Maharashtra SSC Mechanical Technology Pre-Voc/NSQF study plan
Maharashtra SSC Mechanical Technology Pre-Voc/NSQF · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Hand Tools, Measuring Instruments and Bench Work & Safety Practices and Workshop Discipline
Identify and name at least 12 bench and measuring hand tools (try square, inside/outside calipers, micrometer, vernier caliper, feeler gauge, surface plate, V-block, scriber, centre punch, hacksaw, files) and state one use for each.
Demonstrate correct use of a steel rule and vernier caliper by measuring five workshop specimens and recording readings to 0.02 mm, showing the calculation for least count.
List the personal protective equipment required for filing, chipping, and drilling, and explain why each item is worn.
Apply workshop discipline rules: arrange a bench with tools in order, state the procedure for reporting an accident, and describe safe handling of sharp-edged tools.
Draw a labelled sketch of a bench vice and mark jaw, spindle, handle, and swivel base.
Your checkpoint
A handwritten tool-identification sheet covering 12 tools with name, use, and one safety precaution each, plus a measurement log of 5 specimens with vernier caliper readings and least-count working shown.
Hand Tools, Measuring Instruments and Bench Work & Basic Fitting, Drilling, Tapping and Threading Operations
Perform filing, sawing, and chipping on a mild steel block to produce a flat surface checked against a try square and straight edge.
Mark out a job using a surface plate, scriber, centre punch, and odd-leg caliper, and explain the sequence of marking-out operations.
Calculate tap drill size for M6, M8, and M10 coarse threads using the standard formula and verify against a tap drill chart.
Describe the sequence of operations for drilling a hole and tapping it by hand, including pilot drilling, lubrication, and half-turn backing out.
Identify causes of common bench-work defects such as file pinning, broken tap, and off-square cut, and state one remedy for each.
Your checkpoint
A completed and dimension-checked marked-out and filed mild steel practice piece, submitted with a written operation sheet listing each step, tool used, and the tap drill size calculation for three thread sizes.
Basic Fitting, Drilling, Tapping and Threading Operations & Engineering Materials and Basic Metallurgy
Set up a drilling machine safely, select correct spindle speed for a given drill diameter and material, and drill three holes to marked centres.
Explain the difference between tapping, dieing, and reaming, and state where each is used.
Classify five given engineering materials (mild steel, cast iron, high carbon steel, aluminium, brass) by composition, properties, and one typical workshop use.
Describe the effect of carbon content on hardness and machinability of steel and outline the purpose of annealing and hardening.
Identify a tap, die, reamer, and drill bit from a set and state the material and cutting purpose of each.
Your checkpoint
A drilled and tapped practice plate (minimum three tapped holes) plus a one-page comparison table of five engineering materials showing composition, two properties, and one use.
Lathe and Basic Machining Operations & Hand Tools, Measuring Instruments and Bench Work
Label the main parts of a centre lathe (bed, headstock, tailstock, carriage, cross slide, compound rest, tool post, lead screw, feed rod) and state the function of each.
Calculate cutting speed, feed, and spindle rpm for turning mild steel with a high-speed steel tool, showing the formula used.
Describe the setup steps for plain turning, facing, and step turning, in correct order, including work holding and tool setting at centre height.
Explain the purpose of a centre gauge, chuck key safety, and the danger of leaving a chuck key in place.
Compare a vernier caliper and micrometer for measuring turned diameters and state which is preferred for close tolerance and why.
Your checkpoint
A labelled lathe-parts diagram with functions, plus a worked calculation sheet showing rpm, cutting speed, and feed for three turning cases, and a written procedure for facing and step turning.
Lathe and Basic Machining Operations & Welding, Brazing and Soldering Processes
Describe the setup and safety checks for arc welding, including electrode selection, current setting, earth clamp connection, and screening of the work area.
Distinguish brazing, soldering, and welding by temperature range, filler material, and type of joint formed.
Identify common weld defects (porosity, slag inclusion, undercut, incomplete penetration, spatter) from written descriptions and state one cause for each.
Explain the function of flux in soldering and brazing and list two safety hazards of gas welding equipment.
Compare lathe operations with welding as joining and shaping processes and state when each is preferred.
Your checkpoint
A two-page process comparison write-up covering arc welding, brazing, and soldering (equipment, filler, temperature, joint type, two safety precautions each) plus a defect-cause table for five weld defects.
Engineering Drawing, Reading and Sketching & Power Sources, Fasteners and Assembly Practice
Interpret a given engineering drawing by identifying the three orthographic views, and state what each view shows.
Read and apply dimensioning rules: dimension lines, extension lines, arrowheads, and limits of size, on a supplied or self-drawn part sketch.
Produce a neat freehand sketch of a simple machine part in first-angle projection with at least six dimensions.
Explain the purpose of section views and draw one simple full section of a stepped shaft.
Identify five common fasteners (hex bolt, nut, washer, rivet, self-tapping screw) and state one application for each.
Your checkpoint
A freehand first-angle projection drawing of a simple part with three views, at least six dimensions, and one full section view, plus a fastener identification list of five items with applications.
Power Sources, Fasteners and Assembly Practice & Maintenance, Inspection and Quality Basics
Explain the working principle of an electric motor and a generator in simple terms and state where each is used in a workshop.
Describe the function of a fuse, earthing, and a circuit breaker in workshop electrical safety, and state the danger of overloaded sockets.
Outline the steps of a basic maintenance routine for a lathe and a drilling machine, including lubrication and belt tension checks.
Explain the difference between inspection and quality control and list three common measuring checks used in incoming inspection.
Describe one simple assembly procedure using bolts and dowels and state why tightening is done in a sequence.
Your checkpoint
A maintenance checklist for one lathe and one drilling machine (minimum eight check points with frequency), plus a short written note on inspection versus quality control with three inspection checks listed.
Employability Skills and Workplace Communication (NSQF) & Safety Practices and Workshop Discipline & Engineering Materials and Basic Metallurgy
Draft a short job application and a leave request in clear workplace English, each under 150 words.
Explain the importance of clear communication and teamwork on a shop floor and give two examples of miscommunication that cause accidents.
Revise safety and material facts from weeks 1 to 3 and answer 20 self-made recall questions without notes.
Describe the role of an NSQF level in skill recognition and list two employability skills relevant to a mechanical workshop.
Complete a full-length timed practice test covering all ten domains and review every wrong answer with a written reason.
Your checkpoint
A portfolio containing one job application letter, one leave request, 20 answered recall questions, and a scored full-length practice test with a written error-analysis sheet listing each mistake and its correct concept.
Milestones
Week 2: Can identify and correctly use a vernier caliper, try square, and surface plate, and can calculate tap drill size for M6, M8, and M10 without reference.
Week 4: Can label all main lathe parts from memory, calculate spindle rpm for a given cutting speed and diameter, and complete a drilled-and-tapped plate to tolerance.
Week 6: Can read a three-view drawing and produce a dimensioned freehand sketch of a simple part in first-angle projection, and identify five fasteners with uses.
Week 8: Scores at least 60 percent on a full-length timed practice test across all ten domains, with a written error-analysis sheet showing corrected concepts for every mistake.