A The choice of optional subjects can make or mar your final success in the Civil Services examination. Both in the Prelims as well as Mains, your performance in the optional paper plays a deciding role in your selection.

At the Prelims stage there is one optional paper while in the Mains you have to choose two optional subjects, each of which consists of two papers.

While choosing an optional for the Prelims, do keep the Mains in mind. This means that you should preferably opt for the same optional subject for both. This will not only lead to better understanding of the subject but will also save you extra effort.

The syllabus for the optional paper is typically of a Bachelor’s degree-level, but it is better if you prepare for a level equivalent to that of an Honours degree programme.

Since your performance in the optional paper must be excellent if you wish to succeed, do select the subject pragmatically after careful consideration. As extensive study is required to achieve mastery of the subject and its fundamentals, make sure you pick one that is both scoring as well as likely to sustain your interest throughout the course of preparation. Also make sure you have easy access to the necessary texts and reference material. Compactness of the syllabus and the subject’s relevance to administration are other criteria to be considered.

Prepare the reading list after consulting your professors, seniors or peers. If possible, try and talk to those who have either taken the exam or are planning to do so. Discussing your doubts and queries with them will be extremely helpful.

Every optional paper has two sections. One question in each section is compulsory. Besides the two compulsory questions you get to choose from a group of three others. Opt for those whose answers are fact based and where the scope for subjective assessment is minimal.

A The National Adventure Foundation offers courses in mountaineering, trekking, rock climbing, skiing, white water rafting, paragliding and powered hang-gliding. Students enrolling for these courses must only bear their travelling expenses while the rest of the cost is borne by the NAF which is a government body.

You could contact the NAF at: East Plaza, Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi 110002. Ph: 26327382.

The basic and advance courses are usually of a month’s duration and cost approximately Rs. 2000/.

The following institutes offer mountaineering and rock-climbing courses.

Indian Mountaineering Foundation, Delhi; Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi; Institute of Mountaineering & Allied Sports, Manali; Himalyan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling; Gen Themayya National Instt of Adventure Sports, Bangalore; Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering & Water Sports, Batote (J&K), Dharamsala (HP); ITBP Training Centre, Auli; Sonam Gyatso Mountaineering Institute, Gangtok.

Directorate of Mountaineering & Allied Sports, Manali (HP) with training centres at Dharamsala, Shimla, Jispa and Bharmour and Narkanda offers courses in water sports like rafting and kayaking, skiing and high-altitude trekking.

Rock Climbing Institute, Mt Abu, (Raj) with training centre at Junagadh.

GMVN Skiing Institute, Auli (Utt)

Journalism

A A degree in journalism or mass communication is a good starting point for a career in journalism.

Journalists write news reports and features for newspapers, magazines, radio, television or the Internet. Some may get openings in large commercial organisations and government departments where the work involves preparing annual reports, speeches and media releases. For the print and broadcast media, a journalist’s job is to collect and analyse facts about newsworthy events by interviewing, investigation or observation. Journalists usually start as junior reporters to write about routine events. In the press and on radio, Internet and television, most reporters are expected to be ‘generalists’; that is, be able to cover almost any topic of interest. All journalists are required to understand the laws of defamation, contempt and copyright. You may have to work long and irregular hours - often under severe deadline pressures. With a few years of experience both in reporting, and at the copy desk, journalists grow to become editors.

If you don’t wish to be tied down, you could even choose to work as a freelancer/stringer, art, fashion, or theatre critic, book reviewer, web content developer, technical writer, etc. The growth of the ICE (information, communication and entertainment) sector and the increasing proliferation of satellite and broadcast channels, media networks and PR agencies generates a steady demand for savvy communication experts.

Industrial Chemistry

A Industrial chemistry is a multi-faceted field which opens up a wide range of options in pure research as well as commercial applications. However, a Bachelor’s in the subject is not sufficient if you are looking at career options at the professional level. You’ll need a Master’s at the least and even further if you wish to teach or go into research.

Besides teaching, the main areas open to you are pure research or research-based assignments directly or closely related to your field of specialisation in the chemical and allied industries (chemical, pharmaceutical, agrochemicals, toiletries, plastics, polymers, etc.) and other industries (food, gas, electricity, water, nuclear, etc.). While an MPhil or PhD is necessary for working as a scientist, you could work as a research assistant straight after MSc in various research-oriented organisations.

Some areas of specialist work in this field are:

As a Research Chemist, you would investigate or evaluate new ideas, materials and processes.

As a Product Development Chemist, you would nurture new research ideas so that they can become practical production processes or improve existing products.

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