Mechanical Engineering (ME): Courses, Top Colleges, Jobs, Salary

An Engineering discipline that applies the principles of Physics, Mathematics and Material Science for Design, Analysis, maintenance and manufacturing of mechanical systems is known as Mechanical Engineering.

Mechanical Engineering is one of the oldest disciplines of engineering, which was originated in europe during the industrial revolution era (18th century). Later, it was accepted in professional education during the early 19th century.

If you are passionate about working with machinery, engines, robotics, material science and aviation systems then pursuing a B.E. or B.Tech in mechanical engineering could be the best choice for you.

What is Mechanical Engineering?

Mechanical Engineering is an engineering branch that combines engineering physics & mathematics principles with material science, to design, analyze, manufacture & maintain mechanical systems.

Mechanical Engineering (ME) is fully based on the term “Mechanism”. The Mechanism simply means a system of parts working together in a machine. It is the concept on which the law of physics, material science, environment condition and mathematics are involved in the design, production, manufacturing and maintenance of any machine.

Mechanical Engineering (ME): A brief History

In the year 1847, the first British professional society for mechanical engineering was formed and named the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

It was established in Birmingham, England, to promote the exchange of technical knowledge and support the professional development of engineers working with machinery and industrial processes.

Mechanical Engineering also involves with other various engineering disciplines like civil engineering, manufacturing engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, aerospace engineering and metallurgical engineering.

Mechanical Engineering Courses

Candidates can pursue a diploma, or undergrduate courses in mechanical engineering after completing their 10+2.

A B.E. or B.Tech in Mechanical engineering (ME) is a 4 year undergrduate degree program. The course curriculum covers the principles of mechanics, thermodynamics, materials science, structural analysis, fluid mechanics, and machine design.

Also Check – How to become an AI engineer after 12th

Below is the key highlights of Mechanical engineering degree in India:

Not sure what to do after 12th?

Learn about Trending Courses & Career options after 12th

At academic level, candidates can pursue the following courses at UG and PG level:

1. Diploma courses leading to the polytechnic diploma of 3 years duration.
2. UG courses leading to the B.Tech (Bachelor of Technology) degree of 4 years duration.
3. PG courses leading to the M.Tech (Master of Technology) degree of 2 years duration.

Candidates who are intersted in research or teaching career can pursue PhD program after completing their master’s in Mechanical engineering.

Specialization (Sub-disciplines)

Mechanical engineering is a broad field of technical education. Mechanical engineering is divided in various specializations.

Candidates can choose from specialized academic programmes  in mechnical engineering leading to the M.Tech degree and PhD in research field.

• Mechanics
• Mechatronics and robotics
• Structural analysis
• Thermodynamics and thermo-science
• Design and drafting
• Micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)
• Friction stir welding (FSW)
• Composites
• Mechatronics
• Nanotechnology
• Finite element analysis
• Biomechanics
• Computational fluid dynamics
• Acoustical engineering

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for pursuing Mechanical engineering, candidates need to meet the following eligibility conditions:

Diploma Programs

After the completion of 10^th standard, you are only eligible to pursue the diploma courses.

Candidates with 10+2 are also eligible to pursue the diploma in Mechanical engineering.

For admission in diploma programs, candidates are required to qualify diploma entrance exams.

Undergrduate Programs

For pursuing UG program like B.E. or B.Tech in Mechanical engineering, candidates must pass 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics subjects.

Postgrduate Programs

For pursuing PG program like M.E. or M.Tech in Mechanical engineering, candidates must pass UG degree in the relevant discipline.

Mechanical engineering Certification

In most countries, you will have to be certified by the professional body after completion of your degree in Mechanical engineering.

For this certification process, you will have to fulfill a range of conditions including mandatory exam at the end of the course and work experience before being certified.

Only after completing the certification, candidates will be designated as the Professional Engineer (USA, Canada & SA), a Chartered Engineer (Commonwealth Countries), and European Engineers (European Countries).

Entrance Exams

To get admission in Engineering courses, candidates have to qualify the entrance test conducted at national, university and state level.

Below is the list of popular engineering entrance exams in India, for admission mechanical engineering course:

• JEE Main 2025
• JEE Advanced 2025
• BCECE 2025
• BITSAT 2025
• TS EAMCET 2025
• AP EAMCET 2025
• UPSEE 2025
• GATE 2025

Admission Process

The admission process generally involves entrance exams and a counselling process. On successfully qualifying an entrance exam like a JEE Main (NITs, IIITs and other government institutions) or JEE Advanced (for admission to IITs, IISC, or IISER) candidates will be eligible for counselling process.

The counselling is conducted by JOSAA or any state level counselling body. In case of a private university, the university conducts the counselling for their seats.

The counselling process invloves registration, choice filling, seat locking, and document verfication along with submission of fees at the allocated college or university.

Top Colleges in India

Here is the list of best engineering colleges in India as per NIRF rankings 2024-25:

Jobs & Career Prospects

Mechanical Engineering is a core engineering branch with diverse job opportunities across various sectors.

Mechanical Engineering graduates can find employment in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, energy, and even IT sector.

As Mechanical Engineering provide a solid base and understanding of core engineering principles, therefore, graduates can also explore career options in automobile engineering, marine engineering, and aerospace engineering sectors.

Candidates can find jobs in private corporations as well as in public sector companies like HAL, ONGC, IOCL, NTPC and ISRO.

some of the popular job profiles of mechanical engineering graduates could be:

• Automotive engineer
• Project engineer
• Automobile engineer
• Building systems engineer
• Chief mechanical engineer
• Cryogenics engineer
• Design engineer – mechanical
• Heating specialist engineer
• Lubrication engineer
• Mechanical engineer
• Mould design engineer
• Nuclear engineer
• Power plant engineer
• Robotics engineer
• Thermal power engineer
• Tool engineer

Top Recruiters

Here are some reputed firms which require the mechanical engineers in India:

• Tata motors
• Bajaj
• Hero
• AshokLeyland
• Ford Motors
• ONGC
• Honda 
• BARC
• BHEL
• NTPC
• ISRO
• DRDO
• COAL INDIA
• ECIL
• Indian ARMY
• Indian NAVY
• HAL
• SAIL

Salary & Payscale

The salary of Mechanical Engineering graduates varies based on their educational qualifications, company, job profile, experience and location.

The average annual salary for freshers could range between ₹3-5 LPA.  Candidates with 3-5 years of experience can earn in the range ₹5-9 LPA.

In India, the salary offered to the students graduating from tier 1 colleges like IITs & NITs are typically higher as compared to others.

In Public sector, the salary offered to the graduates are competitive and comes with many additional allowances. The salary of professionals working in PSU/ Government department are in the range ₹6-12 LPA.

In the USA, Canada and Europe the salaries of mechanical engineers is in the range $55,580 to 80,000/annum.

Book & Study Material

There are rich numbers of books, article, journals and titles available for mechanical engineering.

The top recommended books of mechanical Engineering are as the follows:

• Concepts in Electric Circuits – Dr. Wasif Naeem
• Essential Engineering Mathematics – Michael Batty
• Heat Transfer – Chris Long; Naser Sayma
• CAD-CAM & Rapid prototyping Application Evaluation – Miltiadis A. Boboulos
• Fluid Mechanics and the Theory of Flight – R.S. Johnson
• Chemical Thermodynamics – Leo Lue

For any other queries about Mechanical Engineering, you can ask us by leaving your queries in the comment box.