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The career of a Company Secretary is prestigious and financially rewarding.

A CS acts as the mediator between the company and its Board of Directors, government, shareholders and regulatory authorities. The job of a company secretary is to ensure that the Board procedures are strictly followed and regularly revised. Company Secretary is the conscience seeker of a company. He or she guides the Chairman and the Directors on how to make the best use of their responsibilities under various laws. There are so many career institutes in India that offer courses for company secretary.

As per the Companies Act, 1956, every company with a paid-up share capital of Rs. Two crores or above has to appoint a whole time Company Secretary. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has developed and regulated the profession of Company Secretaries in the country.

Eligibility

A candidate needs to clear 3 stages to qualify as Company Secretary and these are:

Foundation Course

The minimum eligibility to gain entry in the Foundation Course is a pass in 10+2 examination or its equivalent in any stream. The course is of 8 months duration.

Intermediate Course

A pass in the Foundation Course Examination of the ICSI/Graduation degree or a Master's degree/Pass in ICWAI, ICAI can allow you entry in the intermediate course. The course is of 9 months.

Final Course

Once you pass the Intermediate Course you automatically become eligible for admission to the Final Course.

One passing the Final examination of ICSI you will need to undergo a practical training after which, you will be completely eligible for the Associate Membership of the Institute.

Training

The Training Orientation Programme (TOP) is for 5 days and is done before commencement of training.

This is followed by training for 15 months after the candidate has passed the Intermediate Examination or Final Examination.

There is a practical training for 3 months. This is after passing the Final examination and that too, for those, who have been exempted from undergoing the 15 months training.

There is a Training with Registrar of Companies (ROC), Stock Exchange, financial or banking institution for 15 days.

The Secretarial Modular Training Programme (SMTP) is conducted after the candidate has passed the Final Examination and completed the Training requirement. It is for 15 days.

Depending on the practical experience of the candidates, they can be exempted from training completely or partially.

Qualities to become a successful Company Secretary

Candidate must be dedicated and skilled in writing and speaking good English. Bearing a moral character is important. Diplomacy should be followed in understanding the company strategies and policies of the company. Intellectual, Loyal, sophisticated, loyal and meticulous individuals become successful company secretary.

Institutes

The headquarters of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India is situated at :

ICSI House, 22, Institutional Area Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110 003

The institute also has regional offices at Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai and Delhi besides having four regional councils and thirty six chapters in other important cities of India.

On successfully clearing the Intermediate and Final Courses a candidate is required to serve a training period of 1-2 years with a Company or under a qualified and practicing Company Secretary. On completion of four months training thereafter the candidate becomes a member of the Institute of the Company Secretaries of India and is assigned a professional membership number and can use the suffix ACS after his / her name. A Fellow Member of the Institute who is normally a senior pro can use the suffix FCS after his / her name.

Scope in India

With the onward march of globalization in India remaining unabated the corporate sector has witnessed tremendous growth. Numerous companies from diverse fields have emerged on the Indian economic scene and with it the complexities involved in the running of an organization have also skyrocketed. It is here that the role of a Company Secretary is so important to an organization or business house, since he is competent to provide sound advice on corporate, legal, secretarial, administrative and even tax related matters. While a Company Secretary can aspire to get employment opportunities in government accounts or law departments, he can become a Chairman or Managing Director of a Company or be a part of the esteemed Board of Directors of a Company.

A budding and meritorious Company Secretary can hope to start his career with a monthly remuneration of Rs.20,000 - Rs.25,000. However, for an ordinary candidate, a monthly salary of Rs.10, 000 is almost guaranteed.

Scope Abroad

Although Company Secretaries are in great demand in India, in USA, UK and other western countries the profession or the professionals do not find tailor made opportunities. This is because the Company Secretary course is based on the Companies Act 1956, which has its roots in the Indian legal and political system and does not have much relevance outside India. A qualified Company Secretary may however find employment opportunities similar to those available to Business Graduates in either USA, Australia UK or other European countries.

How to Apply

Admission to the foundation course is open throughout the year.

Last Date to apply for December 2010 examination for CS Foundation Programme is 31st March, 2010

Applications are invited for All India Pre Medical / Pre Dental Entrance Examination (AIPMT) 2011 to be conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education,Delhi as per the following schedule for admission to 15% of the total seats for Medical / Dental Courses in all Medical / Dental Colleges run by the Union of India, State Governments, Municipal and other local authorities in India except in the States of ANDHRA PRADESH and JAMMU & KASHMIR:-

A career in Marine engineering opens up opportunities for people who want to stay on land or wish to sail on the sea. With a variety of new technologies coming up and new experiments being conducted in this field, opportunities for adventurous and inquisitive youngsters have increased manifolds.

Nature of Work

The marine engineers are engaged in supervising the engine crew involved in operating the machines. They also check for the smooth functioning of all electric motors, steam engines and propulsive engines etc. The marine engineers continuously take efforts to improve the efficiencies of gas turbine, existing shipboard conventional steam, nuclear propulsion plants and diesel. Some new technologies are developing in marine engineering such as magneto hydrodynamics, ocean thermal energy, fuel cells and superconductivity.

Course Curriculum

4-year degree course module recognizes the wisdom in what was stated by the great philosopher hundreds of years ago! While preparing the students for Marine Industry through extensively covered theoretical classes, practical engineering education at the in-campus workshop, out-of-campus Shipyard & Shipboard training, the curriculum ensures sufficient exposure to Electronic, Computer & Information technologies. There are total 8 semesters.

The subjects include 

- English 

- Applied Mathematics 

- Physics and Electronics

- Computer Science 

- Marine Management.

Topics such as Ship Operation Technology and other applied subjects (Maritime Commerce, Marine Engineering, Environmental Science, Control Systems etc.) are also focused upon. The training programmes help the candidates to inculcate qualities necessary for the profession, both mental and physical. Practicals that are conducted are in the following subjects - Astronomy, Chart Work, Practical Navigation, Magnetic and Gyro Compasses, Electronic Navigational Aids (Radar, Decca, and Satellite Navigator etc.).

Job Opportunities & Remuneration

Following the completion of Marine Engineering courses in India, students can opt for lucrative career options both on and off shore. After graduating as a marine engineer, one can get a job in a ship as a third assistant engineer or fourth engineer with a starting salary of Rs. 40,000-Rs.60,000 . If someone opts to join an oil tanker the salary becomes even higher. Offshore job opportunities are available in-

• Ports

• Shipping industries

• Directorate General of Shipping

• Educational institutes

Marine Engineering Research Institute, P-19, Taratolla Rd, Kolkata-700088 - Click here for admission notification.

Marine Engineering & Research Institute, Hay Bunder Road, Mumbai–400033 

Lal Bahadur Shastri College of Advanced Maritime Studies & Research, Hay bunder, Seweri, Mumbai-400033

International Marine Communication Centre, 134/3 R.H. Road, near Luz Corner, Mylapore, Chennai-600004

Indian Marine College, P.S. No. 1262, Kachiguda Station Road, Hyderabad-500027

IIT (Indian Institute of Technology), Powai, Mumbai-400076

Directorate General of Shipping, Jahaj Bhavan, Ballard Estate, Walchand Hirachand Marg, Mumbai-400001

Entrance Exam

Candidates need to write IIT-JEE to get admission in the top institutes.

All India Merchant Navy Entrance Test  to be conducted by Bharat Shipping Limited  for admission in the following courses in the country run by the institutes approved by DG Shipping, Govt, of India or other national / international authorities for  :

BSc (Nautical Science)

BTech (Naval Architecture)

G.P. RATINGS

Diploma Of Applied Science (Deck Watchkeeper) By AMSA

BTech (Marine)

MBA (Shipping And Logistics Management)

Important Dates

Architecture is an innovative amalgamation of art and technology. Architects employ their imagination to build monuments that are aesthetically in tune with the principles of design while also being functional and usable to those inhabiting them.                                                                                        

With the concept of environment-friendly and green buildings fast catching up today, the focus is on building spaces that are ecologically sound. This, together with the booming real estate and construction industry, has fuelled the demand for architects.

As land values are appreciating, services of architects catering to functional, aesthetic and technical part of design are being increasingly sought.

Even the common perception that the services of architects are an added expenditure, is slowing changing. As the disposable income of average Indian is on rise, the expectations and aspirations of consumer have become high and they are willing to shed large amounts of money.

Qualities that an Architect should possess

An architect essentially should be a visionary. They rarely work in isolation. It is a profession in which one has to work in tandem with contractors, engineers and decorators and hence, team spirit and coordination are of utmost importance. An understanding of latest trends and parameters of planning are also essential. With the profession increasingly becoming technology driven, a technical bent of mind is always helpful.

Future Prospects

The future in architecture is very promising. Establishment of MNCs and SEZs, foreign investment and retail boom spell good time for architects. At least for the next 20-25 years, growth prospects are very bright.

Although the return on educational investment starts coming late, the shelf life of an architect is much more as compared to any other professional.

Per capita income is increasing, design sensibilities are improving and aspirations are also touching the roof. All these factors will fuel the demand for competent architects in the future.

Eligibility and admission

The COA conducts an aptitude test on an all-India basis called National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) for admission to the first year BArch degree at institutes and colleges of architecture under its purview. The test measures the candidates’ drawing and observation skills, sense of proportion, aesthetic sensitivity and critical thinking ability, which are the building blocks to the study of the course. The minimum eligibility to apply for the course is 10+2 or equivalent from a recognised Board/University with Mathematics as a subject of examination (at least 50% aggregate). A minimum of 40 percent marks in NATA is required for admission. A merit list is then prepared on the basis of marks obtained in Class 12 and NATA (giving equal weightage to both) and admission granted to colleges across India.

Those with a science background can take the AIEEE, which is accepted by all National Institutes of Technology (NIT), Deemed Universities and central government universities and SPA. IIT Kharagpur and IIT Roorkee take in students through IIT-JEE. It’s advisable for students to give the NATA besides state-level exams. For instance, admission at Chandigarh College of Architecture (CCA) is made on the basis of the Common Entrance Test (CET) and Architecture Aptitude Test conducted by the Punjab University.

JJ School of Arts and Architecture, Mumbai takes in students through a Common Entrance Test (CET) conducted by the Directorate of Technical Education. It is mandatory for every architectural institution imparting the five-year BArch degree course in the country to join the NATA and to admit students on the basis of a valid NATA score. Candidates, who are not admitted on the basis of valid NATA marks, will not be considered for registration as architects later on.

Job or Specialization?

After passing out from graduation, one can practice on his/her own after getting registered with the COA, which grants license for practice. They might also start working with an architectural firm or under the guidance of a well-established architect. Real estate firms such as Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj, L&T, Jindals and IMAXE constructions also employ architects on their payrolls as does Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

A fresher could start as a Junior Architect or Assistant and earn Rs. 12,000 to 15,000 a month. Later one could opt for the role at various levels of design, documentation and construction, says Pritpal Singh, a Delhi-based architect. The salary might increase with experience. Talking about the work, Bhaskar Rattan, associate architect with a firm based in Delhi says, “While 30 percent of the job focuses on designing what the client wants, it is not about design alone.” Be prepared for long hours. To convert design from paper to land needs a lot of coordination between engineers, construction workers, plumbers and contractors etc.

Higher Studies

While some choose to work, more than 70 percent of students opt for Master’ or further studies after completing their Bachelor’s programme. They specialise in streams such as Landscape Architecture, Architectural Conservation, Urban Design, Building Engineering & Management, Environmental Planning, Housing, Transport Planning, Regional Planning, Town and Country Planning, Industrial Design etc. The SPA and CEPT Ahmedabad are considered to be some of the best colleges for a Master’s degree. Students also opt for an MBA (real estate) offered by the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University’s School of Management Studies in collaboration with SPA. Besides these, opportunities also exist in government organisations such as Town and Country Planning Organisation, National Institute of Urban Affairs, Housing and Urban Development Corporation, National Building Construction Corporation Ltd. etc .