MP ESB Group 3 Recruitment 2026 (Second): Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (ESB), Bhopal has reopened online applications for Group-03 Sub Engineer (Upyantri), Draftsman (Manchitrakar), Laboratory Technician and equivalent posts. Candidates can apply from 13 October 2026 to 27 October 2026 and make corrections till 28 October 2026. The exam will be held in December-January.
संक्षेप में: मध्यप्रदेश कर्मचारी चयन मंडल (ESB) ने समूह-03 उपयंत्री, मानचित्रकार, प्रयोगशाला तकनीशियन एवं अन्य समकक्ष पदों के लिए संयुक्त भर्ती परीक्षा-2026 (द्वितीय) में पुनः ऑनलाइन आवेदन 13 अक्टूबर 2026 से 27 अक्टूबर 2026 तक मांगे हैं। संशोधन की अंतिम तिथि 28 अक्टूबर 2026 है। परीक्षा दिसंबर-जनवरी माह में होगी। आवेदन या अपडेट से पहले आधिकारिक अधिसूचना जरूर पढ़ें।
Important (Reopened): As per the ESB notice dated 01 October 2026, the number of posts has been increased and a revised reservation table has been issued (Tribal Affairs Department letter dated 17 September 2026), and reservation for contract employees (Samvida Karmi) has been applied (Public Health Engineering Department letter dated 28 September 2026). In view of this, fresh online applications are invited from 13 October 2026 to 27 October 2026, with corrections till 28 October 2026. The exam proposed from 07 October 2026 will now be held in December-January. The revised rule book will be released soon on the ESB website. Details on this page are from the rule book dated 27 August 2026 and this notice.
MP ESB Group 3 Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Organization | Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MP ESB / म.प्र. कर्मचारी चयन मंडल), Bhopal |
|---|---|
| Exam / Recruitment | Group-03 Joint Recruitment Exam 2026 (Second) |
| Post Name | Sub Engineer (Upyantri), Draftsman (Manchitrakar), Laboratory Technician and other equivalent posts |
| Total Vacancies | 1700 as per the original rule book (27 Aug 2026). Posts have since been increased; the revised number will be in the revised rule book. |
| Qualification | Diploma / degree in the subject required for the post, as per departmental recruitment rules (see notification) |
| Age Limit | 18 - 40 years (up to 45 years for eligible categories), as on 01 January 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Start Date | 13 October 2026 |
| Last Date | 27 October 2026 |
| Correction Last Date | 28 October 2026 |
| Exam Date | December - January (exact date to be announced) |
| Job Location | Madhya Pradesh |
| Apply Online | Apply Online |
| Official Notification | Official Notification |
| Last verified | 06 October 2026 (from the official notification and reopen notice) |
MP ESB Group 3 Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Starts (reopened) | 13 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 27 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Correction in Application | 28 October 2026 |
| Exam Date | December - January (exact date to be announced; the earlier proposed date of 07 October 2026 stands changed) |
| Earlier Application Window (before reopening) | 29 August 2026 to 12 September 2026 (correction till 17 September 2026) |
| Revised Rule Book | To be released soon on the ESB website (esb.mp.gov.in) |
MP ESB Group 3 Recruitment 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Unreserved candidates (direct / contract recruitment posts) | Rs. 500/- per paper |
| Only MP domicile SC / ST / OBC / EWS / Divyangjan candidates (direct / contract recruitment posts) | Rs. 250/- per paper |
| Direct recruitment - Backlog posts only | No fee |
Portal fee: Candidates applying through a kiosk pay an MP Online portal fee of Rs. 60/-. Candidates logging in through a Registered Citizen User ID pay a portal fee of Rs. 20/-. This is in addition to the exam fee (as given in the rule book dated 27 August 2026).
MP ESB Group 3 Recruitment 2026 Age Limit
| Category | Minimum - Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| Open competition (direct recruitment posts) | 18 to 40 years |
| MP domicile SC / ST / OBC, government / corporation / board / autonomous body employees, Nagar Sainik, Divyangjan, women (unreserved / reserved) | 18 to 45 years (including 5 years relaxation in maximum age) |
- Age is counted as on: 01 January 2026
- EWS: There is no age relaxation for EWS candidates.
- Maximum age cap: After all relaxations, the maximum age cannot exceed 45 years, except for contract employees and the categories mentioned in Rule 14.
- Divyangjan / ex-servicemen: Relaxation as per orders issued by the General Administration Department from time to time.
- Retrenched government employees (MP domicile): Previous temporary service, up to a maximum of 7 years, is deducted from age, provided the resulting age is not more than 3 years above the maximum limit. A similar provision applies to ex-servicemen.
- Other relaxations (MP domicile): 5 years for SC/ST spouses benefiting from the inter-caste marriage promotion scheme, and 5 years for Vikram Award winning sportspersons.
MP ESB Group 3 Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Details
| Item | UR | EWS | SC | ST | OBC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total (original rule book, 27 Aug 2026) | 628 | 146 | 246 | 254 | 426 | 1700 |
- The department-wise and post-wise vacancy table (132 post codes) and the reservation tables are given in Chapter 2 of the rule book.
- Posts include Sub Engineer (Civil / Electrical / Mechanical), Draftsman, Laboratory Technician, Technical Assistant, Mineral Surveyor, Surveyor, Junior Director, Computer Operator, Mechanical Assistant (Sub Engineer), Assistant Architectural Draftsman (GIS) and Campus Supervisor, in executive and non-executive categories, under direct recruitment, backlog and contract (Samvida) recruitment.
- The number of posts has been increased and a revised reservation table has been issued. The final vacancy figures will be available in the revised rule book on the ESB website.
MP ESB Group 3 Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Educational qualification | The candidate must hold the educational / technical / professional qualification required by the recruiting department's recruitment rules on the date of application (diploma / degree in the subject required for the post, or a higher qualification). The post-wise qualification is given in Chapter 2 of the rule book. |
| Example: Sub Engineer (Electrical / Mechanical) | Minimum 3 year diploma in Electrical / Mechanical Engineering from an institute recognised by the State Government |
| Example: Draftsman (post code 132) | Higher Secondary (10+2) pass, or Elementary Drawing Intermediate certificate from J.J. School of Arts Mumbai, or draftsmanship certificate from a recognised industrial training institute, or training in photography from Survey of India Hyderabad, or diploma in architecture / architect or draftsman from a recognised institute |
| Employment Exchange registration | Live registration in the Employment Office of Madhya Pradesh is mandatory for all posts |
| Aadhaar | Aadhaar registration is mandatory |
| Post preference | Candidates must mark their preference for the posts applied for |
- Eligibility in the computer based online exam is provisional. Certificates are not checked by the Board while filling the application; they are verified by the concerned department during the appointment process.
- Valid proof issued by a competent authority of the MP Government is required for reservation and age relaxation.
- If a candidate qualifies and is recommended but does not meet the appointment criteria and no appointment order is issued, the candidature will be rejected. The responsibility lies with the candidate and not the Board.
- Qualifying the exam gives no right to appointment until a department places a demand for the post, the candidate's name is sent to that department, the candidate fulfils all eligibility conditions and the department issues the appointment order.
Special Note for Baiga, Saharia and Bharia Candidates
- Candidates of the Special Primitive Tribal communities of Madhya Pradesh (Baiga, Saharia/Sahariya and Bharia, Scheduled Tribes) applying for non-executive posts must send a separate hard copy application (Form-2 of the rule book) with all required certificates directly to the concerned department by the last date. Applications sent to ESB for such posts will be treated as invalid.
- For executive posts, there is no exemption from the exam for these candidates. They must apply online as Scheduled Tribe candidates.
MP ESB Group 3 Recruitment 2026 Salary and Pay Scale
Pay varies by post, from Level 4 to Level 8 (Rs. 19,500 to Rs. 1,03,600) along with allowances as per government rules. Contract Sub Engineer posts carry a fixed pay.
| Post | Pay Scale |
|---|---|
| Sub Engineer (Civil / Electrical / Mechanical), Campus Supervisor | Rs. 32,800 - 1,03,600 (Level 8) |
| Mineral Surveyor, Junior Director, Director (ETE) | Rs. 28,700 - 91,300 (Level 7) |
| Laboratory Technician, Lab Technician, Draftsman, Technical Assistant, Assistant Architectural Draftsman (GIS) | Rs. 25,300 - 80,500 (Level 6) |
| Surveyor | Rs. 22,100 - 70,000 (Level 5) |
| Computer Operator (HMCT) | Rs. 19,500 - 62,000 (Level 4) |
| Contract (Samvida) Sub Engineer (Civil) | Rs. 43,000/- (post code 037) and Rs. 29,520/- (post code 083) |
| Some posts in the rule book (for example post codes 044, 045, 086, 087) | Older pay structure: Rs. 9,300 - 34,800 + Grade Pay Rs. 3,200, or Rs. 5,200 - 20,200 + Grade Pay Rs. 2,400 |
MP ESB Group 3 Recruitment 2026 Exam Pattern
The exam has a single paper of 200 marks, conducted online as per the Board's online exam system.
| Section | Subjects | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Part A | General Knowledge, General Hindi, General English, General Mathematics, General Reasoning, General Science and General Computer Knowledge | 100 |
| Part B | Technical trade based questions (related subject of the post) | 100 |
| Total | 200 |
Duration: 3 hours. Mode: Online (computer based).
Exam Shift Timings (as per the rule book dated 27 August 2026)
| Shift | Reporting Time | Time to Read Instructions | Time to Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM | 8:50 AM to 9:00 AM (10 minutes) | 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon (3 hours) |
| Second | 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM | 2:20 PM to 2:30 PM (10 minutes) | 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM (3 hours) |
MP ESB Group 3 Recruitment 2026 Selection Process
- Online (computer based) written exam of 200 marks
- Merit list of candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks, in descending order of marks
- Verification of certificates by the concerned department during the appointment process
- Minimum qualifying marks: 50 percent for unreserved candidates, and 40 percent for SC, ST, OBC and Divyangjan candidates (10 percent relaxation). EWS candidates also get a 10 percent relaxation in minimum qualifying marks, but are selected on merit from the list prepared for EWS.
MP ESB Group 3 Exam Day Instructions
- Carry the admit card downloaded from the Board's website and a black ball point pen.
- Carry an original photo ID: one of Voter ID, PAN card, Aadhaar card, driving licence or passport. An e-Aadhaar is valid only if verified by UIDAI. Without an original photo ID, the candidate will not be allowed to appear.
- Also carry your Aadhaar card / e-Aadhaar / photocopy / Aadhaar number / Aadhaar VID information. Multi-level biometric verification is compulsory at entry and during the exam, and Aadhaar must be unlocked at the time of verification.
- Entry to the exam centre is allowed only till the reporting time. Late candidates will not be allowed to enter.
- Mobile phones, calculators, log tables, digital watches, sunglasses and chits are strictly prohibited in the exam room.
- No candidate is allowed to leave the exam room after the exam starts until it ends.
- The admit card can be obtained only with the online application number. Keep the application number safe; the responsibility is the applicant's.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar (registration is mandatory)
- Live registration in the Employment Office of Madhya Pradesh
- Educational / technical qualification certificates required for the post
- Valid reservation and age relaxation proof issued by a competent authority of the MP Government (if applicable)
- Original photo ID for the exam (Voter ID, PAN card, Aadhaar card, driving licence or passport)
How to Apply for MP ESB Group 3 Recruitment 2026
- Open the ESB MP Online portal esb.mponline.gov.in between 13 October 2026 and 27 October 2026.
- Find the Group-03 Joint Recruitment Exam 2026 (Second) link and read the full notification first.
- Fill in the form with correct personal, education and category details, and mark your post preference.
- Pay the exam fee and the MP Online portal fee (Rs. 60 through a kiosk, or Rs. 20 through a Registered Citizen User ID).
- Submit the form and save your application number and a printout. Corrections can be made till 28 October 2026.
MP ESB Group 3 Recruitment 2026 Important Links
| Link | Open |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Apply Online |
| Official Notification (Rule Book) | Official Notification |
| Reopen Notice (01 October 2026) | Reopen Notice |
| Official Website | Official Website |
| All MP ESB Updates | MP ESB Hub |
MP ESB Group 3 Recruitment 2026 FAQs
What is the last date to apply for MP ESB Group 3 Recruitment 2026?
Online applications are accepted from 13 October 2026 to 27 October 2026, and corrections can be made till 28 October 2026, as per the official notice.
Why has MP ESB reopened the Group 3 application?
The number of posts was increased and a revised reservation table was issued, and reservation for contract employees was applied, so applications were reopened, as per the official notice dated 01 October 2026.
When will the MP ESB Group 3 exam be held?
The exam will be held in December-January. The earlier proposed date of 07 October 2026 has changed. The exact date will be announced on the ESB website, as per the official notice.
What is the age limit for MP ESB Group 3 2026?
The age limit is 18 to 40 years, and up to 45 years for eligible MP domicile categories, as on 01 January 2026, as per the official rule book.
What is the application fee for MP ESB Group 3 2026?
The fee is Rs. 500 for unreserved candidates and Rs. 250 for MP domicile SC/ST/OBC/EWS/Divyangjan candidates, plus the MP Online portal fee. Backlog posts have no fee, as per the official rule book.
What is the exam pattern of MP ESB Group 3 2026?
There is one online paper of 200 marks: 100 marks for general subjects and 100 marks for technical trade based questions, with a duration of 3 hours, as per the official rule book.
Update Log
- 06 October 2026: Post published from the official notification and the reopen notice.
- 01 October 2026: ESB reopened online applications from 13 October 2026 to 27 October 2026 (correction till 28 October 2026); exam to be held in December-January.
Source: Official Notification and Reopen Notice. Always read the official notification before you act on this information. Sarkari247 is not the recruiting organization; we publish this information for help only.