APPSC Announced 2677 Panchayat Secretary Posts

Andhra Pradesh Public Service commission announced the dates for submitting applications for Panchayat secretary posts.  Applications have to be submitted online from January 4 to January 22, 2014. However last date for paying the exam fee is January 20.

After the written test, APPSC will prepare general ranking list by March 24 to the district collector.  Each revenue district will be a unit for recruitment of posts.  Eight percent posts will be filled by local people and twenty percent will be filled with open category candidates.  Candidates have to get their original certificates verified.

While submitting the applications, candidates have to clearly check whether they are in the local list or are competing for the open category as a non-local candidate.  Processing fee of application is Rs. 100 which is common for all categories of candidates.  Exam fee is Rs. 80 and SC/ST/BC/physically handicapped/Ex servicemen/White ration card holders and unemployed youth need not pay the exam fee.

To apply for Panchayat Secretary posts, the candidates have to register their personal details at APPSC website first. The challan form can then be obtained which have to be downloaded to pay the fee either at AP online center or at State bank of India branches. Receipt for the fee paid has to be obtained along with the journal number. On the next working day, visit the website and register the journal number in the application. Fill all the details in the application and then submit it.  If there are any doubts in filling or submitting the applications, candidates can call on APPSC helpdesk phone 040-23120055 from 10.30 am to 01.00 pm and then from 1/30 pm to 5.30 pm.

Eligibility for applying to Panchayat secretary posts is graduation from any recognized university in the country.  Candidates should be between 18 and 36 years of age.  Maximum age limit is relaxed by 5 year for SC/ST and BC candidates and ten years relaxation is given for physically handicapped candidates.  92 posts are reserved for physically handicapped applicants.

Written test for Panchayat secretaries’ recruitment consists of two papers. Paper – 1 will have questions from general studies. It will contain 150 questions for 150 marks.  Paper 2 will have questions of problems in rural areas, rural development and so on. 

More information can be obtained from www.apspsc.gov.in.

For Notification details : Click Here

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IIT-KGP to set up research parks in Kolkata

Indian Institute of Technology-Kharagpur (IIT-KGP) will expand its base here through research and innovation parks, an official release said on Monday. 


The move aims at merging industry and academia as well as fostering international collaborative studies. 

The hubs would give scope to young scientists from the institute to not only enhance their academic prospects but also boost their entrepreneurship skills, the release said. 

IIT-KGP plans to set up parks at Gopali, Kansabati and Rajarhat, besides the existing one at the Kharagpur campus. 

"The hubs would be a merger of all these areas. The project is on...and the first building would come up by early 2015," project in-charge Joy Sen told IANS. 

"The parks will be an extension of IIT-Kharagpur in the state capital," he said. 

The first Park will be developed in Kolkata. 

It will have facilities to house collaborative research laboratories of partner organisations, incubation units, and other academic and research facilities.

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Vikrama Simhapuri University for ties with foreign varsities

Armed with the success of three international symposiums organised by them during last two years, Vikrama Simhapuri University (VSU) has been planning to hold more such events on a grand scale next year in association with universities across the globe.

VSU vice-chancellor, Prof. G. Rajarami Reddy, has revealed this while addressing the valedictory of the three-day international symposium, Environmental pollution, nutrition & genetics, and a special symposium, Cancer biology and therapeutics, held at seminar hall here on Sunday.

He said that a mega event is going to be launched in July next. He asserted that events like these have not only given a global exposu-re to the VSU but also built several long-term friendships with the international scientific community.

Dr. G. Subrahmanyam, director, Narayana Medical College and Hospital, the distinguished guest, affirmed the relevance of the symposiums’ theme of “Nutrition and Health” by drawing scriptural aphorisms at liberty and relating them with the changing lifestyle patterns telling on healthy living of the people today.

He felt that the microenvironment that the womb of the mother provides is like the virgin planet without pollutants and it is the ambitious human activity that drove us to the brink of extinction.

Dr Balwantsinh Chauhan, Roosevelt University, insisted that controlling pollution starts from self-restraint and self-control, it is the larger individual responsibility which leads to community commitment, he said.

Prof. M. Srinivasulu Reddy, convener of the event, expressed thanks to all the organisers for making the event a successful one.

Dr. Riyaz M. Basha, University of Texas, USA, and the overseas organising secretary, gave a brief and comprehensive report.

Earlier, Dr. K. Narasimha Rao, joint secretary of the event, welcomed and introduced the guests while Dr. Y. Sunandamma proposed a vote of thanks.

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Google offering free Chromebooks to Indian schools

HYDERABAD: Google is expanding to India an initiative to popularize the use of its Chromebook laptops in schools, starting with a pilot in four schools in Andhra Pradesh.

The internet search company that makes the world's most popular software for smartphones and tablets will initially make available 25 Chromebooks to each school and train the teachers and instructors in the use of the required software applications.

"The school instructors will teach core subjects using applications and software. We believe with interactive learning, the student will understand better and will take interest in the subjects," Ponnala Lakshmaiah, the state's minister for information technology, said.

Chromebooks require an internet connection to use, and most of the data, such as files that users work on, are stored on Google's storage network connected to the internet. Earlier this month, Samsung released a Chromebook model specifically for the Indian market. Schools are among the most popular market segments for the Chromebooks.

Google is running this programme in some 3,000 schools in the US, Singapore and Malaysia, a Google executive with direct knowledge of the plan to expand it to India told ET. The executive requested not to be named as Google was yet to announce the plan.

"Google aims to increase access to information and knowledge for all students, and encourages tools that support effective teaching and learning in the classroom, but we have nothing to announce at this time," a company spokeswoman said in an emailed statement.

The pilot project, in collaboration with Andhra Pradesh department of information technology, will start next month, a senior government official said. It will be launched in three government schools and one private school in Jangaon in Warangal district.

After the pilot, which benefits students of grades nine and 10, discussions are on to expand the programme statewide, the government official said.

The state's IT department will provide the schools with Wi-Fi internet connectivity with 1Mbps speed and power backups for unhindered use. Each school will be assigned dedicated mentors who would train the teachers and instructors, the official said.

Training will include using the Google Apps Training Center, an online learning environment that offers six modules including Google Apps Education Edition, Apps Mail, Calendar, Docs, Sites, and other tools.

(Courtesy : Times of India)

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'Vote for a Better India' app for Android released to aid voter registration

Indian-American youths in US have developed a smartphone application to help the unregistered voters in India, in particular youths, to register their names in the electoral rolls.

The Android app "Vote for a Better India" was unveiled over the weekend at an event "Big Ideas for a Better India" organised by the 'Overseas Volunteer for Better India (OVBI)'. The event also featured an address by spiritual guru, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, of the Art of Living fame.

The Android app will be used to power Vote at hon - an inter-college voter registration competition that is expected to have over 10,000 participating colleges with the goal of registering over 30 million voters - the event organizers said.

In his address, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar emphasised on increasing the voting percentage during elections. Referring to the high voter turnout in the recently held Assembly elections, he called for increasing the turnout to 95 percent.

The OVBI, in a statement, called upon the non-resident Indians to register themselves to vote and travel to India for a fortnight to contribute to voter education drive. It also urged them to encourage their family and friends to vote for a better India.

Interestingly, this is just one of many technology-based tools for the Indian democratic system, with several such small initiatives, as well as major ones by Google (its election portal) and Facebook (candidate information service on mobile), being released this year. The Election Commission also announced the use of a digital system to monitor possible code violations, ahead of the recent round of Assembly elections.

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Microsoft launches Guardian safety app for Windows Phone users in India

Microsoft India on Thursday said it has introduced Guardian, a new safety application, available exclusively for Windows Phone users in India.

Incidents such as 'Nirbhaya' prompted the global IT giant to come out with an app aiming at protecting women, Microsoft IT India Managing Director Raj Biyani said.

Explaining its features, Biyani said Guardian enables users to switch on a 'track me' feature in the app that lets friends and family track them in real-time using Microsoft Windows Azure cloud services and Bing Map APIs.

Guardian users can call for help through an 'SOS' alert button and also connect to security agencies, police and hospitals easily via this app in times of distress.

The app was developed over six months by a group of enthusiastic Microsoft employees in India, within the Microsoft Garage. Microsoft Garage is a global employee innovation initiative that gives Microsoft employees an outlet to explore ideas in their free time, Biyani said.

"Our employees wanted to do something to enable people to feel safer in our cities. So they used their spare time to develop Guardian. It is a robust personal security app with more safety features and capabilities than any other comparable app available to Indian smartphone users today," Biyani told reporters after launching the App.

To use Guardian effectively, users need to add the names of friends, family members and security groups to the settings and in an emergency situation, the app can be used to alert them, via the SOS button. All the user has to do is tap the SOS button, a Microsoft official said.

"The phone then sends a distress SMS to all buddy mobiles, notifying them of the emergency along with location details. At the same time the SOS button also sends emails to buddy email IDs and posts to private Facebook groups, if registered," the press release said.

Guardian uses Microsoft Windows Azure cloud services and Bing Map APIs extensively and can help security authorities and medical teams track the user. The phone can be traced even if it is broken. The application is capable of one touch video recording that may be used later as evidence, the press release added.

The Guardian app is available exclusively for Windows Phone users. It can be downloaded at here.

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University of Hyderabad announced Admission for M.B.A. Health Care and Hospital Management

University of Hyderabad invited online applications for admission to M.B.A. Health Care and Hospital Management programme for the year 2014-16. The candidates eligible can apply online between 4 December 2013 to 3 January 2014. The University of Hyderabad (UoH), one of the major institutions of higher education in India is largely devoted to postgraduate studies and is widely known for its excellence in research and for its distinguished faculty. It is founded in 1974.

Important Dates

• Opening date for Online Application Forms: 4 December 2013
• Closing date for Online Application Forms: 3 January 2014
• Date of Downloading of Hall Tickets from: 20 January 2014
• Date of Entrance Examination: 2 February 2014
• Date of Interview: 7 and 8 May 2014

Name of the Programme: M.B.A. Health Care and Hospital Management

Eligibility Criteria for Admission

• Three or four year Bachelors degree with minimum 60% marks or equivalent grade of any University recognized by AIU/AICTE.
• Preference will be given to those who have an academic background/experience relating to health care management/administration areas.

Entrance Examination fees

General/OBC candidates need to pay the fee of Rs.300/- and Rs.150/- for SC/ST/PWD (PH) candidates through Bank Challan or Online.

Selection Criteria

Candidate’s selection for admission to the courses will be made on the basis of percentile scores obtained in CAT 2013 followed by an Interview / Group Discussion which is under process.

How to Apply

Eligible candidates are required to apply online through official website of University of Hyderabad from 4 December 2013 to 3 January 2014.

For Detailed Notification click here

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GATE 2014 New paper pattern

Preparations for any entrance exam or test begins with understanding the paper pattern or the structure of the exam, as it gives a direction to student’s efforts. Some important facts about the structure of GATE 2014 are as given below:

Common factor:

 One thing common for all the papers is:

- Total 65 questions for 100 marks

- Out of which 10 questions - 15 marks - General Aptitude (GA) and the remaining of the total marks are devoted to the subject of the paper.

Two different types of questions: 

In the various papers of GATE 2014, there would be questions of two different types:

(i) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) – Objective questions carrying 1 or 2 marks, where each question will have a choice of four answers, out of which the candidate has to mark the correct answer(s), in all papers and sections. 

(ii) Numerical answer questions – Each question of 1 or 2 marks in all papers and sections. For these questions the answer is a real number, to be entered by the candidate using the virtual keypad. No choices will be shown for this type of questions.

 Design of questions:

The questions in a paper may be designed to test the following abilities:

(i) Recall: These are based on facts, principles, formulae or laws of the discipline of the paper. The candidate is expected to be able to obtain the answer either from his/her memory of the subject or at most from a one-line computation.

(ii) Comprehension: These questions will test the candidate's understanding of the basics of his/her field, by requiring him/her to draw simple conclusions from fundamental ideas.

(iii) Application: In these questions, the candidate is expected to apply his/her knowledge either through computation or by logical reasoning.

(iv) Analysis and synthesis: In these questions, the candidate is presented with data, diagrams, images etc. that require analysis before a question can be answered. A synthesis question might require the candidate to compare two or more pieces of information. 

 Marking Scheme:

- For 1 - mark multiple-choice questions, 1/3 marks will be deducted for a wrong answer. 
- For 2 - marks multiple-choice questions, 2/3 marks will be deducted for a wrong answer. 
- The GA section includes 5 questions carrying 1 mark each (sub-total 5 marks) and 5 questions carrying 2 marks each (sub-total 10 marks).
- There is no negative marking for numerical answer type questions.

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For a new avatar of the AICTE

The policy paralysis at the top of the All India Council for Technical Education is manifested in different ways at all levels.

The present pitiable position of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) of is its own making. The AICTE, pre-Independent India’s recommendatory body, was in its 42nd year — in 1987 — vested with statutory powers through an Act of Parliament. The parliamentary wisdom hoped that the AICTE would discharge its statutory role of maintaining the standards and coordinated development of technical education in the country. During the 1970s and a part of the 1980s, a large number of unrecognised private self-financing/capitation-fee institutions came into existence in several States and most of them were sub-standard institutions run on a commercial basis and predominantly concentrated in four States, viz., Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Twenty-six years after the statutory incarnation of the AICTE, such an imbalance continues to exist with its stamping approval. The issue of regional imbalance was pointed out but ignored by the AICTE through a self-appointed committee.

Coupled with regional imbalance was the resultant negative impact on the national quality of technical education. This writer pointed out, in The Hindu on April 6, 1993, the AICTE’s functioning out of a two-bedroom flat with skeleton staff . Immediately, the MHRD made arrangements for a spacious building and appointment of necessary personnel in the AICTE. The personnel appointed were either retired, on deputation as an Advisor or on contract. This ‘triple personnel avatar’ affected three basic requirements in the functioning of a statutory body — accountability, transparency and continuity. Very rarely, the AICTE benefited from the aggregate wisdom of its three top posts — Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Member Secretary — and there were times when the AICTE was managed for many months with an official deputed from the Ministry.

The policy paralysis at the top manifested in different ways at all levels. When the AICTE was given statutory powers, the Ministry of Human Resource Development wrote to State governments that the AICTE would grant one-time approvals based on inspection of quality, infrastructure, etc., and that the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) to be set up by the AICTE would handle issues of withdrawal, renewal, etc. But it did not happen. Approval by the AICTE continues to be an annual paper exercise and even the High Court of Madras as early as 1990 deprecated the AICTE on granting of approvals subject to conditions on “temporary or provisional basis” against the provisions of the Act. The charitable approval policy of the AICTE also resulted in another suo motu admission of a writ petition by the Madras High Court recently, questioning the AICTE’s supportive role in the mindless mushrooming of engineering colleges.

Model curriculum in limbo

On the issue of academics and curriculum, the story is no different. The AICTE published a model curriculum for the undergraduate engineering programme in the year 2000 which till date has not been updated. An attempt made by the AICTE to make engineering education multi-disciplinary by blending Science and Humanities never took off despite 1,000 man-days having been spent on it. The AICTE did not even have a copy of its funded research project report on MBA education in India.

The AICTE Act mandated the organisation to evolve a suitable performance appraisal system for technical institutions and universities and incorporate norms and mechanisms for enforcing institutional accountability and formulate schemes for the initial and in-service training of teachers. It is yet to be accomplished. In the early 1990s, the AICTE made an honest attempt to improve the quality of teaching faculty through its well-planned Early Faculty Induction Programme (EFIP). This successful EFIP was killed, however, without the stakeholders having been consulted, much to the grief of its many beneficiaries. In respect of diploma education, the AICTE suffers from the “all power, no responsibility” syndrome. The AICTE chose to retain its power to grant approvals for polytechnics but all the other responsibilities are discharged by the respective Directorates of Technical Education or universities.

The AICTE failed miserably to even provide a model curriculum for diploma education. Professor V.C. Kulandaiswamy in 2000 rightly recommended that polytechnics, being extensions of Higher Secondary Schools and sub-university level education, must be left to State governments through the concerned universities. This was accepted and delegated to State Level Boards in 2001 but was withdrawn in 2010 because the delegation was done without proper provisions in the Act. The AICTE never bothered to fix the issue and continued to enjoy its “power without responsibility” status.

Prof. Kulandaiswamy rightly added that “there has been a progressive emasculation of the university system over the years. It is necessary to examine the desirability of weakening the universities which are grassroots-level institutions, by the AICTE taking over certain responsibilities that better remain with the universities. Also, if the AICTE takes over fully and faithfully all the responsibilities under clause 10 (k) devoting time to approve new institutions, new branches, new additions and involve itself in unending litigations, it may not be possible for it to fulfil all other functions under 10 (a) to 10 (v)”.

The AICTE did not realise the seriousness of the Prof. Kulandaiswamy’s recommendation and sought to continue with its “Approval Only” motto as if it were the organisation’s only function.

Consequential to the Supreme Court’s latest order withdrawing the AICTE’s powers of approval, the quality of technical education is at a crossroads. The proposed remedy that transfers power from one statutory body to the other, University Grants Commission (UGC) may become worse than the disease.

Hence, it is suggested that the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) should amend the Act with a five-point formula (i) allow the AICTE to function as per the provisions of the Act under Section 10 (k) to grant approvals for new institutions and or new programmes as a one-time event only and not as an annual ritual; (ii) vest affiliating Universities with the power to enforce the AICTE’s guidelines/regulations; (iii) leave diploma-level educational institution to Universities and State Directorates of Technical Education; (iv) direct the organisation to concentrate on producing competent teachers for technical education and (v) direct the promotion of innovations and research in all institutions based on competitive proposals besides attending to the other provisions of the Act. This five-point formula needs immediate legislation.

(The writer is the vice-chancellor of SASTRA University)

(Courtesy : thehindu)

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LSAT 2014 Exam Notification

LSAT India is a test designed by USA-based Law School Admission Council (LSAC) for use by law schools in India. Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores are used for admission to five-year integrated LL.B Programmes, 2 year LL.M. and 3 year LL.B. Programmes. LSAT 2014 is scheduled to be held in third week of the May 2014 across 15 cities of India. Desired candidates can fill in their forms which are available online form 12th Nov, 2013 to 30th Apr, 2014. 

Eligibility LSAT 2014:
Candidates interested in 3 year LLB programmes and 5 year integrated LLB programmes should have completed 10+2 in any stream, candidates interested in LLM course should have completed Graduation. Every participating Law school has different eligibility criteria for admission. Candidate must visit the website of participating law school to know the eligibility. If one registers for the test and then determines that one is ineligible for admission to the intended law school, no test-fee refund will be available.

List Participating Law Colleges:

•     Amity Law School - Gurgaon
•     Central India College of Law, Godhani - Nagpur
•     Chotanagpur Law College - Ranchi
•     G H Raisoni Law School - Nagpur
•     Jindal Global Law School - Sonipat (Haryana)
•     JSS Law College - Mysore
•     K.L.E. Society's Law College - Bangalore
•     MATS Law School, MATS University - Raipur
•     Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law (RGSOIPL)
•     School of Law, Galgotias University - Greater NOIDA
•     School of Law, GITAM University - Visakhapatnam
•     School of Law, Sharda University - Greater Noida

How to apply?
Aspirants who want to apply for LSAT 2014 India are required to fill in the online registration form or can send a Demand draft. Registration Fee: Rs. 3800/- The demand draft/pay order/banker's cheque (favouring NCS Pearson India Pvt. Ltd., payable at New Delhi/ Noida) should reach the below mentioned address on or before 28th April, 2014 either by post or courier.

Pearson VUE
C/o Greenclouds
6708, DLF Phase - IV
Gurgaon, Haryana - 122002
Candidates should write "LSAT-India" at the bottom of the envelope.

Important dates:

• Registration opens: 12th Nov, 2013
• Registration close: 30th Apr, 2014
• Demand Draft Payments: 12th Nov, 2013 to 28th Apr, 2014
• Admit Card Release    8th May, 2014 to 17th May, 2014
• LSAT-India 2014, Test Date 18th May, 2014
• Announcement of Result   14th Jun, 2014

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MAT Feb 2014 Notification

Management Aptitude Test (MAT) conducted by All India Management Association is the single standardized test for admission into various MBA and Management courses throughout the nation and is accepted by many international Institutes as well. MBA specializations include Finance, Consultancy, Marketing, Banking, HR, Information Technology and Telecommunications. Used by 600+ Business Schools, the MAT is recognized by Government of India as a National Test for admission into Management courses. MAT is conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA) 4 times a year in February, May, September and December and is available in Paper Based Test and Computer Based Test formats. MAT is held in 50 test centers in India and 1 center each in Dubai and Singapore. 

Eligibility criteria
Eligibility to attempt the MAT examination is Bachelors Degree in any field/subject (final year students are also eligible). Although there is no minimum percentage requirement for MAT various Management Institutes/Business Schools may have percentage requirements respectively.  

How to apply
There are 3 ways to apply:
Register online at the official All India Management Association (AIMA) website and pay the Rs. 1200/- fees through debit card or credit card 
OR
Obtain a crossed Demand Draft from any Bank payable at Delhi for fees amount Rs. 1200/- in favor of 'All India Management Association' then register online at the official All India Management Association (AIMA) website with Demand Draft details
OR
Attain registration form from listed branches of AIMA Study Centers/Office and submit cash payment of Rs. 1200/- for fees.  

Paper PatternThe MAT exam is an objective type exam with a total of 200 multiple choice questions divided across 5 categories: Language Comprehension (40 questions), Mathematical Skills (40 questions), Data Analysis and Sufficiency (40 questions), Intelligence and Critical Reasoning (40 questions) and Indian and Global Environment (40 questions). 

Important datesLast date for sale of registration forms: 18th January 2014
Last date for submission of registration forms: 20th January 2014
Paper Based exam date: 2nd February 2014, timing 10 AM to 12:30 PM
Computer Based exam date: 8th February 2014 onwards (If the number of candidates opting for Computer based exam is less then Computer based exam will also be held on 2nd February 2014 only. 

Online application link: http://apps.aima.in/matfeb14/GuidelinesApply.htm

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UPSC NDA Exam 2014 Applications open

The Union Public Service Commission conducted National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination will be held on 20th April 2014 for admission to Army, Navy and Air Force wings of Naval Defence Academy and for Indian Naval Academy B.Tech courses. Last day for submission of applications is 20th January 2014. Naval academy has 55 available seats while NDA has a total of 320 available seats: NDA: 208 for Army, 42 for Navy and 70 for Air Force.  

Eligibility
Only Unmarried Male candidates are eligible for the NDA NA examination. Candidate must be physically fit.
Age: 16 years to 19 years
Education: Candidates interested in Army wing should have cleared 10+2 or equivalent with any subjects/streams, candidates interested in Air Force and Naval streams should have cleared 10+2 or equivalent with Physics and Mathematics as subjects. 

How to apply
Application is completed online in 2 steps. Before you apply make sure you have a scanned copy of your passport size photograph and signature. Complete the Part I registration by filling in the forms with details as required, after submitting the form a Registration ID will be generated which will also be sent to the email id you entered in the form. After receiving Registration ID proceed to Part II of the registration and upload scanned copy of your passport size photograph and signature. After successful uploading, you can pay application fees through online mode or offline mode. If paying online you can submit fees through Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking and if paying offline a Bank pay-in-slip will be generated which you can submit with fees to any branch of State Bank of India (SBI). Once payment is complete select your choice of exam center and the application process is complete. 

Application fees
General: Rs. 100/-
SC/ST: No fees

Paper pattern
The exam will have 2 sections of objective type questions: Mathematics (for 300 marks) and General Ability Test (600) with a duration of 2 ½ hours available for each section. Negative marking is applicable. Short listed candidates will go through interview recruitment process under SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal).

Important dates
Last day of application: 20th January 2014
Examination date: 20th April 2014

Official advertisement: http://www.upsc.gov.in/exams/notifications/2014/nda1/eng.pdf
Official application link: http://upsconline.nic.in/mainmenu2.php

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N T R UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES First MBBS 2013 Exam Results

Dr. N T R UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES First MBBS 2013 Exam Results

For Exam Results : Click Here

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Career as Indian Airforce Officer

Career Overview :
The Indian Air force is the fourth largest air force in the world. Now that India is one of the Nuclear Weapon States, your thumb might just be on that nuclear trigger, you never know.

The airforce can be divided into:

* Flying Branch
* Technical Branch
* Ground duty branch

Now let’s see what’s in store for you in each of these branches:

Flying Branch - You’ll be flying fighter/bomber aircraft designed to destroy the enemy in the air and on the ground. As a transport pilot you will be ferrying troops and equipments under enemy fire often making rough landings at makeshift runways. You could even be assigned to V.I.P. transport.

As a chopper pilot you will closely co-ordinate with the army in its operations. You could spy on enemy positions or drop commandos with pinpoint accuracy or ambush enemy tanks with guns and rockets.

Technical Branch - For those of you with a technical bent of mind, the Indian Air Force offers an opportunity for hands-on experience on sophisticated aircraft and weapon systems. You will ensure the war preparedness of the fleet and the airworthiness of the aircraft.

Ground duty - You will look after administration, logistics, accounts, education and meteorology. You could also be the eyes in the sky as the air traffic controller and fighter combat controller.

Requirements

Flying BranchBefore being inducted as a trainee pilot at the Air Force Academy you have to finish a three-year course from National Defence Academy.
Age Limit: 16 ½-19 years

Educational Qualifications: Minimum 10 + 2 with Physics and Mathematics.
Entrance: Written examination conducted by UPSC followed by a Services Selection Board interview for those who pass the written examination.

Advertisement: In the month of April/ November by UPSC. The format of application will be available in the Employment News.

Air Force Academy (CDSE)Age Limit: 19 to 23 years

Educational Qualifications: B.Sc. (Physics and/ or Mathematics) or B.E.

Entrance: Written examination conducted by UPSC followed by a Services Selection Board interview for those who pass the written examination.

Advertisement: In the month of April/ November by UPSC. Successful candidates join the Air Force Academy directly for Pilot Training.

National Cadet CorpsAge Limit: 19 to 23 years

Educational Qualifications: B.Sc. Physics and/or Mathematics or B.E.

Entrance: Direct Services Selection Board interview.

Eligibility criteria for WomenStatus: Unmarried or widows of service personnel killed on duty but without any child.

Age Limit: 19-23 years, relaxable up to 25 years for those holding Commercial Pilot License.

Educational Qualification: B.Sc. Physics and/or Mathematics or B.E.

Advertisement: Published in the month of January and July each year in the Employment News and leading Newspapers.

Entrance: Directly qualify for interview by Service Selection Board.
Successful candidates join the Air Force Academy directly for Pilot Training.

Engineering 
Entry into the engineering branch can be achieved through the University Entry Scheme. Here, you are selected to join the Aeronautical Engineering Branches for Permanent or Short Service Commission while in the Pre-Final/ Final Year of your study in the Engineering Colleges.

Alternatively, you can opt for the Direct Entry Scheme after graduation.
Age Limit: 18 to 28 years

Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics)
(Permanent Commission or Short Service Commission)

• Engineering Degree in Electronics/Telecommunications/ Electrical
• Communication/Electronics and Communication/Computer Science & Engineering or a combination of these subjects OR
• B.Tech. in Radio Physics and Electronics of Calcutta University OR
• B.Sc. Physics with Electronics of Bombay University OR
• M.Sc. Electronics of Delhi, Bangalore, Madras, Gujarat, Lucknow or Calcutta University OR
• B.Sc. with Physics, Maths and Chemistry.

Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical)(Permanent Commission or Short Service Commission)

• Engineering Degree in Aeronautical/ Mechanical/Production/ Industrial
  Production OR
• B.Sc. with Physics, Maths and Chemistry

Advertisement: Applications are called for twice a year in the month of January and July through advertisement published in the leading newspapers/Employment News.
Entrance: Written examination conducted by UPSC followed by a Services Selection Board interview for those who pass the written examination.

Ground DutiesYou would be inducted in one of these departments – Administrative, Logistics or Air Traffic Controller/Fight Controller (Short Service Commission) branches.

Age Limit: 20-23 years for graduates and 20-25 years for post graduates

Educational Qualifications: Graduates with 60 per cent and above marks and post graduates with 50 per cent and above.

Candidates with an MBA or post graduate diploma in Business Administration (Two years full time or three years part time course from institutes recognised by All Indian Council for Technical Education (AICTE) with 50 per cent and above marks and between the age group of

20-25 years can also apply.

For Law graduates (three-year course) with 50 per cent and above marks the age is relaxable to 26 years. LLB (five-year course) with 50 per cent marks and above can also apply provided they are in the age group of 20-25 years.

Advertisement: It is released in leading newspapers or Employment News in January and July for the administrative branch.

In January for Logistics Branch and in March for the Air Traffic Controller and Fighter Controller Branches.

Accounts BranchAge Limit: 20 to 23 years for Graduates and 20 to 25 years for post graduates.

Educational Qualifications: B.Com/B.Com. (Hons) with 60 per cent and above marks and M.Com. with 50 per cent and above marks.

For candidates with AICWA/Chartered/Registered/Incorporated Accountant together with B.Com or M.Com degree the age is relaxable upto 27 years.

Advertisement: Released in leading newspapers/Employment News in the month of July each year.
Entrance: Through SSB interview

Education BranchAge Limit: 21 to 25 years.

Educational Qualifications: M.A/M.Sc. with 50 per cent and above marks in English/Psychology/Defence Studies/Mathematics/Physics/Statistics/Computer Science or an MBA with 50 per cent and above marks with a combination of minimum two subjects out of Physics, Maths, Statistics, English, Psychology or Defence Studies at B A/ B.Sc. level.

Candidate with Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (Two year full time or three years part time course) from Institutes recognised by All Indian Council for Technical Education (AICTE) with 50 per cent and above marks can also apply. For those who have done their M.Ed/ PhD, the age limit is relaxable up to 27 years.

Advertisement: Advertisement is released in leading newspapers/ Employment News in the month of July each year.

Entrance: Written examination conducted b y UPSC followed by a Services Selection Board interview for those who pass the written examination.

Meteorological BranchAge Limit: 20 to 25 years.

Educational Qualifications: MSc in Physics/ Applied Physics/ Meteorology/
Geophysics with Meteorology and Oceanography/ Oceanography with specialisation in Meteorology/

M.A/M.Sc. in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics/M.tech in Atmospheric Science from IIT Delhi with 50 per cent and above marks.

Advertisement: Advertisement is released in the leading Newspapers/ Employment News in the month of July each year.

Entrance: Written examination conducted by UPSC followed by a Services Selection Board interview for those who pass the written examination.

Candidates must be in accordance with the prescribed physical standards i.e. they should be physically fit and free from any disease or disability and excess fat. The minimum acceptable height for the Air Force is 162 cm.

(For Gurkhas and residents of north-eastern India, Garhwal and Kumaon, the minimum acceptable height is 5 cm lower than the standard and from candidates from Lakshadweep, the minimum height is lowered by 2 cm.)Candidates must have perfect eyesight (known as 6/6 vision).

Besides these general conditions, each training institute and examination have their own standards and requirements.

Job Opportunities 
Flying branch officers have to opt for a permanent commission of 20 years. Short Service commission of seven years is offered for all other branches.

Your career growth usually takes this route:

• Commissioning rank- Flying Officer
• 5 years-Flight Lieutenant
• 11 years -Squadron Leader
• 16-21 years – Wing Commander
• 22 years – Group Captain
• 24 year – Air Commodore
• 26 years – Air Vice Marshal
• 28 years – Air Chief Marshal

Money & Other Benefits 
Flying Officer Rs 8,500 – 10,050

Flight Lt. Rs 9,600 – 11,400

Sq. Leader Rs 11,600 – 14,850

Wing Commander Rs 13,500 – 17,100

Group Captain Rs 15,100 – 17,350

Air Commander Rs 16,700 – 18,050

Air Vice Marshal Rs 18,400 – 22,400

Air marshal Rs 22,400 – 24,500

Air Chief Marshal Rs 30,000

In addition to the above fighter pilots get flying pay of Rs 9,000 per month. For helicopter and transport pilots, it is Rs 7,000.

Other facilities include leave benefits, travel concessions, dearness allowance, furnished accommodations, soft loans, group insurance scheme and free ration and medical treatment.

Career Prospects

Airforce pilots after retirement can move on to commercial airlines. This is true for all other branches as the civilian airline industry mirrors the defence one. With flying clubs and adventure sports gaining popularity there is a need for qualified personnel in these areas too.

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