Aditi Sinha
August 16, 2023 06:31
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In this article, we discuss the significance of choosing Mechanical Engineering as an optional subject for the UPSC mains exam, covering its syllabus, recommended books, question paper patterns, success rates, and effective preparation strategies.
Mechanical Engineering optional is recommended primarily for those with an engineering background. In the following article, you can explore all aspects of choosing Mechanical Engineering as an optional subject for the UPSC IAS exam, including strategies, insights from toppers, recommended book lists, success rates, and much more.
Mechanical engineering is a field focused on designing, constructing, and utilizing machinery. It’s among the 48 optional subjects available for the UPSC civil services mains exam, and is popular among engineering graduates.
UPSC Mechanical Optional Paper 1 covers important subjects like Mechanics, Engineering Materials, Theory of Machines, Manufacturing Science etc.
Paper 2 encompasses a wide range of crucial topics, including Thermodynamics, Gas Dynamics, Turbine, Fluids, I.C. Engines, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Psychometry etc.
The Mechanical Engineering Syllabus covers a wide variety of topics, starting from basics of mechanical engineering to advanced topics such as thermodynamics, heat transfer etc.
The complete syllabus for paper 1 and Paper 2 can be found below:
| 1. Mechanics | 1.1 Mechanics of Rigid Bodies
1.2 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies
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| 2. Engineering Materials |
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| 3. Theory of Machines |
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| 4. Manufacturing Science | 4.1 Manufacturing Process
4.2 Manufacturing Management
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| 1. Thermodynamics, Gas Dynamics 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 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. |
| 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 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. |
| 3. Engines | 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. |
| 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—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. |
| 5. Refrigeration and Air-conditioning | 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. |
Candidates preparing for UPSC Mechanical Engineering Optional can refer to the following table for the list of books covering the entire syllabus:
| Paper 1 | Paper 2 |
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The structure of the question paper is similar to that of other optional. It includes two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2, both of which carry 250 marks each.
Both the question papers have eight questions, divided equally into two sections, having four questions each. In total, a candidate has to attempt any five questions. Question 1 and Question 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining six, any three are to be attempted, selecting at least one from each section.
The previous year question papers of UPSC Mechanical Engineering Optional can be downloaded from the given table:
Over the years, the success rate of mechanical engineering optional UPSC has ranged from 5% to 12%. For the detailed success rate over the years, refer to the table below:
| Year | Number of Candidates Appearing | Number of Candidates Selected | Success Rate (%) |
| 2020 | 201 | 22 | 10.9% |
| 2019 | 213 | 12 | 5.6% |
| 2018 | 152 | 9 | 5.9% |
| 2017 | 170 | 19 | 11.2% |
UPSC Mechanical Engineering Optional is a highly technical subject requiring a solid background of mechanical engineering. Candidates aspiring to take up mechanical engineering optional can follow some of these strategies:
To excel in mechanical engineering optional subjects, candidates have to undertake comprehensive preparation for each of the topics. It is essential to build a strong foundation in all areas and thoroughly understand the concepts. With a well-rounded preparation strategy, aspirants can confidently attempt the paper.
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