Entering Engineering 1: Mechanical Engineering 

“When machines move, the world moves.”

Introduction

In today’s world, nearly everything we do involves machines—whether it’s driving a car, purifying water at home, doing laundry, or flying across continents. Behind these everyday systems are mechanical engineers, and their expertise remains essential across industries.

Mechanical engineering is a core field within engineering and often overlaps with others such as electrical and chemical engineering. In large-scale industries, specialists from these domains frequently work together—and it’s common for mechanical engineers to have basic knowledge of these allied fields.

Some of the key areas covered under mechanical engineering include:

• Physics and structure of materials

• Material properties, fabrication, and processing

• Machine design and analysis

• Thermodynamics

• Emissions and energy management in machinery

If any of these topics interest you, or if you’ve encountered them in school, that’s a great sign—you may already have the aptitude for a successful career in mechanical engineering. What’s essential is a strong foundation in certain core subjects, and a commitment to continuously upgrading your skills.

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Educational Requirements

To pursue mechanical engineering, a strong background in science and mathematics is essential at the school level.

• If you’re in the CBSE or ICSE curriculum, you should opt for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in Grades 11 and 12.

• For IB or Cambridge students, you should aim for advanced-level courses in mathematics and sciences.

• Alongside theory, you’re encouraged to focus on lab and practical work, especially in physics and chemistry—these will support both entrance tests and success in university-level programs.

At the undergraduate level in India, mechanical engineering is typically a 4-year, credit-based degree program. According to the National Board of Accreditation (NBA), students must complete approximately 200 academic credits. Most programs are divided into semesters, with each course requiring about 1 hour of class time per week per credit.

• In central or state universities, total fees generally range between ₹6,000 and ₹11 lakhs.

• In private institutions, fees can range from ₹25,000 to ₹21 lakhs.

After your undergraduate studies, you can also pursue a Master’s degree (M.Tech) in mechanical engineering for further specialization or research. Prestigious institutions like IISc Bangalore, IITs, and Anna University offer top-tier programs, typically requiring students to pass the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE).

If you’re applying to universities abroad—such as in the United States—focus on institutions accredited by:

• The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)

• The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), which is considered the gold standard for engineering programs in the U.S.

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Employment Opportunities

A degree in mechanical engineering opens the door to numerous career paths, both in India and internationally. Some of the most sought-after areas include:

• Automobile Engineering

• Aerodynamics and Aerospace

• Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

• Machine Design

• Mechanical Systems Engineering

• Production & Manufacturing

• Robotics

• Thermal and Energy Systems

For students interested in combining technical and managerial expertise, pursuing an MBA (in Operations, Retail, or Business Management) after your engineering degree is also a valuable option—especially if you want to work at the intersection of machines and management.

Mechanical engineers will always be in demand. If you’re passionate about machines, systems, and problem-solving, and enjoy applying science and math to real-world challenges, this could be the perfect path for you.

“If you dream of becoming a skilled expert in building and managing how the world runs—this field will move with you.”

Sources

https://iimskills.com/top-colleges-to-study-btech-engineering-course-in-india/

https://www.onlineengineeringprograms.com/faq/how-to-become-a-mechanical-engineer

https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/stem/what-do-mechanical-engineers-do

https://www.discoverengineering.org/essential-subjects-you-need-for-a-mechanical-engineering-degree/

https://www.careergyan.co/opportunities-for-mechanical-engineering-abroad