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ESE 2023 Paper Analysis: Paper 1 & Paper 2 Solutions & Questions Asked
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: September 25th, 2023

The ESE (Engineering Services Examination) is one of the most prestigious examinations for Engineers, and it was conducted today, on 19th February 2023. Therefore, the aspirants must be eagerly waiting for the ESE 2023 paper analysis to understand the difficulty level, pattern, and types of questions asked in the ESE examination. In this blog, we will discuss the complete ESE 2023 exam analysis and provide the links of the youtube sessions for the various branch analysis conducted by BYJU’S Exam Prep.
The first stage is the Preliminary examination, an objective type conducted today, on 19th February 2023. The UPSC ESE 2023 preliminary examination consisted of two papers – Paper I and Paper II. Both papers were conducted on the same day, and each paper had a duration of two hours. The ESE 2023 paper analysis for both paper 1 and paper 2 are shared below on the page. The detailed analysis also covers the links of the question paper and the solutions key provided by the ESE-qualified faculties of BYJU’S Exam Prep.
Table of content
-
1.
ESE 2023 Paper Analysis
-
2.
ESE 2023 Question Papers and Answer Keys
-
3.
ESE Paper Analysis 2023: Paper 1 & Paper 2
-
4.
UPSC ESE 2023 Prelims Paper 1 Analysis: Major Highlights
-
5.
UPSC ESE 2023 ECE Paper Analysis: Paper 2
-
6.
ESE 2023 Electrical Paper Analysis: Paper 2
-
7.
-
8.
UPSC ESE 2023 Civil Paper Analysis: Paper 2
-
9.
ESE 2023 Mechanical Paper Analysis: Paper 2
ESE 2023 Paper Analysis
The links for ESE 2023 paper analysis for all branches are shared below. The link for the common paper -1, common in all departments, is also shared below. Candidates can click on the link from the table and check ESE 2023 paper analysis for all branches.
UPSC ESE 2023 Prelims Paper 1 Analysis |
ESE 2023 Mechanical Paper Analysis – Paper 2 |
UPSC ESE 2023 Civil Paper Analysis- Paper 2 |
UPSC ESE 2023 ECE Paper Analysis- Paper 2 |
ESE 2023 Question Papers and Answer Keys
The links for ESE paper analysis 2023 for all branches are shared below. The link for the common paper, which is common in all departments, is also shared below. Candidates can click on the link from the table and check ESE 2023 paper analysis for all branches.
UPSC ESE 2023 Prelims Paper 1 Answer key |
UPSC ESE 2023 Mechanical Paper 2 Answer Key |
UPSC ESE 2023 Civil Paper 2 Answer Key |
UPSC ESE 2023 ECE Paper 2 Answer Key |
ESE Paper Analysis 2023: Paper 1 & Paper 2
Candidates can review a detailed analysis of the UPSC ESE 2023 exam by accessing the provided information. By UPSC ESE 2023 paper analysis, you can ascertain the exam’s difficulty level, the covered topics, and the number of questions from each subject. This can provide insight into the ESE 2023 question papers and information about achieving a favourable rank in the IES 2023 examination. Access the comprehensive analysis of both Paper 1 and Paper 2 here.
ESE 2023 Prelims Paper 1 Analysis 2023: Yoube session
Candidates can find the link for the youtube session for the ESE 2023 paper analysis for paper 1.
UPSC ESE 2023 Prelims Paper 1 Analysis: Major Highlights
The major highlights, like the overall difficulty level, paper questions and their levels shared in the form of points below. These points are provided based on the UPSC ESE 2023 prelims paper one analysis and the reviews by our candidates who have given the examination.
- The overall difficulty level of ESE Paper 1 was Moderate to Tough.
- Current Affairs had the maximum weightage of marks.
- The ESE 2023 Prelims paper-1 had equal weightage for theoretical and numerical questions in the examination.
- The assertion and reason-based questions were fewer (four) than in previous years.
- The weightage for standard quality and management was less compared to the previous year paper.
- The weightage of Engineering aptitude Ethics and Moral values were high.
- The Paper structure was very similar to the previous year paper.
- Current Affairs, Engineering Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics Numerical Analysis, had the maximum weightage of 15 marks each.
UPSE ESE 2023 Prelims Paper 1 Analysis – Subject-wise Weightage
The table below discusses the subject-wise weightage as per UPSC ESE 2023 Prelims Paper 1 Analysis for the General Awareness and Engineering Aptitude Paper.
- Students always prefer to know the subject-wise marks in ESE Paper 1 to know which subjects have the maximum weightage in the examination.
- This also helps future aspirants to analyse which subjects are important to study for the coming years.
S. No. |
Subjects |
Total Qs. |
1. |
Current Affairs |
15 |
2. |
Engineering Aptitude |
15 |
3. |
Engineering Mathematics Numerical Analysis |
15 |
4. |
Basics of Project Management |
4 |
5. |
Material Science |
7 |
6. |
Ethics Values |
10 |
7. |
Design, Drawing Importance of Safety |
8 |
8. |
Energy Environment |
9 |
9. |
Information Communication Technologies (ICT) |
11 |
10. |
Standards and Quality Practices |
6 |
Total |
100 |
ESE 2023 Prelims Paper-1 Comparison with Last 4 Year’s Data
We have compared the last few years’ data to analyse which subject’s weightage is similar to previous years. Comparison with the previous year’s data gives the overall trend of the examination, which helps to analyse the exam’s expected cutoff and difficulty level, etc.
S.No. |
Subjects |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
1. |
Current Affairs |
15 |
16 |
18 |
10 |
8 |
2. |
Engineering Aptitude |
15 |
11 |
15 |
10 |
10 |
3. |
Engineering Mathematics Numerical Analysis |
15 |
14 |
15 |
12 |
5 |
4. |
Basics of Project Management |
4 |
9 |
7 |
9 |
6 |
5. |
Material Science |
7 |
5 |
7 |
10 |
9 |
6. |
Ethics Values |
10 |
8 |
6 |
10 |
12 |
7. |
Design, Drawing Importance of Safety |
8 |
8 |
4 |
12 |
12 |
8. |
Energy Environment |
9 |
6 |
8 |
11 |
14 |
9. |
Information Communication Technologies (ICT) |
11 |
10 |
10 |
11 |
10 |
10. |
Standards and Quality Practices |
6 |
13 |
10 |
5 |
14 |
Total |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
UPSC ESE 2023 ECE Paper Analysis: Paper 2
The live session link for the UPSC ESE 2023 ECE paper analysis for Paper 2 is shared below on the page. This session was conducted on the BYJU’S Exam Prep GATE ESE Youtube channel. The faculties have provided the ESE Electronics and Telecommunication paper answer key in the session.
Session Link.
Join Live Session for ESE Prelims 2023: Electronics Paper II Analysis
UPSC ESE 2023 ECE Paper Analysis: Question Paper Details
Let us look at the significant details of the UPSC ESE 2023 paper, including total marks and the number of questions covered. Check all details like shift timings, mode of examination, total questions etc., from the table below. Also, find the links to download the ESE 2023 question papers for papers 1 & 2, Electronics and Telecommunication.
ESE ECE 2022 | Paper 1 | Paper 2 |
---|---|---|
Subjects | General Studies and Engineering Discipline | Technical Paper – Electronics and Communication Engineering |
Shift Timings | 10 am to 12 pm | 2 pm to 5 pm |
Mode of Examination | Offline | Offline |
Total No. of Questions | 100 | 150 |
Total Marks | 200 | 300 |
Exam Duration | 2 hours | 3 hours |
Negative Marking | 0.66 of total marks, i.e. 2 | 0.66 of total marks, i.e. 2 |
Difficulty Level | Moderate to Tough | Easy to Moderate |
IES ECE Prelims Exam 2023 Paper-2 Major Highlights
The major highlights, like the overall difficulty level, paper questions and their levels shared in the form of points below. These points are provided based on the UPSC ESE 2023 paper analysis and the reviews by our candidates who have given the examination.
- Overall Difficulty Level of the Paper was Easy to Moderate
- The Questions were an almost equal number of theoretical and numerical questions.
- The number of Assertion and Reasoning questions asked in the ESE ECE paper was 6
- The level of Paper is very similar as compared to the last year.
- The excellent score for this paper can be considered 190+ marks.
UPSC ESE 2023 ECE Paper Analysis: Subject-Wise Analysis
The table below discusses the subjects, their major topics, difficulty level, number of questions asked, and weightage per the ESE 2023 exam for the Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering PPaper.
Subject | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level |
Control Systems | 13 | Easy |
Electromagnetics | 23 | Easy |
Network theory | 15 | Easy |
Analog Circuits | 7 | Moderate |
Basic Electronics engineering | 16 | Easy |
Microprocessor and microcontrollers | 6 | Easy |
Digital Circuits | 7 | Easy |
Communication Systems | 14 | Easy |
Material Science | 1 | Easy |
Advanced Electronics | 10 | Moderate |
Advanced Communication | 3 | Easy |
Electronic Measurements and Instrumentation | 7 | Moderate |
Basic Electrical Engineering | 15 | Easy |
Computer Organization and Architecture | 13 | Easy |
TOTAL | Overall: | 150 |
ESE Electronics Telecommunication Prelims Cut Off 2023
The cutoff for the IES Preliminary exam 2023 will be announced during the final result declaration after the prelims exam. As per candidates who had attempted the ESE Prelims examination 2023 for Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, if a candidate who scores 130+ marks in the paper can find a good score, the candidate should attempt around 150 marks out of a total of 300 marks. And 190+ marks can be expected as a good score, including papers one and two. The cutoff score for IES ECE 2023 will be determined based on the following factors:
- The number of candidates who appeared for the IES ECE 2023 exam.
- The total number of vacancies available in the IES ECE 2023 exam.
- The level of difficulty of the Engineering Services Examination question paper for the year.
- The performance of the candidates in the exam.
UPSC ESE 2023 ECE Paper Analysis: Difficulty Level
As per the UPSC ESE ECE paper analysis, listed below are the essential points about the level and type of questions that were asked in the ESE Paper-2 Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering exam.
- The paper was formed so that the examiner tried to cover the entire syllabus of almost every subject.
- The Difficulty level of Questions asked was easy to moderate this time.
ESE 2023 Electrical Paper Analysis: Paper 2
The ESE 2023 Electrical Paper Analysis highlights paper 2 of the Engineering Services Examination. The exam consists of objective-type questions that test the candidate’s basic understanding of the fundamental concepts of Electrical Engineering.
- Paper for Electrical Engineering was Easy to Moderate.
- The level of questions was similar in comparison to last year’s paper. Check for UPSC IES EE Syllabus.
- Paper 1 & 2 was moderate, and the cut-off will be high.
- Zero questions in Electromagnetic Fields.
- Less several questions in Digital Electronics & Microprocessors.
- Engineering Mathematics was Moderate.
- More theoretical questions as compared to numerical questions
- No match the following questions
- Good attempts: 90 – 100 questions
Good Attempt of ESE 2023 Electrical Paper
A reasonable attempt can lie between 80 – 90 marks. Overall, a good attempt at the ESE 2023 Electrical Paper (120+ Questions) would demonstrate the candidate’s proficiency in the subject and increase their chances of securing a good rank in the exam.
ESE 2023 Electrical Paper II Analysis
ESE 2023 Electrical Paper II is a critical part of the ESE 2023 Electrical Engineering stream. It focuses on the core topics of Electrical Engineering and tests the candidate’s understanding of the fundamental concepts and their applications.
Subject | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level |
Electromagnetic Fields | 0 | |
Communication Systems | 8 | Moderate |
Measurements | 10 | Moderate |
Power Electronics | 12 |
Moderate |
Basic Electronics Engineering | 10 | Moderate |
Digital Electronics | 1 | Easy |
Power Systems | 13 | Easy |
Electrical Machines | 14 |
Easy |
Materials Science | 10 | Moderate |
Microprocessors | 1 | Moderate |
Control Systems | 13 | Moderate |
Signals and Systems | 13 | Easy |
Analog Electronics | 10 | Easy |
Computer Fundamentals | 11 | Moderate |
Engineering Mathematics | 12 |
Moderate |
Electric Circuits | 9 | Easy |
Total | 150 |
Moderate to Difficult
|
- Pie Chart
ESE EE Expected Cut off
As Per Analysis the Expected Cut off for ESE IES Paper II Electrical Engineering will be provided soon.
UPSC ESE 2023 Civil Paper Analysis: Paper 2
In this live session, UPSC ESE 2023 Civil paper analysis will be conducted by the expert faculties on BYJUS Exam Prep. The live session link for the UPSC ESE 2023 Civil paper analysis for Paper 2 is shared below on the page. This session was conducted on the BYJU’S Exam Prep GATE ESE Youtube channel. The faculties will provide the ESE Civil paper answer key and expected cutoff in the session below.
Join Live Session for ESE Prelims 2023: Civil Paper Analysis
UPSC ESE 2023 Civil Paper Analysis: Exam Pattern
UPSC ESE 2023 exam is conducted in two shifts having two papers consisting of the general awareness and engineering discipline. More details about the UPSC ESE 2023 exam are shared below.
ESE CE 2023 | Paper I | Paper II |
---|---|---|
Subjects | General Studies and Engineering Discipline | Technical Paper – Civil |
Shift Timings | 10 am to 12 pm | 2 pm to 5 pm |
Mode of Examination | Offline | Offline |
Total No. of Questions | 100 | 150 |
Total Marks | 200 | 300 |
Exam Duration | 2 hours | 3 hours |
Negative Marking | 1/3rd of the marks allotted to a question | 1/3rd of the marks assigned to a question |
Difficulty Level | Moderate to Tough | Moderate |
UPSC ESE 2023 Civil Paper Overall Analysis
The IES Prelims Paper II for Civil Engineering was held in the afternoon. Candidates thought this paper was Moderate level in terms of overall difficulty level. The major topics covered are listed below, along with a detailed analysis.
More highlights of the Civil Engineering paper are discussed in the UPSC ESE 2023 Civil paper analysis on BYJUS Exam Prep’s official youtube channel.
UPSC IES Civil Prelims Exam 2023: Major Highlights
The major highlights, like the overall difficulty level, paper questions and their levels shared in the form of points below. These points are provided based on the UPSC ESE 2023 paper analysis and the reviews by our candidates who have given the examination.
- The overall paper was moderate.
- Questions are an almost equal number of theoretical and numerical questions.
- There were 6 Assertion – Reason type questions asked in the paper.
- ESE CE 2023 Prelims paper was almost similar to the previous year. It consists of more weightage from SOM and Building materials and less weightage from geotechnical and hydraulic machines compared to last year.
UPSC ESE 2023 Civil paper Analysis: Subject Wise Analysis
The table below discusses the subjects, their major topics, difficulty level, number of questions asked, and weightage per the ESE 2023 exam for the Civil Engineering Paper. Here is the Subject-wise weightage of the ESE prelims Civil exam.
Subject |
No of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
Strength of Materials |
18 |
Easy |
Soil Mechanics |
14 |
Moderate |
Engineering Hydrology |
1 |
Moderate |
Highway Engineering |
10 |
Easy |
Surveying |
10 |
Moderate |
Irrigation Engineering |
12 |
Easy |
Building Materials |
13 |
Tough |
Construction Planning and Management |
12 |
Moderate |
Design of Steel Structures |
12 |
Tough |
Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulics |
12 |
Moderate |
Open Channel Flow |
1 |
Easy |
Railways, Airports and Tunneling |
1 |
Easy |
Structural Analysis |
7 |
Moderate |
Design of Concrete Structures |
13 |
Moderate |
Environmental Engineering |
13 |
tough |
Total |
150 |
Moderate But Calculative |
Compression with the previous year’s data gives the overall trend of the examination, which helps to analyse the exam’s expected cutoff and difficulty level, .etc.
Subject |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
Strength of Materials |
18 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
20 |
Soil Mechanics |
14 |
12 |
12 |
15 |
12 |
Engineering Hydrology |
1 |
2 |
5 |
0 |
8 |
Highway Engineering |
10 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
4 |
Surveying |
10 |
11 |
12 |
9 |
12 |
Irrigation Engineering |
12 |
11 |
9 |
11 |
6 |
Building Materials |
13 |
11 |
14 |
15 |
13 |
Construction Planning and Management |
12 |
12 |
14 |
12 |
12 |
Design of Steel Structures |
12 |
14 |
13 |
13 |
12 |
Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulics |
12 |
14 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
Open Channel Flow |
1 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
3 |
Railways, Airports and Tunneling |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
Structural Analysis |
7 |
9 |
6 |
6 |
8 |
Design of Concrete Structures |
13 |
16 |
14 |
13 |
12 |
Environmental Engineering |
13 |
12 |
11 |
12 |
11 |
ESE 2023 Mechanical Paper Analysis: Paper 2
All the major highlights of this year’s exam were similar to previous mechanical papers. The examination was conducted in two shifts for two and three hours. The significant details of the ESE 2023 mechanical question paper are shared below.
ESE ME 2022 | Paper 1 | Paper 2 |
---|---|---|
Subjects | General Studies and Engineering Discipline | Technical Paper – Mechanical |
Shift Timings | 10 am to 12 pm | 2 pm to 5 pm |
Mode of Examination | Offline | Offline |
Total No. of Questions | 100 | 150 |
Total Marks | 200 | 300 |
Exam Duration | 2 hours | 3 hours |
Negative Marking | 0.66 | 0.66 |
Difficulty Level | Moderate to Tough | Moderate to Tough |
ESE 2023 Mechanical Prelims Analysis: Highlights
The ESE mechanical paper analysis highlights are shared below for the candidates. In addition, candidates can find the overall difficulty level, subjects which carried a maximum number of questions etc., are shared below.
- Technical Paper of Mechanical Engineering was moderate.
- This time, the technical Paper of ESE 2023 Mechanical was easy to moderate.
- Maximum questions from Power Plant, IC Engine & SOM carried 37 questions.
- The refrigeration, Air-Conditioning and Heat Transfer Sections had fewer Questions in the paper, which comprised 6 of the total.
- Numerical and theoretical questions were equally distributed this time.
- Assertion Reasoning questions were 5 out of 150 this year.
- The level of questions was moderate in comparison to last year’s paper.
UPSC ESE 2023 ME Paper Analysis: Subject-wise Question Analysis
We have prepared a subject-wise question analysis which contains the difficulty level, the total number of questions, percentage of marks for all the significant subjects of Mechanical Engineering. Refer to the table below for the subject-wise question analysis.
Sr No | Subject |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty level |
1 | Thermodynamics | 9 | Easy |
2 | Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning | 2 | Easy |
3 | Power Plant | 22 | Difficult |
4 | IC Engines | 12 | Difficult |
5 | Heat Transfer | 4 | Moderate |
6 | Fluid Mechanics and Machinery | 17 | Difficult |
7 | Engineering Mechanics | 6 | Moderate |
8 | Strength of Materials | 13 | Easy |
9 | Theory of Machines & Vibrations | 11 | Moderate |
10 | Machine Design | 12 |
Easy |
11 | Manufacturing & Engineering Materials | 11 | Moderate |
12 | Industrial Engineering | 8 | Easy |
13 | Renewable Sources of Energy | 9 | Difficult |
14 | Mechatronics & Robotics | 14 | Moderate |
Total | Moderate to Tough |
- Pie Chart
ESE 2023 Mechanical Prelims Analysis: Comparison With Last Year’s Data
S. No. |
Subjects |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
1. |
Thermodynamics |
6 |
5 |
12 |
3 |
2. |
Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning |
4 |
9 |
6 |
11 |
3. |
Power Plant |
22 |
14 |
14 |
16 |
4. |
IC Engines |
11 |
1 |
7 |
6 |
5. |
Heat Transfer |
5 |
12 |
3 |
4 |
6. |
Fluid Mechanics and Machinery |
18 |
23 |
23 |
21 |
7. |
Engineering Mechanics |
5 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
8. |
Strength of Materials |
12 |
10 |
10 |
8 |
9. |
Theory of Machines & Vibrations |
10 |
13 |
13 |
12 |
10. |
Machine Design |
12 |
11 |
11 |
13 |
11. |
Manufacturing & Engineering Materials |
17 |
20 |
18 |
17 |
12. |
Industrial Engineering |
2 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
13. |
Renewable Sources of Energy |
11 | 12 | 12 | 13 |
14. |
Mechatronics & Robotics |
13 | 12 | 12 | 16 |
UPSC ESE 2023 Mechanical Paper Analysis: Difficulty Level
As per the analysis, listed below are the essential points informing about the level and type of questions that were asked in ESE Paper-2 Mechanical Engineering 2023.
- The paper was formed so that the examiner tried to cover the entire syllabus of almost every subject.
- The Difficulty level of Questions asked was moderate this time.
ESE 2023 Mechanical Paper Safe Score
As per candidates who had attempted the ESE Prelims examination 2023 for Mechanical Engineering, if a candidate scores 120+ marks on paper can find a good score in paper, the candidate should attempt 85 -90 questions out of a total of 150 questions.
ESE 2023 Mechanical Expected Cutoff
UPSC will disclose ESE ME 2023 Cutoff for the Preliminary exam 2023 when the final result is declared. Candidates can check the official cutoff of IES online by visiting the UPSC website upsc.gov.in.To qualify for the successive stage of the examination, i.e. IES Main exam, it is necessary to score equivalent or more marks than the prepared qualifying cutoff marks. The UPSC ESE 2023 cutoff depends on the following factors –
- The total number of candidates who appeared for the IES 2023 examination.
- The total number of available vacancies for selection.
- The difficulty level of the Paper of Engineering Services Examination for 2023.
- The table below shares the expected cutoff for ESE ME 2023 exam.
S. No. |
Year |
Generel |
EWS |
OBC |
SC |
ST |
1. |
2023 |
230 |
227 |
225 |
205 |
180 |
2. |
2022 |
236 |
236 |
232 |
211 |
170 |
3. |
2021 |
247 |
247 |
247 |
213 |
214 |
4. |
2020 |
262 |
255 |
250 |
214 |
202 |
5. |
2019 |
187 |
NA |
187 |
166 |
169 |
6. |
2018 |
256 |
NA |
255 |
220 |
223 |
7. |
2017 |
231 |
NA |
207 |
165 |
147 |
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