At the third national seminar organized at the D.G. Vaishnav College recently, experts spoke on the career opportunities for NCC cadets, who had come from all over the State to learn about opportunities in UPSC, TNPSC, and the Indian army.

UPSC

Every year the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Exam to recruit candidates for the various posts in the IAS (Indian Administrative Service), IFS (Indian Foreign Service), IPS (Indian Police Service), IRS (Indian Revenue Service), and other services.

The exam includes two papers. Paper I is quite similar to the earlier General Studies paper; it tests the candidate’s general knowledge as well as awareness of the latest developments in the economy and general current affairs. Paper II is designed to test your secondary school–level skills in basic mathematics, reasoning, and English.

While preparation for Paper I involves extensive reading, Paper II requires solving several practice question papers. Spend at least four hours per day preparing for Paper I, and devote to Paper II anywhere between 1 and 4 hours per day, depending on your level of understanding.

UPSC has already announced that by 2012 or later it will change the main exam pattern (i.e. common paper for everyone). An effective strategy to clear the civil services exam in a single attempt is to prepare simultaneously for both the mains and prelims. Candidates must start preparing as early as possible, reading newspapers and periodicals to enrich their knowledge of current affairs. In the new pattern, a thorough understanding of current affairs is likely to stand you in good stead.

To attempt Paper II successfully, you will need to undergo special training and practice. This paper tests aspirants’ skills in comprehension, interpersonal communication, and logical reasoning, among others.

To get an idea of Paper II, you need to go through papers of earlier exams conducted by RBI and other banks’ PO exams. Students may even practice with CAT and GRE model papers.

Group-I Exam

TNPSC Group-I exam is conducted to recruit candidates for the posts of deputy collector, deputy superintendent of police, and assistant director of panchayats.

The exam is conducted in three stages:

1. Preliminary Exam (Objective Type) Single General Knowledge paper — 300 marks
2. Mains Exam (Descriptive type) Two General Knowledge papers — each 300 marks
3. Oral Test — 80 marks

Indian Army

The pay packages offered to recruits in the Indian Army are quite attractive. For example, at the entry level, a lieutenant earns up to Rs. 50,000 per month.

For selecting candidates in the officer category the Service Selection Boards (SSBs) has a five-day process in place. It is only those who are hardworking and genuinely interested that make it through all 5 days of training. Students who qualify to attend the interview are told that the approach during the interview will be relaxed and informal. The questions are generally based on everyday experience.