THE stakes for the candidates appearing in competitive examinations are pretty high. Students take their first steps towards a job and a lucrative career in their area of interest through these exams.
Over the years, it has been found that in India, we have a system of exams particularly conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), which are conducted in a perceivably clean manner.
These exams have a simplified and automated application format and candidates usually use pre-coded answer sheets for objective examinations. In some, however, candidates have to appear for a multitude of examinations, many of them now with two tiers that include essay-type/subjective patterns.
We focus on forthcoming exams being conducted by the UPSC and the SSC and also list out the career choices for eligible candidates. Review the list of examinations scheduled for 2010 (see box), followed by important details for all exams.
The recruitment process by the UPSC, a Constitutional body with a mandate to recruit suitable candidates and offer advice to the Government, is done through one of these: direct recruitment, promotion; and deputation/absorption.
Direct recruitment is through two channels: One, through competitive examinations and two, through selection.
The first method has in its ambit the following competitive examinations: Civil Services (Preliminary & Mains); Engineering Services; Combined Medical Services; Indian Forest Services; Indian Economic Services; Indian Statistical Services; Combined Defence Services; Central Police Services for recruitment of Assistant Commandants; Departmental Exams for recruitment of Section Officers/Stenographers in Grade B & I; Geologist’s Exam and National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Exams – the last two are conducted twice a year.
The Commission also conducts the Special Class Railway Apprentice Examination, which is held once in two years. There is a common application form along with an information brochure that is usually available at designated post offices across the country for Rs. 20.
The second mode, through selection, is made for all Group ‘A’ and select Group ‘B’ posts in the central government. After the initial screening of the eligible candidates as per the specified criteria and rationally devised criteria (includes higher qualifications and experience than what is prescribed for respective posts), shortlisted candidates are called for an interview.
The SSC, on the other hand, is designated to make recruitment to (i) Group “B” posts in various Ministries/Departments of the Government of India and their attached andsubordinate offices in the specified pay scale, the maximum of which is Rs. 10,500 or below and (ii) all non-technical Group “C” posts in a similar manner.
Given the eligibility criteria and area of study, which we presume are similar for your exam pick, we list the related career choice in the government sector for your consideration. These government jobs have been advertised over the past one year and are likely to follow a cyclic pattern.
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Name of exam
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Date of
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Deadline for applications
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Examination date (Duration)
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Minimum academic qualifications
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Age limits
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Combined Medical Services Examination 2010
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05.09.2009
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05.10.2009*
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17.01.2010 (one day)
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MBBS Degree with compulsory rotating internship
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Below 32 years as on 01.01.2010
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Combined Graduate Level Examination 2010 (Tier-I & Tier II)
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30.01.2010
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02.03.2010*
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16.05.2010 (Tier – I; One day); Likely to be 31.07.2010 & 31.08.2010 (Tier – II)
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A degree from a recognised university; Add on qualifications depend on the nature of vacancy, e.g. for Statistical Investigator, candidates must have graduation with statistics as a main subject. Additional skill tests depend on the nature of vacancy. For instance, Tax Assistants need to have a data entry speed of 8,000 key depressions per hour on the computer
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20-27 years
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Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2010
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02.01.2010
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01.02.2010*
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23.05.2010 (one day)
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A degree from a recognised university or equivalent
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21-30 years as on 01.08.2010
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Engineering Services Examination 2010
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30.01.2010
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02.03.2010*
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26.06.2010 (Three days)
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A degree in Engineering; MSc or its equivalent with Wireless Communications, Electronics, Radio Physics or Radio Engineering as special subject acceptable for certain Services/posts only
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21-30 years as on 01.08.2010
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Indian Forest Service Examination 2010
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20.02.2010
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22.03.2010*
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10.07.2010 (Ten days)
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Bachelor’s degree with at least one of these subjects: Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics and Zoology or a degree in Agriculture/Forestry or Engineering
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21-30 years as on 01.07.2010
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National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (II) 2010
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20.03.2010
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19.04.2010
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22.08.2010 (One day)
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For Army Wing of National Defence Academy: 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University
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16 – 19 years as on 01.07.2011
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(ii) For Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA and for 10+2 (Executive Branch) Course at Naval Academy: 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern with Physics & Mathematics
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Combined Defence Services Examination (II) 2010
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17.04.2010
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17.05.2010
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19.09.2010 (One day)
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(i) For IMA and OTA:- Degree of a recognised university or equivalent
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For IMA 19-24 years as on 01.07.2011
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ii. For Naval Academy: BSc (with Physics & Mathematics) or BE
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For NA 19 – 22 years as on 01.07.201
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iii. For Air Force Academy- Degree of a recognised university (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or BE
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For AFA 19-23 years as on 01.07.2011; for OTA: 19-25 years as on 01.07.2011
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Central Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination 2010
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15.05.2010
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14.06.2010
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24.10.2010 (One day)
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A degree from a recognised university or equivalent
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20-25 years as on 01.08.2010′
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Civil Services (Main) Examination 2010
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29.10.2010 (Twenty-one days)
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A degree from a recognised university or equivalent
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21-30 years as on 01.08.2010
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Indian Economic/Statistical Service Examination 2010
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05.06.2010
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05.07.2010
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04.12.2010 (Three days)
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Postgraduate degree in Economics/Business Economics/ Econometrics for the IES and PG Degree in Statistics/ Mathematical Statistics/Applied Statistics for the ISS
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21-30 years as on 01.01.2010
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Geologists’ Examination 2010
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12.06.2010
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12.07.2010
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04.12.2010 (Three days)
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Master’s in Geology or Applied Geology or Marine Geology or equivalent
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21-32 years as on 01.01.2010
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Except for Defence Services Exams; upper age limits are relaxable in case of candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/Other Backward Classes and certain other categories as notified by the Government
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Female candidates are not eligible for the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination
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Candidates appearing at the qualifying examination are also eligible to compete subject to certain conditions
*Deadlines over
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| Job-specific PSU Exams | |||||||||||||||
| Every year PSUs conduct exams to induct personnel for their organisations in different functional areas usually as trainee. ONGC for instance conducted a competitive exam a few months back.
Eligibility: Candidates below 30 years of age with applicable relaxation clause with first class (65% marks or above in UG/PG as the case may be (see table). Candidates need to be ICWA or CA pass after their graduation for traineeship in finance & accounts. Fees: Rs. 500 and Rs. 100 for SC & ST and Physically challenged candidates. About the Exam
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