Develop your skills
Dear Steeva,
Several government organisations and departments conduct their own recruitment exams. Prominent ones are Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Exams for for recruitment to different Group 'B' and 'C' posts in various Ministries, Departments or Organisations of the Government of India. SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Exams for a range of posts like Assistant Section Officer, Inspector of Income Tax, Auditor, Accountant, and so on; SSC Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) Examination recruits for posts like Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), Postal Assistant (PA), Sorting Assistant (SA), and Data Entry Operators (DEO). The SSC Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) Examination is for Group 'C' non-gazetted posts in various central government departments; and SSC Scientific Assistant Examination recruits candidates for assisting in weather forecasting and meteorological observations;.
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) Exams conducts exams for various technical and non-technical posts in Indian Railways; or the RRB Junior Engineer (JE) is for openings in Electrical or Signal and Telecommunication. RRB NTPC (Non-Technical Popular Categories) recruits for various graduate-level posts like Station Master, Goods Guard, Commercial Apprentice, etc. Your analytical and problem-solving skills can be beneficial here. RRB Group D is for various Level 1 posts.
Public sector banks conduct recruitment for various posts like IBPS PO (Probationary Officer) and Clerk Exams, SBI PO (Probationary Officer) and Clerk Exams, RBI (Reserve Bank of India) Exams for officers (Grade B) and assistants.
There are exams for the defence forces such as the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) for various branches like Flying, Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical). The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is for recruitment into the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers' Training Academy.
Many PSUs recruit graduates through their own entrance exams or based on GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) scores. These include Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) labs.
Other Central Government Exams include Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Exams, Patent Officer Examination, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Exam.
The State Governments conducts their own competitive exams. In Tamil Nadu, for instance, the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) conducts various exams for recruitment to different posts in different departments such as TNPSC Group I Services for posts like Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes), and so on. TNPSC Group II and Group IIA Services for various executive and clerical posts. TNPSC Group IV Services for clerical and other entry-level posts, TNPSC Scientific Assistant for forensic sciences, TNPSC Assistant Geologist for Earth sciences, TNPSC Teacher Recruitment to teach at the school level, or Technical Assistant/Lab Technician.
Check the official websites regularly of UPSC, SSC, RRB, IBPS, SBI, RBI, and your state's public service commission and other relevant organisations for exam notifications, eligibility criteria, syllabi, and important dates.
I'm in the first year of a UG course in economics. In Class 11 and 12, I had taken Science. What are my career options? Airin
Dear Airin,
Traditional career paths include banking, insurance, market research analysis, business journalism and international trade. You could also explore Data Science and Analytics or Quantitative Finance. Actuary Sciences is another good option. You can also explore research and academia or public policy and roles in the government.
I am in the fourth semester of B.A. Hons. I wanted to do a B.A. LL.B. but didn't get admission into the university I wanted. I am also preparing for the UPSC CSE. I am wondering if I should do a B.A. LL.B. after graduating or attempt the UPSC. Kangna
Dear Kangna,
Are you confident about attempting the UPSC exam based on your preparation? How strong is your desire to study law? What are your immediate career goals? Based on your answers, make an informed decision about whether to pursue B.A. LL.B. after attempting the UPSC (regardless of the outcome) or to focus solely on career paths related to your B.A. Hons. and/or the UPSC.
My recommendation would be to complete your B.A. Hons. and attempt the UPSC CSE without the added burden of a law degree. Completing your current degree will likely be faster than starting a new five-year law programme. A Bachelor's in any discipline makes you eligible for the UPSC CSE. There will be an added advantage of some overlap of the UPSC syllabus with your B.A. Hons. programme.
However, if you pursue a B.A. LL.B., it will open up various career options in the legal field (litigation, corporate law, legal advising). This may cause a delay in your attempts at the UPSC CSE and will require a significant investment of time.
Switching to B.A. LL.B. now means loss of the time and effort already invested in the B.A. Hons. degree. The admission process for law programmes is also highly competitive. Switching mid-way could disrupt any momentum that you have built in your UPSC preparation.
I have completed a PG in Sociology and am preparing for the UPSC. In UG, my subjects were History, Sociology and Political Science. I can't do a Ph.D. because of the time commitment. What else can I do? I don't want to be idle while preparing for the UPSC. Harsh
Dear Harsh,
Consider working on developing and enhancing specific skills like Communication, Digital Literacy and Technology, Web Development, Digital Marketing, Data Analysis, Writing and Content Creation, Public Speaking or Presentation Skills. Gain practical experience and explore working part-time as a research assistant, content developer, teaching assistant or tutor in History, Sociology, or Political Science. Explore short-term internships with NGOs, think tanks, policy research organisations, or even government departments if feasible. Working with NGOs will expose you to the real-world understanding and challenges.
Explore platforms like Coursera, edX, and NPTEL for courses related to public administration, economics, international relations, current affairs, or any other area relevant to the UPSC syllabus or your interests. Short-term certifications can add value to your profile. Read widely on diverse topics to broaden your understanding of the world. Participate in online or offline events related to current affairs, policy debates, and academic discussions.
Use your academic background and create your notes, mind maps, and study materials in a structured and effective way. This process itself reinforces your learning.
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