Career Watch for +2

The  period from September to March is the right time for students who are in final year of higher secondary to think about a good  education option. This is because during this period application forms and brochures of most of the national level competitive exams are published. Majority of the students are aware of  JEE and NEET exams. This column outlines some lesser known but smart education options with little investment,  high returns and universality.

Five year integrated (BS + MS) masters  is  being offered at Indian Institute of Science  Education and Research (IISER) at Pune, Kolkata,  Mohali, Bhopal, Tirupati, Behrampur and Thiruvanathpuram  with intake capacity of 100 each. Eligibility for admission is based on the qualification of any of the two: KVPY (Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana)  or JEE (Main) extended list.  Sometimes back  IISERs have started a new option SCB (State and Central Board) Channel. Students securing high percentage marks (cutoff for each board available on IISER website) at higher secondary level are eligible and they have to clear Aptitude test conducted by IISERs. All IISER students receive either KVPY/INSPIRE Scholarship of Rs.5000/-p.m.

Admission in NISER, Bhubaneshwer and UM DAE CBS, Mumbai is based on National Entrance Screening Test which are held in May. NISER and UM DAE CBS also cater a five year integrated M.Sc. programme in basic sciences. Students admitted to NISER and UM DAE CBS also get a stipend of Rs 5000 per month along with a suitable annual book grant as well as research project grant. Those performing exceedingly well may have a chance to be absorbed in R & D units and autonomous research institutions of the department of atomic energy (Details and Important dates are available on http://nestexam.in). In both these institutes there are two supernumerary seats for Jammu and Kashmir domicile students. Srinagar is also among one of the centres of the NEST examination.

Indian Institute of Science offers 4 year BS in basic sciences. Admission is based on extended merit list of  JEE. Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) has been set up under ISRO in  Thiruvananthpuram. IIST offers integrated masters in applied science and B.Tech. in Avionics, physical sciences, and aerospace engineering.  The  admissions to the Undergraduate Programmes  at IIST are made through the JEE (Main). Details and Important dates are available on http://www.iist.ac.in

Chennai  Mathematical Institute offers  graduate program in mathematics, computer science and physics and post graduate program in mathematics and computer. Entrance  Examination  is generally held in end of May. Generous Fellowships are available for all students. Details are available on http://www.cmi.ac.in/admissions

Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata Offers B.Stat. (Hons.), B. Math. (Hons.), M. Stat., M. Math., M.S.(QE, Quantitative  Economics), M.S.(Library and Information Science), M. Tech.(CS), M. Tech.(QROR, quality, reliability and operations research). Now the Institute has several centres throughout India including Delhi, Bangalore, Baroda, Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, and Pune. Admission is based on national level entrance test which is held in May. Students who have qualified Indian National Olympiad in mathematics are exempt from entrance test of B. Stat. and B. Math. Fellowships are available in all the courses. For further information the site www.isical.ac.in may be consulted.  Srinagar is also among one of the centres of ISI and CMI entrance examinations.

The regional Institutes of Education at Ajmer , Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Mysore and Shilong  offer Four Year Integrated B.Sc. B.Ed. course.  There are two possible subject combinations viz. physics, chemistry, mathematics and physics chemistry, biology. RIE Ajmer caters to the need of northern India including Jammu and Kashmir. For eligibility  and other information consult http://www.rieajmer.ac.in

National Aptitude Test in Architecture NATA is conducted by the National Institute of Advanced Studies in Architecture (NIASA) Pune, an Academic Unit of the Council of Architecture. There are 135 institutions, which impart architecture education in India leading to recognized qualifications. The standards of education being imparted in these institutions, is governed by Council of Architecture.. Details are available on http://www.nata.in

To facilitate and promote maritime studies, training and research Indian Maritime University (www.imu.edu.in) was established in 2008 at Mumbai with campuses at Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi and Vishkhapatnam.  Among others it offers four year B.Tech in two streams viz., Marine engineering and naval architecture and Ocean engineering. It also offers three graduate programme in Maritime Science,, Nautical Science and ship building and repair. Admission is through online common entrance test CET and usually conducted on last Saturday of May.

Institutes of Hotel management offer B.Sc degree in hospitality and hotel administration through NCHM-JEE. IHM and CT, Srinagar  was established in 1982 as 5th Hotel management institute of country.

The  All India Entrance Exam for Agriculture, Forestry & Dairy Technology (AIEEA -UG) is conducted by ICAR. Details will be available on site www.icar.org.in

The creative students may join National Institute of Design, NID (http://www.nid.edu) and National Institute of Fashion Technology. NID and NIFT offer four year B. Des (Bachelor of Design) degrees in various streams. There are sixteen centrally funded NIFTs throughout India. NIFT Srinagar also started functioning since last year. Presently they offer two streams viz; Fashion Design and Fashion Communications.  IIT Bombay and IIT Guwahati also offer B. Des degrees via UCEED. There are a plethora of career options now. The most important thing is to find ones aptitude and strong points. The above list is just indicative. There are many more options like actuarial science which has a large scope in companies dealing with insurance. Forensic science, pharmaceutical, and polytechnic are some other options.