Chatter Box

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I am studying commerce in Class XII. I want to join the army. But I wear spectacles. The other career options I have include Mass Communication and Law. What should I do to join the army? What course should I do after my Class XII keeping the various options I have in my mind?
— NEHA SHARMA

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You can get into the army, even if you are bespectacled. You need to have distant vision corrected to 6/6 and myopia of not more than 5.5. You should be a graduate in any discipline – BA or B.Com. – with at least 60 per cent marks from a recognised Indian university. Women are inducted only for the short-service commission of five years, extendable up to 10 years. For candidates with a commerce background, the jobs available include those in the non-technical services like the Army Ordinance Corps and the Army Education Corps. The qualifying age for women is between 19 and 25 years. You must be in good physical and mental health, free from any disability that might affect your performance at work. Your weight must be at least 36 kg. The minimum acceptable height is 142 cm.

Most newspapers carry advertisements announcing the requirement of women officers in the army, usually in January and February every year. For further details, you may contact the Additional Director General of Recruiting (Women’s entry section), West Block III, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110 066. We suggest that you also consider similar positions in the Navy, including the Logistics Cadre and in the ground duty branch of the Air Force.

I am a graduate with 50 per cent marks in aggregate. I want to pursue a B.Ed. programme through distance education. Which universities offer this degree?
— RAMIT JUNEJA

I passed my BA (Honours) English programme with 45 per cent marks from University of Delhi. Please tell me the names of universities which run a B.Ed. programme.
— RAVI DAHIYA

There are many universities offering full-time B.Ed. programmes. These include University of Delhi, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and Jamia Millia Islamia. We do not suggest a B.Ed. programme undertaken through correspondence. This is because employers do not accept the degree unless you have at least two years of teaching experience. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has a good B.Ed. programme for in-service teachers.

I am pursuing a BCA programme from IGNOU. Can I sit for the IAS exams? — RAVI

You can apply for the civil services exam after completing graduation through correspondence. You will need to answer the main and optional papers in certain selected subjects which, however, do not include IT and computer applications.

I have finished a course in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management (IRPM) from College of Vocational Studies, University of Delhi. I appeared for the MBA CAT but did not qualify for admission. Should I do post graduation in IRPM or go for a B.Ed. degree? Please help.
— ANONYMOUS

The course you have done in IRPM is a good one. You can follow it up with post graduation in IRPM or a PGDBA if you cannot get into an MBA programme. This will enable to work in a corporate organisation. However, with your qualifications you can also get into a social work body, non-governmental organisation, or even take up hospital management. Of course, if you want to get into any other field you will need to recognise your talent and make a choice accordingly. There are aptitude and personality tests that help you identify your talent if you are confused about them.