CAREER IN SCIENCES - MEDICAL AND NON MEDICAL INFOBASH

AFTER HSC/10+2: IN SCIENCES (Medical and Non-Medical)

Q1. I am in class XII [science stream] and I am interested in pursuing an undergraduate course in Biotechnology. Could you please let me know the Institutions offering this course?

Q2. I am currently studying in class XII in a CBSE school inJammu. I wish to pursue a B.Sc. degree in astrophysics inIndia. Which are the colleges for it? Are class XII board marks the only criteria for a B.Sc. degree in astrophysics, irrespective of the state in which it is to be pursued?

Q3. I have just completed 10+2 sciences and I am interested in pursuing my bachelor’s degree in B.Pharmacy. Could you please apprise me about the eligibility criteria and a few institutions offering this course?

Q4. I am Interested in pursuing an under graduate programme in Agriculture or its Allied Sciences. Could you let me know about the entry into this programme through the All India Entrance examination?

Q5. I am studying in class 12th, and I am interested in joining the National DefenceAcademy. Could you please give me all the details?

Q6. I am in class XII and I would like to become a pilot in the Indian Air force. Can you please tell me the details about the eligibility criteria and the selection procedure for women in the Indian air force as a pilot?

Q7. I have completed class XII with Physics, Chemistry and Math. I am Interested in pursuing PPL. Could you kindly give me some information about the entry to this course and some Indian Flying clubs offering training for PPL?

Q8. I am interested inpursuing a CPL (Commercial Pilot’s License) course. Please send me some information about the Indian academies or clubs for CPL training, and the hourly course fee?

Q9. I am studying in class XI, Science stream and I am interested in becoming a Pilot could you apprise me of the admission and selection procedure into the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi. Could you also let me know about any other flying school in Punjab?

Q10. I have taken up sciences at 10+2, with physics, chemistry and math. Could you please tell me about the 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme into the Indian Army?

Q11. I am interested in joining the Indian Navy after my 10th examinations as a Matric Entry Recruit. Could you tell me about the task involved as a Matric recruit in the Indian Navy, when is this notification published and what is the eligibility criterion for recruitment?

Q12. I have opted for Physics, Chemistry, Math in class XI and am keen to join the merchant navy. What is the eligibility criterion? Does one need to take any test? Could you please tell me about the selection procedure?

AFTER HSC/10+2: IN SCIENCES (Medical and Non-Medical)

QS. I am in class XII [science stream] and I am interested in pursuing an undergraduate course in Biotechnology. Could you please let me know the Institutions offering this course?

ANS. Biotechnology is a combination of biology and technology that allows scientists to alter cells to manip ulate them as needed. In practical application, this means that scientists can use genetic technology to develop treatments for diseases and to beneficially alter the genetics of humans as well as other life forms.

Applications of biotechnology are in the pharma ceutical, agriculture, chemical, environmental remediation, and energy industries. It can be studied during B.Sc and M.Sc programmes (few universities are offering five-year integrated B.Tech /M.Tech Dual Degree Programmes after HSC/10+2 Science) and also as B.Tech and M.Tech, courses.

For Programmes in Biotechnology you can consider:-

Name Of Institution	Course: B.Tech /B.Sc /Biotechnology	Eligibility	Duration
All India Institute of Medical Sciences,New Delhi. Website: www.aiims.ac.in orwww.aiims.edu	B.Tech Biotechnology	Class XII with Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Entrance test	4 years
GGS Indraprastha University, Delhi. Website: www.ipu.ac.in.	B.Tech /M.Tech Biotechnology [Dual Degree]	10+2 with 55% marks in Physics Chemistry and Biology & Maths. Entrance test.	5½ years
Indian Institute Of Technology, New Delhi-110016. Website: iitd.ac .in	M.Tech- Integrated 5yrs Dual Degree, Biochemistry Engg.& Biotechnology	Physics, Chemistry & Maths in XII are eligible. Entrance test- IIT’s.	5 yrs
Indian Institute Of Technology, Madras. Website: www.iitm.ac.in	B.Tech /M.Tech Biotechnology Dual Degree.	Physics, Chemistry & Maths in XII are eligible. Entrance test -IIT’s.	5 ½ years
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal. Website: iitkgp.ernet.in	M.Tech Integrated- 5½ years	Class XII with Physics, Maths Chemistry & Biology. Entrance test IIT’s	5½ years
University Of Rajasthan, Jaipur. Website:www.uniraj.org	1] B.Tech /M.Tech Biotechnology Integrated. 2] B.Sc[Hon] Biotechnology	1] 10+2. Entrance test of PET 2] Class XII [Sciences.]	3 years
Punjab University, Chandigarh. Website: www.puchd.ac.in orwww.pec.ac.in	BE. Biotechnology	10+2 with 60% in Physics, Chemistry & Maths. Admission through AIEEE	4years
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University. Website:www.smvdu.org	B.Tech [Industrial Biotechnology]	Class XII [Sciences.] admission through AIEEE	4years
Satyabhama Institution of Science & Technology, Tamil Nadu. Website: wwwsatyabhama.edu	B.TechBiotechnology	Class XII admission through AIEEE	4 years
Uttar Pradesh Technical University,Institute of Engineering, Lucknow -226021. Ph- 0522-732376	B.Tech Biotechnology& Bio. Engg.	10+2 with Physics, Chemistry Maths & Biology.
Osmania University, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. Website: www.osmania.ac.in	B.TechBiotechnology	Class XII, with 50% in Physics, Chemistry and Math.	4 years
Visverswaraih Technological University, Karnataka. Website: www.vtu.ac.in	B.TechBiotechnology	Class XII, with Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
University of Kerela. Website: www.keralauniversity.edu	B.TechBiotechnology	10+2 with 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Maths and 50% marks in Maths.	4years
Vellore Institute Of Technology, Tamil Nadu. Website: www.vit.ac.in	B.Tech / B.Sc Biotechnology	10+2 with Physics, Chemistry Maths & Biology.Entrance test.	4years
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143005, Punjab. Website: www.gnduonline .org	1]B.Tech Biotechnology 2]B.Sc Biotechnology	10+2 with 55% marks in Physics Chemistry Maths & Biology. Entrance test. 2] 10+2 sciences with 50% marks	4 years
Jamia Millia Islamia University. Website: www.jmi.nic.in	B.Sc Biotechnology. (vocational-course)	10+2 with 50% marks in physics, chemistry and maths.	3years
Gulbarga University, Jnana ganga, Gulbarga-585106, Andhra Pradesh. Website: www.gulbargauniversity.kar.nic.in	B.Sc Biotechnology	Class XII [Sciences.]	3 years
Amity Institute Of Biotechnology, New Delhi Website:www.amity.edu	B.Sc Biotechnology	10+2 with 50% marks and Biology as a subject. Entrance test.	3years
Bharti Vidyapeeth, Pune Website:www.bharatividyapeeth.com	B.Sc Biotechnology	Class XII [Sciences.]	3years (Last date of form submission is 10.06.06)
Banasthali Vidyapeeth. P.O. Banasthali Vidyapeeth. -304022 Website: www.bansthali.org	B.Sc/B.Sc(Hon) Biotechnology	Class XII [Sciences.]	3years. Last date for Applying is 15th May & with late fee is 25.05.06

The popular universities offering Post graduate programmes are:

Jawaharlal Nehru University,New Delhi:(www.jnu.ac.in).

University of Pune:(www.unipune.ernet.in),

University of Mumbai, IIT Bombay: (www.iitb.ac.in)etc.

University Of Jammu,Jammu: (www.jammuuniversity.in)

For up to date information and details log on to the respective websites.

QS. I am in class XII and would like to know about bioinformatics? Could you kindly let me know the institutions offering Bioinformatics at undergraduate level?

ANS. Bioinformatics is the union of biological sciences and computer sciences. It is evident that bioinfor matics is now crucial for fundamental biological re search, as well as for its rapid application in medi cine and agriculture.

It is offered as a BTech and a B.Sc Programme. It is offered more popu larly as M.Sc for science graduates or advance diplo ma/ MTech for postgraduates in science, etc.

The Popular universities offering Postgraduate programmes are:

University of Pune,(www.unipune.ernet.in),

Madurai Kamaraj Univer sity(www.mkuniversity.org),

JNU, New Delhi.(www.jnu.ac.in).

For programmes in Bioinformatics at Undergraduate level you can consider:-

Institution	Course	Eligibility	Duration
Vellore Institution of Technology, Vellore -632014 Website: www.vit.ac.in	B.Tech Bioinformatics	Class XII, 60% inPhysics, Chemistry,Maths and Biology	4 years
Bioinformatics Institute of India, Noida-201301 Website:www.bioinformaticscentre.org	Graduation, Diploma in Bioinformatics	Class XII
Satyabhama Institute of Science andTechnology, Chennai -600119 Website:www.satyabama.edu	BE/B.Tech Bioinformatics	AIEEE	4 years
Periyar University, Govt. College Of Engg Campus, Tamil Nadu.	B.Sc Bioinformatics	Class XII with Physics, Chemistry and Biology.	3 years
Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan Website: www.jiit.ac.in	B.Tech Bioinformatics	Class XII with Physics, Chemistry and Maths	4 years

For up to date information and details log on to the respective websites.

QS.I am currently studying in class XII in a CBSE school in Jammu. I wish to pursue a B.Sc degree in astrophysics in India. Which are the colleges for it? Are class XII board marks the only criteria for a B.Sc degree in astrophysics, irrespective of the state in which it is to be pursued?

ANS. The study of astrophysics uses advanced knowl edge in mathematics and physics, so it would be advisable at this point to focus on taking up B.Sc in physics with mathematics in a good college, as as trophysics at B.Sc level is rarely offered. Admission would normally be based on your class 12^th science aggregates. Thereafter, you could pursue M.Sc in physics with a focus on astrophysics or M.Sc in astrophysics or M.Sc in space science and then PhD.

Important institutions for advanced studies in astrophysics are:

Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital(http://upso.ernet.in);

Harish Chandra Research Institute (HRI) at Allahabad(www.mri.ernet.in).

Indian Institute of Astro­physics (IIA). Bangalore: (www.iiap.ernet.in).

Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and As trophysics (IUCAA), Pune (www.iucaa.ernet.in);

Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmed abad(www.prl.ernet.in) and

Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bangalore(www.rri.res.in).

Institutes offering M.Sc in astrophysics or M.Sc in space science are as under:

Osmania University,Hyderabad, (www.osmania.ac.in)

Punjabi University, Patiala, (www.universitypunjabi.org)

Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala:(www.mguniversity.edu).

The study of astrophysics can lead to careers including science teaching and journalism, techni cal development, and research.

For up to date information and details log on to the respective websites.

QS.I have just completed 10+2 sciences and I am interested in pursuing my bachelor’s degree in B.Pharmacy. Could you please apprise me about the eligibility criteria and a few institutions offering this course?

ANS. Pharmacist study the chemistry of drugs, their origin, procedures for development of drugs, their preparation, dispensing, their effects and eventually use for prevention and treatment of disease in living beings. Hence they play a vital role in research, processing and manufacturing of drugs. A qualified pharmacist could be working as hospital pharmacist, retail pharmacist, industrial pharmacist or research pharmacist.

The study of Pharmacy is at the following levels: Diploma of 2 years duration, degree of 4 years duration after 10+2 and post graduation of 2 years. The technician’s jobs are open to diploma holders while graduates opt for retail and hospital jobs.

Students completing class XII with physics, chemistry, biology/mathematics are eligible for the study of Pharmacy.

Some of the Universities offering this course are:-

BITS Pillani, Rajasthan.Website:www.bits-pillani.ac.in.

Benaras Hindu University, (BHU).Website:www.bhu.ac.in.

BITS Ranchi, Jharkhand Website:birmesraranchi.org

L.M. College of Pharmacy-Ahmedabad

Punjab University,Chandigarh. Website:www.puchd.ac.in

JadavpurUniversity, Calcutta.Website:www.jadavpur.edu

For up-to-date information and further details visit the above websites.

QS.I am Interested in pursuing an under graduate programme in Agriculture or its Allied Sciences. Could you let me know about the entry into this programme through the All India Entrance examination?

ANS.Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan, Pusa, New Delhi 110012 conducts an All India Entrance Examination for filling up 15% of the total number of seats in graduate courses in 41 Agricultural Universities in 10 subjects of undergraduate degree, in different subjects viz. Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries Science, Forestry, Home Science, Sericulture, Agricultural Engineering, Dairy Technology, Food Science and Technology and Agricultural Marketing Banking and Cooperation and 100% of the seats at National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal (Haryana) in Dairy Technology.

National Talent Scholarship: is granted as merit in each of the ten undergraduate disciplines if the selected candidate opts to study in a college outside his/her domicile.

Eligibility: 10+2 with 50% in combination shown against each subject of study. The course requirements for various subjects are as follows: For Agriculture – physics, chemistry, biology, ormath /agriculture; For Horticulture - physics, chemistry, biology; For Fisheries Science - physics, chemistry, biology; For Forestry - physics , chemistry, biology; For Home Science- physics, chemistry, biology; For Sericulture - physics , chemistry, biology; For Agricultural Engineering - physics, chemistry, math; For Dairy Technology Food Science and Technology- physics, chemistry, math; and for Agricultural Marketing Banking and Cooperation- physics, chemistry, math; Candidates should be Indian nationals only and minimum 17 years of age on 31st December of the year of admission in the course. The month for applying is February. For up-to-date information and further details access www.icar.org.in

Some states also conduct a state level entrance test along with other professional courses such as medicine /engineering /agriculture etc to select students for graduate courses in Agriculture state colleges.

QS.I am studying in class 12th, and I am interested in joining the NationalDefence Academy. Could you please give me all the details?

ANS. The Union Public Service Commission holds theNational Defence Academyand Naval Academyexamination for admission to the Army Navy and Air Force wings of NDA. This examination is held twice a year for which the notification is published in the month of March and October respectively in leading newspapers like the Employment News and the Rozgar Samchar.

The Eligibility Criteria is as follows:

Only unmarried male candidates who have attained the age of 16 ½ years and must not have attained the age of 19 years.

Educational Qualification:

For Army wing of NationalDefence Academy: 12th class pass of 10+2 pattern of school education or equivalent examination conducted by a state education board or a University.

For Air Force and Naval Wings of National Defence Academy and for 10+2 [Executive Branch ] course of Naval Academy : 12th class pass of 10+2 pattern of school education or equivalent examination with Physics and mathematics conducted by a state education board or a University.

Candidates who are appearing in 12th class under 10+2 pattern of school education or equivalent examination can also apply for this examination.

Physical Standards:

Candidates must be physically fit according to the physical standards for admission to theNational Defence Academyand Naval Academy.

Scheme of Examination: The subjects of the written examination, the time allowed and the maximum marks allotted to each subject are as follows:

SUBJECT	DURATION	MAXIMUM MARKS
Mathematics	2 ½ hours	300
General Ability Test	2 ½ hours	600
	Total	900

The paper in all the subjects will consist of objective type question only.

How to Apply:

The candidate must apply in the common application form devised by the commission for its examination which can be purchased from the designated Head Post office /Post offices through out the country against cash payment of Rs 20/-.

For any further details you can log on to: www.upsc.gov.in

QS. I am in class XII and I would like to become a pilot in the Indian Air force. Can you please tell me the details about the eligibility criteria and the selection procedure for women in the Indian air force as a pilot?

ANS. The Indian Air force recruits dynamic young Indian women in the flying branch of the Indian Air Force under the Short Service Commission, for which the engagement period is 10yrs and can be extended up to 14 years .This notification is usually published twice a year in the month of April / May and October /November in leading newspapers.

The Eligibility criteria’s is as follows (as per the 2006 notification):-

i] An unmarried female Indian citizen, born between 02 January 84 and 01 January

88.

ii] Graduation in any discipline i.e. 10+2+3 system of education with Physics and

Math’s at 10+2 level or BE four years course.

iii] At least 162.5 cm in height.

The candidate must fulfill the selection procedure of first qualifying the Pilot Aptitude Battery Test [PABT], then the Personality Test for the qualifiers of PABT.

Then the candidate enters Stage I Test - consisting of the Intelligence Test, Picture perception and Discussion test. Those who qualify this, enter Stage II Test – consisting of Psychological testing, Group Testing and Interview. The last stage is The Medical Testing at AFCME, New Delhi or IAM Bangalore for those who qualify AFSB testing.

For further information you can log on towww.careerairforce .nic.in.

QS. I have completed class XII with Physics, Chemistry and Maths. I am Interested in pursuing PPL. Could you kindly give me some information about the entry to this course and some Indian Flying clubs offering training for PPL?

ANS. To pursue training in PPL a Student Pilot License [SPL] has to be acquired from the govt. sponsored flying club in the country. Minimum eligibility required for SPL is passing the matriculation examination. Age should be 16 yrs. Oral exam is taken in subjects related to aviation.

Before being permitted to start flying, A Private Pilot License [PPL] has to be acquired. Flying training for PPL includes an initial 15 hrs on a dual flight with a flying instructor.

During the stipulated hour of flying there has to be a cross country, & solo flying. Once the practical flying training has been acquired, the theoretical examination has to be taken in subjects such as air regulation, air navigation, aviation meteorology and aircraft engines. The eligibility Conditions for appearing for the PPL formalities are a pass in plus two or equivalent examination, having completed 17yrs of age at least. Medical fitness declaration by the Armed Forces Central Medical Establishment. [AFCME], New Delhi or the Institution of Aviation Medicine, Vimanpura, Bangalore is essential. This certificate is valid for a year.

PPL training is available at all Govt. sponsored flying Clubs all over the country at subsidized rates. The Total cost of going through PPL and onto CPL works out to be in Lakhs. (10-15 lakhs)

THE LIST OF TRAINING INSTITUTIONS ARE AS UNDER:-

PLACE	INSTITUTION	COURSE	ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
New Delhi	Delhi flying club, SafdarjungAirport, New Delhi -110003	PPL	Pass in plus two /equivalent examination with Physics & Math.
Nagpur	Nagpur Flying Club, Sonegaon Aerodrome, Nagpur -440002	PPL	Pass in plus two /equivalent examination with Physics & Math.
Mumbai	Bombay Flying Club, Juhu Aerodrome,Santa Cruz, Entrance from Juhu beach side Mumbai -400054	PPL	Pass in plus two /equivalent examination with Physics & Math.
Bangalore	GovernmentFlying Training school, Jakkur Aerodrome , Yelahanka, Bangalore-560054	PPL	Pass in plus two /equivalent examination with Physics & Math.
Chennai	Hindustan Institute Of Engineering Technology, 40 G.S.T. Road, StThomas Mount, Chennai -600016	PPL	Pass in plus two /equivalent examination with Physics & Math.

Further details and up to date information can be obtained from the official website of Directorate General of Civil Avi ation (DGCA) www.dgca.nic.in

QS. Iam interested inpursuing a CPL (Commercial Pilot’s License) course. Please send me some information about the Indian academies or clubs for CPL training, and the hourly course fee?

ANS. At a government flying club in India, training for a CPL costs about Rs. 10 lakhs which is spread over two-and-a-half to three years it includes 200 hours of flying training. There are sev eral government flying clubs across India, such as the Delhi Flying Club, Mumbai Flying Club and many others in different cities. There are also several pri vate flying schools such as the Orient Flight School, Hindustan College(www.orientflights.com;orientjlights@eth.net),Pondicherry, the Fly tech Aviation Academy Secunderabad (wwwflytech avia tion.com; injo@flytech aviation.com), and the Bangalore Aeronautics and Technical Services, Bangalore, to name a few. Here, the training may take one-year to I5-months, and the cost is about Rs. 12-15 -lakhs for the entire CPL pro gramme. Students are not charged on hourly basis. They have to pay a consolidated fee for the training programme.

For up to date information and further details contact the insti tutes or checkwww.aeroinfo.org.in orwww.dgca.nic.in.

QS. I am studying in class XI, Science stream and I am interested in becoming a Pilot could you apprise me of the admission and selection procedure into the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi. Could you also let me know about any other flying school inPunjab?

ANS. IGRUA is the pioneer flying training institute in the country.

IGRUA offers the following courses commencing from October 2006:

COURSE	TRAINING	SEAT			DURATION	ELIGIBILITY
		GEN	SC	ST
1]Ab –initio to CPL course	Training for issue of CPL from 00.00hrs with multiengine endorsement on king air C-90A and instrument rating[IR] on single/multi-engine aircraft	24	04	02	2yrs	10+2 with physics and Math’s and 55% aggregate marks. Age limit is 17 yrs
2]PPL to CPL	Training for issue of CPL to PPl holders [ with 60 Hrs. of flying ] with multiengine endorsement on king airC-90A and instrument rating [IR]on single/multiengine aircraft	10	01	01	1 ½ yrs	10+2 with Physics and Math’s and Valid Indian PPL/PPL under issue. A total of 60 hrs of flying including 30 hrs of solo since 1st Oct 2003 Age limit is 17 yrs

COURSE NO 3] Candidates can opt for BSc Aviation degree from Chatrapati Sahu Ji Maharaj Univ. Kanpur which shall be conducted along side CPL course subject to the completion of the syllabus on aviation subjects, flying and project work – duration 3 yrs

Training Fee For: 1) 16.50 lakhs

2) 12.50 Lakhs

B.Sc Aviation -9000/-

Selection: Selection procedure consists of a written test, Pilot aptitude test & interview.

Syllabus for written test:

A] For course [1] Paper –I General English, Math’s, Physics and reasoning [10+2 level]

B] For course [2] Paper –I Aviation subjects PPL level and Paper - II – Reasoning.

The notification for admission to IGRUA is usually out in the month of May/June. ForJammu candidates the nearest test centre is Delhi.

For further information you can write to Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi, Fursatganj airfield, Distt. Raebarelli, [UP] - 229302. Or log on to their website i.e.www.igrua.gov.in.

Guru Nanak Dev University in collaboration with Department of Civil Aviation,Punjab, has launched a new, course for training com mercial pilots. The University plans to offer this course at a reasonable rate. The Amritsar Aviation Club will provide practical training including 200 hours of flying experience while the theory classes will be held at the University campus.

QS. I have taken up sciences at 10+2, with physics, chemistry and math. Could you please tell me about the 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme into the Indian Army?

ANS. Male candidates who have passed 10+2 examination with physics, chemistry and mathematics are eligible for the grant of Permanent Commission in the army after four years of basic military and technical training.

The Eligibility Conditions is:-

Unmarried male candidates not below 16 1/2 years and not above 19 1/2 years on the first day of the month in which the course commences.

Educational Qualification is:-

Only those candidates who have passed 10+2 examination or its equivalent with a minimum aggregate of 70% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics’ are eligible to apply for this entry. The selection procedure is through an interview.

For further information you can log on to their websitewww.indianarmy.nic.in

QS.I am interested in joining the Indian Navy after my 10th examinations as a Matric Entry Recruit. Could you tell me about the task involved as a Matric recruit in the Indian Navy, when is this notification published and what is the eligibility criterion for recruitment?

ANS.The Indian Navy is a high technology service, which operates and maintains highly sophisticated ships submarines and aircrafts. The sailors are given training at various stages during their service to operate and maintain the weapons, sensors, equipments etc on board these weapon platforms. Sailors in the navy are liable to serve anywhere in India, on board ship, submarine or abroad as required by the services.

This notification is usually published in the month of January /February in the Employment News/Rozgar Samchar & other Newspapers.

The Eligibility criteria for enrolment as a Matric Entry Recruit [MER] is as follows:-

Only unmarried male Indian citizens and citizens of Nepalare eligible with minimum 60% aggregate in there matriculation or equivalent with Science and Math’s or 50% and more aggregate in 10+2 or its equivalent with Physics and Math’s.

The age criterion is as follows: -

The candidate should have been born between 01August 1986 and 31st July 1989( as per the 2006 notification)

Selection Procedure: - is on the basis of a written entrance test, which is objective in nature. The question paper comprises of four sections i.e. English, Science, Maths and General Knowledge. The standard of the question paper would be based on matric syllabus. Apart from the above there would be a physical fitness test and medical examination. Sailors would be inducted on the basis of selection after the above.

For further information you can log on to their website i.e.www.nausena-bharti.nic.in

QS.I have opted for Physics, Chemistry, Maths, in class XI and am keen to join the merchant navy. What is the eligibility criterion? Does one need to take any test? Could you please tell me about the selection procedure?

ANS. Merchant navy - the non-com batant commercial fleet comprises various types of vessels such as barge ships, bulk carriers, tankers, cargo carriers, passenger ships and other types of sea vessels that are operated by public and private sector shipping companies. Trained navigators, trainee marine engineers and crew members (now women as well) man, these ships.

Besides several others, the two main institutes that offer training programmes for entry into the merchant navy are: Training Ship Chanakya (T S Chanakya), for the navigation branch, and the Marine Engineering Research Institute (MERI), for the engineering branch.

T S Chanakya, Navi Mumbai, affiliated to the University ofMumbai, offers a three-year B.Sc degree in Nautical Sciences. MERI, headquar­tered in Kolkata and with a branch

In Mumbai, offers a four-year course in Marine Engineering(www.merical.ac.in).

Admission to both the institutes is through the IIT- JEE. Eligibility is a 10+2 (PCM 60%). Bachelors and spinsters below the age of 20 are eligible to apply. Physical fitness and good vision are essential. For marine engineering, glasses up to power 2.5 are allowed but defec tive colour vision is a disqualifica tion for both navigation as well as engineering. On completion of training at either of the institutions, you have to pass the Certificate of Competency Examination con ducted by the M/O Surface Transport through the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai. On sea training is a prerequisite for all candidates. Although TS Chanakya and MERI do not guarantee placement, grad uates of these institutes are held in considerable esteem and have no problem finding employment.

For details contact: DGS, Jahaz Bhavan, Walchand Hirachand Marg, Ballard Estate, Mumbai 400038(www.dgshipping.com).

You can also join the merchant navy as a deck cadet after passing class XII in the science stream (PCM). Shipping companies direct ly recruit cadets and send them for the mandatory pre-sea training. Subsequent promotions to officer grade will be determined by your ability to qualify the various exams conducted by the DGS.

The Shipping Corporation ofIndia recruits trainee navigating officer cadets (class XII with PCM) and trainee marine engineers, BE/ BTech (Mechanical/ Naval Architecture), through a competi tive selection process. Even B Sc graduates are eligible if they fulfill the requirements at the 10+2 level. Visitwww.shipindia.com.