The UPSC Indian Forest Service (IFS) examination offers Mechanical Engineering as one of the optional subjects. The syllabus for Mechanical Engineering is comprehensive and covers various topics across multiple papers. Here is the detailed syllabus:
Paper-I
1. Thermodynamics, Gas Dynamics and Turbine:
- Thermodynamic systems and processes, properties of pure substances, First and Second laws of Thermodynamics, Carnot cycle, irreversibility, availability.
- Behaviour of ideal and real gases, properties of mixtures, zeroth law, laws of perfect gases.
- Modes of heat transfer, one-dimensional heat conduction, resistance concept in heat conduction, extended surfaces, free and forced convection, thermal boundary layer, fundamentals of different modes of heat transfer, basic concepts and applications of radiation.
- I.C. Engines: Air-standard cycles, fuels, fuel injection, carburetion, supercharging and turbocharging, cooling and lubrication, performance analysis and testing.
- Compressors, Gas dynamics: Isentropic flow, shock waves, flow through nozzles and diffusers, Gas turbines, Steam Turbines, Reaction and Impulse Turbines.
2. Fluid Mechanics:
- Properties and classification of fluids, fluid statics including forces on plane and curved surfaces, stability of floating bodies.
- Kinematics and Dynamics of fluid flow, continuity, momentum, and energy equations.
- Flow and velocity measurements, boundary layer concepts, turbulent flow through pipes, dimensional analysis and similarity laws.
- Flow through pipes, head losses in pipes, bends, and fittings.
3. Theory of Machines:
- Kinematic and dynamic analysis of plane mechanisms.
- Gears and gear trains, flywheels, governors.
- Balancing of reciprocating and rotating masses.
- Gyroscope and its effect on the motion of a ship, stability of automobiles and aircrafts.
4. Machine Design:
- Design for static and dynamic loading, failure theories, fatigue strength, S-N diagram.
- Principles of the design of machine elements such as bolted, riveted and welded joints, shafts, keys, couplings, bearings, gears, and belt drives.
- Friction clutches, brakes.
5. Strength of Materials:
- Stress and strain in two dimensions, principal stresses and strains, Mohr’s construction, linear elastic materials, stress-strain relations.
- Axial, shear and bending moment diagrams.
- Theories of failure, torsion of circular shafts, columns and struts.
6. Engineering Materials:
- Structure and properties of engineering materials, heat treatment, stress-strain behaviour of metals and alloys, iron-carbon diagram.
- Alloy steels, plastics, ceramics, and composite materials.
Paper-II
1. Manufacturing Science:
- Manufacturing processes, classification, and selection, types of machine tools.
- Metal cutting principles, tool geometry and materials, tool life and wear.
- Mechanism of chip formation, cutting fluids, and their effects.
- Jigs and fixtures, types of jigs and fixtures.
2. Manufacturing Management:
- Production planning and control, inventory control, operations scheduling.
- Work study, method study, and time study, motion economy.
- Quality control and assurance, control charts for variables and attributes.
- Acceptance sampling, operating characteristic curve, total quality management (TQM), ISO standards.
3. Elements of Computation:
- Computer fundamentals, algorithms, flow charts, computer programming in C, use of computers in Mechanical Engineering.
4. Elements of Operational Research:
- Linear programming, simplex method, transportation and assignment problems, network analysis, PERT and CPM.
5. Metrology and Inspection:
- Linear and angular measurements, limits, fits and tolerances, surface roughness measurement.
- Comparators, inspection of screw threads and gears, alignment testing of machine tools.
6. Industrial Engineering:
- Plant layout, material handling, value engineering, production planning and control.
- Principles of ergonomics and human engineering, quality control techniques.
7. Maintenance Engineering:
- Reliability, availability, and maintainability, preventive maintenance, breakdown maintenance, condition monitoring.
- Safety engineering, cost and loss prevention.
8. Renewable Sources of Energy:
- Solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, tidal, and wave energy.
- Conversion techniques, applications, and economic aspects.
This detailed syllabus for Mechanical Engineering covers a wide array of topics that are critical for candidates opting for this subject in the UPSC IFS examination.
