UPSC Mechanical engineering involves the design, development, construction, and testing of various systems. Mechanical engineers are responsible for anything that involves motion, including components, machinery, and even the human body. The contributions of mechanical engineers are vital in shaping the technology and infrastructure that propel our contemporary society. Acknowledging its significant contributions, Mechanical Engineering is included as one of the optional subjects in the UPSC syllabus , alongside Electrical Engineering and Civil Engineering.
The Mechanical Engineering optional is one of the 48 optional subjects for the UPSC Mains exam. It consists of two papers (Paper I & Paper II), each carrying 250 marks, making a total of 500 marks. Mechanical Engineering as an optional subject in UPSC CSE offers a unique advantage to aspirants with an engineering background. So, if you are looking forward to selecting Mechanical Engineering as your optional subject, you can scroll down to get a comprehensive Mechanical Engineering optional UPSC syllabus , pros and cons , preparation tips , and recommended books .Particular | Details |
Mains Paper | Paper VI and Paper VII |
Subjects | Mechanical Optional Paper-I and Mechanical Optional Paper-II |
Total Marks | 500 (250 Each) |
Time allowed | 3 Hours for each paper |
Sections | Section A and Section B |
Questions | Total 8 questions with subparts |
Compulsory Question | Question No. 1 and 5 |
Marks Distribution | 10, 15, and 20 marker questions |
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1.1 Mechanics of Rigid Bodies
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4.1 Manufacturing Process
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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 of 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 compresses and turbine cascade; open and closed cycle gas turbines; work done in the gas turbine; reheat and regenerators. |
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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 simple wall, solid and hollow cylinder and spheres. 2.2 Convection heat transfer —Newton’s law of convection; free and forced 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, Calbom, 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-Boltzmann, Planck distribution, Wein’s displacement etc. 2.4 Basic heat exchanger analysis ; classification of heat exchangers. |
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3.1 Classification, thermodynamic cycles of operation; determination of brake 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 combustion chamber for SI and CI engines; rating of fuels; additives; emission. 3.4 Different systems of IC engines -fuels; lubricating; cooling and transmission systems. Alternate fuels in IC engines. |
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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 —flow of steam in 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. |
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5.1 Vapour compression refrigeration cycle —cycle on p-H & T-s diagrams; eco-friendly refrigerants—R 134a. 123; Systems like evaporators, condensers, compressor, 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. |
Paper 1 | Paper 2 |
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