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Study in India

Dear Sir,

I am studying in Class 11. I wish to become a fighter pilot in the Air Force. Please suggest some suitable undergraduate courses.

Abhijna

Dear Abhijna,

If you are a science student, you can opt for either an engineering course (preferably Aeronautical, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics etc.) or a BSc with Mathematics, Physics and any third subject. Either of these will make you eligible to appear for the Combined Defence Services Exam (CDSE) through which officers for the Army, Navy and Air Force are selected. Get details of Indian Air Force (IAF) on www.careerairforce.nic.in. Be prepared for the fact that even if you qualify you may not be allotted to the Air Force, and even if you make it to the IAF, you may not be selected for the fighter pilot stream – as each step is highly competitive, particularly considering that very few girls are selected.

If you are okay with serving in any of the defence services you are selected for, then you can go ahead, prepare well, not only in academics, but also in physical fitness, general knowledge, presentation and communication skills.

Dear Sir,

I am studying in Class 12 . I wish to pursue MBBS. Please give some information about the entrance exams and job opportunities in this field.

A student

Dear Student,

Job opportunities for doctors are well-known to everyone, and you can meet any doctor or visit any hospital to find out what type of career to expect once you complete your MBBS (and of course go for higher studies to become a specialist). The common exam all over the country for admission to MBBS is the National Eligibility Entrance Test (for details, log on to www.nta.ac.in, ntaneet.nic.in). Once you qualify in NEET depending on your merit rank you will be allotted a college through the state’s quota, and then you have to study for five-and-a-half year including internship to qualify as a doctor.

Dear Sir,

I am a second year BSc Psychology student. Is it advisable to do master’s in psychology or study some other courses?

Alina Seo

Dear Alina,

Since you have been studying psychology for many years, you would have acquired a reasonable understanding of the field and its diverse branches. If you connect strongly to the world of understanding and dealing with human behaviour, you may go ahead and take up MSc in the same subject.

Every field has good career opportunities provided you are good at your work, and passionate about pursuing it. Some of the fields you can consider in psychology include school or education counseling, psychometrics, working with special children, consumer psychology/product development, market research, industrial psychology, social work, clinical psychology, de-addiction centres, homes for the mentally ill and trauma victims, sports psychology, human resources management, data analytics, geriatrics and old-age homes, animal psychology, corporate social responsibility, life skills training, disaster management etc.

Dear Sir,

I have completed BE in Information Science. I am currently taking coaching for Civil Services Exam and I have also applied for police sub-inspector exam. On which exam should I concentrate? How tough are these exams?

Sowjanya

Dear Sowjanya,

UPSC exam for civil services like IAS, IPS etc., is definitely much more competitive, with lakhs of bright students from all over the country competing for a few hundred seats. Ensure that you have the capacity for rigorous study, you have been a topper in your studies, have good general knowledge and communication skills, and can be very consistent to keep up your efforts till you crack the exam. Comparatively it is not that competitive to get selected as a Police Sub-Inspector through the exam held at the state level.