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IES Exam Pattern 2023 – IES Exam Pattern For Prelims and Mains
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: September 25th, 2023
IES Exam Pattern includes information about the duration of the exam, the number of papers, and the type of questions asked. The UPSC releases the IES exam pattern and the syllabus every year in the notification pdf. It covers a detailed description of all three stages of the exam, i.e., Prelims, Mains, and interviews.
As per the IES exam pattern, only candidates who have completed their bachelor’s degree from an AICTE/ UGC-approved college will be allowed to sit in the IES examination. The official notification PDF of IES notified a detailed description of the IES exam pattern 2023 for the UPSC IES Prelims and Mains examination. Therefore, candidates are advised to go through the IES exam pattern 2023 for Prelims and Mains before filling out the application form. Here we have discussed the complete IES exam pattern for all branches, which candidates need to look at before going to the examination.
Table of content
What is the IES Exam Pattern 2023?
The IES exam pattern 2023 is a fixed structure based on which the exam will be conducted. Based on these rules, candidates will face the questions in the examination. Each year UPSC releases the ESE IES exam pattern in the official notification for aspirants. Therefore, checking the IES exam pattern in detail is advised to prepare effectively for each examination stage.
The UPSC IES examination has three stages, each of which carries an individual exam pattern. The three stages of the exam are:
- Stage 1: Preliminary Exam
- Stage 2: Main Exam
- Stage 3: Interview Exam
We have elaborated on the IES exam pattern of each exam stage in the subsequent paragraphs.
IES Exam Pattern for Prelims 2023
The Prelims phase of the IES exam carries two different objective papers in it. A total of 500 marks will be allotted to the candidates. Candidates need to clear the overall and individual cutoff of both exams in the Prelims. The complete IES exam pattern for Prelims is explained below.
- Total number of papers: 2
- Type of papers: Objective
- Nature of the exam: Candidates have to clear the cutoffs(Individual and overall)
- Total marks: 500
- Mode of the Examination: Offline
- Types of questions: MCQs
- Negative marking: 1/3rd of the allotted mark will be deducted
The other important details related to the ESE exam pattern for Prelims are mentioned in the table provided below:
Papers |
Subject |
Number of Questions |
Duration of Exam |
Maximum Marks |
Paper 1 |
General Studies Engineering Aptitude |
100 |
2 hours |
200 |
Paper 2 |
Engineering Discipline |
150 |
3 hours |
300 |
Total |
– |
250 |
5 hours |
500 |
IES Exam Pattern for Mains 2023
The IES exam pattern 2023 for Mains will carry the exam guidelines. Similar to the Prelims exam, Mains also carry two different papers. Candidates who will qualify for the Prelims can sit for the Mains exam. This exam is also conducted in the offline mode for both papers. A total of 600 marks are allotted to the candidates in both examinations combined, where each paper will carry 300 marks.
Let us see the complete ESE exam pattern for Mains here:
- Total number of papers: 2
- Type of papers: Subjective Type
- Nature of the exam: Questions will be based on the individual’s choice of subject
- Total marks: 600
- Mode of the Examination: Offline
- Negative marking: No negative marking
- Language of the exam: English
- The handwriting of the candidates will be examined as well.
The other important details related to the IES exam pattern 2023 for Mains are mentioned in the table provided below:
Papers |
Subject |
Number of Questions |
Duration of Exam |
Maximum Marks |
Paper 1 |
Engineering Discipline |
5 out of 8 Optional Questions |
3 hours |
300 |
Paper 2 |
Engineering Discipline |
5 out of 8 Optional Questions |
3 hours |
300 |
Total |
– |
10 out of 16 |
6 hours |
600 |
IES Exam Pattern 2023 for Interview
After the candidates qualify for the Mains or second stage of the examination, they will be forwarded to the final stage. The interview stage is also known as the Personality test of the candidates. At this stage, 200 marks will be allotted to the candidates. In the interview round, there is no fixed pattern of the test. However, a few qualities based on which candidates will be tested are:
- Mental Qualities
- Leadership qualities
- Various social traits
- Suitability for the job
- Intellectual capabilities
Benefits of Familiarizing with IES Exam Pattern
Familiarizing oneself with the IES Exam Pattern can provide several benefits to candidates preparing for the exam. Here are some of the benefits:
- Helps in Time Management
- A better understanding of the exam
- Identifies weaknesses
- Enables better preparation
- Improves speed and accuracy
- Reduces anxiety