What is Mechanical Engineering?
Mechanical Engineering is the discipline of science and technology concerned with the design, manufacture, development, analysis, and testing of machines and various technical systems and processes.
Mechanical Engineering comprises several specialisations such as fluid mechanics, thermal systems, robotics, automotive mechanics, machine design and development, and mechatronics.
Undergraduate Mechanical Engineering Degrees Offered
Candidates aspiring towards a career in mechanical engineering can opt for the following undergraduate degrees-
- Bachelor of Technology (B Tech)- 4 years
- Bachelor of Engineering (BE)- 4 years
- Bachelor of Science (BSc)- 3 years
- Undergraduate Diploma
- Certificate Courses
Specialisations in Mechanical Engineering
Specialisations offered in mechanical engineering include the following-
- Mechatronics
- Production Technology
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Mechanical and Automation Engineering
- Digital Manufacturing
- Automotive
- Automation and Control
- Manufacturing Technology
- Mechatronics Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering and Applied Mechanics
- Controls and Robotics
- Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Systems
- Material Science Mechanics
- Computational Mechanics
- Machine Design
- Combustion Mechanics
- Welding Metallurgy
Eligibility and Requirements for Mechanical Engineering
Students can enrol in mechanical engineering colleges and courses after appearing for entrance exams held across the country. The eligibility criteria are as follows-
- Candidates enrolling on mechanical engineering programmes and entrances must have passed their 10+2 (or equivalent) examinations from a recognised Indian board with a minimum aggregate of 50-55% marks.
- Candidates must have chosen the science stream in their 10+2 with compulsory science subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, and Home Science.
Admission Procedure for Mechanical Engineering
The admission procedure for mechanical engineering colleges and courses in India is as follows-
- Candidates applying for mechanical engineering courses must qualify for the minimum eligibility to appear for the respective entrance exams. Candidates can apply for the entrance examinations by registering in the online portal and submitting the required documents.
- After appearing for the entrance exams, candidates will be shortlisted based on scores, ranks, and merit lists in the counselling session for the respective colleges/entrances.
- In the case of merit-based admissions, candidates will be shortlisted based on their 10+2 examination scores.
- Shortlisted candidates may then finalize their admission at the concerned college by paying the fees and submitting the required documents for verification.
Entrance Tests for Mechanical Engineering Courses
Some of the important entrance tests offering admission into undergraduate mechanical engineering courses include the following-
- Joint Entrance Examinations (JEE) Mains and Advanced- conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Common Universities Entrance Test (CUET-UG)- conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Delhi University Entrance Test (DUET-PG)- conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test (BITSAT)- conducted by BITS Pilani
- Banaras Hindu University Undergraduate Entrance Test (BHU UET)- conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) Engineering Entrance Exam (VITEEE)- conducted by (VIT)
- SRM Joint Engineering Entrance Exam (SRMJEE)- conducted by SRM Institute of Science and Technology
- Manipal Entrance Test (MET)- conducted by Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)
- West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board (WBJEE)- conducted by the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board
- Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Entrance Examination (KIITEE)- conducted by KIIT
- State Common Entrance Test Cell, Mumbai (MHCET)- conducted by Directorate of Technical Education, Government of Maharashtra
- The Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka Under Graduate Entrance Test (COMEDK UGET)- conducted by COMEDK
- Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET)- conducted by Anna University
Aptitude for Mechanical Engineering
Students with an interest in physics and mechanics will find mechanical engineering the ideal study goal for them. Students may gauge their aptitude for mechanical engineering with the following criteria:
- Analytical and critical thinking
- Attention to details
- Strong proficiency in mathematics and physics
- IT skills
- Communication and teamwork
- Problem-solving skills
- Time management and efficiency
- Technical knowledge
- Commercial and budgeting awareness
- Innovation and creativity
- Project management
- Leadership
Mechanical Engineering Subjects
Mechanical Engineering courses comprise subjects and topics such as-
- Kinematics and Dynamics
- Fluid Mechanics
- Measurement and Instrumentation
- Heat Transfer and Thermodynamics
- Hydraulics
- Engineering Materials
- Metrology
- Manufacturing Processes
- Applied Physics
- Chemistry and Metallurgy
- Production Technology
- Solid Mechanics
- Industrial Management
- Mechanical Engineering Design
- Maintenance Engineering
- Machining Technology
- Engineering Mechanics
- Machine Drawing
- Control Systems
- Electricity and Magnetism
Top Mechanical Engineering Specialisations for the Future
The most coveted and lucrative mechanical engineering specialisations for the future include-
- Robotics
- Sustainable Mechanics
- Automotive Design
- Mechatronics
- Renewable Energy Mechanisms
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Engineering
Post-graduate Study/Research Opportunities in Mechanical Engineering
After completing their undergraduate degrees, candidates can further their mechanical engineering study goals through postgraduate and research degrees.
The eligibility criteria for pursuing postgraduate courses is completing an undergraduate mechanical engineering degree in the specialisation/course of choice from a recognised university with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks.
Popular postgraduate degrees in mechanical engineering include-
- Master of Technology (M Tech)- 2 years
- Master of Engineering (ME)- 2 years
- Master of Science (MSc)- 2 years
- Post-graduate Diploma- 9 months to 2 years
- Master of Philosophy (M Phil)- 2 years
- Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD)
Important entrance exams for admission into postgraduate mechanical engineering programmes include-
- Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)- conducted by the Indian Institutes of Science (IISc) and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
- Indian Institutes of Technology Joint Admission test for Masters (IIT-JAM)- conducted by IIT Guwahati
- Common Universities Entrance Test (CUET-PG)- conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Delhi University Entrance Test (DUET-PG)- conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Examination (JNUEE)- conducted by JNU
- Banaras Hindu University Postgraduate Entrance Test (BHU PET)- conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences National Entrance Test (TISS-NET)- conducted by TISS
- Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET)- conducted by Anna University
Career Prospects/Placements in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering is a promising study goal and a highly coveted stream in engineering and technology. Mechanical Engineering offers several career avenues and job prospects in both, the public and private sectors. Mechanical Engineering graduates receive placement offers from prominent and reputed companies visiting their college during campus placement programmes organised by the training and placement cell.
Popular and lucrative career prospects in mechanical engineering include the following-
- Mechanical Engineer
- Mechanical Designer
- Service Engineer
- Quality Control Technician
- Instrumentation and Control Engineer
- Automotive Engineer
- Maintenance Engineer/Technician
- Construction Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Vehicle Engineer
Starting Salaries in Mechanical Engineering
Starting salaries in mechanical engineering range between INR 2 to 7 LPA, and can go as high as 60 LPA for experienced senior technicians.
Subjects Similar to Mechanical Engineering
Students interested in mechanical engineering might be interested in similar subjects like-
- Automobile Engineering
- Biomechanics
- Physics
- Electronics Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Instrumentation and Control Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Product Engineering
- Robotics