If you’re a diploma or degree holder in engineering or a technical field and you’ve been waiting for a solid government job opportunity in Madhya Pradesh, your wait is finally over. The Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MPESB), popularly known as MP Vyapam, has officially announced the Group-3 Combined Recruitment Examination 2026 (Second) for a massive 1,700 vacancies across multiple technical posts.
Whether you’re eyeing a Sub Engineer (Upyantri), Draftsman, Surveyor, Laboratory Technician, or any other Group-3 technical role, this notification is definitely worth your attention. In this post, I’ll walk you through all the essential details — from eligibility and salary to the application process and exam pattern — so you can apply with confidence.
What Is This Recruitment All About?
MPESB is conducting a combined recruitment drive to fill 1,700 Group-3 executive and non-executive posts across various government departments, directorates, and polytechnic colleges in Madhya Pradesh. These are posts that fall outside the jurisdiction of the MP Public Service Commission, and selection is based purely on a single Computer-Based Test (CBT).
The best part? The online application window is about to open, so if you start preparing your documents now, you won’t be scrambling at the last minute.
Key Dates to Mark on Your Calendar
Table
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Starts | 29 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 12 September 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | 29 August – 17 September 2026 |
| CBT Exam Begins | 7 October 2026 (Wednesday) |
The exam will be conducted in two shifts:
- Shift 1: 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon (Reporting: 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM)
- Shift 2: 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM (Reporting: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM)
Pro tip: Reach well before the reporting time. Late entries are strictly not allowed, and you don’t want to miss your shot because of a traffic jam.
Vacancy Breakdown: 1,700 Posts Across 131 Post Codes
Yes, you read that right — 131 different post codes are up for grabs. Here’s how the 1,700 vacancies are distributed category-wise:
Table
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 628 |
| EWS | 146 |
| SC | 246 |
| ST | 254 |
| OBC | 426 |
| Total | 1,700 |
The posts include Sub Engineer, Draftsman/Cartographer, Laboratory Technician, Technical Assistant, Surveyor, Mineral Surveyor, and several other equivalent technical roles. Keep in mind that these numbers are provisional and may be revised by the concerned departments.
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
This is where it gets a bit technical (pun intended). Depending on the post code you’re applying for, you’ll need either a diploma (typically 3 years) or a degree in the relevant engineering/technical discipline from a recognized university or institution.
The technical branches covered include:
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Computer Science & Engineering
- Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering
- Fashion Technology
- Architecture & Interior Design
- Modern Office Management
- Hotel Management
- Agriculture Engineering
- Textile Design
- Automobile Engineering
- Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
- Mining/Civil Engineering (for Mineral Surveyor)
- ITI Craftsman (Civil) trade
Important: Each of the 131 post codes has its own specific qualification requirement. So before you hit that “Apply” button, double-check the official notification to make sure your diploma or degree matches the post code.
Other Requirements
- You must have a live registration with a Madhya Pradesh Employment Office (Rojgar Karyalaya).
- You must be a citizen of India. Nepalese citizens can also apply but need an eligibility certificate as per MP Civil Services Recruitment Rules, 1961.
- Non-MP residents can apply only against unreserved (open) vacancies and won’t get reservation or age relaxation benefits.
Age Limit: Are You Within the Range?
Table
| Category | Age Limit (as on 1 January 2026) |
|---|---|
| General / Open Competition | 18 to 40 years |
| MP Domiciled SC/ST/OBC, Govt Employees, Home Guards, PwBD, Women (Reserved/Unreserved) | 18 to 45 years |
Note: EWS candidates do not get age relaxation. Also, in no case will the maximum age exceed 45 years after all relaxations (with some exceptions for contractual employees as per Rule 14).
Salary: What Will You Take Home?
The pay scale varies depending on your post and department, ranging from Level 4 to Level 8 of the Madhya Pradesh Pay Matrix:
Table
| Pay Level | Pay Scale (₹) | Typical Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Level 8 | 32,800 – 1,03,600 | Sub Engineer (Upyantri) |
| Level 7 | 28,700 – 91,300 | Select technical posts |
| Level 6 | 25,300 – 80,500 | Draftsman, Lab Technician, Surveyor |
| Level 5 | 22,100 – 70,000 | Select technical posts |
| Level 4 | 19,500 – 62,000 | Select technical/other posts |
During probation, you’ll receive a stipend:
- 1st year: 70% of the minimum pay scale
- 2nd year: 80%
- 3rd year: 90%
Full salary kicks in only after you successfully complete probation.
Application Fee
Table
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Unreserved | ₹500 |
| MP Domiciled SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD | ₹250 |
| Backlog Vacancies (Direct Recruitment) | No Fee |
Portal charges extra:
- MP Online Kiosk: ₹60
- Registered Citizen Login: ₹20
Selection Process & Exam Pattern
Good news — there’s no interview. Selection is purely based on a single online CBT of 200 marks.
Exam Pattern:
Table
| Section | Subjects | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Section A | General Knowledge, General Hindi, General English, General Mathematics, General Reasoning, General Science, General Computer Knowledge | 100 |
| Section B | Technical trade-based paper (specific to your post code) | 100 |
| Total | 200 |
Marking Scheme:
- +1 mark for every correct answer
- -0.25 marks for every wrong answer (yes, there’s negative marking, so guess wisely!)
Technical Paper Codes:
Your Section B paper will depend on your technical branch. There are 14 paper codes (A to N) covering everything from Electrical and Civil Engineering to Fashion Technology and Hotel Management.
Special case: If you’re applying for post codes 88, 128, or 131, you can choose between two related technical papers, and your result will be based on the higher percentile score you achieve.
Normalisation:
Since the exam happens across multiple shifts and days, MPESB uses the Normalised Equi-Percentile (NEP) method to ensure fairness. Your raw score gets converted into a percentile, then a Z-value and T-score, so no one gets an unfair advantage based on their shift.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Visit the official website: www.esb.mp.gov.in or head to an MP Online kiosk.
- Register and fill out the online application form between 29 August and 12 September 2026.
- Ensure your Madhya Pradesh Employment Office (Rojgar Karyalaya) registration is active.
- Select the correct post code and technical branch matching your qualification.
- Pay the application fee + portal charges.
- Review everything carefully — corrections are only allowed until 17 September 2026.
- Download your admit card once it’s released (it won’t be sent by post).
Crucial Instructions You Can’t Ignore
- Aadhaar is mandatory for registration.
- Carry your original Aadhaar and a valid original photo ID (Voter ID, PAN, Driving Licence, or Passport) to the exam centre. Biometric verification is compulsory.
- No electronic devices — mobile phones, calculators, digital watches, and even sunglasses are banned inside the exam hall.
- No late entry and no early exit — once you’re in, you’re in for the full duration.
- PwBD candidates needing a scribe or compensatory time must submit documents to MPESB at least 10 days before the exam.
- Objections to questions can be raised online within 3 days of the objection link going live (₹150 per objection).
- Hindi text is the standard for most papers, but for Science and Technical subjects, the English text prevails in case of discrepancies.
- Special Primitive Tribal Communities (Baiga, Sahariya/Saharia, Bharia) applying for non-executive posts must submit a hard copy of their application directly to the concerned department using Annexure-2 format. Applications sent to MPESB won’t be valid for these communities.
Final Thoughts
The MPESB Group-3 Recruitment 2026 is a golden opportunity for technical diploma and degree holders to secure a stable government job in Madhya Pradesh. With 1,700 vacancies, a transparent single-exam selection process, and a decent pay scale, it’s definitely worth your time and effort.
My advice? Don’t wait until the last date. Gather your documents, verify your post code eligibility, and apply as soon as the portal opens on 29 August 2026. And if you’re eligible for multiple post codes, choose the one that aligns best with your qualification and preparation level.
Best of luck with your application and exam! If you found this post helpful, feel free to share it with friends who might also be preparing for this recruitment. Got questions? Drop them in the comments — I’ll do my best to help.