Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering solves the mysteries of physical machinery, where the domains of force, motion, and engineering intersect. Furthermore, it is one of the oldest and most extensive branches of Engineering, centered on the creation, production, and operation of machinery and its parts. India serves as a manufacturing hub and mechanical engineers play a crucial role in this industry. The demand for competent professionals is substantial, with a projected growth rate of 5%.

Mechanical engineering is an expansive field of engineering, with options for specialization in robotics, aerospace, automotive engineering, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), biomechanics, and other areas. The duration of a Mechanical Engineering course can vary from 3 to 5 years depending on the level. A student pursuing a Mechanical Engineering programme will acquire knowledge about designing automobiles, electric motors, aircraft, and other heavy vehicles. Candidates who wish to be admitted into mechanical engineering courses can take them after the conclusion of their class 12th from a recognized institution with at least 50% marks in aggregate having Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as the main subjects. Candidates must have a BE/BTech in Mechanical Engineering to be eligible to enroll in MTech Mechanical Engineering courses.

The Indian administration's emphasis on infrastructure growth, manufacturing, and the "Make in India" campaign is leading to an expanding employment sector for Mechanical Engineers. This increasing demand is accompanied by intriguing areas of expertise. If individuals have a keen interest in Robotics, Mechatronics, Thermal Engineering, or Nanotechnology, a degree in Mechanical Engineering can serve as a starting point for a rewarding career in their preferred specialization.

Mechanical Engineering Syllabus includes subjects such as Machine Design, Mechanical Measurements, etc. Mechanical Engineering Admission can be done through merit as well as entrance exams. Some of the top Mechanical Engineering entrance exams are JEE Main, JEE Advanced, MHT CET, TS EAMCET, WBJEE, etc. Online mechanical engineering can be done from reputable institutes such as Coursera, EdX, Swayam, etc. The offline Mechanical Engineering courses can be pursued at IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, IIT Roorkee, Chandigarh University, CT University, UPES Dehradun, Jadavpur University, Manipal Institute of Technology, and more. The offline mechanical engineering fees are approximately INR 1,00,000 to INR 15,00,000 depending on the course structure. 

After completing the course, students are introduced to Mechanical Engineering jobs that include Design Engineers, Purchase and Quality Control Executives, Instructional Design, Mechanical engineers, Service engineers, etc. The average Mechanical Engineering Salary ranges between INR 1.2 LPA and INR 7.7 LPA.

The major highlights of the Mechanical Engineering courses are given in the table below:

India is becoming a well-known global manufacturing hub, leading to a high demand for skilled mechanical engineers in industries such as automotive, aerospace, power generation, and machinery. According to Invest India, the Indian manufacturing sector is predicted to reach $1 trillion by 2025. The integration of automation, robotics, and additive manufacturing into industries creates new opportunities for engineers with relevant skill sets. The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) highlights the importance of engineers who can merge mechanical engineering with other disciplines. However, despite the high demand, there is a gap between the number of qualified mechanical engineers required and the available workforce. A report by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) predicts a shortage of 2 million mechanical engineers in India by 2022. The following are some reasons to choose a Mechanical Engineering course:

• Abundance of Career Opportunities: Pursuing the course may lead to professions in a variety of fields, including sales, agriculture, chemistry, and construction. They may also find opportunities in sectors such as robotics, nanotechnology, or aeronautics.
• Be a Part of Innovation: The course plays a critical role in pushing technical progress and innovation. They work on new product development, refining current technologies, and pushing the frontiers of technical solutions.
• Global Prospects: Mechanical engineering is an internationally known subject that provides chances for worldwide job experiences and partnerships. India has various skilled engineers that are highly demanded by international companies and abroad.
• Impact on Society: Mechanical engineers have the opportunity to positively affect society. Mechanical engineers' work may help to improve quality of life, promote environmental sustainability, and address global concerns, from generating sustainable energy solutions to upgrading transportation systems and inventing medical gadgets.

In India, the eligibility criteria for Mechanical Engineering courses may vary from one college or university to another. The table below discusses the prerequisites for the course at different academic levels:

Required Skill Set for Mechanical Engineering

The skills required to succeed in the field of mechanical engineering have been explained below.

Technical Skills

Mathematics - Mechanical engineers should have a strong knowledge of mathematics, including calculus, algebra, and differential equations. They use mathematics to solve problems in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, mechanics, and other areas of engineering.

Physics - A strong understanding of physics is required by mechanical engineers including thermodynamics, mechanics, and fluid mechanics. Physics is used to understand the behavior of mechanical systems and analyze them.

Engineering principles - It is essential to keep up with fracture mechanics, stress analysis, fatigue, and materials science to design and analyze mechanical systems that will ensure that they are secure and reliable.

Design - Mechanical engineers should be able to design mechanical systems utilizing computer-aided design (CAD) software, and create engineering drawings.

Fabrication - They need to have a strong understanding of fabrication techniques, such as welding, machining, and assembly. They are required to be able to manufacture prototypes and production parts.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Effective communication is important for mechanical engineers to interact with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. They should be capable of writing concise and precise technical reports and delivering presentations that are effortless to understand. Mechanical engineers should have strong interpersonal skills to work efficiently in teams. It is compulsory to cooperate with others to attain common goals and solve concerns.

Apart from these fundamental skills, mechanical engineers should focus on developing competencies in the following areas - 

• Project management - Mechanical engineers need to manage complex engineering projects. They should schedule, plan, and execute projects efficiently.
• Problem-solving - Cracking difficult problems is an essential skill for mechanical engineers. Pinpointing problems, collecting information, interpreting data, and creating solutions are important elements of their job.
• Creativity - Mechanical engineers need to be innovative while solving issues. They should come up with creative ideas and techniques.
• Leadership -Mechanical engineers may lead teams or projects. They should provide direction, motivation, and support to others.

Admission to the majority of engineering colleges in India is primarily done through the entrance exam. Among all, JEE Main is the popular mechanical engineering entrance exam conducted that offers admission to top colleges like NIT, IIITs, GFTI, etc. There are several other national-level, state-level, and university-level entrance exams for Mechanical Engineering courses also conducted for admission as listed below: 

JEE Main: Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main is a national-level engineering entrance exam in India conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It serves as the first stage for admission into undergraduate engineering programs in prestigious institutions like NITs, BITS, COEP, and other centrally funded technical institutes. 

JEE Advanced: This exam is the second stage of the JEE Main and is conducted for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Only candidates who qualify in JEE Main are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced, which tests the advanced knowledge and problem-solving skills of aspiring engineers. 

BITSAT: Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test (BITSAT) is an entrance test administered for undergraduate engineering degrees at its three campuses in Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad. 

SRMJEEE: SRM Joint Engineering Entrance Examination (SRMJEEE) is held for admission to the institute's BTech programmes. Candidates who are chosen based on their SRMJEEE scores are assigned a campus and a course depending on their course preferences at the time of counselling. You can also check What is a Good Score & Rank in SRMJEEE 2024? 

GATE: The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national-level test for admission to postgraduate engineering, technology, and architectural schools. GATE scores are often employed in government organizations and public sector enterprises (PSUs) for recruitment. 

MHT CET: The State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra, administers the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT CET) for admission to undergraduate engineering programmes in institutions throughout the state. 

WBJEE: West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE) is the state-level exam for admission to undergraduate engineering programmes in colleges in West Bengal. 

Mechanical Engineering Entrance Exam Schedule 2025

Candidates can check the tentative dates on Mechanical Engineering Entrance Exams here.

Various popular Mechanical Engineering courses specializations can be pursued by the students. The following table shows the same:

Apart from the above-mentioned course specializations, other online Mechanical Engineering courses can be pursued online up to the Ph.D. level depending on their preferences.

• Power Electronics
• CAD and digital manufacturing
• Wind manufacturing

Also Check,

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is a set of tests that students in India take to get admitted to undergraduate engineering and medical programs. These tests are conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The cut-off score required to get admission varies from institution to institution and also depends on the field of study that the student is interested in.

JEE Main Cutoff For IIIT, GFTI, NIT

The table below highlights the admission processes of Mechanical Engineering courses under various domains such as BE/B Tech, M.Tech, and diploma.

Also Check -List of NIT Colleges in India 2024

There are several ways by which candidates can get admission to Mechanical Engineering direct courses. Some of the options have been explained below - 

1. Direct Admission Based on Academic Performance - Some universities such as BITS Pilani, UPES Dehradun, Anna University, etc. directly admit students based on their academic performance in high school or a pre-university program. Usually, this requires you to reach a certain GPA (grade point average) or percentage.
2. Merit-Based Admissions - Merit-based admissions consider factors such as high school grades, extracurricular activities, and sometimes standardized test scores. Universities such as IITs, and NITs may have predetermined cutoffs or eligibility criteria based on these criteria.
3. Employee Seats: Some organizations allocate a certain percentage of seats for direct entry through employee numbers. These seats are usually filled based on a candidate’s academic performance or other criteria and may carry higher tuition fees.
4. Diploma-to-degree programs - Some universities such as Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi Technological University, Lingaya's University, etc. offer diploma-to-degree programs where students with an appropriate diploma in an engineering or related field can enter directly into the second or third-year of an engineering program
5. Work Experience: In some cases, students with relevant work experience or completion of a professional course in a related field may be eligible for direct entry.
6. Interviews and Personal Information - Mechanical Engineering colleges may conduct interviews or consider personal information as part of the admissions process. This allows applicants to express their interest in technology and explain their requirements.
7. Special admissions for specific groups - Some colleges such as SRM University, Sri Venkateswara College, New Delhi, etc. may have special recognition for groups such as athletes, artists, or individuals with exceptional talent These admissions are often based on departments or other specific criteria.

Also Check - Engineering Admission Process 2024

The Mechanical Engineering Syllabus varies as per the level of the programme one chooses to enrol in. While the diploma and undergraduate courses cover the fundamentals concepts, postgraduate courses cover advanced-level knowledge and practical-based learning through internships, projects seminars, lab subjects and so on. The common Mechanical Engineering course curriculum includes the following:

• Core subjects
• Elective subjects
• Laboratory exercises
• Guest visits
• Internships
• Research projects
• IV to VIII semesters

A credit-based approach is used for Mechanical Engineering courses, and prospective students can choose from a variety of elective subjects along with the core subjects (except for a diploma course). Common engineering topics, practicals, fundamental mechanics-related topics, and projects are all included in this course curriculum. Given below is a list of the Mechanical Engineering syllabus & subjects:

• Workshop Practice
• Steam Power Plant 
• Metrology and Metallography Lab
• Measurement and Instrumentation
• Material Science and Engineering
• Manufacturing Processes
• Machining Technology and Metrology
• Machine Drawing
• Kinematic Analysis and Synthesis
• Heat Transfer
• Fluid Mechanics
• Fluid Machinery
• Engineering Mechanics
• Electrohydraulic Control Systems
• Dynamics of Machines
• Applied Mechanics Lab

Mechanical Engineering deals with the design, production, and operation of machines. Numerous industries rely on mechanical engineers, including biotechnology, energy conversion, computers, aerospace, electronics, and many others. On the other hand, the field of Mechatronics Engineering encompasses various disciplines such as mechanical engineering, electronics engineering, computer engineering, telecommunications engineering, system engineering, control engineering, and so on. The following table shows the difference between Mechanical and Mechatronics degrees:

Check -  BTech Mechatronics Engineering

The table below highlights the top private mechanical engineering colleges in India based on the NIRF Ranking 2023 and their course fees.

Also Check - Top 10 Private Engineering Colleges with Best Placements

The table below highlights the top government mechanical engineering colleges in India based on the NIRF Ranking 2023 and their course fees.

Also Check - NIT vs IIIT 

Some of the top mechanical engineering colleges in India that offer direct admission to the candidates have been listed below.

Also Check - List of GFTI Colleges in India

Mechanical engineering is a well-known career that is emerging in great demand with handsome earnings in the higher range in both private and public enterprises. Candidates are required to check their career options and job prospects to have clarity on which profile they should apply to after the course is completed. The pay scale of a mechanical engineer is always determined by the amount of work they put into the process. A mechanical engineer can easily get hired by reputed companies and organizations in the following Mechanical Engineering job profiles:

• Assistant Mechanical Engineer
• Mechanical Engineer
• Design Engineer
• Mechanical Technician
• Lab Assistant
• Professor/Lecturer

Also Check - NIT Placements 2024

What Does a Mechanical Engineer Do?

Mechanical engineers apply fundamental physical principles to examine, devise, manufacture, and maintain various mechanical systems, while also addressing challenges in thermal and fluid systems.

What is Mechanical Engineering Salary?

The average starting salary of a mechanical engineer in India could range between INR 1.2 LPA and INR 7.7 LPA depending on the course-level education the candidates have acquired.

Top Recruiters of Mechanical Engineering

1. M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering
2. Masters in Nanotechnology Engineering
3. Master in Business Administration (MBA)
4. Master of Engineering in Tool Design
5. Diploma/Certificate/M.Tech in Piping Design and Manufacturing
6. Diploma/Certificate/M.Tech in Robotics
7. Masters in Mechatronics