RankMentor Logo
Back to Optional Subjects

Mechanical Engineering Optional Syllabus for UPSC 2025

Complete syllabus guide for Mechanical Engineering Optional in UPSC Civil Services Examination. Master both papers with our comprehensive study material.

PAPER—I

1. Mechanics

  • 1.1 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
  • 1.2 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

  • 4.1 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-concept of fits and tolerances
  • - Tools and gauges
  • - Comparators
  • - Inspection of length, position, profile and surface finish
  • 4.2 Manufacturing Management:
  • - System design: factory location—simple OR models
  • - Plant layout-methods based
  • - Applications of engineering economic analysis
  • - Break-even analysis for product selection
  • - Process selection and capacity planning
  • - Predetermined time standards
  • - System planning and forecasting methods
  • - Design and balancing of multi model and stochastic assembly lines
  • - Inventory management-probabilistic inventory models
  • - JIT systems
  • - Strategic sourcing
  • - Managing inter plant logistics
  • - Quality control applications
  • - Control charts for mean, range, percent defective
  • - Quality cost systems
  • - Management of resources, organizations and risks in projects
  • - Implementation of systems like total quality management
  • - Developing and managing flexible, lean and agile organizations

PAPER—II

1. Thermodynamics, Gas Dynamics and Turbine

  • 1.1 Basic Concepts:
  • - First-law and Second law of Thermodynamics
  • - Concept of entropy and reversibility
  • - Availability and unavailability and irreversibility
  • 1.2 Fluid Dynamics:
  • - 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 of fluids in duct with frictions that transfer
  • 1.3 Turbines and Compressors:
  • - Flow through fans, blowers and compressors
  • - Axial and centrifugal flow configuration
  • - Design of fans and compressors
  • - Single problems compresses and turbine cascade
  • - Open and closed cycle gas turbines
  • - Work done in the gas turbine
  • - Reheat and regenerators

2. Heat Transfer

  • 2.1 Conduction:
  • - General conduction equation-Laplace, Poisson and Fourier equations
  • - Fourier law of conduction
  • - One dimensional steady state heat conduction
  • 2.2 Convection:
  • - Newton's law of convection
  • - Free and forced convection
  • - Heat transfer during laminar and turbulent flow
  • - Concepts of Nusselt number, hydrodynamic and thermal boundary layer
  • - Prandtl number
  • - Heat and momentum transfer analogies
  • 2.3 Radiation:
  • - Basic radiation laws
  • - Stefan-boltzman, Planck distribution, Wein's displacement etc.
  • 2.4 Heat Exchangers:
  • - Basic heat exchanger analysis
  • - Classification of heat exchangers

3. Engines

  • 3.1 Engine Analysis:
  • - Classification, thermodynamic cycles of operation
  • - Performance parameters - power, efficiency, heat balance
  • - Performance characteristics of petrol, gas and diesel engines
  • 3.2 Combustion:
  • - Combustion in SI and CI engines
  • - Normal and abnormal combustion
  • - Effect of working parameters on knocking
  • - Forms of combustion chamber for SI and CI engines
  • - Fuel rating and additives
  • - Emission control
  • 3.3 Engine Systems:
  • - Fuel systems
  • - Lubricating systems
  • - Cooling systems
  • - Transmission systems
  • - Alternative 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
  • - Boiler fuels
  • 4.2 Steam Nozzles:
  • - Flow of steam in convergent and divergent nozzle
  • - Pressure at throat for maximum discharge
  • - Supersaturated flow of steam in nozzles
  • - Wilson line
  • 4.3 Steam Turbines:
  • - Principle and types
  • - Compounding
  • - Impulse and reaction turbines
  • - Axial thrust
  • - Methods of governing
  • - Back pressure and pass out turbines
  • 4.4 Power Plants:
  • - Combined cycle power generation
  • - Heat recovery steam generators (HRSG)
  • - Co-generation plants

5. Refrigeration and Air-conditioning

  • 5.1 Refrigeration:
  • - Vapour compression refrigeration cycle
  • - Eco-friendly refrigerants-R 134a, 123
  • - System components - evaporators, condensers, compressor, expansion devices
  • - Simple vapour absorption systems
  • 5.2 Air-conditioning:
  • - Psychrometry-properties, processes, charts
  • - Sensible heating and cooling
  • - Humidification and dehumidification
  • - Effective temperature
  • - Air-conditioning load calculation
  • - Simple duct design

Recommended Study Resources

Essential Books

  • • Engineering Mechanics by R.S. Khurmi
  • • Theory of Machines by S.S. Rattan
  • • Heat and Mass Transfer by R.K. Rajput
  • • Thermal Engineering by R.K. Rajput
  • • Manufacturing Processes by R.K. Jain

Reference Materials

  • • Engineering Thermodynamics by P.K. Nag
  • • Design of Machine Elements by V.B. Bhandari
  • • Manufacturing Technology by P.N. Rao
  • • Industrial Engineering and Management by O.P. Khanna
  • • Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Machines by R.K. Bansal

Practice Materials

  • • Previous Years' UPSC Mechanical Engineering Papers
  • • GATE Mechanical Engineering Practice Sets
  • • Standard Problem Books
  • • Online Practice Tests
  • • Video Lectures and Demonstrations

Online Resources

  • • NPTEL Mechanical Engineering Courses
  • • MIT OpenCourseWare
  • • Engineering Drawing and CAD Resources
  • • Manufacturing Process Simulations
  • • Technical Journals and Publications