The Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MP ESB), still popularly known as Vyapam, is one of the busiest state recruiting agencies in the country, and the second half of 2026 is shaping up to be a very active season for aspirants. As per the official MP ESB Exam Calendar 2026, several recruitment tests — including Group-2 Sub-Group-2, the Group-5 (Combined) backlog drive, Group-1 Sub-Group-1 and the Police Constable examination — are lined up between September and October 2026, with notifications expected to open in the coming weeks. Interested aspirants are advised to complete their groundwork now so that no application window is missed when the detailed advertisements go live on esb.mp.gov.in.
Overview
| Recruiting Body | Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MP ESB / Vyapam), Bhopal |
| Post Name | Group-2 (Sub-Group-2/4), Group-4 (Assistant Grade-3 & allied), Group-5, Sub Engineer (Group-3), Patwari and other posts |
| Category | State Government Jobs (Madhya Pradesh) |
| Total Vacancies | Expected 130+ (Group-2 SG-2) and 200+ (Group-5 backlog) in the upcoming cycle; based on the previous cycle, Group-4 saw around 2,500 posts and Sub Engineer around 900 posts |
| Job Location | Across Madhya Pradesh |
| Application Mode | Online only (through MP Online) |
| Official Website | esb.mp.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Schedule |
| Exam Calendar 2026 Released | 05 January 2026 (confirmed) |
| Notification (upcoming cycles) | Expected July–August 2026 |
| Application Start Date | Shortly after each notification (July 2026 onward) — Expected |
| Last Date to Apply | Roughly 15 days after start — Expected |
| Exam Date (Group-2 SG-2 / Group-5) | September 2026 — Expected (tentative) |
| Exam Date (Group-1 SG-1 / Police Constable) | October 2026 — Expected (tentative) |
| Admit Card | Around 4–5 days before the exam — Expected |
Kindly note that all exam dates in the calendar are tentative and may be revised by the Board if required.
Vacancy Details
The MP ESB Exam Calendar 2026 lists a series of recruitment tests through the year. For the earlier cycles that have already closed, Group-4 (Assistant Grade-3 and allied posts) carried close to 2,500 vacancies, while the Group-3 Sub Engineer drive was expected to have around 900 posts and the Group-2 Sub-Group-4 (which included Patwari-linked posts) had a few hundred openings. For the upcoming July–October 2026 window, the Board has scheduled Group-2 Sub-Group-2 (around 131 posts, as per the calendar), a Group-5 combined backlog recruitment (around 200 posts), along with Group-1 Sub-Group-1, Group-3 Sub-Group-1 and the Police Constable examination, for which the exact post-wise vacancies will be confirmed in the official notification. Candidates are advised to treat these figures as indicative and wait for the department-wise breakup in the detailed advertisement.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
The qualification varies from post to post, as per the official notification:
- Group-4 / Assistant Grade-3: Higher Secondary (10+2) pass from a recognised board, along with a valid CPCT (Computer Proficiency Certification Test) score card.
- Sub Engineer (Group-3): Diploma in Engineering in the relevant branch (Civil / Mechanical / Electrical) from a recognised institution; some posts may also consider a degree.
- Patwari / Group-2 posts: Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university, with CPCT as required for the concerned post.
- Group-5 (Paramedical / Staff Nurse etc.): Relevant diploma or degree with registration, as specified for each post.
Aspirants must carefully read the post-specific eligibility in the notification before applying.
Age Limit
The general age limit is 18 to 40 years for most MP ESB posts (as on the reference date mentioned in the notification). Age relaxation is applicable as per Madhya Pradesh Government rules — typically up to 5 years for SC/ST/OBC/EWS and female candidates who are domiciled in Madhya Pradesh, and additional relaxation for Persons with Disabilities and other reserved categories. Candidates from outside MP are generally treated as unreserved for age and fee purposes. The exact upper age limit and relaxations for each recruitment will be as per the official notification.
Application Fee
The fee structure for MP ESB examinations is broadly as follows (to be confirmed in each notification):
- Unreserved / General candidates: around Rs. 500
- SC / ST / OBC / EWS / PwD (MP domicile): around Rs. 250
- MP Online portal charges (additional): Rs. 60 through a kiosk or Rs. 20 through citizen (self) login
The fee is payable online through net banking, debit/credit card or UPI. Kindly note that the application fee is non-refundable, so candidates should apply only after confirming their eligibility.
Salary / Pay Scale
The pay depends on the post and its pay matrix level, as per the Madhya Pradesh Government norms:
- Assistant Grade-3 / Group-4 posts: approximately Rs. 19,500 to Rs. 91,300 per month depending on the level.
- Sub Engineer (Group-3): pay scale of Rs. 9,300 – 34,800 with Grade Pay of Rs. 3,200, plus applicable allowances.
- Group-2 / Patwari and other posts: as per the relevant pay level, along with Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and other admissible benefits.
Selected candidates also enjoy state government perks such as medical facilities, leave benefits and pension provisions as applicable.
Selection Process
The selection for most MP ESB recruitments is based on the following stages:
- Online Written Examination (Computer-Based Test)
- Document Verification for shortlisted candidates
- Physical Efficiency / Physical Standard Test (only for posts like Police Constable, Jail Prahari, Forest Guard, etc.)
- Final merit list and appointment as per rules
Exam Pattern & Syllabus Highlights
The MP ESB written exam is generally an objective-type, bilingual (Hindi and English) computer-based test. As a broad guide, based on the previous cycle:
- Total Marks: typically 100 to 200 marks, with one mark per question.
- Duration: around 2 to 3 hours, depending on the post.
- Negative Marking: varies by recruitment — some tests have no negative marking, while others (for example, certain Group-5 posts) carry a penalty of 0.25 mark per wrong answer, as per the notification.
- Normalisation: if the exam is held in multiple shifts, scores are normalised using the Normalised Equi-Percentile (NEP) scaling technique.
Syllabus highlights: General Knowledge, General Hindi, General English, General Mathematics/Reasoning, General Science, Computer Knowledge, and MP General Awareness (state-specific current affairs, culture and geography). Technical posts like Sub Engineer include a subject-specific engineering section.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official MP ESB website and open the relevant recruitment advertisement.
- Read the complete notification (PDF) carefully to confirm eligibility for your chosen post.
- Register on the MP Online portal to generate your login credentials (if not already registered).
- Fill in the application form with accurate personal, educational and category details.
- Upload the scanned photograph, signature and required documents in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee online along with the applicable portal charges.
- Submit the form and download/print the confirmation page for future reference.
- Apply through the official website: https://esb.mp.gov.in
Admit Card & Result
The admit card (Test Admit Card / TAC) is released online, usually around 4–5 days before the examination date, and can be downloaded from the MP ESB website using the application number and date of birth. Kindly carry a printed admit card along with a valid photo ID to the exam centre. After the exam, the Board releases the provisional answer key and invites objections within a specified window; the final result and merit list are then published on the official website. Candidates are advised to check esb.mp.gov.in regularly for admit card and result updates rather than relying on unofficial sources.
Preparation Tips & Document Checklist
With the upcoming exams just a few months away, candidates should start focused preparation now:
- Solve previous years’ MP ESB/Vyapam question papers to understand the pattern and difficulty.
- Strengthen MP General Knowledge and current affairs — a scoring area in almost every paper.
- Practise mock tests in a timed, computer-based format to build speed and accuracy.
- For CPCT-based posts, ensure your CPCT score card is valid before the last date.
Document checklist: passport-size photograph and signature (scanned), 10th and 12th mark sheets, graduation/diploma certificate, CPCT score card (if required), caste/category certificate, EWS/PwD certificate (if applicable), MP domicile certificate and a valid photo ID (Aadhaar/PAN/Voter ID).
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the MP ESB 2026 notification come?
As per the MP ESB Exam Calendar 2026, notifications for the upcoming cycles such as Group-2 Sub-Group-2, Group-5 (backlog) and Group-1 are expected from July–August 2026 onward, with exams scheduled around September–October 2026. Kindly keep checking esb.mp.gov.in for the exact dates.
What is the age limit for MP ESB recruitment 2026?
The general age limit is usually 18 to 40 years, with relaxation for reserved categories and MP-domicile candidates as per state government rules and the official notification.
Which is the official website to apply for MP ESB jobs?
The only official website is esb.mp.gov.in, and the online application is completed through the MP Online portal. Candidates should avoid any other unofficial link.
Is there negative marking in the MP ESB exam?
It depends on the recruitment. Some MP ESB exams have no negative marking, while others (such as certain Group-5 posts) deduct 0.25 mark per wrong answer, as specified in the notification.
What documents are needed at the time of applying?
You will need scanned photograph and signature, educational mark sheets and certificates, CPCT score card (where required), category/EWS/PwD certificate, MP domicile proof and a valid photo ID.
Important Links
Official Website / Apply Online
Disclaimer: The details given above are compiled from the MP ESB Exam Calendar 2026 and other public sources for the convenience of aspirants. Vacancy numbers, dates and eligibility marked as “expected” or “tentative” are based on the previous cycle and may change. Candidates are strongly advised to verify all information from the official notification on the official website esb.mp.gov.in before applying.