I will be preparing for the engineering exams and for the civil services

I'm in Std XI and have opted for PCM. I will be preparing for the engineering exams and for the civil services. I am an enthusiastic student of chemistry; what are the probable career options in this field?

The study of chemistry leads to a variety of careers and professions. Chemistry graduates can get beginners' jobs in quality control, analysis and testing or in technical sales and services. Food processing and pharmaceutical industries employ chemistry graduates as technical assistants.

Master's degree holders in chemistry generally find employment in one of three areas; industry, government and education. In industry, they may undertake research and development, quality control, sales and technical service, technical or general management. They increasingly work in marketing, providing technical information on chemical products and services. In addition, government departments like water, soil conservation, forensic science, customs and industrial safety departments employ them in scientific analysis, research, policy development and administration. To do research or to teach in colleges and universities, a Ph.D. is generally needed.

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Should I choose Economics or Computers as I want to do UPSC?



I am a student of Class 8 and soon will be student of Class 9. Should I choose Economics or Computers as I want to do UPSC? Please help me with a list of institutions and courses related to my future steps.



Entry to Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is through the Civil Services Examination conducted by UPSC. The basic eligibility for appearing is graduation in any stream. So, do not worry about the subjects and institutes. Rather focus on subjects which you like and do your best.



This is truly an intense competitive examination and requires at least one year of dedicated preparation. The standard of questions is usually an inter-mix of both graduate and post-graduate level of study. Even now you can start preparing by reading at least two good magazines and two newspapers that deal with Indian and international affairs, political, economic and business issues, and other current events, thoroughly. Buy guide books on the IAS exams to practice and prepare.



The examination consists of three levels: Preliminary Examination (two papers of multiple-choice questions), Main Examination (nine papers of essay type questions) and Interview. Preliminary examination consists of two question papers. General studies (GS) test contains questions on the constitution of India, history, geography, economics, science, and current affairs. It is just a screening test to shortlist candidates for the further selection process.



Those who quality Prelims are required to re-register for IAS Mains, which assesses a candidate’s academic expertise in his specialized subject. Further, selected candidates will appear for the personal interview round.



The marks obtained in the Main Examination and Interview determines final ranking. The candidates are then allotted to various services on the basis of their ranks and the preferences expressed by them. Roughly 800-900 candidates make it through the final selection every year. The top ranking 100 or so candidates are inducted into the IAS.



 



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I want to pursue my career in IAS



I am a student of Class 9 and I want to take Arts in Class 11 as I want to pursue my career in IAS, but my school doesn’t have Arts stream. I thought of leaving my school, but my school is one of the best schools in West Delhi. What is the solution to this?



Entry to Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is through the Civil Services Examination conducted by UPSC. The basic eligibility for appearing is graduation in any stream. So, do not worry about the subjects and institutes. Rather focus on subjects which you like and do your best.



This is truly an intense competitive examination and requires at least one year of dedicated preparation. The standard of questions is usually an inter-mix of both graduate and post-graduate level of study. Even now you can start preparing by reading at least two good magazines and two newspapers that deal with Indian and international affairs, political, economic and business issues, and other current events, thoroughly. Buy guide books on the IAS exams to practice and prepare.



The examination consists of three levels: Preliminary Examination (two papers of multiple-choice questions), Main Examination (nine papers of essay type questions) and Interview. Preliminary examination consists of two question papers. General studies (GS) test contains questions on the constitution of India, history, geography, economics, science, and current affairs. It is just a screening test to shortlist candidates for the further selection process.



Those who quality Prelims are required to re-register for IAS Mains, which assesses a candidate’s academic expertise in his specialized subject. Further, selected candidates will appear for the personal interview round.



The marks obtained in the Main Examination and Interview determines final ranking. The candidates are then allotted to various services on the basis of their ranks and the preferences expressed by them. Roughly 800-900 candidates make it through the final selection every year. The top ranking 100 or so candidates are inducted into the IAS.



 



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How can I prepare for my civil services exam just after my XII?



I want be an IPS officer. I had chosen Arts for my Std XI and XII. Which subject should I give more importance to so that I can achieve my goal?



To become an IPS Officer, you have to apply for UPSC Civil services examination. Eligibility for this examination is graduation in any stream.



This examination consists of three rounds: preliminary exam, then main exams and then the interview. In prelim exams, objective questions are asked from general studies and any one subject chosen by the candidate. Main exams consist of nine papers including English, any language included in eighth schedule of Indian Constitution, easy writing, general studies and two papers from two optional subjects.



These examinations require a thorough study of the subjects. So choose subjects of your interest; that way you will grasp the concepts easily and willingly spend more time studying.



 



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I am Std XII student of Humanities. I am very interested in civil services and I want to become an IAS officer. What do I have to study to achieve my goal?



In order to become an IAS Officer, you must apply for the civil services examination conducted by the UPSC. It consists of three stages: preliminary, mains and interview. The basic eligibility is graduation in any field. This examination is one of the toughest and requires thorough preparation. Clear your basics first; NCRT books will help you. Start reading The Hindu or Indian Express every day. Don’t just focus on trivial facts or details. Go through the editorials and try looking at the issues with an unbiased mindset. Also subscribe to magazines like Yojana, Kurukshetra, India Today, Frontline, Competition and Success Review, etc., for deep insights. Work on your vocabulary and improve your communication skills. Though real preparation starts while doing graduation, these suggestions will help you to improve your general knowledge.



 



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How to start preparing for my UPSC/IAS Exams from my XII even.?



I am student of class XII. I want to know how to start preparing for UPSC civil services examination from now on, so that I can do focussed studies in my graduation.



The entrance examination for entrance to the covered civil services is open to those who have done their graduation. However, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has suggested a national exam for recruitment to the civil service right after class XII, rather than after graduation. Under the proposed system, Class XII students, who pass this test, would be sent to a National Academy for a five-year course. At the end of three years, a graduate degree would be given to those clearing the normal examinations. The best candidates would be given to their service allotments on basis of merit and choice at the end of three years. They will go in for a two-year service specific course that will cater to requirements of their respective fields. But those at the bottom of the pool would be “released” for seeking other jobs in the market. However, till his suggestion come into effect, induction to IAS will be after graduation.



As of now, civil services exam is conducted in two stages : preliminary exam, held in May/June, followed by main written exam, held in October/November, and ultimately an interview. The preliminary exam is an objective-type exam. There are two papers : general studies, carrying 150 marks, and one subject, carrying 450 marks. The subject paper can be selected from among the following subjects : agriculture, animal husbandry and veterinary science, botany, chemistry, civil engineering, commerce, economics, electrical engineering, geography, geology, Indian history, law, mathematics, mechanical engineering, medical science, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, public administration, sociology, statistics, zoology.



The syllabus is what is followed at the graduation level. Marks obtained in the main exam will determine whether a candidate is called for an interview, which is of 300 marks. Marks obtained in the main exam and interview determine the final ranking.



The two of you, at this stage, can take care of your general studies and current awareness. To begin with, get into the habit of reading newspapers and magazines back to back. Not only should you be abreast of events around you, you should also formulate views on what’s happening around you. World events, Indian politics, arts happenings, sports achievements should be on your tips. But also read the view columns in newspapers and magazines and the debates on TV, so that you know what are the issues involved in each event.



 



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Win-win solution


 



I am class XII student and have opted for PCM as my subjects. I aspire to join the civil services. I also want to pursue an engineering degree in electronics, mechanical or aeronautical. But as per the criteria, only mechanical, electrical and civil engineers are allowed to sit for the examination. I have also heard that engineers and doctors are not preferred as civil servants and rejected in the interview. Please advice me what course, other than engineering, should I opt for, so that I can attempt for the civil services, and as a fallback have some good qualifications.



Well, the answer lies in your question. If you are keen to do mechanical engineering, and if civil services do take into account mechanical engineering, go for it. And it’s not true that doctors and engineers are turned down at the interview stage. This year’s civil services topper is IIT alumnus Ankur Garg, who has done electrical engineering. In fact, the increasing number of engineers and doctors joining the civil services has led to a debate on the issue. Though we won’t advise you to drop engineering, keeping in mind the civil services, the second choice could be an honours degree from a reputed university in a science subject like physics or mathematics, or else economics. But then, you have to take the decision based on your interest.



 



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