In India, mechanical engineering is one of the oldest and fastest-growing branches of engineering. Mechanical engineers deal with the designing and construction of machines including motor vehicles, heavy industrial machinery, aircraft, equipment, engines, etc. Individuals who are interested in developing machines with ample scope for advancement should consider this lucrative career option. This field also brings with it the benefits of global opportunities as mechanical engineers are required in every part of the world and are not limited to a particular industry. The pool of knowledge that a mechanical engineer has in store is vast as it not only deals with physics, chemistry, and mathematics but also the economic, environmental, and social characteristics of engineering.
However, this branch of engineering is lately facing the question of whether it is still a sound career option for students or not? This situation has arisen due to the large number of graduates joining the band of job seekers every year compared to the lack of placement opportunities in the sector. It is to be understood that over a period of time the demand for mechanical engineers will exceed the supply creating fresh demand for engineers in this field again. The focus of current or aspiring students should always be to enhance skills and have the ability to adapt to new trends and technologies. Besides skills relevant to the subject, communication skills and interpersonal skills can help you get an edge over others.
Read : How to pick the right engineering stream?
Eligibility Criteria to become a Mechanical Engineer
There are various types of mechanical engineering courses in India right from the certificate to doctoral levels. Some of the top mechanical engineering programs include Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering at the undergraduate level, Master of Engineering and Master of Technology in Mechanical Engineering at the graduate level, and PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the doctorate level. Certificate and diploma courses in mechanical engineering have recently gained popularity, especially in the pandemic period as these courses are cheaper compared to degrees and can be completed at the comfort of your home. To become a mechanical engineer in India, students must fulfill the following criteria depending on the level of study:
- Candidates must have passed 10+2 with a minimum of 55% having Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as major subjects from a recognized institution for pursuing a diploma or undergraduate degree program.
- A completed bachelor’s degree with at least 50% in related fields is necessary for pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering.
- Additionally, candidates must pass necessary entrance exams for admission to their choice of program and institution.
Top Colleges for Mechanical Engineering in India
There are nearly 3,500 institutions in India that offer a program in mechanical engineering. Some of the top colleges for mechanical engineering in India are IIT Madras, IIT New Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur, etc. There has been a significant surge of candidates willing to pursue B.E. and M.E. degrees in Mumbai. Navi Mumbai and Thane are hubs for various industries including Engineering, IT, Bioinformatics, etc. which attracts a large crowd of students from around the country. Some of the top BE colleges in Navi Mumbai include Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University, TERNA Nerul Engineering College, Saraswati College of Engineering, and Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Engineering, Amity University, etc..
Career Prospects within Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers must have relevant skills such as Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, designing, project management, and technology-related tools to land a good job. Specifically, high-demand skills that affect the salaries of individuals include designing, welding, data analysis, system testing, product testing, technical testing, simulation, etc.
Mechanical engineering aspirants can choose from a wide variety of specializations such as automobile, aerospace, design, energy, human health, manufacturing, mechanics, nanotechnology, robotics, production planning, ergonomics, etc. The various job roles for mechanical engineers in India include aerospace engineer, maintenance engineer, senior mechanical engineer, automotive engineer, contracting civil engineer, design engineer, senior mechanical design engineer among others. The salary potential of an individual in various job roles are given in the table below:
| Job Title | Average Salary per month |
| Automotive Engineer | 2 – 3 LPA |
| Civil Engineer | 2.5 – 3 LPA |
| Design Engineer | 3 – 4 LPA |
| Maintenance Engineer | 3 – 4 LPA |
| Mechanical Design Engineer | 3.2 – 4 LPA |
| CAD Design Engineer | 3.5 – 4.1 LPA |
| Manufacturing Engineer | 3 – 4.2 LPA |
| Product Development Engineer | 3.5 – 4 LPA |
Top Companies and Average Salary for Mechanical Engineers in India
Mechanical engineers are most sought after by employers in the automotive and manufacturing industry. However, other industries such as computer technology, petroleum, robotics, thermo-science, nuclear, etc. also welcome mechanical engineers. Among the top employers of mechanical engineers in India are Larsen and Toubro Limited, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., Tata Motors, HCL Technologies Ltd., Reliance Industries Limited, Renault Nissan, Schlumberger, Tata Steel, General Electric Co., Maruti Suzuki, Siemens Ltd., UltraTech Cement, etc. According to Payscale, the average salary of mechanical engineers in India is 347,677 INR. Typically, a mechanical engineer in India earns around 29,900 INR per month. The average salaries offered by top employers of mechanical engineers are tabulated below:
| Company | Average Salary per year |
| Larsen and Toubro Limited | 5 – 6 LPA |
| Reliance Industries Limited | 7 – 8 LPA |
| Renault Nissan | 5 – 6 LPA |
| Tata Steel | 3 – 5 LPA |
| Maruti Suzuki | 5 – 7 LPA |
Challenges in the field of Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering is a rapidly evolving field influenced by changes in technology. This can be an advantage as it leads to opening new doors and opportunities and a disadvantage as you need to adapt to the change and get re-licensed over a period of time. Some complexities of a career in mechanical engineering are discussed below:
- The technicalities associated with the job of a mechanical engineer are high because of which the job is tough and requires long working hours.
- At times it is possible to land a job with merely a bachelor’s degree however to have an edge over others you will want to have a master’s degree.
- Over time you will find that earning a doctoral degree will help you earn a much higher salary.
- Mechanical engineers spend most of their time on a desk or computer which may be mundane for some individuals.
- On the contrary, designing and developing is a desk job but mechanical engineers are also responsible for building and testing.
- There is no defined workload for a mechanical engineer. Depending on the project and design, the work could be very stressful at times.
Every career stream has its own complexities. However, it depends on your passion that makes you decide your career path. If dealing with complex machinery, computations and working with tools and technology is your thing then a career in mechanical engineering is a thumbs up. There is an ocean of opportunities for mechanical engineers worldwide so you don’t have to be restricted in your country if you have the right skills and expertise.
The first step to landing a good job after earning a degree from an accredited institution is to start professional networking while studying. Additionally, focus on adding relevant skills to your resume by earning certifications. Most top engineering institutions in the country offer career and placement services which can be a great help to kickstart your career.
