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Studying in india

Dear Sir,
I am a final year mechanical engineering student interested in a railway posting. I have little or no information on how to land this job. I request you to provide me with information such as how and when these exams are conducted, the syllabus and pattern of the exam, the eligibility criteria.
Student

Dear Student,
Indian Railways is the biggest employer in the world.  The Railways recruit engineers from the mechanical and other streams on a regular basis into their Class I services.  The exams are conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (www.upsc.gov.in).  You are eligible for various Operations and Commercial Services of the Indian Railways, for which the exam is held common to the IAS and other services, i.e. if you appear for the Civil Services exam and your ranking is good, you will be selected for one of the Railway services.

Dear Sir,
I have completed a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. I want to pursue a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or Avionics, in particular. Is my Master’s option related to the Bachelor’s degree? Also, are there any universities in India or abroad, which will accept me for an MSc in Avionics/Aerospace Engineering? Or will I have to do any Pre-Master’s degree first, in order to get into a Master’s level programme?
Mahantesh

Dear Mahantesh,
Many universities, both in India and abroad, do accept students who have graduated in Computer Science and other streams, for a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering.  Admission to institutions like IIT and IISc is through GATE, an exam which is held in January every year (www.gate.iitd.ac.in/GATE/). In Bangalore, the MVJ College of Engineering offers ME in Aeronautical Engineering, with admissions through the PG-CET exam.  For studying in the US, etc., you will have to qualify in GRE (www.mba.com/landingpages/india.aspx) and TOEFL.

Dear Sir,
I am a Class 10 (State syllabus) student. I am doing well in my class tests. My parents wants me to score above 95 per cent. I am working hard, yet am worried about the final results. I am interested in engineering but I don’t know which stream to choose? I am from Kodagu district. Where can I seek counselling here?
Kripal

Dear Kripal,
Just keep studying regularly and systematically without setting any specific benchmark like 95 per cent.  Do your best and see what percentage you get in the Board exam.  Then take admission in the Science stream in the best possible college in your area (start exploring right now), with PCM, and any fourth subject of your choice.  Only when you complete your PUC will  you will be appearing for CET and deciding on the college and branch where you wish to pursue engineering. So do not get too anxious at this juncture.

Dear Sir,
I am a first semester, BE student. I would like to know if this the right time to start preparations for the IAS exam? If yes, how do I get started? Is it necessary to go to a coaching institute? If so, which ones do you recommend? Where can I get more information about this?
Vinuta

Dear Vinuta,
Since seats in the IAS are very limited and competition is tough, be prepared to accept any other all-India service, including Indian Engineering Service (for which there is a separate exam).  All details are available on www.upsc.gov.in. Right now, you need to improve your communication and presentation skills, be abreast of current affairs, and expand your general knowledge. When you get to the fifth semester, you can actually start preparing for the techniques to crack the exam, including selection of your optional subjects.  Coaching certainly helps, but many bright and hard working students do succeed on their own.  If you do not have time or availability of good coaching centres, then you can take postal coaching.

Dear Sir,
I am a PUC II (Commerce) student. I have secured 88 per cent in PUC I. Which exam should I give to get admission to a CA course? I have decided to pursue IIPM’s BBA + MBA , three-year programme. What is your advice?
Sharon

Dear Sharon,
You can enrol for the CPT (Common Proficiency Test) for Chartered Accountancy immediately after you complete Class 10, so even now it is not too late.  Approach your local branch of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, or look up their website (www.icai.org).  You can appear for the CPT as soon as you complete your PUC II.  If you clear it in the first attempt, you know that you can succeed in the rest of the programme.  BCom is no longer a compulsory requirement for Chartered Accountancy, and many candidates pursue B.Com through distance education while they concentrate on CA.  A BBA+MBA degree of three years is not recognised by Indian authorities.