Author: Vidhyarthi Darpan

CHANGES INDIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM

BY: ANKITA SHARMA, VIDHYARTHI DARPAN

Introduction

According to Article 26 of the Indian Constitution, Education is a fundamental human right. However, possessing such a right does not guarantee precise implementation at the forefront. The present Indian Education System solely relies on British era rules and regulations; not keeping up with changes has introduced downfalls faltering the whole learning process.

In the recent scenario, the definition of education has diverted from “a source of gaining knowledge” to “a source to climb the social and economic ladder.”

What is Wrong with the Current Indian Education System?

Due to a few to no protrusive changes and an outdated syllabus, it is easier to cram textual sentences and drain them in examinations. Because of a substantial increase in inept educators in schools and colleges, the students are compelled to join tuition and coaching classes. The prevalence of technology-driven classrooms is the need of an hour to enhance the learning experience. It also sustains the interest of students. Not only this, today’s education policies indicate a poor perception of education in the learner’s mind. In worse cases, the pressure to score better than peers and keep up with parents’ unreasonable expectations has led to suicides. There are plenty of loopholes in the current Indian system of dispersing education.

Out of many, the top 5 changes that our education system needs to undergo to allow smooth dissemination of knowledge:

 

1) Uproot Rote Learning

Rote learning is an act of mugging up textbook definitions without understanding the intended meaning of them. Rote learning came into existence because of the predictable and repetitive chain of an evaluation system that inadvertently relies on textual material. It not only bury the budding questions in students mind but often encourages erroneous un-updated concepts. Additionally, mug-ups are a threat to society because of the insufficient skills required in real-life situations.

The institutions need to stress more on conceptual and practical learning rather than promoting mug-ups. A proper and meaningful dispersal of complex topics needs to be done by educators. It will assert that the retention capacity of the students gets better and help them tackle real-life problems. An absolute eradication of rote learning is necessary to bring more practical learners into the field, segregating them from those who pretend to be one.

 

2) Introduction of Useful Technology

Technology has taken over the world by storm, yet some remotes areas are devoid of it. The problem lies in uneven distribution and strenuous accessibility of the internet to concerned people. Worldwide, less than half (48%) of the schools have desktop computers, with 33% of students claim to use smartphones. The majority of students (64%) use smartphones to aid in homework. The numbers are staggering but require improvement nonetheless.

The rural government schools lag in technological advances that disrupt the overall learning process. The essentials for education, such as high-speed internet and computer to work on, are delivered to distant areas in record time. However, whether or not they are utilizing them is a concern and needs to be considered.

It’s high time all the schools in India get equipped with world-class technology to grant quality education to everyone.

 

3) Legitimate Evaluation System

How can you judge someone’s mental ability and understanding based on a 3-hour examination held 2-4 times a year? It has been a matter of debate for ages. Students spend 12 years scoring just enough marks to promote to the next grade disregarding the previous knowledge as they move on. Our education system has a hollow foundation that barely grants recognition to talent. Conditioned parents desire academically adept children, completely despising sports which plays a considerable role in strengthening mental & physical health. There is an immediate need for change in the evaluation system in schools. 

Our educational foundation needs to focus more on the personal development of students by encouraging creativity, authenticity, and innovation; acknowledge participation in extra-curricular events and cultural activities, and exhibiting leadership and communication skills in the classroom.

 

4) Better Training of Educators

School is called the second home, and teachers, a second family. We spend the initial crucial years of our existence under the umbrella of educators that shape our future. It, therefore, becomes mandatory to employ people who have adequate knowledge and expertise. In India, let alone rural areas, where preliminary education is scarce, the lack of competent teachers is habitually reported in city areas.

Government schools have maintained an inadequate reputation in recruiting inexperienced and unsatisfactory teachers. There is an urgency in the availability of worthy teachers. Teaching faculty ought to be hired based on proficiency of specific subjects and expertise of the same. It is with the predisposition of knowledge via adept teachers, India can steadily move towards progress. 

5) Individual-Oriented Education

In India, central institutions have been controlling the curriculum of different standards, assuming that all pupil has the same level of grasping numbers and phrases. It is a wrong process of evaluating students based on one foundational concept. Each person is unique, with distinct qualities and methods of learning something. Sports can align with biology, so does with physics. The collaborations of related subjects can ease the pleasure of learning and sustain the interests of students.

Some students learn fast, while some understand better with pictures. Some require a flow-chart of the process, while some likes audio-visual explanation. In essence, individual attention is the need of the hour on an educational front.

 

Conclusion

The Indian Education Policy is derived from the British era that has undergone only a few changes since its establishment. Blindly following such a system without taking into account the yearly modifications in the curriculum has only landed us with an incompetent, mediocre, and unemployed generation. From rote learning to lack of technology, there is a myriad of problems that begs the attention of policymakers. Deviation from the traditional method is not entertained because people are too lazy to work on themselves. It, therefore, necessitates the need for reforms and revisions in the education system.

In the words of notable scientist APJ Abdul Kalam, “Indian Education Framework needs to change completely.” and rightly so.

ONLINE EDUCATION – PROS AND CONS

BY: ANKITA SHARMA, VIDHYARTHI DARPAN

Online Education has become an integral part of students’ learning curriculum. Whether it is a short-term course or a full-fledged degree, digital learning has piqued the interest of many undergraduate and post-graduate students from all over the world. 

Online Education involves learning about various disciplines offered by institutions. These courses are conferred solely through the digital transference of knowledge and conduction of virtual exams.

No wonder, with thousands of students enrolling for an online degree, India is one of the top 5 countries to have known to invest the most in e-learning.

Before opting for online training in your preferred field, it is crucial to learn about its pros and cons to choose better.

PROS OF ONLINE EDUCATION

Online education has become a popular choice among young and adults alike because of the enormous benefits. Below are some of the advantages of Online Education:

1) Self-Paced

Most of the online education follow asynchronous (non-continuous, flexible schedule) learning. Students get to choose when, where, and how to study given a proper internet connection. They can schedule pre-recorded classes to accommodate social and family responsibilities. The discussion forums are perennially present throughout the sessions for clearing doubts.

2) Creative Teaching Techniques

Online education is not limited to monotonous lectures with frequent “Yes sir, No sir” salutations. It is more than that. Online classes have interactive sessions, quizzes, exchange of innovative ideas, animations, fun videos, even gamified learning has emerged in the limelight. Essentially, courses need to be engaging and inviting to students’ understanding.

3) Collaboration with Like-Minded People

The Internet consists of a plethora of people in thirst of knowledge and improving skills. During online classes, students may encounter people with similar interests and goals. It enhances communication skills and helps in choosing a plausible career.

4) Time Management

Students learn plenty of other personal skills in online learning, such as self-realization, the importance of prioritizing work, an appropriate division of study & leisure time, timely submission of assignments & tasks, responsibility, etc. In short, time management skills go a long way in the personal development of the student.

5) Access to World-Class Content

With the enrolment, online courses also come with unlimited data related to core subjects. It includes an e-library of resources, study materials, links to scholarly articles, and research papers for an in-depth understanding of the topic.

6) Learn from the Best Educators

In an online platform, students gain insights from educators with enormous expertise in subjects from all over the world. The variety of teaching techniques by renowned teachers maintains the confidence and credibility of the education imparted. Concisely, students can rely on their educators for accurate and updated knowledge.

7) Student-Oriented

When in doubt related to the topic taught, students may directly contact the instructor without consultation from their friends, as observed in traditional classrooms. It is more individual-centric. Additionally, shy students gain the confidence to put up doubts and conversations in forums. There is no apparent dressing code, a particular age, or appearance to be enrolled in online lectures; everybody is welcome.

8) Can Enroll in Courses Irrespective of the Difference in Time-Zones

The best part of online learning is that it is available day and night, no matter which part of the world you reside in. The lectures, study materials, discussions are pre-recorded or saved in archives; hence are easily accessible. Distance learning has emerged as an alternative to in-class learning in many countries, and rightly so.

9) Inexpensive 

Online courses are undoubtedly affordable as opposed to classroom learning that requires notebooks, chalks & dusters. Furthermore, all the study materials in the form of pdfs, videos, eBooks, animations, links, files, docs, and photos are accessible online, which is sustainable to the environment. Apart from this, digital learning also saves traveling time and cost. 

CONS OF ONLINE EDUCATION

There are, however, problems and challenges faced in online learning. Below are some of the potential difficulties faced by students:

1) More Likely to Drop Out/Get Bored

Most students lose interest or get worn out of often encountered technical issues or lack of query clearance during the course duration. The continuous need for self-motivation and self-reliance compels the students to either postpone, change, or drop-out of the course entirely. 

2) Demands Intense Focus and Dedication 

Studying through a screen necessitates self-motivation, alertness, and active learning to make the most of the lecturer’s labor. There are no external disturbances as observed in the classroom programs. Online education allows the student to learn at its pace and provides the flexibility of the schedule. It confers responsibility on students to keep up with the program.

3) Procrastination

Since there are no teachers present to nag or push the students to complete projects and assignments before the deadline, they tend to postpone it to the last minute. Procrastination is a prominent issue for students. It becomes essential for students to maintain, keep reminders, and look out for deadlines.

4) Frequent Technical problems

One of the disadvantages of digital learning is frequent internet issues. Online learning entirely relies on internet connectivity to impart education. Although most urban areas are equipped with continuous net speed, developing areas are lagging. Thus, hindering the learning process as a whole. 

5) Less peer interaction

Online learning has quite one-to-one conversations where students can directly contact and clear doubts. However, the interaction with fellow mates and the process of making valuable connections lessen with the limit of time spent online. Undergraduates are more deprived of social relationships in online classes than physically leading a decent social life in a traditional school or college.

6) Lack of Hands-On Training

The main disadvantage of online learning is the lack of practical training. Without scientific materials and hands-on skills, students may find it strenuous to apply them in real-life scenarios. The case is similar to courses that require mostly hands-on experiences such as nanotechnology, chemistry, genetics, etc.

7) Long hours of Screen time 

Long hours in front of a lightened screen affects the vision of the student. Sitting before a rectangular display without a blue wavelength filter happens to be one of the leading causes of poor eyesight among the student community. The arched pose in which most students adhere to online classes on the desktop/laptop/mobile also tends to obstruct proper body posture, which is a concern for parents.

8) Cost of Technology Usage and its Accessibility

On one side, cities are dependent on net services for the proper functioning of their work. On the other end, technology has not touched the edge in under-developed areas. This uneven distribution creates a hindrance in accessing online education. 

Conclusion 

Online education tends to provide students the freedom to multitask efficiently on both professional and a personal front. Researchers show that, on average, a student retains 25-60% of educational data in an online classroom compared to 8-10% in traditional classrooms. As we ace through technological changes, online education has become incumbent in learning and gaining new information.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A TUTOR OR COACHING CLASSES

BY: SHREYA AGGARWAL, VIDHYARTHI DARPAN

Hiring tutors or getting enrolled in coaching centers can be useful as they help the students prepare for various exams and ace them. Coaching centers mainly help in cracking entrance exams to get admissions in the desired universities or colleges. They help in fulfilling the dreams of the students by helping them cover this milestone. Choosing what’s the best for you can be a bit time consuming and even exhausting but it will help you in the long run. 

Here are few things you should consider when choosing a tutor:

1. Experience of the tutor

Check the educational qualifications as well as the experience of the tutor. They should have experience in teaching similar kids like your child with the same curriculum. The more experience they have, the more knowledge they’ll have about the exam pattern, style of questions, study pattern, frequently asked questions, etc. They will also be able to solve the doubts of your child in a better way. Check if they an experience in teaching in schools, colleges or even coaching centers. Go for aged teachers with years of experience. 

2. Educational qualifications of the tutor

Make sure to check the educational qualifications of the tutor as the will come in handy while teaching of course. Choose the tutor with the best academic credentials and skill set.  

3. Method of teaching and communication skills

The tutor needs to have a great verbal communication skill set. They should be understanding to develop a good teacher-student relation. The language and method of teaching should be very clear and easy to grasp as far as the student is concerned. 

4. Do they have their own educational material?

A lot of tutors have their own study material and notes which come in very handy for the students. Teachers who have developed their own material over the years according to their experience are needed to be given a higher priority.

5. Do you want a home tutor?

If the student feels more comfortable in studying in the space of their own home, consider a home tutor. The more comfortable the environment is, the better the study sessions will be. Home tutoring also means that your child will get the undivided attention of the teacher. They will focus solely on your child.

6. Fees of the tutor

Choose the tutor who fits your financial expectations. Usually, they charge their fees by hour. Make sure to have a direct talk with them regarding their fee structure. 

7. Check references

Find references form other students or from different credible sources. This will increase your confidence in them and help you make a better decision.

8. Do they guarantee good results?

Get a teacher who can make sure that they’ll provide good results. This is where experience comes in. Choose a teacher who has helped students crack exams, get good marks before as well. This will help you increase reliability and confidence over the tutor.

Here are few things you should consider when choosing a coaching center:

• Study material

Almost every coaching center provide their own study material. Before enrolling your child, verify and ensure that they have the relevant course material. The material should be detailed, up to date and easily comprehensible. 

• Do they take regular tests?

Regular tests are an important factor to check if the students have understood what they have learned so far. Mock tests are the key to crack any entrance exam. Make sure the center takes regular tests and gets theme checked on time so the students can track their progress. Check how they go on to cover the syllabus and if their teaching patterns and timings suit you.

• Check their track record

Every center provides a track record of the number of their students who have cracked the exams every year. This track record provides a rough idea of the quality of education they provide and their efficiency in getting students prepared for the exams. 

• Check references

Talk to the students and take reviews of the parents of the students who have already enrolled in the coaching center. They will give an idea about the style of teaching, their efficiency and clear any doubts you have to help you come to a decision. 

• The teachers they hire

Make sure that the teachers they have hired have the proper educational qualifications and experience. The more experienced the teacher is, the better are the chances of their students to learn, grasp the concepts and dop better in exams. Hey have the most amount if tricks and tips about the exams your child is going to give. Usually for the biggest competitive exams in the country, like NEET, JEE, AIIMS etc., the teachers they hire are alumni of the most respected institutes in India. 

• Time taken to travel daily to the institute

Try to choose the coaching center which is near to your place of residence. If the center is far away, the time taken by the student to daily travel as well as the energy spent will exhaust the student even before attending the classes. Also, students need to save their time as much as possible to devote the same to their studies and preparation. If you get confused between two equally good coaching centers, the better option is to choose the one which is in close proximity to your home.

• Reasonable fees

Coaching can be as expensive as you want. However, higher fees do not guarantee good results. Take into account the affordability and the number of services that they are providing.

• Number of students in each batch

Most centers take up as many students as they get to mint money. This causes the teachers to pay less attention to each student. Make sure your center has a reasonable number of students in each batch.

In conclusion, do your own research before making any decision. Keep the above points in mind. The tutor or coaching center you choose will directly affect your child’s performance, so make sure you choose wisely.

HOW TO BECOME AN INCOME TAX INSPECTOR THROUTH SSC CGL

BY: ANKITA SHARMA, VIDHYARTHI DARPAN

Government jobs are lucrative and most favored among youths. One such respectable post is of Income Tax Inspector. The income tax department is far more challenging than how it is portrayed in movies. Apart from elevated social status, serving under a reputed organization imparts a sense of satisfaction that is not present in the private sector. It is the reason why most of the youth, newly graduates study hard to fix a post in such government institutions.

The journey towards becoming a Gazette officer starts from acquiring a thorough knowledge of the type of position you want. The Income Tax Inspectors are recruited in two ways: through UPSC and SSC. In this article, we will be discussing the whole procedure of how you can become an Income Tax Inspector through SSC CGL.

Read on to know more about it!

WHO IS AN INCOME TAX INSPECTOR?

An Income Tax Inspector (ITI) is a Group “C” functionary post under the Income Tax Department working for the apex body Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). They are mainly responsible for keeping account of direct tax collection from big corporations & organizations, assess income tax returns, and analyze & report possible tax discrepancies or fraud. It is a prestigious and remunerative post held by reputed officials with a high-paying salary.

HOW TO BECOME AN INCOME TAX INSPECTOR THROUGH SSC CGL? 

Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination for graduates to fill vacancies of various Group B and Group C posts falling under the Government of India. One can become an Income Tax Inspector by giving and acing this exam held once a year. SSC CGL is a national level exam that offers job opportunities to people in various governmental ministries, institutions, and bodies. It is a four-stage examination starting from Tier 1 to Tier 4 with the varying difficulty level. 

To become an Income Tax Inspector, the candidate only requires to attempt Tier 1 (Preliminary), Tier 2 (Paper 1 & 2), and Tier 3 (Descriptive Test). Tier 4 is not applicable for ITI, thus can be skipped.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERION

A) Qualification

Since SSC CGL is a graduate-level exam, applicants must possess a valid bachelor’s degree in any field/discipline from any recognized university or equivalent.

B) Age Limit

For the post of Income Tax Inspector, the general category upper age limit is 30 years. However, categories other than General have the privilege of age relaxation. Age relaxation of various categories to fulfill the eligibility criterion is depicted in the table below:

Category	Age Relaxation
OBC	3 years
SC/ST	5 years
PH + General	10 years
PH + OBC	13 years
PH + SC/ST	15 years
Ex-Servicemen (General)	3 years
Ex-Servicemen (OBC)	6 years
Ex-Servicemen (SC/ST)	8 years

C) Fee

The application fee is Rs. 100 for general/OBC candidates. Women (of all categories), SC/ST, PwD, and Ex-Servicemen are exempted from paying. 

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Candidate needs to apply for SSC CGL through the official website. It is mandatory for the candidate to give first 3 exams (Tiers) for ITI recruitment. 

i) Tier 1 (Preliminary)

Tier 1 is the qualifying exam consisting of one computer-based paper. The four sections, each comprising of 25 questions, need to be solved for 200 marks. The duration of the examination is 1 hour or 60 minutes.

A negative-marking of 0.5 marks is assigned for every wrong answer. However, no mark will be deducted if the question is un-attempted. 

Subject	Number of questions	Maximum marks	Exam Duration
General Intelligence & Reasoning	25	50	60 minutes(80 minutes – For VH/ OH)
General Awareness	25	50
Quantitative Aptitude	25	50
English Comprehension	25	50
TOTAL	100	200

ii) Tier 2 – Paper 1 & 2 (Mains)

In SSC CGL, the tier 2 exam consists of 4 individual papers. It is a computer-based online exam with Paper 1 (Quantitative Ability), Paper 3 (Statistics), and Paper 4 (General Studies – Finance & Economics) consisting of 100 multiple choice questions denoting two marks each. Paper 2 (English Language & Comprehension) has 200 questions, carrying one mark each. The duration span of each paper is 2 hours or 120 minutes.

The penalty for each incorrect or wrongly attempted question in Paper 1, 3 & 4 is a 0.5 mark. There is a deduction of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in Paper 2 (English Language & Comprehension). 

For the post of ITI, a candidate needs to attempt only Paper 1 & 2 and score as much as possible.

Paper	Subject	Number of questions	Maximum marks	Exam Duration
1	Quantitative Ability	100	200	120 minutes
2	English Language & Comprehension	200	200	120 minutes
3	Statistics	100	200	120 minutes
4	General Studies (Finance & Economics)	100	200	120 minutes

iii) Tier 3 – Descriptive Test

Tier 3 is a pen-paper based descriptive test assessing a candidate’s writing language and vocabulary skills. It is an hour-long exam constituting 100 marks. Candidates can opt for the exam in either English or Hindi language. The question generally asked, but not limited to, are Letter and Application Writing for 50 marks each.

Scheme of Examination	Maximum Marks	Exam Duration
Descriptive paper in English/Hindi (Writing of Essay/ Precis/ Letter/ Application etc.)	100	60 minutes(80 minutes for VH/ OH)

2) Cutoffs

Since it is a reputed central government post, the cutoff goes comparatively high from other posts recruited through SSC CGL. One needs to score 500+ marks out of an overall 700 marks (Tier 1 + Tier 2 + Tier 3). The official cutoff score for Income Tax Inspector for the various category is represented in the below table:

Cut-off

Category	Cut-off Marks (Out of 700)
General	578.75
OBC	557.75
SC	515.25
ST	511.50
Ex-Servicemen	482.50
OH	489.50
HH	473.00

AFTER SELECTION

After successfully getting into merit, the candidates undergo an 8–12-week training in respective central institutions per their zonal preference. There are presently 18 zones of the IT Department from which candidates can choose as per their necessity and inclination. The training occurs at DTRTI (Direct Taxes Regional Training Institute) in one of the ten allotted regions. It includes learning tax laws, getting acquainted with various administrative protocols, financial accounting & advance accounting, capital & revenue expenditure, exposure to real-life situations and solutions, research training, etc. 

An Income Tax Inspector’s job profile generally comprises assessment (desk work) and non-assessment (on-field work) tasks. As a desk job, you will principally handle tax claims and returns along with dissolving queries regarding TDS (Tax Deduction at Source). When posted on non-assessment work, you will deal with field works, conduct surprise raids with a team, and confront false income returns by companies that will become a common occurrence. Being an ITI can be tedious at times but the excellent social status that it offers is worth it.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To work in the prestigious Income Tax Department demands utmost devotion and commitment. The following are the duties and responsibilities of the Income Tax Inspector:

1) To evaluate the income tax returns of an individual or company

2) Conduct an external survey that includes home-to-home, shop-to-shop inquiry, etc.

3) Accumulate and assess the information from the Custom & Excise Department, Sales Tax Department, Banks, Railway Station, etc.

4) Conduct special surveys at a wedding or events where a large amount of money is spent.

5) General inquiries regarding anonymous complaints, complaints of tax evasion, deceitful transactions, assets owned by the taxpayer, implications received from other departments, etc.

6) Summon notices in illegal and unethical cases

7) Assist in ITOs central circles in the examination of accounts and execution of distress orders.

8) Acquisition of property work

CAREER GROWTH

Income tax inspector is merely the first step towards serving the nation with pride. Through timely promotions, the morale of the personnel is kept at par. The increment in position occurs through departmental exams. The promotions in order are as follows:

1) Income Tax Officer (ITO) in 4-6 years of service

2) The Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax (ACIT) in 10-12 years of service

3) Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax (DCIT)

4) Joint Commissioner of Income Tax (JCIT)

5) Additional Commissioner of Income Tax (ADCIT)

6) Commissioner of Income Tax

It takes tremendous experience and dedication to conquer each stage.

SALARY AND PERKS

Serving under the central government pays a fortune. Compared to private firms, government jobs assure security, definitive pay, additional perks such as Dearance allowance, transport allowance, paid leaves, house rent allowance, the mobile bill (limited), and other allowances. 

The grade pay of an Income Tax Inspector is 4600 with basic pay of Rs. 9300 – 34800. 

TOP 9 COURSES TO PURSUE AFTER ENGINEERING?

BY: ANKITA SHARMA, VIDHYARTHI DARPAN

Engineering is the most common graduation course students opt for, right after completing their 12th. Whether it is B.Tech or B.E, the 4-year course lets the student step into the world of technology and know the whereabouts of the latest advancements. It is a journey worth following.

While it is good till it lasts, the stress of choosing a career plan after engineering can be cumbersome. To ease your research of choosing the right career, here is a list of courses you can pursue to achieve your desired goal!

1) Accept the Campus Placements

Securing a decent-paying job before completing graduation or joining a company right after graduation is the most popular choice made by third-year or last-year engineering students. Many reputed companies visit colleges providing job openings.

Campus placements deliver enormous opportunities to budding engineers. The prerequisites for landing a good job are consistent CGPA, good communication skills, technical knowledge of the subjects, and confidence.

Campus placements processes differ from college to college. However, the preliminary tests remain the same – Academic record, participation in cultural events, Aptitude test, Group discussion, and Technical interview. Students who want to kick-start their careers in the early days of college can surely go for campus placements and prepare well.

2) Go for Masters (M.Tech/M.E)

If you want to gain insights and learn more about the subjects, doing a master’s in the preferred field is recommended. M.Tech/M. E (Master’s in Technology/Master’s in Engineering) is the course you can pursue to accomplish that. To get enrolled in these courses, students have to attain required marks in entrance exams such as GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering) held once a year. Other exams for M.Tech programs are IIT JAM, NEST, JEST, etc. Most colleges accept GATE scores for admission into Master’s courses.

M.Tech/M.E is a two-year course wherein students learn and explore new ventures with in-depth knowledge of the specialization they choose. It provides the best career opportunities for undergraduate students; they can procure a job amidst studying as a lecturer or researcher. After post-graduation, one can apply for a Ph.D. and become a professor gaining a handsome salary.

3) M.Sc.

Master’s in Science (M.Sc) has become a popular course opted by many engineering undergraduates. Not only in India, one can pursue M.Sc in foreign nationals as well. Students can go for specializations such as M.Sc. Physics, M.Sc. Chemistry, M.Sc. Aeronautics, M.Sc. Computer Science, M.Sc. Electronic Sciences, M.Sc. Artificial Intelligence, etc.

To get admission into M.Sc programs in abroad colleges, students need to clear TOEFL/IELTS (English proficiency tests) and GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) to earn scholarships.

M.Sc. Physics is the most favored course among engineering graduates. One can further go for the Ph.D. program to gain skills and experience.

4) Most Followed Career Option – MBA

There has always been confusion between choosing an MBA or M.Tech course among newly-graduates. It is because both of them offer immense career growth with attractive pay. B.Tech/B. E with an MBA degree attract many potential recruiters as they get the best of both courses: Technical knowledge and Marketing skills.

The market value of MBA graduates is tremendous. Students acquire numerous skills in management, leadership, self-confidence, teamwork, and overall personal growth. It is a win-win scenario for students and recruiting companies as students get a rewarding salary and companies acquire an adept employee. It’s not surprising that the majority of MBA graduates are, in fact, engineers.

To get admission into a renowned MBA institute, students need to clear any management exam such as CAT (Common Aptitude Test), GMAT, MAT, ATMA, SNAP, among others. 

5) Be a part of Central Administration – Civil Services

For some clearing the UPSC exam and becoming an IAS officer is a dreadful journey while for some, it is a cakewalk. But the hard work and dedication are the same for all. It’s a dream of many to serve the nation in the best possible way. If you have the zest, Civil Services Examinations (CSE) is for you!

UPSC CSE conducted by UPSC is undoubtedly the most strenuous exam in India. It is because of the consistent dedication it demands. After the hardship of clearing the exam, one can serve in IAS, IPS, IFS, Audit and Account service, etc.

Do you know that in 2016, out of 176 IAS recruited, 32% (56) were engineers?

6) PSUs

PSUs or Public Sectors Undertakings are state-owned and government-run companies in India. Some of the PSUs offering high salaries with job security are Indian Oil, ONGC, MDL, NTPC, BHEL, among others.

They recruit engineers based on the GATE score of the current year. However, some PSUs such as Airport Authority of India, RBI, SCIL, BARC, BSF, etc. do not require GATE scores. 

Public Sector Undertakings offer great pay with career growth for engineering graduates in Electronics, Electricals, and Mechanical.

7) Entrepreneurship – Venture New Possibilities

Plenty of entrepreneurs have emerged with innovative ideas in recent years. Engineers accumulate qualities and desired skills throughout their college life by taking up assignments, challenging projects, and participating in various college fest/hackathons; acquiring skill-set applicable in the marketing world.

Entrepreneurship is an exciting journey of formulating new ideas and implementing the same for the betterment of society. All you need is a plan and motivation to bring change. Remember, a start-up demands sheer dedication. If you have it in you, entrepreneurship will prove to be the stepping stone for your success!

8) Opt for Internships

Though there are short-term internships offered by many companies during college time, there is no harm in looking for internships that interests you. You can register yourself on job-seeking websites like LinkedIn and InternShala that act as the mediation point between the recruiter and the job-enthusiast.

Internships usually last from a few weeks to a few months, say 3-6 months. In this duration, you get to experience the gist of corporate lifestyle by taking up real-life projects. It is a good option for engineers who want to build their skill-set under reputed institutional training. It is better for students who desire to add expertise to their resume before bagging a real job! 

9) Serve in Elite Defense Forces

It is no doubt that engineers are most desired in the armed forces by a large margin. From the Indian Army to the Indian Navy, there are innumerable opportunities lined up for new engineering graduates.

The entries are different for different forces.

1) INDIAN ARMY: Engineers can join the Indian Army in the Corps of Signals, Corps of Engineers, Corps of Electronics, etc. through TGC (Technical Graduate Course), UES (University Entry Scheme), CDSE (Combined Defense Services Examination), and SSC (Short Service Commission) schemes. 

2) INDIAN NAVY: Navy has the most engineering graduates. One can join the Indian Navy as Observer, ATC (Ait Traffic Control), Pilot, Naval Architecture, Electrical branch, etc. through INET (Indian Navy Entrance Test), UES (University Entry Scheme), CDSE (Combined Defense Services Examination), SNAES (Special Naval Architect Entry Scheme), and SSC (Short Service Commission) schemes. 

3) INDIAN AIR FORCE: Electronic and mechanical engineering graduates have an upper hand in this force. You can join the Indian Air Force by clearing a written exam (AFCAT+EKT) and SSB interview.

PLUS, ONE!

DO WHAT YOU LOVE! PURSUE YOUR PASSION!

There are no limitations to what one wants to explore and learn. If the mentioned options do not suit you and your interest lies in some other career, you can pursue that. Fashion designing, wildlife photography, filmography, business, animation & VFX, graphic designing, even discography, and filmmaking are a possible career option after completing engineering.