If you’re preparing for NCL Assistant Foreman (Mechanical) Recruitment 2026, understanding the complete syllabus is the first and most important step.
The Computer-Based Test (CBT) consists of:
Section A – Technical (Mechanical Discipline) – 70 Marks
Section B – General Awareness, Reasoning & Aptitude – 30 Marks
This article provides a complete topic-wise Mechanical syllabus for Section A along with exam pattern, preparation tips, and important focus areas.
| Section | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | Mechanical Technical Subjects | 70 | 70 | |
| Section B | GK, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 90 Minutes |
Mode: Online (CBT)
No Negative Marking
Bilingual (Hindi & English)
Minimum Qualifying Marks:
UR/EWS – 50
SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwBD/ESM – 40
Below is the complete mechanical diploma-level syllabus based on standard PSU and mining sector technical requirements.
Engineering Mechanics forms the foundation of Mechanical Engineering.
Newton’s 1st Law: Body remains at rest/uniform motion unless acted upon.
Newton’s 2nd Law: F = ma
Newton’s 3rd Law: Action = Reaction
Questions often numerical-based (force, acceleration, tension).
Coplanar forces
Concurrent & non-concurrent forces
Conditions of equilibrium:
ΣFx = 0
ΣFy = 0
ΣM = 0
Important for reaction calculation problems.
Static & kinetic friction
Limiting friction
Angle of friction
Ladder & wedge problems
Formula: F = μN
Centroid of standard shapes
Composite bodies
CG of solid bodies
Direct formula-based MCQs common.
Area MOI & Mass MOI
Parallel axis theorem
Perpendicular axis theorem
Important formula: I = Mk²
Work = Force × Distance
Power = Work/Time
Kinetic Energy = ½mv²
Potential Energy = mgh
Mechanical advantage
Velocity ratio
Efficiency
Machines: Screw jack, pulley, lever.
Motion in straight line
Projectile motion
Relative velocity
Coefficient of restitution
Direct & oblique impact
Focus Area: Friction numericals + MOI + equilibrium problems.
Core subject — high weightage expected.
Tensile, compressive, shear stress
Strain = change in length/original length
Stress = Force/Area
Stress ∝ Strain
σ = Eε
Young’s modulus (E)
Shear modulus (G)
Bulk modulus (K)
Relation: E = 2G(1+μ)
SFD & BMD diagrams
Cantilever & simply supported beam
Torsion equation:
T/J = τ/R = Gθ/L
Frequently asked in PSUs.
Hoop stress
Longitudinal stress
Euler’s formula
Buckling load
Stress due to temperature change.
Maximum shear stress
Angle of principal plane
Focus: Torsion + Bending + Thin cylinder numericals.
Important for mechanical diploma exams.
Types of links
Kinematic pairs
Degrees of freedom
Four-bar chain
Slider crank mechanism
Simple gear train
Compound gear train
Velocity ratio
Watt governor
Controlling force
Fluctuation of energy
Coefficient of fluctuation
Types of cams
Motion curves
Static & dynamic balancing
Free vibration
Damped vibration
Focus: Gear train + Governor basics.
Highly important in mining sector.
Density
Specific gravity
Viscosity
Pressure = ρgh
Manometers
Hydraulic press principle.
P/ρg + V²/2g + z = constant
Darcy equation
Head loss
Re = ρVD/μ
Pelton, Francis, Kaplan
Centrifugal pump
Reciprocating pump
Focus: Bernoulli + Pump working.
Conceptual + formula-based.
Zeroth law
First law (Energy conservation)
Second law (Entropy)
Efficiency = 1 – T2/T1
Measure of disorder.
Dryness fraction
Enthalpy
Fire tube
Water tube
COP = Refrigeration effect / Work input
Isothermal & adiabatic compression
Focus: Laws + COP + boiler types.
Fourier law
Newton’s law of cooling
Stefan-Boltzmann law
Parallel & counter flow.
Very important.
Working principle differences.
Otto
Diesel
Dual cycle
Brake power
Indicated power
Efficiency
Splash & pressure lubrication
Air & water cooling
Sand casting steps.
Arc, MIG, TIG.
Lathe operations
Drilling
Milling
Basic G-codes.
Vernier caliper
Micrometer
Clearance & interference fit.
Ferrous (Steel, Cast iron)
Non-ferrous (Copper, Aluminium)
Heat treatment (Annealing, Quenching)
Hardness tests (Brinell, Rockwell)
Important for NCL job role.
Preventive
Breakdown
Predictive
Total Productive Maintenance.
PPE
Equipment safety
Control charts
ISO basics
basics
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| General Knowledge | Current affairs, Indian economy, Indian polity, mining sector awareness |
| Reasoning | Series, coding-decoding, analogy, blood relation, direction |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Percentage, profit & loss, ratio, time & work, SI/CI |
| Verbal Ability | Grammar, synonyms, comprehension |
Based on PSU and mining-based exams, focus more on:
Strength of Materials numericals
Theory of Machines concepts
IC Engine working principles
Pumps & Hydraulic systems
Manufacturing processes
Maintenance & safety practices
Revise standard diploma textbooks.
Focus on objective-type technical questions.
Practice Coal India, NTPC, BHEL, ONGC level questions.
Attempt full-length 90-minute CBT mock tests.
Mechanical Assistant Foreman plays a critical role in:
Maintenance of heavy mining equipment
Excavation machinery supervision
Workshop operations
Ensuring safety compliance
This is a supervisory position in a major PSU.
70 technical questions.
No, there is no negative marking.
Diploma-level Mechanical Engineering.
Basic maintenance and safety related to mining operations may be included.
50 for UR/EWS and 40 for reserved categories.
The NCL 2026 Assistant Foreman Mechanical syllabus is fully based on core diploma mechanical subjects. If your fundamentals are strong in SOM, TOM, Thermodynamics, IC Engines, and Manufacturing, you can easily score high in Section A.
Start your preparation early, focus on technical concepts, and practice objective questions daily.
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