Aspirants are advised to choose Mechanical Engineering as an optional subject in the UPSC civil services exam only if they have a relevant background and deep knowledge of the subject. The UPSC Mechanical Engineering syllabus 2023 consists of chapters based on the complex phenomenon of mechanical engineering. Having complete knowledge about the topics included in the syllabus helps candidates make a perfect strategy for the preparation of their exam. Aspirants can get detailed information about the UPSC Mechanical Engineering optional paper Syllabus from this post.
IAS Mechanical Engineering Syllabus 2023
Similarly to the other optional subjects, Mechanical Engineering also has two papers. Both the papers have different syllabi that a candidate has to cover in order to secure good marks. The complete syllabus for both the papers is given below.
Paper – I syllabus
- 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
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, 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.
- 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
- Theory of Machines
Kinematic and dynamic analysis of plane mechanisms, Cams, Gears and empicyclie gear trains, flywheels, governors, balancing of rigid rotors, balancing of single and multicity- linder engines, linear vibration analysis of mechanical systems (single degree of freedom), Critical speeds and whirling of shafts.
- Manufacturing Science
4.1 Manufacturing Process
Non-conventional machining-EDM, ECM, ultrasonic, water jet machining etc, application of lasers and plasmas, energy rate calculations. Machine tool engineering – Merhant’s force analysis: Taylor’s tool life equation, conventional machining, NC and CNC machining process, jigs and fixtures. 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 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, percent defective, number of defectives and defects per unit, quality cost systems, management of resources, organizations and risks in projects.
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 improvement: Implementation of systems, such as total quality management, developing and managing flexible, lean and agile Organizations.
Syllabus of Paper – 2
- Thermodynamics, Gas Dynamics Turbine:
- 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.
- Basic concept of First-law and Second law of Thermodynamics, concept of entropy and reversibility, availability and unavailability and irreversibility
- 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.
- Heat Transfer
- 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, Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply. Analogy between heat and momentum transfer—Reynolds, Colburn, Prandtl analogies, heat transfer during laminar and turbulent flow through horizontal tubes, free convection from horizontal and vertical plates.
- 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.
- Black body radiation—basic radiation laws such as Stefan-Boltzmann, Planck distribution, Wien’s displacement etc.
- Basic heat exchanger analysis, classification of heat exchangers.
- Engine
- 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.
- 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.
- Different systems of IC engines-fuels, lubricating, cooling and transmission systems. Alternate fuels in IC engines.
- Steam Engineering
- 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.
- Steam generation—modified Ranking 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.
- Steam power plants—combined cycle power generation, heat recovery steam generators (HRSG) fired and unfired, co-generation plants.
- Rankine cycle with internal and external irreversibility, reheat factor, reheating and regeneration, methods of governing, back pressure and pass out turbines.
- Refrigeration and Air-conditioning
- Psychrometry — properties, processes, charts, sensible heating and cooling, humidification and dehumidification effective temperature, air-conditioning load calculation, simple duct design.
- Vapour compression refrigeration cycle—cycle on p-H & T-s diagrams, eco-friendly refrigerants—R 134a. 123, Systems like evaporators, condensers, compressor, and expansion devices. Simple vapor absorption systems.
UPSC Mechanical Engineering Syllabus: Download PDF