UPSC Mechanical Engineering Optional Syllabus: Paper 1 and 2

UPSC Mechanical Engineering Optional Syllabus: There are in total of 48 subjects in the optional examination of UPSC Civil Services, and Mechanical Engineering stands as one of them. Same as any other UPSC optional subject exam, the syllabus of Mechanical Engineering is also categorized into two papers, i.e., Paper 1 and Paper 2. The syllabus is further divided into elements of mechanical engineering and their applications. The detailed Civil Services Mechanical Engineering syllabus is shared in the sections below for the candidate’s reference.

The updated details regarding the UPSC Mechanical Engineering 2024 exam syllabus and the exams will be conveyed through this sarkari exam page. Candidates must also sign up for a free job alert to get the latest recruitment updates regarding other government vacancies. Candidates can also go through the UPSC Syllabus to prepare for the other topics.

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UPSC Mechanical Engineering Optional Syllabus: Important Details

The optional subject examination is included in the UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam. The UPSC Mechanical Engineering paper shall be conducted in two papers- Paper 1 and Paper 2. The examination is held collectively for a total of 500 marks. However, each paper consists of 250 marks.

The UPSC Civil Services examination is conducted in three stages, namely Prelims, Mains, and an Interview. The mains exam has nine papers, out of which two papers are optional. Because of its specifications and limitations, the UPSC ME optional subject is not a popular demand amongst the aspirants.

UPSC Mechanical Engineering Optional Syllabus

The UPSC ME optional paper has two papers in it, namely Paper I and Paper II. Both papers have different topics included, as stated below. Aspirants who wish to opt for Mechanical Engineering as an optional subject in the Civil Services examination are advised to have a detailed understanding of the syllabus.

UPSC Mechanical Engineering Optional Syllabus for Paper 1

The Mechanical Engineering main subjects included in the Paper 1 are as follows:

1. Mechanics

a. Mechanics of rigid bodies:

• Equations of equilibrium in space and its application;
• first and second moments of area;
• simple problems on friction;
• kinematics of particles for plane motion;
• elementary particle dynamics.

b. Mechanics of deformable bodies:

• Generalized Hooke’s law and its application;
• design problems on axial stress,
• shear stress and bearing stress;
• material properties for dynamic loading; bending shear and stresses in beams;
• determination of principle stresses and strains – analytical and graphical
• compound and combined stresses;
• bi-axial stresses – thin-walled pressure vessel;
• material behaviour  and design factors for dynamic load;
• design of circular shafts for bending and torsional load only;
• deflection of beam for statically determinate problems;
• theories of failure.

2. Engineering Materials

• Basic concepts on structure of solids;
• common ferrous and non-ferrous materials and their applications;
• heat-treatment of steels;
• non-metals- plastics, ceramics, composite materials and nano-materials.

3. Theory of Machines

• Kinematic and dynamic analysis of plane mechanisms.
• Cams, Gears and epicyclic gear trains, flywheels, governors
• balancing of rigid rotors, balancing of single and multicylinder engines
• linear vibration analysis of mechanical systems (single degree of freedom)
• Critical speeds and whirling of shafts.

4. Manufacturing Science

a. Manufacturing Process:

• Machine tool engineering – Merchant’s force analysis; Taylor’s tool life equation; conventional machining; NC and CNC machining process; jigs and fixtures.
• Non-conventional machining – EDM, ECM, ultrasonic, water jet machining etc; application of lasers and plasmas; energy rate calculations.
• Forming and welding processes- standard processes.
• Metrology – the concept of fits and tolerances; tools and gauges; comparators; inspection of length; position; profile and surface finish.

b. Manufacturing Management:

• System design: factory location- simple OR models; plant layout – methods based; applications of engineering economic analysis and break-even analysis for product selection, process selection and capacity planning; predetermined time standards.
• System planning; forecasting methods based on regression and decomposition, design and balancing of multi-model and stochastic assembly lines; inventory management – probabilistic inventory models for order time and order quantity determination; JIT systems; strategic sourcing; managing inter-plant logistics.
• System operations and control: Scheduling algorithms for job shops; applications of statistical methods for product and process quality control – applications of control charts for mean, range, per cent defective, number of defectives and defects per unit; quality cost systems; management of resources, organizations and risks in projects.
• System improvement: Implementation of systems, such as total quality management, developing and managing flexible, lean and agile organizations.

UPSC Mechanical Engineering Optional Syllabus for Paper II

The topics and sub-topics included in the Paper II of the UPSC ME optional syllabus are as follows:

1. Thermodynamics, Gas Dynamics and Turbine

1.1. Basic concept of First –law and second law of Thermodynamics; concept of entropy and reversibility; availability and unavailability and irreversibility.

1.2. Classification and properties of fluids; incompressible and compressible fluids flows; effect of Mach number and compressibility; continuity momentum and energy equations; normal and oblique shocks; one-dimensional isentropic flow; flow or fluids in duct with frictions that transfer.

1.3. Flow through fans, blowers and compressors; axial and centrifugal flow configuration; design of fans and compressors; single problems compress and turbine cascade; open and closed cycle gas turbines; work done in the gas turbine; reheat and regenerators.

2. Heat Transfer

2.1. Conduction heat transfer- general conduction equation – Laplace, Poisson and Fourier equations; Fourier law of conduction; one-dimensional steady state heat conduction applied to the simple wall, solid and hollow cylinder & spheres.

2.2. Convection heat transfer- Newton’s law of convection; free and forces convection; heat transfer during laminar and turbulent flow of an incompressible fluid over a flat plate; concepts of Nusselt number, hydrodynamic and thermal boundary layer their thickness; Prandtl number; analogy between heat and momentum transfer- Reynolds, Colbum, Prandtl analogies; heat transfer during laminar and turbulent flow through horizontal tubes; free convection from horizontal and vertical plates.

2.3. Black body radiation – basic radiation laws such as Stefan-Boltzman, Planck distribution, Wein’s displacement etc.

2.4. Basic heat exchanger analysis; classification of heat exchangers.

3. I .C. Engines

3.1. Classification, thermodynamic cycles of operation; determination of break power, indicated power, mechanical efficiency, heat balance sheet, interpretation of performance characteristics, petrol, gas and diesel engines.

3.2. Combustion in SI and CI engines, normal and abnormal combustion; effect of working parameters on knocking, reduction of knocking; Forms of the combustion chamber for SI and CI engines; rating of fuels; additives; emission.

3.3. Different systems of IC engines- fuels; lubricating; cooling and transmission systems. Alternate fuels in IC engines.

4. Steam Engineering

4.1. Steam generation- modified Rankine cycle analysis; Modern steam boilers; steam at critical and supercritical pressures; draught equipment; natural and artificial draught; boiler fuels solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. Steam turbines –  principle; types; compounding; impulse and reaction turbines; axial thrust.

4.2. Steam nozzles- the flow of steam in the convergent and divergent nozzle; pressure at throat for maximum discharge with different initial steam conditions such as wet, saturated and superheated, effect of variation of back pressure; supersaturated flow of steam in nozzles, Wilson line.

4.3. Rankine cycle with internal and external irreversibility; reheat factor; reheating and regeneration, methods of governing; back pressure and pass out turbines.

4.4. Steam power plants – combined cycle power generation; heat recovery steam generators (HRSG) fired and unfired, co-generation plants.

5. Refrigeration and air-conditioning

5.1. Vapour compression refrigeration cycle – cycle on p-H & T-s diagrams; eco-friendly refrigerants – R134a,123; Systems like evaporators, condensers, compressors, and expansion devices. Simple vapour absorption systems.

5.2. Psychrometry – properties; processes; charts; sensible heating and cooling; humidification and dehumidification effective temperature; air-conditioning load calculation; simple duct design.

Preparation Strategy for UPSC Mechanical Engineering Optional

Here are a few tips for the aspirants to prepare for the optional subject of Mechanical Engineering. Most of the syllabus is equivalent to the graduation and post-graduation levels of the syllabus.

• Practice Diagrams: Engineering has a wide range of diagrams and presentations included in it. Aspirants must practice quick diagrams and charts effectively to save time, as drawing is the most time-consuming part. Additionally, diagrams will present the answers more closely.
• Practice Writing– The candidates will be required to explain more in writing, thus practicing time management is an important task.
• Prepare Diagram Charts– Preparing charts and visual highlights of the important diagrams in the syllabus, will help the aspirants understand them with more ease.

Tips to Score Good in Mechanical Engineering Optional

Here are a few tips that the aspirants must keep in mind before attempting the UPSC optional Mechanical Engineering exam. The tricks shared below are based on previous years’ records and the pattern of the question.

• Save Time in Selecting Questions– While attempting the UPSC Mains papers, the aspirants will be required to select any five questions out of eight. Often aspirants start with their answers without selecting the questions and later juggle with the questions. The selection of the five preferences initially will help the candidates cover the answer in time.
• Using Diagrams– Since there are plenty of diagrams and figures involved in all branches of Engineering, aspirants must have a keen understanding of them. Presenting your answers with the help of neat and relevant figures or charts will help you score better.

UPSC Optional Mechanical Engineering Booklist

Though there are plenty of books for the optional paper of Mechanical Engineering. However, a list of the best books for Mechanical Engineering Optional in UPSC ESE exam is as follows:

• Fundamentals of Classed Thermodynamics– Van Wylen

• Engineering Heat Transfer– Gupta Prakash

• Heat and Mass Transfer– R. Yadav

• Energy Conversion– Sukhalmoy

• Environmental Pollution Central Engineering- C S Rao

• Surveying and Levelling– T P Kanetakar

• Heat Conversion– Arora & Kundwar

• Manufacturing Science– R K Jain

• Thermodynamics– R Yadav Theory of Mechanics – S S Rattan

• Theory of Mechanism and Mechanics– Jagdish Lal.

• Engineering Mechanics of Solids– Popov E

• Manufacturing Science– Ghosh and Malik

• Manufacturing Technology– P N Rao

• Production Management– R K Jain

• Principles of Manufacturing Material & Process– Campber