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1) What is Military Engineer Services?

Ans. Military Engineer Services (MES) is an inter services organisation working directly under Ministry of Defence. MES is the oldest and one of the largest government construction agencies in the country. MES provides work services support to all three arms of Services (Army, Navy and Air force), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Director General of Ordnance Factory (DGOF), Director General of Quality and Assurance (DGQA), Defence Accounts Department (DAD), Coast Guard and Kendra Vidyalaiya Sangathan (KVS). MES has a very wide spectrum of construction activities ranging from conventional buildings to heady blend of multistoryed apartments, sophisticated workshop sheds, complex R & D and industrial facilities, naval bases, marine structures, runways, hangers, blast pens, radar facilities and ammunition depots etc. MES not only plans and construct these facilities alongwith all connected services such as water supply, electric supply, wastewater treatment, air conditioning, refrigeration etc but also maintain and operate these facilities. Present annual workload of MES is about Rs 6000 crore.
2) Is it a Military Organisation?

Ans. MES is not a military organisation. In fact its name is a misnomer. MES is a composite organisation with Civilian and Service personnel. It has about 1.5 lakh personnel out of which 93% are civilians and 7% are Service personnel. MES comprises of three civilian Group ‘A’ organized services namely, Engineers (1047), Surveyors (327) and Architects (145) and two supporting cadres namely viz Barrack and stores and Ministerial cadre. The civilians are governed by CCS Rules. There is no formal uniform for MES civilian officers.
3) Who is the head of MES?

Ans. E-in-C, who is head of Corps of Engineers, is the designated head of MES holding additional charge. However the E-in-C is not borne on the strength of MES and has not been vested with the power of a head of department being a principal staff officer to COAS.
4) How the Service personnel are posted to MES?

Ans. The Service personnel are posted to MES on tenure basis as per SRO 19E. Certain posts of MES at various levels are earmarked as tenable posts for Service personnel. However there is no comprehensive rules /guide lines framed for posting of Service personnel.
5) What is the history of MES?

Ans. The Engineer Services Organisation for the construction activities of the Government in the form that exists today with Civilians forming the major element of the work force had, in fact, started taking shape in the eighteenth century. Military works were under control of Military Works Branch of the Public Works Department. Later in Dec 1923, Military Works Services was reorganized and designated as ‘MILITARY ENGINEER SERVICES” (MES). Engineer-in-Chief of Royal Engineers borne on the establishment of Army Head Quarters was given the additional charge to head MES in addition to being head of Sappers and Miners. The Colonial arrangement continues to hold till today. MES was kept as a distinct entity and was never made a part of Corps of Engineers. Army officers posted on tenure basis to MES were paid at civil rates from works estimates.
6) What is the present Administrative set up of MES?

Ans. E-in-C of Corps of Engineers, as an additional charge, is administering MES. The top six administrative posts i.e, E-in-C and 5 CEs Command are held by Army Officers who are not borne on the strength of MES. Though the major component of 93% of MES establishment is Civilians who form the permanent Cadre of this vast organisation, Army officers at the top echelon administer the department. Out of 11 top administrative posts, only one post that of DG (Pers) is held by a Civilian Officer
7) What is IDSE? Who can Join IDSE?

Ans. Indian Defence Service of Engineers (IDSE) is an organized Group ‘A’ engineer cadre of MES. The members of IDSE are recruited through Combined Engineering Examination (CEE) conducted every year by UPSC. A graduate engineer in civil, electrical and mechanical streams who qualifies CEE can join IDSE.

8) To which stations the IDSE officers are posted and what are their duties?

Ans. IDSE officers can be posted in all parts of country wherever Defence establishments are there. However postings to NE areas, J & K and islands are on tenure basis. Officers are responsible for planning, monitoring and execution of works and maintenance of Defence assets.
9) Are IDSE officers under Army Act? Do they wear any formal uniform?

Ans. IDSE officers are NOT under Army Act but are governed by CCS conduct rules. There is no formal uniform for IDSE officers.
10) What are the promotional prospects of IDSE officers?

Ans. The first promotion from AEE to EE is within 4 to 5 years, which is considered as good. But as one goes up beyond SE and above, the scenario is not very satisfactory due to induction of large number of AEEs during certain years and due to limited posts at senior level. However, the position will improve for younger generation as intake of AEEs is being rationalized and cadre review is in progress.
11) When is IDSE Day celebrated?

Ans. IDSE Day is celebrated on 17th September every year to commemorate the creation of Class I Gazetted services of Engineers, Surveyors, Architects in MES in the year 1949 vide Gazette notification No. 1581 (Annexure V I).
12) What is the organizational set up of MES?

Ans. The organizational set up is as shown below-
13) What is the role of MES?

Ans. The role of MES is as under.
Planning and construction of buildings (married, office, technical and industrial), docks, airfields, roads, services and their maintenance.
Operation and maintenance of electric, water, air conditioning and wastewater installation.
Hiring and payment of rent, rates and taxes for lands, buildings and railway sidings. Payment of bill for electrical energy and water obtained from municipalities or other bodies.
Assessment of rent and furnishing of particulars to the DAD to collect rent for quarters, furniture, electricity and water etc.
Care taking of Defence assets like buildings and airfields when not in use.
14) What is the hierarchy of IDSE cadre?

Ans . The hierarchy of IDSE cadre is as under:-
Post     Number  Pay Scale
Addl DG 3 Rs 22,400 – 24,500
Chief Engineer 27  Rs 18,400 – 22,400
Addl Chief Engineer  32 Rs 16,400 – 20,000
Superintending Engineer 205 Rs 14,300 – 18,300
Executive Engineer*   239 Rs 12,000 – 16,500
Executive Engineer 231  Rs 10,000 – 15,200
Astt Exe. Engineer 200 Rs 8,000 – 13,500
* Non functional selection grade.
15) What are the objectives of IDSE Association?

Ans. The objectives of the IDSE Association are as under.
To promote scientific and technical knowledge amongst its members.
To promote literacy co-operation and unity amongst its members.
To safe guard and promote the common interest of its members.
To afford social and recreational facilities to its members
To promote co-operation amongst other Engineering Organisations.
To do all such things as are incidental and ancillary to the promotion of the cause of the above mentioned objectives.
 
 
 
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