Respected Sir/Madam,
This is an urgent representation requesting the Government to revise the upper age limit for the UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE) from 30 years to 32 years.
The UPSC Civil Services Examination allows General Category candidates up to 32 years of age, whereas qualified engineers appearing for ESE are restricted to 30 years.
The situation requires serious reconsideration.
Even years after the COVID-19 disruption, thousands of qualified engineering graduates continue to struggle for stable employment and Government opportunities. Recruitment opportunities are limited, vacancies in many examinations are highly competitive and candidates get very few meaningful chances before crossing the existing age limit.
At the same time, competition has increased significantly. Engineers also spend four years completing their professional degree and many subsequently spend years preparing for GATE, PSUs, State Engineering Services, UPSC ESE and other technical recruitments.
Increasing the ESE upper age limit from 30 to 32 years will NOT dilute merit or examination standards. Candidates will still have to clear the same rigorous Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and Personality Test purely on merit.
It will simply give deserving engineers two additional years to compete for an opportunity to serve the Government of India.
Considering the post-COVID employment situation, increasing competition, limited recruitment opportunities and the professional nature of engineering education, reviewing the present age limit is now the NEED OF THE HOUR.
We therefore strongly request the Government to:
1. Increase the General Category upper age limit for UPSC ESE from 30 to 32 years.
2. Implement the revised age limit from ESE 2027.
3. If a permanent amendment cannot be completed immediately, provide a one-time two-year age relaxation for ESE 2027 and simultaneously review the policy for future examinations.
The ESE 2027 notification is scheduled for 16 September 2026. Therefore, this matter deserves immediate consideration BEFORE the notification is finalised.
Thousands of engineering aspirants may lose their final opportunity merely because of the existing two-year age difference.
We strongly urge the concerned authorities to take a fair, practical and timely decision in the interest of engineering aspirants across India.
Regards,
Engineering Aspirants of India
