Let passion lead

Studying in India

Dear Sir,       
I am a Second PUC student (Science stream) and I have scored 59 per cent in First PUC and I hope to score more than 70 per cent this year. Am I eligible to apply for a course in Architecture? Which are the entrance exams that I should attempt? What is the scope for Physiotherapy? Is there an entrance test that I need to give in order to join a programme?
Student

Dear Student,
Admission to the 5-year B.Arch course is open to anyone who has completed 10+2 with Math as one of the subjects and minimum 40% aggregate.  The entrance exam is National Aptitude Test for Architecture www.niasa.org,  www.coa.india.org, held around April every year. Girls find it quite suitable, particularly if they have a creative bent of mind, and are good at design.  There are many colleges in Karnataka and all over India, and admission is not very difficult for those who are genuinely interested and prepare in advance. 

Physiotherapy is a paramedical field to help rehabilitation of people with disability, stroke patients etc.  There are many colleges offering the 4-1/2 year Bachelor of Physio Therapy (BPT) course, and admission is based on your score in Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

Dear Sir,
My daughter is in Class 7, under CBSE syllabus. She is a very talented and brilliant student. Next year, she graduates into Class 8. As the subjects that are taught at this level are beyond my grasp, I would like to send her for tuitions after school. She is interested in Science. Does that mean she is cut out for engineering or IIT?
Shantha

Dear Shantha,
I would sincerely request you not to pressurise her with coaching for IIT or AIEEE at this stage, because you are narrowing down her options too early in life, and making her feel that if she does not get into IIT etc, she is a failure.  Even the entrance exams may change pattern by the time she completes Class 12. Allow her to explore all possible career options at this stage.  Even if she takes up Science at +2 level, she can still move into any career of her choice.  At that stage she will be much more mature and capable of deciding what field she would enjoy, be good at, and is passionate about.

Dear Sir,
I am a student of Second PUC student and I have taken Science as my core subject. I would like to join a course in Aeronautical Engineering? Which are the top three institutes that offer this course in India? Can I pursue this programme abroad?
Manikanta N R

Dear Manikanta,
It may be better if you do a basic engineering degree in India, and then go abroad for specialisation.  Aeronautical Engineering is offered by the IITs, NITs, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham at Coimbatore, MV Jayaram College and Mahavir Jain University at Bangalore, and many more. Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology at Tiruvananthapuram (www.iist.ac.in/isat2011) is also a very prestigious institution.

Also keep in mind that if you wish to work in the aeronautic sector, you can also qualify in other basic streams of engineering and then either go in for specialisation at the PG level, or seek employment in that field.

Dear Sir,
I am a Second PUC student with PCMB as my combination. I am an average student. I am confused as to what to take up next. I am not interested in medicine or engineering. What are my alternative options with Science? I am equally interested in a Paramedical Science and Biotechnology.
Farooq Ahmed

Dear Farooq,
B.Sc in Biotechnology is a basic Science course, which will not make a professional out of you.  On the other hand, some of the paramedical courses such as Speech Pathology, Dialysis Technology, Optometry, Nutrition and Dietetics do offer good openings, and also opportunity for higher specialisation at the post-graduate level.  Depending on which aspects of science you like, and the lifestyle you would like to lead, you can explore various other options such as agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, clinical research, radiography, etc. 

There are many challenging new fields in the scientific world beyond engineering and medicine.  If you have been a good student, you may even take up a 4 or 5 year integrated course in pure sciences from IITs, IISc, BITs etc., which will open doors for a good career.

Dear Sir,
I am studying in Class 10. I wish to become a CSI (crime scene investigation) officer. What combination should I take up next year? Is there any such college in India/aboard that offers a course related to this field?
Aishwarya

Dear Aishwarya,
Crime investigation is essentially done by police officers who are posted to specific assignments.  If you wish to be in the topmost positions, you need to enter into the Indian Police Service (IPS).  The next level is either to qualify as a CBI Inspector or to get into the Karnataka State Police Service.
 
Basic qualification for all three entrance exams is a degree in any stream.  So it may be better if you select courses for your higher studies based on your interest and aptitude, so that you have the skills and qualification regardless of what service you get into. 

Once you have graduated in the field of your choice, you need to appear for Public Service Commission exams and qualify to become a police officer.  There is no guarantee that you will be posted in Crime investigation only, as you will have to do various policing work allotted to you from time to time.  There is no college that teaches crime investigation.