How many questions are there in this paper?

This Test Booklet contains 150 items (questions).

What type of questions are asked in this paper?

The questions are objective type, with four alternatives for each question.

Is there any penalty for wrong answers?

Yes, there will be a penalty for wrong answers. One-third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.

What happens if a candidate gives more than one answer?

If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as a wrong answer and the same penalty will apply.

Is there any penalty for leaving a question blank?

No, if a question is left blank, there will be no penalty for that question.

What is the Test Booklet Series Code mentioned?

The Test Booklet Series Code mentioned is RSPV-T-LECV.

UPSC Engineering Services 2026 Civil Engineering Paper II PDF

Name: UPSC Engineering Services 2026 Civil Engineering Paper II PDF
Creator: UPSC
Keywords: UPSC Engineering Services 2026, Civil Engineering Paper II, ESE 2026 Question Paper, Engineering Services Preliminary Exam, Civil Engineering Objective Questions, UPSC ESE Previous Year Paper, ESE 2026 PDF, Civil Engineering Exam, UPSC Civil Engineering, ESE Prelims Paper II

Central Government Jobs Engineer 2026

Year 2026
Conducted By UPSC
Questions 150
Maximum Marks 300
Duration Three Hours
Languages English

Exam Details

Detail	Information
Examination	Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination
Year	2026
Conducting Body	UPSC
Paper	Paper-II Civil Engineering
Subject	Civil Engineering
Duration	Three Hours
Maximum Marks	300
Number of Questions	150
Question Type	Objective (MCQ)

This document contains the question paper for the UPSC Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, Paper II, focusing on Civil Engineering. The exam, conducted by UPSC, is designed to recruit engineers into various government services. This paper consists of 150 objective-type questions to be answered within three hours, carrying a maximum of 300 marks. Aspirants can use this paper to understand the exam pattern, question difficulty, and key topics covered in Civil Engineering for the ESE Prelims stage. It's a crucial resource for preparation, allowing candidates to assess their knowledge and identify areas for improvement.

Major Topics Covered

Civil Engineering
Water Absorption of Bricks
Decomposition of Felspar
Glass Manufacturing
Wood Defects (Cupping, Bowing, Checks, Knots)
Cement Fineness
Cement Setting Time
Rapid Hardening Cement
Quick-setting Cement
High Alumina Cement
Low-heat Concrete
Portland Cement Composition

Why This Paper is Important

Useful for Engineering Services (Preliminary) Exami preparation
Helps understand the latest exam pattern
Useful for practice and self-assessment
Covers frequently asked General Studies topics
Helpful for analysing question trends

Related Resources

UPSC Engineering Services 2025 Civil Engineering Paper II
UPSC Engineering Services 2026 Civil Engineering Paper I
UPSC Engineering Services 2024 Civil Engineering Paper II
UPSC Engineering Services 2026 Civil Engineering Paper II Answer Key
UPSC Engineering Services Civil Engineering Syllabus
UPSC Engineering Services Exam Pattern
UPSC Engineering Services Examination
SSC Junior Engineer

Instructions

IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE EXAMINATION, YOU SHOULD CHECK THAT THIS TEST BOOKLET DOES NOT HAVE ANY UNPRINTED OR TORN OR MISSING PAGES OR ITEMS, ETC.
IF SO, GET IT REPLACED BY A COMPLETE TEST BOOKLET.
Please note that it is the candidate's responsibility to encode and fill in the Roll Number and Test Booklet Series Code A, B, C or D carefully and without any omission or discrepancy at the appropriate places in the OMR Answer Sheet.
Any omission/discrepancy will render the Answer Sheet liable for rejection.
You have to enter your Roll Number on the Test Booklet in the Box provided alongside.
DO NOT write anything else on the Test Booklet.
This Test Booklet contains 150 items (questions).
Each item comprises four responses (answers).
You \overline{4}. will select the response which you want to mark on the Answer Sheet.
In case, you feel that there is more than one correct response, mark the response which you consider the best.
In any case, choose ONLY ONE response for each item.
You have to mark all your responses ONLY on the separate Answer Sheet provided.
Before you proceed to mark in the Answer Sheet the response to various items in the Test Booklet,
you have to fill in some particulars in the Answer Sheet as per instructions sent to you with your Admission Certificate.
After you have completed filling in all your responses on the Answer Sheet and the examination has
concluded, you should hand over to the Invigilator only the Answer Sheet.
You are permitted to take away with you the Test Booklet.
Sheets for rough work are appended in the Test Booklet at the end.
Penalty for wrong answers: THERE WILL BE PENALTY FOR WRONG ANSWERS MARKED BY A CANDIDATE.

Questions (page 2)

Q1. Water absorption for burnt clay heavy duty bricks should not be more than :

(a) 10 percent
(b) 20 percent
(c) 5 percent
(d) 15 percent

Q2. The decomposition of felspar is represented as K₂Al₂O₃.6H₂O + CO₂ + nH₂O =

(a) K₂CO₃ + Al₂O₃.2SiO₂.2H₂O + 4SiO₂.nH₂O
(b) K₂CO₃ + Al₂O₃.SiO₂.2H₂O + 4SiO₂.nH₂O
(c) K₂CO₃ + Al₂O₃.2SiO₂.H₂O + 4SiO₂.nH₂O
(d) K₂CO₃ + Al₂O₃.SiO₂.H₂O + 4SiO₂.nH₂O

Q3. The metal oxide used to make emerald green glass is :

(a) MnO₂
(b) Cr₂O₇
(c) Cobalt oxide
(d) Iron oxide

Q4. Match the following lists:
List-I
List-II
P. Cupping 1. Caused by wood limbs encased by wood of the free trunk
Q. Bowing 2. Caused by grain irregularities in the board
R. Checks 3. Small cracks appearing at the ends of boards due to rapid drying
S. Knots 4. Unequal shrinking in the radial and tangential direction
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) P-2, Q-4, R-1, S-3
(b) P-4, Q-2, R-3, S-1
(c) P-1, Q-2, R-4, S-3
(d) P-3, Q-1, R-2, S-4

Q5. Which one of the following statements is not correct regarding the fineness of cement?

(a) Fine cement is more liable to suffer from shrinkage cracking than a coarse cement.
(b) Fine cement shows faster rate of heat evolution and total quantity of heat evolved is much larger than coarse cement.
(c) Fine cement will show faster rate of hardening than coarse cement.
(d) Fine cement shows the same setting time as coarse cement.

Q6. Match the following lists:
List-I
List-II
P. Rapid hardening 1. Repair of bridges
Q. Quick-setting 2. Dams
R. High alumina 3. Concrete under water
S. Low-heat 4. Refractory concrete in industries
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) P-3, Q-1, R-2, S-4
(b) P-1, Q-2, R-3, S-4
(c) P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-2
(d) P-1, Q-3, R-4, S-2

Q7. The approximate composition of CaO in Portland cement is in the range of:

(a) 60% - 65%
(b) 50% - 55%
(c) 65% - 70%
(d) 55% - 60%

Question paper preview

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Frequently asked questions

What is the name of the examination?

The examination is the Engineering Services (Preliminary) Examination.

What is the year of this question paper?

This question paper is from the year 2026.

Which conducting body releases this paper?

The paper is conducted by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission).

What is the subject of Paper II?

Paper II is for Civil Engineering.

What is the total duration for the exam?

The time allowed for the examination is Three Hours.

What are the maximum marks for this paper?

The maximum marks for this paper are 300.

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