Combined Competitive Examinations

Combined Competitive Examinations

Career Corner

Ranjan K Baruah

Many students harbour dreamsof becoming civil servants. In India one may join the civil servicesat the national level or at the State level. The Union PublicService Commission organises the civil services examination nationally while the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) isresponsiblefor choosing officers for different jobs through examinations. As recent advertisements have been published forthe civil services examination, many students are going to appear for the same. Apart from the aspirants, other students should also know more about the exams and syllabus. The details are being published on the official website of APSC and I have taken inputs from the website to compile today's article.

The APSC conducts Combined Competitive Examination and as per requisition of the Government of Assam for recruitment in various posts to the Civil Services, the advertisement is generally published through print media inviting applications in prescribed form. The written examination consists of two stages:the preliminary examination and the main examination and interview.

Preliminary Examination:The examination consists of two papers of two hours duration each. This examination is meant to serve as screening test only. The marks obtained in the preliminary examination by the candidates who are declared qualified for admission to the Main examination are not counted for determining the final selection. The questions are of multiple choice objective types. Paper I includes General Studies (200 marks) and Paper-II is one optional subject to beselected from the list of optional subjects (200 marks).

The list of optional subjects for C.C. Exam (Pre) includes Agriculture, Anthropology, Animal Husbandry &Veterinary Science, Botany, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Commerce, Computer Science, Economics, Education, Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Fisheries, Geography, Geology, Indian History, Law, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Science, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Statistics and Zoology.

The Main Examination consists of a written Examination and a viva-voce test. Candidates who are declared qualified in the Main Examination shall be summoned for a viva-voce test. The viva-voce test carries 200 marks with no qualifying marks.The written examination consists of the following papers of 3 hours duration each. The questions of the Main Examination will be conventional essay type and in total it carries 1400 marks. Optional subjects for C.C. Exam. (Main) has 29 subjects and aspirants may choose their subjects. However, candidates are not allowed the following combinations of subjects: Anthropology & Sociology, Mathematics & Statistics, Philosophy & Psychology, Agriculture & Animal Husbandry &Veterinary.

The candidates are interviewed by a Board which takes into account their academic career. The marks scored in the interview are added to the marks scored in the written examination (Main) and the rankings of the candidates are determined on the basis of the total marks obtained. Interview carries 200 marks.

The Assam Public Service Commission will hold the Preliminary Examination of the Combined Competitive Examination, 2018 for screening candidates for the Main Examination for recruitment to the services/posts as per the actual number of vacancies in accordance with the Assam Public Services Combined Competitive Examination Rules, 1989. Aspirants may apply on or before 18th June and the preliminary examination should take place in the month of July 2018.

Many students ask me about effective coaching classes related to the civil services examinations.It is very difficult to recommend as these are private coaching institutes. Aspirants must look at the record of the coaching centre and also details about the faculty, course material, etc before taking admission to any coaching institute. Coaching institute is not mandatory but it helps to build confidences and clear doubts as many have experienced faculties.

UPDATES:

n Scholarships for Islamic Studies:The Kuwait National Commission for Education, Science & Culture, Government of Kuwait, has announced two scholarships for India for Higher Secondary Level (Islamic Studies) for the academic year 2018-19. Interested students may send their applications to the Ministry of Human Resource, Government of India before 31st May.

n RBI Scholarship Scheme:The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Scholarship Scheme 2018 invites applications from full-time faculty members teaching economics or finance in UGC/AICTE recognised universities/colleges. Interested may apply before 31st May.

n Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Scholarships:The Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund invites applications for the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Scholarships 2018 from students who have registered for Ph.D. study in India. Last date for applying for this scholarship is 31st May.

n University of Strathclyde India MBA Scholarship 2018: The University of Strathclyde invites applications for University of Strathclyde India MBA Scholarship from graduate and postgraduate students. Last date for applying is 31st May.

n New India Foundation Fellowships: The New India Foundation Fellowships 2018 is a fellowship awarded to scholars and writers working on different aspects of the history of independent India. Candidate must be an Indian national and they must apply before 1st June.

n International Women Forum Fellows Program:The International Women's Forum invites applications for Leadership Foundation Fellows Program 2018-19 from emerging women leaders having exceptional quality training and access to IWF's unmatched network. Interested may apply before 1st June.

n Fulbright Nehru Master's Fellowships 2019-20: The United States-India Educational Foundation invites applications for Fulbright Nehru Master's Fellowships 2019-20 from highly motivated graduates and post-graduates who have at least 3 years of professional work experience, to study at selected the U.S. colleges and universities. In order to be eligible, an applicant must -be in possession of a U.S. equivalent bachelor's degree with at least 55% marks hold a four-year graduation degree, or a completed master's degree if the bachelor's degree is of less than 4 years and have a good command of the English language (TOEFL) and have professional work experience of at least 3 years and demonstrate leadership and community service quality. Aspirants may apply before 15th June.

n National Geoscience Award 2018:The National Geoscience Award 2018 invites applications from geo-scientists/ engineers/ technologists/ academicians to promote their contribution in the field of applied or fundamental geosciences, mining and allied areas. The award is given every year under three major categories. The scholarship is being offered by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India. Last date for online submission is 15 June and offline submission is 31st May.

n US-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund 2018:The US-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund 2018 invites applications from researchers and entrepreneurs from India and United States to promote support and foster the joint activities of research and development that would lead to entrepreneurship and innovation through the application of science and technology. The endowment fund is administered and implemented by the bi-national Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF). In order to apply for the endowment fund, minimum one partner from each country should apply in a bi-national team that can include - non-incorporated entities, incorporated companies like start-ups, or Individuals, government laboratories, non-government R&D institutions. Last date is 15th June.

n Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships:The Japanese Government Scholarships for Undergraduates 2018-19 invites applications from class 12 pass out students. The scholarship aims to provide fully-funded education to deserving candidates in the universities of Japan. The scholarship is being provided by the Government of Japan. An applicant must-Have passed class 12 and willing to pursue a bachelor's degree from a University in Japan in the fields of Social Sciences, Humanities and Natural Science. S/he must be born between 02.04.1994 and 01.04.2002 to be eligible for the scholarships. Aspirants may apply before 15th June.

n Capital First MBA Scholarships 2018-20: Capital First MBA Scholarships 2018-20 invites applications from graduate students who are going to pursue an MBA degree program or equivalent in the academic year 2018-19. The scholarship aims to aid the persistence and access to higher education to students by providing them meaningful financial support. The scholarship is being offered by Capital First. Last date is 15th June.

Ranjan K Baruah is a social activist and career mentor who has conducted career awareness programme in different parts of Assam and Northeast India and can be reached at bkranjan@gmail.com or 98640 55558 for any career related queries

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