(Photo source: pexels.com)
Indian Government has brought some systemic changes, and the effects are visible. Labor laws were recently amended, making way for a strategy for four days a week. Labour unions' criteria were also changed. The Indian education system is considered too bookish per the world's standards. The new education policy has been initiated to focus on vocational courses right from class five onwards as per changing needs of the time.
Since the time of Independence, India has been neglecting infrastructure allocating only 3% of its GDP. In advanced economies, infrastructure accounts for 6% of GDP. Due to a lack of investment in infrastructure, India has been lagging in the manufacturing sector. Foreign investors stay away from India. To turn the tide, the infrastructure is to be developed quickly. Off late, we can see national highways are being developed, and corridors are being set up to move goods more quickly. Therefore, as mechanical engineers, we must keep a close eye on the infrastructure sector as it may be a lucrative option in terms of job opportunities.
Indian Government is launching various schemes such as 'Start-Up India' to promote entrepreneurship. Apart from that, 'Make in India,' PLI schemes are some steps in this direction. Currently, a lot of companies are applying for the schemes mentioned earlier. The biggest beneficiaries are from the sugar, ethanol, textiles, auto, pharma, renewable, and electronics sectors.
For quite some time, the Indian sugar sector has been stagnant. The demand is rising again due to ethanol demand. India is inching towards net zero carbon emitter by 2070. For that, the automobile sector has to reduce carbon emissions. Moreover, India wants to reduce fossil fuel imports to save foreign exchequer. Therefore, the Indian Government is promoting ethanol production and distribution as India intends to increase ethanol blending in petrol from 10% to 20%.
The transport ministry also vows to introduce a flex engine that can run on 100% ethanol by 2025. The automobile sector is also gearing up for changes by manufacturing parts compatible with ethanol blends. Hydrogen has become a new source of energy in the modern world. Ambanis and Adanis are acquiring companies in this sector. The sector is going to be very lucrative in the near future as it has functionality in automobiles.
The renewable energy sector has been transitioning for quite some time. We see enhanced acceptance of solar and wind power plants for power generation. Solar has been witnessing phenomenal growth in the last few years of its ease of operation. The solar sector does not mean only installing solar panels. It also encompasses semiconductors, solar refractories, solar panels, batteries, charge controllers, and consulting sectors.
The automobile sector has been India's most significant employment provider, directly and indirectly. There is no alternative for the automobile sector because transport via highway accounts for 60 to 65%. Moreover, if the automobile sector gets developed, the parts manufacturing and distribution will also get boosted. However, the automobile sector has been trying to go towards electric vehicles. The automobile manufacturers are concentrating on electric cars and launching model after model in India. It has become visible. As it is parting away from conventional IC or CI engine vehicles, we must look for opportunities in the new domain. The electric vehicle has opened opportunities in battery technology and car software. We see a spurt in dedicated car software-providing companies in India. So, mechanical engineering students with a knack for software can go in this direction. Moreover, engine parts' conventional designing and product prototyping are definitely on the rise. If someone intends to skill up in software such as ANSYS, Pro-E, KATIA, COMSOL, etc. can reap fruits in future.
The consumer goods & FMCG sector also shows good opportunities for mechanical engineering students. When we mean consumer goods, it can be any product we use at home. These products are produced at factories, and a factory means a thriving ground for mechanical engineers. India will probably surpass China by 2023, and the sector will have a great demand shortly. When demand is high, the industry also grows. When the sector grows, opportunities also increase.
Now, let us come to future technologies such as drones, 3D printing, automation, etc. The world is embracing the technologies already. Recently, I have seen a cyber farm in Russia operated by QR codes and drones to take care of cattle. 3D printing has been increasingly used in manufacturing. Sometimes, we need small batches of components or parts. 3D printing solves this issue. The world's factories are going towards automation. Automation saves time and money. Automation requires knowledge of integrating physical systems with virtual systems. In the future, as we see factories going in this direction, we know a lot of opportunities for a mechanical engineer if he becomes an expert in mechanical and IT systems.
Follow us on: The Review Facebook Page
Follow us on Twitter: The Review
You can support the blog by reading B.Tech Guide Book & Campus Placement Guidebook . These are free for Diwali 2022.
