ME-403 RGPV B.Tech
THEORY OF MACHINES (TM)
Previous year papers and the official syllabus are free to read, no account needed.
Previous Year Papers
7 papers, latest Jun 2026
- ME-403 paper, Jun 2026
- ME-403 paper, Jun 2025
- ME-403 paper, Dec 2024
- ME-403 paper, Jun 2024
- ME-403 paper, Nov 2023
- ME-403 paper, Jun 2023
Syllabus, notes and important questions for ME-403
Syllabus units
Topics as the official RGPV syllabus lists them.
Unit 1 Introduction and Kinematics 7 topics
- Introduction to kinematics and kinetics of machines
- Degree of freedom and types of motion
- Kinematic concepts of links and joints
- Kinematic chains and inversions
- Absolute and relative motions
- Displacement, velocity and acceleration diagrams
- Overview of various mechanisms and applications
Unit 2 Synthesis and Dynamics 7 topics
- Kinematic synthesis of linkages
- Dynamic motion analysis of mechanisms and machines
- Application of D'Alembert’s principle
- Number synthesis
- Construction of free‑body diagrams
- Relationship between kinematic and dynamic quantities
- Analytical and graphical methods for mechanism analysis
Unit 3 Cams and Followers 8 topics
- Introduction to cams and followers
- Classification of cams and followers
- Nomenclature of cam geometry
- Analysis of cam‑follower motion
- Analytical cam design with specific contours
- Pressure angle, radius and undercutting considerations
- Motion constraints and programming
- Critical‑path motion and torque on cam shaft
Unit 4 Power Transmission 8 topics
- Kinematics of belt‑pulley systems
- Flat and V‑belts, rope drives
- Conditions for maximum power transmission
- Efficiency of belt drives
- Friction devices and pivot‑collar mechanisms
- Power screws, plate and cone clutches
- Brake classifications: block, band, internal, external
- Friction circle and friction axis concepts
Unit 5 Gears and Vibration 9 topics
- Fundamental laws of gearing
- Classification and terminology of gears
- Tooth profile geometry
- Kinematic considerations in gear meshing
- Types of gears: spur, bevel, worm, helical, hypoid
- Gear trains and epicyclic gear sets
- Compound gearing
- Static and dynamic balancing of gears
- Introduction to vibration and single‑degree‑of‑freedom systems
Unit 6 == END OF UNITS==
The syllabus lists no separate topics for this unit.
Exam insights
Counted from 7 past ME-403 papers.
Marks asked per paper, by unit
-
Unit 1 Introduction, Kinematics and Mechanisms 34 marks
-
Unit 2 Kinematic Synthesis and Dynamic Motion Analysis 9 marks
-
Unit 3 Cams 17 marks
-
Unit 4 Power transmission 25 marks
-
Unit 5 Gears, Balancing and Vibrations 26 marks
Average marks of the questions from each unit in one paper. You answer only some of them, so the total is more than the paper’s maximum.
Asked again and again
-
Define cam terminology — base circle, prime circle, pitch circle, pressure angle, cam profile, lift/stroke of follower and period of dwell — with a neat sketch, and explain why a smaller pressure angle is preferable.
Asked 5 times: 2026, 2025, 2023, 2020, 2019
-
State and explain D'Alembert's principle and its application in dynamic analysis of mechanisms.
Asked 5 times: 2024, 2023, 2020, 2019
-
Explain the inversions of a single slider-crank mechanism with neat sketches and examples/applications.
Asked 4 times: 2026, 2022, 2020, 2019