Automobile Mechanic

Checking engines, brakes, electrics and suspension; servicing and repairing cars, bikes and light vehicles; using diagnostic tools and computers; talking to customers about faults and costs; keeping workshop tools and records in order.

A day in the work
You usually start by checking the job cards and asking the customer what is wrong. You then test the vehicle with a scanner, a multimeter or by road-testing it, and explain the fault and the repair cost. Much of the day goes on oil changes, brake work, wheel alignment or engine repairs. You finish by cleaning your bay, logging parts used and handing back the vehicle.

1. Step 1 · Class 8–10Do well in Maths and Science. Spend time understanding how engines, bikes and fans work, with a parent's permission and safety in mind.
2. Step 2 · Class 10Pass Class 10. Apply to a government ITI for Mechanic Motor Vehicle through your state's ITI admission portal. Admission is usually by merit and in counselling rounds.
3. Step 3 · 2 years at ITIComplete the two-year DGT course. It covers about 2,400 training hours plus 300 hours of on-the-job training or a group project. Engine work, electrics, brakes, fuel systems and vehicle diagnosis are all part of it.
4. Step 4 · End of coursePass the internal and final trade tests. In DGT trades, you need about 60% in trade practical and formative assessment and 33% in other subjects. On passing, you get the DGT certificate.
5. Step 5 · After ITIWork in a workshop, dealership or service centre, and learn more on the job. Many people later add short courses in electric vehicles, diagnostics or air-conditioning, or open their own garage after several years of experience.

• Government or private ITI, 2 yearsThe main route. Gives a DGT-recognised trade certificate after a full two-year course with workshop training and on-the-job training.
• ASDC automotive service technician courseA shorter, skill-focused course run by ASDC-affiliated training centres, usually at private centres. Course length and fees vary by centre. Check the centre's own details before joining.

Fees from: West Bengal Directorate of Industrial Training: fee structure (2022 session) · Telangana ITI admissions 2024: tuition fee annexure. Fees change every year — check the college's own fee page before you pay.

Pay depends a lot on skill, workshop and city. A trainee starts low. A experienced technician who can handle diagnostics, electric vehicles or a large brand's service centre usually earns more, and self-employed garage owners can earn more still, but income can also be uneven.

Some states give concessions to girls, such as waived or reduced fees and, in some places, monthly stipends. Reserved-category students often pay less or get a fee waiver. Rules differ by state, so check your state's ITI notice.

• Class 7–9Ask a family member or neighbour who knows the local garage if you can watch a basic service, such as an oil change or tyre rotation, with a parent present. Watch what the mechanic checks first.
• Class 10–12Read the official DGT curriculum for Mechanic Motor Vehicle. Note which topics you already find interesting, such as electrics, engines or brakes, and check whether you can handle them.Open link ↗
• College or afterTake a free online course on basic electricity or automobile systems on SWAYAM, which hosts courses from many Indian institutions. Pick one that matches your interest and finish a few modules.Open link ↗

• The DGT also runs a one-year Mechanic Motor Vehicle course for craft instructors. That is a different course from the two-year ITI trade that you need for a mechanic's job.
• Strong skills matter more than the certificate alone. Customers and employers often judge you on how well you diagnose a fault.
• Electric vehicles are changing the trade. Learning battery, electronics and software basics is a useful next step after ITI.