UPSC Mechanical Engineering Optional Syllabus
Paper - I
1. Engineering Mechanics
- System of Forces, Friction, Equilibrium, Laws of motion, Free body diagrams, Centroids and Moment of Inertia, Kinematics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, Impulse and Momentum, Energy methods, Virtual work.
2. Engineering Materials
- Structure and properties of engineering materials, Phase diagrams, Heat treatment, Ferrous and non-ferrous metals, Ceramic materials, Polymers, Composites.
3. Theory of Machines and Machine Design
- Kinematic and dynamic analysis of mechanisms, Cams, Gears and Gear trains, Flywheels and governors, Balancing of reciprocating and rotating masses, Design of machine elements such as shafts, bearings, gears, brakes, clutches, springs.
4. Mechanics of Solids
- Stress and strain, Elastic constants, Mohr's circle for plane stress and plane strain, Thin and thick cylinders, Bending and shear stresses in beams, Combined bending and direct stresses, Torsion of circular and non-circular sections, Strain energy concepts and theories of failure.
5. Manufacturing Science
- Mechanics of metal cutting, Tool life and wear, Cutting fluids, Grinding, Gear cutting, Jigs and fixtures, Non-traditional machining processes, Metrology and inspection, Quality control, Statistical quality control.
Paper - II
1. Thermodynamics
- Basic concepts, Laws of thermodynamics, Thermodynamic system and processes, Properties of pure substances, Psychrometric charts, Ideal and real gases, Carnot cycle, Rankine cycle, Gas power cycles, Refrigeration cycles, Heat transfer.
2. Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Machinery
- Fluid properties, Fluid statics, Buoyancy, Fluid kinematics, Flow through pipes, Open channel flow, Bernoulli's equation, Dimensional analysis, Boundary layer, Flow over weirs and notches, Compressible flow, Turbines and pumps.
3. Heat Transfer
- Conduction, Convection, Radiation, Heat exchangers, Heat transfer by fins, Unsteady heat conduction, Thermoelectric refrigeration, Heat transfer in boiling and condensation, Heat exchanger design.
4. I.C. Engines, Fuels and Combustion
- SI and CI engines, Air standard cycles, Fuel-air cycles, Combustion in SI and CI engines, Combustion chambers, Detonation and knocking, Emissions and control, Alternate fuels, Lubrication and cooling.
5. Power Plant Engineering
- Steam power plants, Rankine cycle, Combined cycle power plants, Gas turbines, Fuels and combustion, Boilers, Condensers, Cooling towers, Feed water treatment, Nuclear power plants, Hydroelectric power plants, Renewable energy sources.
UPSC Previous Year Questions with Essays: Mechanical Engineering Optional
1. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of composite materials in engineering applications.
2. Explain the working principle of a four-stroke internal combustion engine.
3. Analyze the performance of a Rankine cycle power plant and discuss the factors affecting its efficiency.
4. Compare and contrast the properties of ferrous and non-ferrous metals in terms of their engineering applications.
5. Discuss the various methods of heat transfer and their significance in engineering systems.
Note: This syllabus is subject to change as per the discretion of the UPSC. Candidates are advised to refer to the official UPSC website for the most updated syllabus and exam pattern.
This course is helpful for the following exams: UPSC