Career Options/Guidance

Q. I have done my B.Sc with Botany Honours. I want to appear in the Indian Forest Services (IFS) Examination. Please guide me.

Ans: Indian Forest Services (IFS) Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission every year generally in the month of July. Only those with a Bachelor's degree with atleast one of the following subjects viz., Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics and Zoology or Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, Forestry or Engineering or equivalent in the age group of21-30 years on the 1st July of the year of examination are eligible.

Q. I am a student of B.Sc. (IInd Year) with Physics Honours. I want to know about National DEfence Academy Examination. Please guide me.

Ans: National Defence Academy (NDS) Entrance Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year, generally in the months of April and October of admission to the courses commencing in the following January and July respectively for the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the NDA. A candidate must be an unmarried male and have attained the age of 16 ½ years and must not have attained the age of 19 years on the Jan. 1 or July 1 of the year succeeding the years of examination. For Army Wing of the NDA, a candidate must have passed 12 Class of the 10+2 pattern of school education. For Airforce and Naval Wings, a candidate must have passed 12th Class with Physics and mathematics.

KNOW THE FACTS-12

1. Q. What is Bovine Epidemic?

Ans: Bovine Epidemic is a disease that spreads among the buffalo and the cow population at a given time. The MadCow Syndrome which spread in Britain in 1999, was an instance of bovine epidemic, as a result of which beef and veal imported from non-european countries was banned in stores there. Recently, the German Government announced that it would slaughter an estimated 4,00,000 heads of cattle in an attempt to curb the mad-cow disease. This would cost some £ 120 million to the exchequer.

2. Q. What are Probiotics ?

Ans: Probiotics simply means "for life". A probiotic is the term to denote a naturally occurring group of organisms. These cultures of micro-organisms or biological products are able to multiply in the pet's intestinal tract to create a balanced microflora. This prevents undesirable organisms (pathogens) to colonies in the intestine.

The intestinal tract contains receptor sites. When probiotics enters the digestive system, they will occupy these receptor sites, restricting the attachment of destructive bacteria. Probiotics keep the gut at a desirable pH thus allowing for the growth of "good" bacteria. Also these "friendly bacteria" produce a natural antibiotic like substance called Bactericine which helps to eliminate unwanted coliforms. The end result is healthy, viable intestinal lining that can maintain optimal nutrient absorption capabilities.

3. Q. What are Super Bugs ?

Ans: In Super Bugs the non-indigenous microbes to a contaminated site are added to enhance the actual degradation of the contaminant. But by latest research, it has been seen that it is not true. It has been observed that money may be better spent determining the degradation potential for the existing microbial community, looking for cometobolic enzyme potential, and then stimulating those mocroorganisms. Many studies have been performed that demonstrate commercial 'super bugs' typically are not the ones doing the degrading at a site.

4. Q. What is the concept of Fatherland?

Ans: It is the same as that of Motherland. We call India our Motherland because it is deep-rooted in our culture and ethos. However, the Nazis started calling Germany their Fatherland in the 1930s with the rist of Adolf Hitler. The term Fatherland is also used in many other European nations for their native land.

5. Q. What is meant by Terminator Seed Technologies?

Ans: The Terminator Gene Techniques suggest that the technology creates transgenic plants in which expression of certain traits is introduced either by the application of an external stimulus through hybridisation or by the direct introduction of an enzyme. Transgenic plants are transformed into Terminators by introducing into their genomea series of functionally inter-related DNA sequences or genes.

'Terminator' technology, a biotechnological innovation patented in the United States, could deal a fatal blow to millions of resource-poor farmers in developing countries as it portends great dange to food security world wide. The patent titled "Control of Plant Gene Expression" is meant to alter seeds genetically so that crops raised using them do not yield seeds that germinate.

6. Q. What is Hibernation ?

Ans: Hibernation generally refers to animals which spend the winter in a state like deep sleep. Any person or process that reaches an almost stagnation point for a long period of time is said to be in hibernation.

7. Q. What is Homeopathy and who founded it ?

Ans: Homeopathy is a system of medicine that was introduced by a German Physician Hahnemann in 1796. It is based on the belief that "like cures like", and that the action of drugs are potentiated by dilution.

8. Q. What is Fabianism?

Ans: Fabianism is another kind of socialism. It believes in establishment of socialism through evolutionary methods. It aims at the promotion of the general welfare of society through peacefuland democratic method. It justifies socialism from economic, moral and personal grounds. It believes in the improvement of the conditions of the labourers of society. It also advocates the abolition of private property in land and transfer of industrial capital to the community so fare as possible. On the whole, Fabianism advocated the elimination of social injustice. Progress is, therefore, very slow here. Fabianism first originated in Great Britain towards the last part of the 19th century. A group of intellectuals like G.B. Shaw, graham Walls, Annie Besant, sidney and Beatrice Webb, formed the Fabian Society in Great Britain.

9. Q. What is Euthanasia ?

Ans: Euthanasia means mercy-killing. It is the process of bringing about of gentle and painless death for a person suffering from a painful and incurable disease or extreme old age. On Nov. 28, 2000, the Netherlands became the first country to allow mercy-killings after Parliament passed a Bill legalising euthanasia. Elsewhere in the world, only the US State of Oregon allow a form of Euthanasia.

10. Q. What is Cloud-Sedding?

Ans. Cloud-sedding is a process in which silver iodide is sprayed on the monsoon clouds. The chemical acts as condensation material and effects precepitation of clouds or in otherwords in formation of water drops and subsequently effects rainfall. The process is considered environmentally safe and is practised in a number of countries to enhance crop productivity.

11. Q. What is alienation ?

Ans: Alienation means unfriendly or hostile. However, in legal system it means power of disposing of or transferring an interest in property to another person.

12. Q. What is Acid Rain ?

Ans: Acid Rain is a form of pollution in which the rain water contains greater than normal acidity. Oxides of sulphur and nitrogen generated by burning of fossil fuels in power plants, pulp and paper mills, mining, smelting operations and other industrial processes are constantly released into atmosphere. Tall chimneys released the oxides high in the atmosphere and before they can drop to the ground, they have enough time to combine with atmospheric moisture and underthe action of sunlight to become acid. Precipitation of such particles is acid rain.

Mental Ability-4

(C.S.P.E. 2000)

1. A rectangular water tank measures 15 m x 6 m at top and is 10 m deep. It is full of Water. If water is drawn out lowering the level by 1 metre, how much water has been drawn out?
a) 90,000 litres, b) 45,000 litres, c) 4,500 litres, d) 900 litres

2. An accurate clock shows 8 o'clock in the morning. Through how many degrees will the hour hand rotate when the clock shows 2 o'clock in the afternoon?
a) 150º b) 144º c) 168º d) 180º

3. The monthly income of Komal and Asha are in the ratio of 4:3. Their monthly expenses are in the ration of 3:2. However, both save Rs. 600 per month. What is their total monthly income?
a) Rs. 8,400/-, b) Rs. 5,600/-, c) 4,200/-, d) 2,800/-

4. If X= -2, then X3(cube) -X2(square)-X-1 is equal to, a) 1, b)-3, c) -11, d) -15

5.



Answers:-

1. (a): 1 letre = 100 cu.cm., Water drawn out=15x6x1=90 sq.m.
2. (d)
3. (c): Let the total monthly income of Komal and Asha respectively be 4k and 3k. Suppose their expenses are 3l and 2l respectively. Therefore 4k-3l=600 and 3k-2l=600, implies k=600 and l=600, implies Total income of komal and Asha = 7k= 4200.
4. (c)

Tips for the Inverviews

Bearing : Walk erect and with confidence. Look into the eyes of the Chairman and Members when you talk to them. Smile and be pleasant. Be enthusiastic and interested. You must be lively, keen and cheerful. Let your optimism and energy radiate.

Conduct : Politeness pays. Be sympathetic and attentive. Observe meticulously the code of manners and etiquette. Never be rude or offensive. Do not neglect to pay compliments.

Speech : Talk slowly, deliberately and audibly. You should neither shout nor mumble. Pronounce your words clearly and crisply. Never be dull or monotonous with your words. Avoid the use of such phrases like, 'you see', 'i say', 'ofcourse', 'i mean', etc.,

Dress: Choose your dress with care. It must be befitting the occasion.

Personal Hygiene: Be neat, tidy and clean. Se that you are well groomed.

Self-Control: Do not become emotional or get nervous. Be confident and patient. Check necessary movements. The Board may deliberately try to provoke you and see how easily you could be upset. Never lost your temper.

Do not Bluff : State only what you know to be correct. Do not hazard guesses unless you are asked to do so. Shooting lions andboasting will land you in trouble. Do not try to be too clever. Remember, the Board has years of experience and has seen many candidates.

Own-up your mistakes : If the Boards pointsout that you had made a mistake and you realist it to be fact, then be couragous and own it up. Never try to cover it up. The Board will respect you for your honesty.

Initiative: Use your initiative but watch the reactions of the Board. Also be conscious of your limitations. Do not ever-shoot. Do not draw conclusions. Be discreet when you talk about your own accomplishments. These shouldbe conveyed subtly and tactfully.

Criticism and Arguments : Do not criticise. Never try to find faults. As far as possible, stress the good point of others. It is better to be silent than to criticise. Do not get involved in unproductive arguments. You have not gone to the interview to win a verbal battle but to have an enjoyable conversation. See how you can agree rather than disagree. As a last resort you may agree to disagree.

Listen and Observe : Keep your eyes and ears open. Study their reactions. You will know when to stop talking and when to listen. As a rule, do not interrupt. If the other person wishes to talk, let him do so. In fact, encourage him to talk. Be an attentive and enthusiastic listener.

Practice : Practice, practice and practice. You must have as much practice as possible. Enlish the goodwill and cooperation of your friends, colleagues, elders and family members and have practice session with them. The more practice you have, the better it is. It will guarantee your SUCCESS.