want to continue and enjoy the journey ahead. So, when starting the ESE preparation, make sure to be clear about the exam, why you want to give it, and other important things. This will help motivate you for the journey ahead. So, some ways in which you can actually start your preparation with a bang are:

1. Know your syllabus: Before starting, know the syllabus of the ESE with respect to your stream. As the syllabus is vast, you don’t waste time on the not necessary parts of the exam but instead on the important subjects and topics.
2. Make a plan: Based on your syllabus, make a study plan for yourself. This will help you avoid derailing from the studies and systematically complete all the subjects that are necessary for the examination. Making a plan and following it sincerely is half the work done for the preparation; the rest is to be true to yourself and then your subjects.
3. Books: A plan will not make sense if you are not aware of which books to read. There are lots of books in the market; the shops are flooded with multiple books on a single subject. Reading it all is a waste of time and energy, and you will not be able to complete the syllabus on time. So choose the best books that are suitable for your style and align with the syllabus, and go ahead. Study material from coaching institutes like MADE EASY is also a great way to read the correct books. You can either join an institute or opt for postal study courses.
4. Coaching or not:  The high level of competition that the exam has to offer requires correct guidance in every step of preparation. For this guide, you can always opt for coaching institutes like MADE EASY that have highly efficient and experienced teachers from the ESE domain. Also, looking at the current scenario, you can prepare from the comfort of your home by enrolling in LIVE Online Classes offered by MADE EASY.

2. Keep up the spirit:

While starting strong is important, keeping up the spirit throughout is also necessary. The long process of IES preparation that the examination demands sometimes becomes too much for the students and they tend to lose their confidence. Social media also plays a very negative role during the examination if not handled with care. One must stay motivated and high-spirited all through the examination to continue the process until the final examination. Various ways in which one can keep up the spirit are:

1. Prepare properly: Always have a plan and prepare accordingly. Having no plan will result in not being able to take the correct path to success.
2. Keep yourself motivated: There are various ways to stay motivated: watch toppers talk, watch inspirational videos, do meditation, talk to your friends, and read good books. These activities will help you stay motivated and not lose yourself during the preparation phase.
3. Notes: Making notes is an art, and if practiced well, it really helps you keep up the spirit. If you are making notes, it will help you concentrate better on what you are reading. Also, once you have completed the syllabus or any particular topic, notes help you with easy revision and quick learning.
4. Take breaks: Only studying and taking no breaks will make you dull and your brain slow. Therefore, keep taking breaks in between your learning sessions. These breaks not only act as refreshments but as catalysts for your preparation. However, too many breaks can also hamper your studies, as you will have less time to study and more time to take breaks. During this break, go for a walk, talk to a friend, or do any recreational activity that freshens you up.
5. No procrastination: Do not leave anything for later, as that will never come. So whatever you have to study or whatever you think is important, do it there and then, and do not procrastinate. Even for the syllabus, read everything that is there and do not leave any topic or subject out.

3. End the game with success:

Starting and preparation are important phases and the phase that will decide your fate is the end game. To end the game with full confidence and attain success. Someone once said that you succeed when you want success as badly as you want to breathe. So make success part of you and do all you can.

1. Revision: As specified, always make notes, as they are great revision techniques. So revise all your subjects as and when they are completed, as well as before the exam. Along with your notes, revise the questions you have practiced, the rest you have given, and everything else that you think is important.
2. Practice: Practice makes perfect. So practice until you become perfect. From previous year papers to test series, sample papers, and online tests for the ESE 2025 examination. Practice will act as revision, and you may also learn new concepts or applications while practicing.

Right from the time when the first thought of giving the exam clicks in your mind to the time when you have finally given the examination, every part is important. Do not miss out or get slow in any phase. The examination calls for an energetic individual who can start strong and continue the spirit and the game with the same confidence. You also have to do the same.

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.

Start your ESE preparation today if you haven’t yet. There is still a lot of time for miracles through your hard work. You can make the most of the time that is left. So instead of wondering about the time that has gone by, give your best shot at the time that is left.

We hope this article will really help you. Please feel free to contact us if you have any doubts. We’d love to hear from you. All the very best for your ESE preparation, and may you succeed in all your future endeavours.

Stay tuned for more useful blogs!

Dear Aspirants,

While preparing for competitive engineering exams such as GATE, ESE, SES, and various PSU exams, the MADE EASY YouTube channel offers well-researched content to boost your exam preparation. Subscribe to the YouTube channel for latest job notifications, strategic tips and tricks for preparation, proper knowledge on the key concepts, and current affairs.

So, hurry up, subscribe to the MADE EASY: ESE, GATE, and PSUs YouTube channel now, and never miss an update on new videos.