I’m a Plus Two (science) student. I want to know how I can qualify for the Indian Police Service.
Ashok Wadhwa, New Delhi
You have to be over 21 years of age and a graduate before you can write the Civil Services Examination (CSE) for entry into all-India services such as IAS, IPS, etc. After class XII, choose a degree programme which will help you in the Civil Services Examination. Please visit www.upsc.gov.in to understand CSE. When writing CSE, you have to select two subjects (optional) in which you require knowledge and training equivalent to a postgraduate degree programme. Therefore it makes sense to choose the same optionals for your graduation and postgraduation.
After completing Plus Two (science), I would like to read for a degree programme in pharmacy. Is it necessary to study maths and biology in class XII? Which institutes offer undergraduate and postgrad courses in pharmacy?
Deepika Seth, Ahmedabad
For higher education in the pharmaceutical sciences, it is advisable to study maths and biology together with physics and chemistry at the Plus Two level. For admission into a B.Pharm programme, candidates should have successfully completed Plus Two with English, physics, chemistry, biology or maths, averaging over 50 percent in PCB/M. In Mumbai, colleges offering B.Pharm include University Institute of Chemical Tech-nology, Matunga; Bombay College of Pharmacy, Kalina. Other prominent institutions with degree programmes in pharmaceutical sciences include BHU, Varanasi; BITS, Pilani; BIT, Mesra; MS University, Baroda; Pharmacy Depart-ment, Kalabhavan, Vadodara and University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Punjab University, Chandi-garh. Some of them also offer M.Pharm programmes.
I’m an engineering student and would like to qualify as an air traffic controller. Please advise.
Gautam Vaze, Pune
The Airports Authority of India invites applications for air traffic controllers from individuals below 28 years of age who have scored 60 percent plus in: the bachelor of engineering in electronics/telecommunications/radio or equivalent; sections A and B exams conducted by the Institute of Engi-neers (India) in electronics/telecommu-nications/radio engineering subjects; graduate membership exams of the Institute of Electronics and Telecommu-nications Engineers (India); associate membership exam, parts II and III/Sections A and B of the Aeronautical Society of India (electronics/avionics as a group); science undergrad exam with physics/maths as main subjects.
I would like to enroll in a degree programme in genetic engineering after completing Plus Two (science) next year. Please advise.
Ashok Rao, Bangalore
A stand-alone degree programme in genetic engineering is not available except as part of a B.Tech programme in biotechnology offered by the Allahabad Agricultural Institute, Allahabad 211 007. Instead you need to enroll for M.Sc in one of the biological/life sciences or in biotech-nology and specialise in genetic engineering. So figure out whether a B.Sc in biological sciences, biotech-nology or life sciences is preferable or whether you would like to pursue a B.Tech in biotechnology. The latter is offered in a few engineering institutions in the country and requires a high order of mathematical skills in addition to high scores in physics and chemistry. Also remember that genetic engineering careers are primarily research-oriented and suitable for individuals with passion for long years of study.
I’m a third year BA student and want to make a career in library sciences. Please advise.
Sheena Mhatre, Mumbai
A graduate in any discipline is eligible to enroll for the one-year bachelor of library science or bachelor of library and information science (BLISc) programmes. This could be followed up with a one-year Masters in library and information science.
The University of Mumbai (Univ-ersity Library at Kalina campus) and SNDT Women’s University (Church-gate campus) offer study programmes in library sciences. Admissions are in May-June. Several other universities offer these programmes while IGNOU and some others deliver them through distance education. However, please note that the changed electronic environment of the 21st century will demand technical, IT and managerial skills of successful library science professionals.
I’m in my final year B.Sc and would like to qualify as a pilot. How do I apply for a student’s pilot licence (SPL)?
Sukhwinder Singh, Chandigarh
You can enquire at a local flying club for details of an SPL, which requires passing a verbal examination. The subsequent private pilot licence (PPL) requires actual flying experience. The director general of civil aviation prescribes medical and physical fitness norms for pilots. Before signing up for a PPL training course, candidates have to clear the class II medical test. You could request the doctor conducting this test to do the class I medical as well because it helps once the CPL (commercial pilot licence) course commences. Candidates must pass the class I medical exam conducted by the Air Force Central Medical establishment to qualify for a CPL.
I’m a final year B.Sc (physics and maths) student. Please provide information about postgraduate degrees offered by institutes like the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Is an MS degree preferable to an M.Sc in physics?
Ravi Nair, Trivandrum
The Indian Institute of Science offers an integrated Ph D in physical sciences to B.Sc or equivalent degree holders with physics as a main subject. Candidates with advanced learning degrees are not eligible. Applicants are shortlisted on the basis of their first class B.Sc marks and have to write an entrance test. Those who qualify are called for interview. Final selection is based on overall performance in the written test and interview. The IITs in Kanpur, Bombay, Delhi, Kharagpur, Madras and Roorkee offer M.Sc programmes in physics. The basic eligibility requirement is a B.Sc degree.