Mukesh's total moved to seven-under-137 after his second round effort. Another Mhow-based professional, Om Prakash Chouhan was in second place with a total of six-under-138.
The cut was declared at seven-over-151. Fifty-three professionals and two amateurs made the cut.
Mukesh (69-68) followed up his first round score of 69 with a 68 on Day two that included six birdies and two bogeys. Mukesh landed it within five feet to set up birdies on the second, fourth, ninth and 10th. He also sank two 10-footers for birdies on the 12th and 16th. He dropped bogeys on the sixth and 11th.
"My putting was better today as compared to round one. I did not leave any putt. I also hit it quite close on the front-nine. It's been a long time since my last win so I'm eager to make my lead count over the next two days," Mukesh said.
Om Prakash's (69-69) second successive 69 featured five birdies and two bogeys and placed him second at six-under-138.
Shubhankar Sharma of Gurgaon was the highest-placed amateur in tied third along with the Kolkata duo of Ranjit Singh Rathore and Md Sanju. The three golfers had identical totals of four-under-140.