Mechanical Engineering Syllabus  for IAS Preliminary Exam
Statics :

Simple applications of equilibrium equations.

Dynamics :

Simple applications of equations of motion, work, energy and power.

Theory of Machines :

Simple examples of kinematic chains and their inversions.

Different types of gears, bearings, governors, flywheels and their functions.

Static and dynamic balancing of rigid rotors.

Simple vibration analysis of bars and shafts.

Linear automatic control systems.

Mechanics of Solids :

Stress, strain and Hookes Law. Shear and bending moments in beams. Simple bending and torsion of beams, springs and thin walled cylinders. Elementary concepts of elastic stability, mechanical properties and material testing.

Manufacturing Science :

Mechanics of metal cutting, tool life, economics of machining, cutting tool materials. Basic types of machine tool and their processes. Automatic machine tools, transfer lines. Metal forming processes and machines-shearing, drawing, spinning, rolling, forging, extrusion. Types of casting and welding methods. Powder metallurgy and processing of plastics.

Manufacturing Management :

Methods and time study, motion economy and work space design, operation and flow process charts. Cost estimation, break-even analysis. Location and layout of plants, material handling. Capital budgeting, job shop and mass production, scheduling, dispatching, Routing, Inventory.

Thermodynamics :

Basic concepts, definitions and laws, heat, work and temperature, Zeroth law, temperature scales, behaviour of pure substances, equations of state, first law and its corollaries, second law and its corollaries. Analysis of air standard power cycles, Carnot, Otto, diesel, Brayton cycles. Vapour power cycles, Rankine reheat and regenerative cycles, Refrigeration cycles-Bell Coleman, Vapour absorption and Vapour compression cycle analysis, open and closed cycle gas turbine with intercooling, reheating.

Energy Conversion :

Flow of steam through nozzles, critical pressure ratio, shock formation and its effect. Steam Generators, mountings and accessories. Impulse and reaction turbines, elements and layout of thermal power plants.

Hydraulic turbines and pumps, specific speed, layout of hydraulic power plants.

Introduction to nuclear reactors and power plants, handling of nuclear waste.

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning :

Refrigeration equipment and operation and maintenance, refrigerants, principles of air conditioning, psychrometric chart, comfort zones, humidification and dehumidification.

Fluid Mechanics :

Hydrostatics, continuity equation, Bernoullis theorem, flow through pipes, discharge measurement, laminar and turbulent flow, boundary layer concept.

Mechanical Engineering Syllabus for IAS Main Exam

Paper-I
1. Theory of Machines

Kinematic and dynamic analysis of planar mechanisms. Cams, Gears and gear trains, Flywheels, Governors, Balancing of rigid rotors, Balancing of single and multicylinder engines, Linear vibration analysis of mechanical systems (single degree and two degrees of freedom), Critical speeds and whirling of shafts, Automatic Controls, Belts and chain drives. Hydrodynamic bearings.

2. Mechanics of Solids :

Stress and strain in two dimensions. Principal stresses and strains, Mohr’s construction, linear elastic materials, isotropy and an isotropy, Stress-strain relations, unilaxial loading, thermal stresses. Beams : Banding moment and shear force diagrams, bending stresses and deflection of beams, Shear stress distribution. Torsion of shafts, helical springs. Combined stresses, Thick and thin walled pressure vessels. Struls and columns, Strain energy concepts and theories of failure. Rotating discs. Shrink fits.

3. Engineering Materials :

Basic concepts on structure of solids, Crystalline materials, Defects in crystalline materials, Alloys and binary phase diagrams, structure and properties of common engineering materials. Heat treatment of steels. Plastics, Ceramics and composite Materials, common applications of various materials.

4. Manufacturing Science :

Marchant’s force analysis, Taylor’s tool life equation, machinability and machining economics, Rigid, small and flexible automation, NC, CNC. Recent machining methods- EDM, ECM and ultrasonics. Application of lasers and plasmas, analysis of forming processes. High energy rate forming. Jigs, fixtures, tools and gauges, Inspection of length, position, profile and surface finish.

5. Manufacturing management :

Production Planning and Control, Forecasting-Moving average, exponential smoothing, Operations sheduling; assembly line balancing. Product development. Breakeven analysis, Capacity planning. PERT and CPM.

Control Operations : Inventory control-ABC analysis. EOQ model. Materials requirement planning. Job design, Job standards, work measurement, Quality management-Quality control. Operations Research : Linear programming-Graphical and Simplex methods. Transportation and assignment models. Single server queuing model.

Value Engineering : Value analysis, for cost/value. Total quality management and forecasting techniques. Project management.

6. ELEMENTS OF COMPUTATION :

Computer Organisation, Flow charting. Features of Common Computer Languages-FORTRAN d Base III, Lotus 1-2-3 C and elementary programming.

PAPER-II
1. THERMODYNAMICS :

Basic concept. Open and closed systems, Applications of Thermodynamic Laws, Gas equations, Clapeyron equation, Availability, Irreversibility and Tds relations.

2. I.C. Engines, Fuels and Combustion :

Spark ignition and compression ignition engines, Four stroke engine and Two stroke engines, mechanical, thermal and volumetric efficiency, Heat balance.

Combustion process in S.I. and C.I. engines, preignition detonation in S.I. engine Diesel knock in C.I. engine. Choice of engine fuels, Octance and Cetane retings. Alternate fuels Carburration and Fuel injection, Engine emissions and control. Solid, liquid and gaseous fuels, stoichometric air requirements and excess air factor, fuel gas analysis, higher and lower calorific values and their measurements.

3. HEAT TRANSFER, REFRIGERATION AND AIR CONDITIONING :

One and two dimensional heat conduction. Heat transfer from extended surfaces, heat transfer by forced and free convection. Heat exchangers. Fundamentals for diffusive and connective mass transfer, Radiation laws, heat exchange between black and non black surfaces, Network Analysis. Heat pump refrigeration cycles and systems, Condensers, evaporators and expansion devices and controls. Properties and choice of refrigerant, Refrigeration Systems and components, psychometrics, comfort indices, cooling loading calculations, solar refrigeration.

4. TURBO-MACHINES AND POWER PLANTS :

Continuity, momentum and Energy Equations. Adiabatic and Isentropic flow, fanno lines, Raylegh lines. Theory and design of axial flow turbines and compressors, Flow through turbo-machine balde, cascades, centrifugal compressor. Dimensional analysis and modelling. Selection of site for steam, hydro, nuclear and stand-by power plants, Selection base and peak load power plants, Modern High pressure, High duty boilers, Draft and dust removal equipment, Fuel and cooling water systems, heat balance, station and plant heat rates, operation and maintenance of various power plants, preventive maintenance, economics of power generation.

For preparation, it is important to know the IAS syllabus of the optional subjects that you have opted; also you must have arranged the books for the same and must surely have made notes that may help u in long run to revise the IAS syllabus.

The notes you prepare must be written clearly as well as in a perfect order, so that you can refer to them in future. There are varied methods to prepare notes that include Linear Notes, Voice Notes and Pattern Notes.

Linear Notes- Talking of preparing linear notes, in this method, the study material is condensed in the form of headings and sub headings under which the most important points are jotted down. These kinds of notes can prove to be really helpful and making them is quite easy as while preparing linear notes from book, the material is already arranged properly in the book.

Pattern Notes- These kinds of notes are made as a pattern with the beginning of the topic written at the centre of the page. Just like the rays of sun, each line radiating out of the main idea is written in a brief way with the use of phrase or a keyword. This method can prove to be better than the linear approach as one can add more information without any hurdle of space.

Voice Notes- Finally, talking of voice notes, this is a new method of preparing notes, as it requires a computer and internet connection. There are websites that offer clippings of classroom preparation for Indian Administrative Service, this way; you will be using your sensory organs which will help u remember this for a long time.

1. Be very particular about the subject you choose for prelims, as you will be appearing for an objective type of paper. History, maths, geography may prove to be very scoring. Choose subjects which have availability of books, reading material and guidance. In recent years engineering subjects like civil and electrical can be chosen, giving BEs and IITians an edge (yes! even here they are giving the BAs and BScs a tough fight!)

2. G.K. will definitely pay in your prelims. Reading newspapers, watching TV news and of course quiz shows like KBC is a must.

3. If you have been lucky enough to reach the interview stage book knowledge may not be the only thing you need. Your mental alertness will count as they ask you questions like “How many steps did you walk up to reach here?” or “ What is the colour of the wall behind you ?” – So be prepared.

4. Enhance your personality because it will definitely be one of the criteria for selection. For IPS physical wellbeing is of great importance, you should be medically fit.

5. Improve your communication skills. IFS aspirants must be proficient in at least one foreign language. So go ahead, have your say in this political mess of our country and try to make it a better place.

 The Indian Civil Services are organised into two main sections.

* All India Services and
* The Central Services.

All India Services:

* Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
* Indian Police Service (IPS)
* Indian Forest Service (IFS)

Central Services

Group A:

* Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
* Indian Railway Service
* Indian Postal Service
* Accounts and Auditing Services (including The Indian Audit and Accounts Service, The Indian Civil Accounts Service, The Indian Defence Accounts Service, The Indian Revenue Service.)
* Indian Customs and Central Excise
* Indian Ordinance Factories Service
* Indian Defence Estates Service
* Indian Revenue Service
* Indian Information Service
* Central Trade Services
* Central Industrial Security Force

Group B:

* Central Secretariat Services (Section Officer Grade)
* Railway Board Secretariat Services (Section Officer Grade)
* Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Services (Assistant Civilian Staff Officer Grade)
* Customs Appraisers’ Services
* The Delhi , Andaman and Nicobar Islands , Lakshadweep , Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Civil Services
* The Delhi , Andaman and Nicobar Islands , Lakshadweep , Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Police Services
* Pondicherry Civil Services
* State Civil Services

The categories of services to which candidates are selected through the SCS examination are as under:

* State Civil Services, Class-I (SCS)
* State Police Service, Class-I (SPS).
* Block Development Officer.
* Tehsildar/Talukadar/Asstt. Collector.
* Excise and Taxation Officer.
* Distt. Employment Officer.
* Distt. Treasury Officer.
* Distt Welfare Officer.
* Asstt Registrar Cooperative Societies.
* Distt. Food and Supplies Controller/Officer.
* Any other Class-I/Class-II service notified as per rules by the concerned State.

Indianisation of the superior Civil Services became one of the major demands of the political movement compelling the British Indian Government to consider setting up of a Public Service Commission for recruitment to its services in the territory. The first Public Service Commission was set up on October 1st, 1926. However, its limited advisory functions failed to satisfy the people’s aspirations and the continued stress on this aspect by the leaders of our freedom movement resulted in the setting up of the Federal Public Service Commission under the Government of India Act 1935. Under this Act, for the first time, provision was also made for the formation of Public Service Commissions at the provincial level.

The Constituent Assembly, after independence, saw the need for giving a secure and autonomous status to Public Service Commissions both at Federal and Provincial levels for ensuring unbiased recruitment to Civil Services as also for protection of service interests. With the promulgation of the new Constitution for independent India on 26th January, 1950, the Federal Public Service Commission was accorded a constitutional status as an autonomous entity and given the title – Union Public Service Commission Constitutional Provisions

The Union Public Service Commission has been established under Article 315 of the Constitution of India. The Commission consists of a Chairman and nine Members.

The terms and conditions of service of Chairman and Members of the Commission are governed by the Union Public Service Commission (Members) Regulations, 1969.

The Commission is serviced by a Secretariat headed by a Secretary with two Additional Secretaries, a number of Joint Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries and other supporting staff.

The Union Public Service Commission have been entrusted with the following duties and role under the Constitution:

Recruitment to services & posts under the Union through conduct of competitive examinations;

Recruitment to services & posts under the Central Government by Selection through Interviews;

Advising on the suitability of officers for appointment on promotion as well as transfer-on-deputation;

Advising the Government on all matters relating to methods of Recruitment to various services and posts;

Disciplinary cases relating to different civil services; and

Miscellaneous matters relating to grant of extra ordinary pensions, reimbursement of legal expenses etc.

The major role played by the Commission is to select persons to man the various Central Civil Services and Posts and the Services common to the Union and States (viz. All-India Services).

RECRUITMENT TO VARIOUS SERVICES AND POSTS

To Duties & Role of the Commission

Under Article 320 of the Constitution of India, the Commission are, inter-alia, required to be consulted on all matters relating to recruitment to civil services and posts.

RECRUITMENT is made by one of the following three methods:

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts a nation wide exam every year to select the best candidates for different cadres of public administration. civil service, the backbone of the Indian government machinery constitutes all the departments which runs the State administration. A highly competitive and challenging area, it involves a variety of jobs in different departments. Compared to private sector jobs this profession has job security. The prestige and power that comes along with these top-notch jobs is a definite reason for anybody to join this profession.The salary,allowances and facilities like healthcare, housing, conveyance etc. also make it a lucrative profession.

Civil service, the backbone of the Indian government machinery constitutes all the departments which runs the State administration. A highly competitive and challenging area, it involves a variety of jobs in different departments. Compared to private sector jobs this profession has job security. The prestige and power that comes along with these top-notch jobs is a definite reason for anybody to join this profession.The salary,allowances and facilities like healthcare, housing, conveyance etc. also make it a lucrative profession. Entry into the IAS, IPS and the Central Services, Group A and Group B is through the All India Combined Competitive Examination for the Civil Services conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in different centers spread all over the country. However, recruitment to the Indian Forest Service is through a different procedure. Entry into the State Civil Services is through a competitive examination conducted by every state public service commission. Anyone thinking of taking up civil service, should have an idea how difficult it is to get in as lakhs of candidates apply for the 400 to 500 vacancies that may arise. So once you decide to appear in civil service exam, one should be prepared to slog endlessly.

ENTRY

Into the IAS, IPS and the Central Services, Group A and Group B, is through the Combined Competitive Examination for the Civil Services. Recruitment to the Indian Forest Service is through a separate examination

FUNCTIONAL LEVELS

Except for the post of Union Cabinet Secretary, the Government of India hierarchy is common to all services. The scales are:

Junior Scale Officers

Begin their careers with a two-year probationary period. This is spent partly in training, after which they may be posted at the state secretariat; as field officers; or a District Magistrate’s office. Junior scale officers in the position of Sub-Magistrate are given mainly regulatory duties, like law and order, enforcement of rules, and general administration, including the supervision of development work.

Senior Scale

Starts at Under Secretary level and includes District Magistrates, Directors of public enterprises and Directors of government departments. Within this scale are:

· Junior Administrative Grade-Deputy Secretary
· Selection Grade-Director

Both these positions hold similar responsibilities, and are at par with each other.

Super Time Scale

Joint Secretary is the highest among Government of India administrative posts. Above this position come the policy makers. In the Central Services, this scale is sometimes titled the Senior Administrative Grade.

Additional Secretary

The work undertaken by an Additional Secretary is similar to that of a Secretary though the level of
responsibility is lower.

Secretary

Secretaries head government departments and are concerned with planning in their particular areas. Some appointments such as finance and planning are considered more prestigious than others, and are therefore at par with the post of Additional Chief Secretary. Another title for this level is Principal Secretary.

Chief Secretary

The top ranking civil servant in any state-is responsible for everything that happens in the state as far as duties assigned to state governments are concerned.

Cabinet Secretary

Is the highest post at the center.