PhD Mechanical Engineering – Eligibility, Admission, Syllabus, Institutes, Scope

A PhD in Mechanical Engineering is a three-year doctoral program. PhD Mechanical Engineering is a research-based course for mechanical engineers that focuses solely on mechanical engineering-related topics. Research Methodology and other topics are among the topics covered in this course. Aside from that, some branch-specific topics are also covered in the curriculum.

Candidates may apply for jobs in the public and private sectors after completing the course. Assistant engineer, mechanical engineer, executive engineer, researcher, and others are some of the most common job profiles.

Being a mechanical engineer entails using fundamental engineering principles and mechanical processes to create the machines and devices we use on a daily basis. Thermodynamics, heat transfer, quality control, and product design are all concepts that students learn about. There are also classes on the materials that are used in manufacturing. Individual or group projects encourage students to apply their theoretical knowledge in a practical setting.

Throughout the course, students will learn a variety of mechanical engineering skills. Various machines and related equipment are studied. Students interested in pursuing a PhD in mechanical engineering must be strong in math and science.

---

PhD Mechanical Engineering: An Overview

Level of Course	Doctorate
Also referred as	Doctorate of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering
Duration of Course	2 to 5 years
Eligibility Criteria	Postgraduate degree in engineering/ technology or any other science subjects or bachelors degree in engineering/ technology.
Process of Admission	Direct Admission or on the basis of Entrance test.
Fee for the Course	INR 96,000 to 3,16,000 per year.
Average Annual Salary	INR 3,37,899
Positions of Job	Junior Engineer, Assistant Engineer, Lecturer, Executive Engineer, Researcher
Top Areas of Recruitment	manufacturing areas, chemical plants, Power plants, steel plants, educational institutes.

---

PhD Mechanical Engineering: Ranking of Institutes by NIRF

Ranking by NIRF	Institute Name	Process of Admission	Average Fee for the first year	Average Annual Salary
1	Indian Institute of Technology, Madras	Entrance test	INR 19,670	INR 12.79 LPA
2	Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi	Entrance test	INR 34,900	INR 20-25 LPA
3	Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay	Entrance test	INR 73,000	INR 10-15 LPA
9	NIT Trichy, Tiruchirapalli	Entrance test	INR 85,000	INR 7 LPA
30	Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani	Entrance test	INR 1,10,125	INR 6-7 LPA

---

PhD Mechanical Engineering Eligibility

If you want to be a part of one of India’s top PhD mechanical engineering colleges, you must meet the eligibility requirements. The following are the requirements for pursuing a PhD in mechanical engineering:

• A candidate must earn the required grades in his master’s degree in engineering or technology. Candidates with a postgraduate degree in any science discipline are also eligible to apply for the program. They will, however, have to pass the GATE cut-off.
• Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in engineering or technology may also apply. They must have a graduation grade point average of at least 75%.
• Candidates who are SC/ST/OBC/PWD or otherwise underprivileged are given a mark reduction.
• If the college administers an entrance exam, passing it becomes an important eligibility criterion.

---

PhD Mechanical Engineering Curriculum/Syllabus

• For all PhD courses, the first semester’s syllabus is the same. Following that, the students will begin learning more about their specialization, Advances in Mechanical Engineering.
• The research portion is completely self-contained, and the candidates will be responsible for securing their own funding.

The PhD Mechanical Engineering syllabus is divided into two sections. The following is the part-by-part syllabus:

First Part	Second Part
Research Methodology	Thesis
Seminar	Seminar
Mathematics for Engineering Research	Research work I
Branch Specific topics	Research Work II

---

PhD Mechanical Engineering Admission Procedure

For more information on the course’s admission process, see the points listed below.

• Each university has its own set of admissions requirements. The majority of the time, admission is based on your post-graduate grades. Some universities, however, require you to take an entrance exam.
• GATE and NET UGC are two of the most popular entrance exams. After passing the entrance exam, you will be invited to continue with the rest of the admissions process.
• In most cases, the application forms are released in June. Before the deadline, you must submit the application form. You can also find detailed information about the admission process on the official websites of the respective colleges or universities.

Based on Merit

• Students must complete the university’s application form. The application forms are available in both offline and online formats.
• In merit-based selection, candidates are chosen based on their academic achievements during their undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
• The required percentage will be determined by the number of students who apply for the course and the number of seats available.

Based on Entrance

• Students must register for any entrance exam they wish to take. They must also complete the application forms for the colleges to which they are applying.
• The entrance exam is required of all students. They become eligible for any subsequent stage of admission once they have qualified.
• Students must also appear for a personal interview round following the exam.
• Finally, the students who have been shortlisted are offered admission to the college in the course of their choice.

---

PhD Mechanical Engineering: Focus Areas

• A PhD in Mechanical Engineering is a technical degree that requires students to have a solid understanding of topics such as thermodynamics, mechanics, and scientific computing.
• The students will learn mechanical engineering skills, technical drawing skills, and computing skills throughout the course. All of these abilities will aid students in the design of various machines and equipment.
• The course will assist students in comprehending real-world problems so that they can come up with innovative solutions. As a result, we can conclude that mechanical engineering is not entirely based on technical studies; it also employs an analytical approach.
• The course offers a lot of opportunities for research. Research into this topic has the potential to generate plenty of novel ideas that will ultimately benefit society.
• Another unique feature of the PhD Mechanical Engineering program is that it is essentially an all-purpose engineering degree, with Mechanical Engineering graduates able to pursue careers in a variety of engineering fields.

---

PhD Mechanical Engineering: Important Entrance Exams

PhD Mechanical Engineering students may be required to take an entrance exam in order to be admitted to their preferred college. The format of entrance exams may differ from one college to the next.Candidates who pass the entrance exam may be offered admission to the college or may be required to attend an interview. 

The following are some of the most popular entrance exams for PhD candidates in mechanical engineering:

• The most popular entrance exam for PhD candidates is the UGC National Eligibility Test (NET). The exam is held for admission to PhD programs in a variety of fields. Students are accepted into most colleges based on their UGC NET scores.
• JNUEE is Jawaharlal Nehru University’s entrance exam for PhD students. It takes place once a year, in the month of June. By the end of April, all application forms must be submitted.
• The GATE exam is a national-level entrance exam for engineering students. Although the exam is primarily for M.Tech students, some colleges accept GATE scores for PhD admission as well. Every year in the month of February, the exam is held.
• The National Eligibility Test of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR NET) is the entrance exam for the Junior Research Fellowship position. The test is conducted in an offline mode twice a year.
• For the admission of PhD students, Delhi Technical University holds an entrance exam. The exam is typically held in December. After clearing the entrance, an interview may take place.

---

PhD Mechanical Engineering: Preparation Plan

Some of India’s most prestigious universities require entrance exams as part of the admissions process. You must perform well on the admissions test in order to be admitted to that particular college or university. So, here are a few pointers to help you get ready.

• You must be well-versed in your course material. This is the first and most fundamental step in the preparation process. You will not be able to get a good score on the entrance exam unless and until you are familiar with the syllabus.
• Understand the examination patterns as well as the types of questions that are frequently asked. You will almost certainly be asked multiple-choice questions. As a result, you should practice such questions to familiarize yourself with the examination format.
• Try to get a rough idea of how many questions you’ll have to answer in order to get a good grade on the exam. This strategy will undoubtedly assist you in achieving a high score on the entrance exam.
• More emphasis should be placed on the important sections, as these are the sections from which questions are most frequently asked. You must concentrate on these sections while revising the chapters.
• Practice questions from previous years’ question papers and sample papers. This will assist you in your planning.
• Don’t be concerned. Any form of anxiety will act as a barrier, preventing you from achieving a high score on the entrance exam. Be self-assured in your preparations.
• Consult the important literature. Read all of the chapters thoroughly. You can also watch YouTube videos or seek advice from a professional.
• First and foremost, you must determine whether or not the college to which you are applying is a good fit for you. You should do so by carefully reading the reviews and ratings. You can also talk to former students and get their feedback.
• Make an effort to learn about the institute’s placement situation. After completing the course, you should have a general idea of the average CTC offered to candidates. Do not enroll in a college that has a poor record of placing students.
• Having a high grade point average in your undergraduate and graduate studies will help you meet the eligibility requirements and be admitted to the college of your choice.
• If you want to get into a prestigious college, you must have a minimum grade point average of 60% in your graduation and postgraduate work.
• If the college to which you wish to apply administers an entrance exam, you must do well on it. Otherwise, you will be unable to progress to the next stage of the admissions process.

---

PhD Mechanical Engineering: Top Academic Institutes

In India, PhD mechanical engineering is taught at a number of universities. The following are some of the top colleges and universities that offer PhD Mechanical Engineering programs:

Ranking by The Week	Institute Name	Place	Average Fees in the first year	Average Annual Salary
1	Indian Institute of Technology, Madras	Madras	INR 19,670	INR 12.79 LPA
2	Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi	New Delhi	INR 34,900	INR 20-25 LPA
3	Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay	Bombay	INR 73,000	INR 10-15 LPA
4	Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur	Kanpur	INR 64,050	INR 15.8 LPA
7	Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati	Guwahati	INR 18,150	INR 11 LPA
9	NIT Trichy, Tiruchirapalli	Tiruchirapalli	INR 85,000	INR 7 LPA
10	Indian Institute of Technology, Indore	Indore	INR 70,900	INR 15 LPA
11	Indian Institute of Technology, Varanasi	Varanasi	INR 46,815	INR 15 LPA
18	Institute of Chemical Technology	Mumbai	INR 64,500	INR 4-8 LPA
30	Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani	Pilani	INR 1,10,125	INR 6-7 LPA

---

PhD Mechanical Engineering: Important Documents Required

• Passing/Degree certificate of the last qualifying degree examination
• Mark-list of the last qualifying degree examination
• Character certificate (from the head of the Institute from which the student has obtained his qualifying degree.
• Migration Certificate (No objection certificate from the University last attended)
• Documentary proof for date of birth
• Gap certificate (if applicable)
• Research Proposal *
• No objection certificate from the employer (if employed)

Students should be aware that if the aforementioned certificates are not attached to their application, their application will not be taken into account for admission.

---

Documents Required by International Candidates

International students interested in pursuing a doctorate in mechanical engineering must submit the following documents:

• Visit the official website and submit the online application.
• Supplementary form of PhD 
• LORs
• If applicable, official IELTS/TOEFL scores. 
• Statement of Purpose 
• Resume/CV
• Visit the official website and submit the online application.
• Transcripts and mark sheets from all colleges/universities attended for more than one year. 

---

PhD Mechanical Engineering and PhD Electrical Engineering: Key Differences

PhD Mechanical Engineering and PhD Electrical Engineering are two distinct courses that pertain to two distinct engineering disciplines. Below are some key distinctions between the two.

Basis of Comparison	PhD Mechanical Engineering	PhD Electrical Engineering
Qualification Level	Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering	Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering
Course Highlight	A PhD in Mechanical Engineering is a research-oriented program. It primarily focuses on the development of new machines for various applications.	PhD Electrical Engineering is a research-oriented degree program. It is concerned with the field of electricity technology. They will learn how to design circuits that perform specific functions and meet their requirements in this course.
Eligibility Criteria	Post Graduation with a minimum of 60% marks.	Post Graduation with a minimum of 60% marks.
Process of Admission	Direct admission or Entrance test	Direct admission or Entrance test.
Average Annual Fee	INR 96,000 to INR 3,16,000 per year	INR 60,000- INR 5,00,000
Average Salary Per Annum	10 LPA	12 LPA
Institutes	IIT-Bombay, IIT-Kanpur,IIT-Delhi, BITS Pilani, Chandigarh University, NIT Trichy	IIT-Hyderabad, Sharda University,IIT-Gandhinagar, Birla Institute of Technology (BIT Ranchi) – Jharkhand.
Areas of Recruitment	petrol companies, Manufacturing companies,chemical companies, etc.	Consultancies, Private Companies and Academic Institutions,
Top Profiles Job	Executive Engineer, Assistant Engineer, Junior Engineer,Researcher.	Program manager, Electrical technician, Electrical engineer, Application engineer

---

PhD Mechanical Engineering: Important Skills Required

While a relevant educational qualification is a must for a career in mechanical engineering, a very specific set of skills is required to unlock a wealth of advancement opportunities and success in the field. The following are some of the skills that candidates should try to develop or instill in order to have a successful career:

1. Creativity: Regardless of the field of work, this is an important skill. Mechanical engineers must be innovative in their thinking in order to become irreplaceable for a company. They must be able to think outside the box when deciding how to best implement a system or brainstorming solutions to any constraints that may arise.

2. Effective Technical and Budgeting Skills: Mechanical engineers are in charge of not only designing systems, but also implementing, operating, and maintaining them. If they have strong technical and budgeting skills, they can determine the most cost-effective and cost-cutting methods of implementing certain technologies to ensure their durability and effectiveness.

3. Ability to work under pressure: It’s not uncommon for these engineers to be under pressure at work, with looming deadlines and a steady stream of high-demand work. Those who can work under pressure are more likely to succeed and have better opportunities in the future.

4. Problem-Solving and Analytical Skills: This is a crucial point: these engineers can only effectively address maintenance issues if they have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, which would be a serious flaw in their work if they lacked them.

5. Leadership and Teamwork Skills: The majority of the projects that mechanical engineers are assigned to are done in groups. As a result, these candidates should be able to work effectively with others in a team setting and, when the need arises, assume leadership and wisely lead the team.

---

PhD Mechanical Engineering: Top Foreign Institutes

Students will have the opportunity to work in a multi-disciplinary team with internationally renowned academics. The following are some of the best colleges and universities in the world that offer PhD mechanical engineering programs:

Institutes	Average Fee
Columbia University, New York, USA	63,530 USD (INR 46 lakhs)
Rice University, Houston, USA	52,070 USD (INR 38 lakhs)
The Braunschweig University of Technology, Brunswick, Germany	800 euros/semester (INR 69,000)
University of Dayton, USA	44,890 USD (INR 33 lakhs)
Florida A&M University, USA	23,062 USD (INR 16 lakhs)
The University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA	10,710 USD (INR 7 lakhs)
University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia	23,000 AUD (INR 12 lakhs)
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia	21,000 AUD (INR 11 lakhs)
Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA	31,104 USD (INR 22 lakhs)
University of Auckland, Hamilton, New Zealand	32,000 AUD (INR (INR 17 lakhs)
Carleton University, Toronto, Canada	29,023 CAD (INR 16 lakhs)
The University of Bristol, UK	20,100 euros (INR 17 lakhs)
Curtin University, Perth Australia	8,786 AUD (INR 4 lakhs)
University of Bath, UK	9,250 euros (INR 7 lakhs)

---

Future Trends in Mechanical Engineering

With technology advancing in leaps and bounds, the field of mechanical engineering is always in flux. Currently, some very exciting developments are taking place in the field, including:

• 3D Printing: This is a lengthy procedure that entails using CAD software to create a model of an object. The 3D printing process, also known as Additive Manufacturing, involves slicing the designed object into ultra-thin layers and then transferring them to a 3D printer to be printed in the form of a formation of fine plastic layers, each bonded to the previous layer. The introduction of 3D printing has resulted in some enormous advancements, such as artwork for the blind, prosthetic limbs, and so on.
• The Internet of Things (IOT): IOT is a system of interconnected computing machines with unique identifiers that can transfer data over networks without the need for any human-to-computer or human-to-human interactions. When given an IP address, any system of machines can become part of the Internet of Things.
• Electric Vehicles: One of the world’s top priorities today is sustainable development, and the introduction of electric vehicles has been a huge step in that direction. Mechanical engineers have spent decades perfecting the performance, safety, and quality of automobiles, but electric vehicles are about to change the way these engineers work.

---

PhD Mechanical Engineering: Important Books Required

Mechanical Engineering textbooks can be used for academic as well as competitive exams. We’ll look at a list of books you should read while pursuing a PhD in Mechanical Engineering or studying for competitive exams:

Shigley’s Mechanical Engineering Design – Richard G. Budynas, J Keith Nisbett

Marks’ Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers- Eugene A. Avallone, Theodore Baumeister, and Ali Sadegh

Modelling, Analysis, and Control of Dynamic Systems- William J. Palm

Fundamentals of Thermodynamics- Claus Borgnakke and Richard E. Sonntag

---

PhD Mechanical Engineering: A Comparison among Institutes

In India, there are numerous colleges that offer PhD mechanical engineering programs. The following is a comparison of the top three colleges based on various criteria:

Institute Name	Indian Institute of Technology, Madras	NIT Trichy, Tiruchirapalli	Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
Highlight	Indian Institute of Technology is unquestionably one of India’s best universities. The institute is divided into several departments and offers a wide range of courses to its students.	NIT Trichy is one of India’s best NITs. Students can choose from ten bachelor’s degree programs and 28 master’s degree programs. The college offers excellent job placement services.	BITS Pilani is one of India’s most prestigious private colleges. It focuses on Science, Engineering, and Management courses. There are no reservations accepted at the Institute.
Place	Chennai	Tiruchirapalli	Rajasthan
Ranking by NIRF	1	9	30
Average Fees for the first year	INR 19,670	INR 85,000	INR 1,10,125
Eligibility Criteria	Minimum 6.5 CGPA in masters	Minimum 60% in masters	Minimum 50% in masters
Process of Admission	Entrance test and interview	Entrance test and interview	Entrance test
Average CTC	INR 12.79 LPA	INR 7 LPA	INR 6-7 LPA
Top Employment Firms	Amazon, Cisco, Citi Bank, IBM, Facebook, Accenture.	Cognizant, Citrix, Bosch, Mu Sigma, NTPC.	Adobe, Amazon, IBM Genpact, Flipkart, Facebook.

---

PhD Mechanical Engineering: Top Job Profiles

PhD Mechanical Engineering students always seem to be interested in a wide range of career opportunities.
Students will be exposed to a variety of opportunities after successfully completing their course.
The students will be taught a wide range of topics throughout the course that will help them secure jobs as mechanical engineers.

The following are some of the most popular job titles for such professionals:

Profile of Job	Description of Job	Average Salary (Annually)
Junior Engineers	They may find work in power plants, manufacturing companies, and other places.	INR 2 to 5 LPA
Executive engineers	As a technician, they perform groundwork in a variety of engineering-related industries.	INR 15 to 17 LPA
Mechanical Design Engineer	They test a variety of mechanical systems for use in research.	INR 3 to 6 LPA
Research Scientist	They are in charge of conducting research in a variety of mechanical engineering fields.	INR 5 to 8 LPA
Lecturer	They work in educational institutions, where they teach students about mechanical engineering topics.	INR 9 to 11 LPA

Some other important employment areas and opportunities.

• researcher,
• Junior engineer, assistant engineer
• Colleges and universities
• chemical, electronic, steel plants.
• power plants, etc.
• executive engineer, mechanical engineer

---

PhD Mechanical Engineering: Benefits and Scope

PhD Mechanical Engineering is quite a prosperous course. Some important features of the course are mentioned below:

• An analytical approach is used in the Mechanical Engineering course. It will enable students to think about a variety of practical problems and come up with technical solutions. They might come up with novel solutions to the problems.
• Students are able to successfully design machines based on user requirements after completing the course. They combine all of their creativity to build something new for the world.
• PhD Mechanical Engineering students have excellent job prospects. They may work in industries such as power plants, chemical plants, and manufacturing firms, among others. They can also choose to work in other fields of engineering.
• At various companies, students can work as a junior engineer, assistant engineer, or executive engineer. They could also conduct research in mechanical engineering-related fields. They could work in research labs or for other companies.
• Students can also become lecturers, passing on their knowledge to others. PhD Mechanical Engineering students earn an average salary of INR 3.37 LPA. With experience, the salary will rise.
• PhD holders in the field of mechanical engineering have numerous job opportunities in both the public and private sectors. They can work for companies like Larson and Turbo, which specialize in mechanical engineering. Every year, government companies such as BHEL, SAIL, and others hire a large number of candidates.
• The option of teaching is always available to interested candidates. They can work as professors in any university and earn well. They are free to start their tuition classes.
• Mechanical engineers have a wide range of career options in India and abroad, with opportunities in almost every industry. Mechanical engineering graduates can work in fields such as aerospace, chemical manufacturing, automobiles, research and development, oil exploration, railway factories, and many others.
• As a result of recent technological advancements, mechanical engineers’ expertise and skills are increasingly sought after in more technology-specific domains such as nanotechnology, biomedical engineering, artificial intelligence, robotics, and energy conservation, among others.
• Mechanical engineering careers are expected to grow dramatically over the next few years, surpassing many other professions to become one of the highest-paying professions.

---

FAQs