Q Is there a minimum height requirement for those wishing to opt for the Indian Police Service? I'm slightly myopic. Will that be a disqualification?

A The various services of the Government of India have been classified under two categories, namely technical and non-technical.

The Indian Police Service and other Central Police Services Group 'B', the Indian Railway Traffic Service and Group 'A' posts in the Railway Protection Force constitute the technical category.

The minimum height prescribed for the Indian Police Service is 165 cm. This is relaxable to 160 cm for men and 145 cm for women in the case of candidates belonging to scheduled tribes and races.

For the technical services mentioned above as well as for any other service concerned with public safety, the total amount of myopia (including cylinder) must not exceed minus 4.00 D. Also, your total hypermetropia must not exceed plus 4.00 D.

In terms of popularity, IPS may be second only to the IAS, but there are many who make it their first choice.

Q I am a Science graduate. Can you please tell me what future prospects does B. Sc (Industrial Chemistry) offers?

— Ravinder Kullhar

A Industrial Chemistry is a multi-faceted field that 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 . You'll need a Master's at the least.

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 M. Phil or Ph. D is necessary for working as a scientist, you could work as a research assistant after M. Sc in some research 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.

As a Process Development Chemist, you would devise or scale a sequence of operations leading from the lab stage to safe, viable and efficiently manufactured product.

As an Analytical Chemist, you would prepare quantitative product and formulation analysis in collaboration with other scientists.