I’m in class XII (science) and set on qualifying as an astronaut. I want to work in ISRO or NASA. Should I study aeronautical or aerospace engineering or write the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam for entry into the Indian Air Force? Nikhil Ramsaswamy, Chennai ISRO employs only indian nationals whereas NASA usually employs US citizens. To work in ISRO (www. isro.org.in), aeronautical or aerospace engineering aren’t your only options, you can study engineering subjects of your choice. A background in the defence services is useful but not necessary to qualify as an astronaut. A wide range of qualifications can lead to astronaut training including a bachelor’s degree in engineering, science or mathematics. Engineers, biological scientists, mathematicians as also military personnel with appropriate academic backgrounds and related work experience, can be selected to go into space. Right now, you should concentrate on your class XII boards and prepare for the entrance exams of top-ranked engineering colleges. I’m in the final year of my mechanical engineering programme. I wish to make a career in the merchant navy. Which institutions offer diplomas in marine/naval engineering? Donald Crasto, Mumbai To qualify, you need to undergo a one-year pre-sea training course in marine engineering for which the eligibility criteria includes a BE/B.Tech degree with an average of at least 50 percent and minimum English language score of 50 percent in class X or XII. You should also be physically and mentally fit, with no colour blindness, and vision of not more than plus or minus 250 and be less than 24 years of age. Pre-sea training is offered by Marine Engineering & Research Institute, Mumbai; Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies, Lonavla (www.samundra.com); Maritime Engineering Training Institute, Cochin Shipyard Ltd, Cochin (www. cochinshipyard.com); Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineering Ltd, Kolkata (www.grse.nic. in); Institute of Maritime Studies, Goa (www.imsgoa.org or www.barbership.com) and Coimbatore Marine College, (www. coimbatore marinecollege.com). You could also consider writing the all-India examination for recruitment of trainee marine engineers of the Shipping Corporation of India Ltd, Mumbai (www. shipindia.com). I’m keen on a career in medicine. After completing my class XII (science) in 2013, in case I don’t qualify for admission into an Indian medical college, should I apply to medical colleges abroad? What are their admission requirements? Ravi Pillai, Bangalore Medical education abroad is very expensive and there are stringent rules for recognition of foreign medical degrees in India. In addition, you have to write each country’s entrance test for admission into their medical schools. In most countries, the number of seats reserved in medical colleges for foreign students is minuscule. For instance, for admission into a medical college in the UK, you need to write the MCAT test. Moreover the price of a five-year programme in the UK is Rs.30 lakh per year. In the US and Canada, medicine is a postgraduate qualification, acquired after completion of a bachelor’s degree in life sciences, stretching the duration of medical education to at least eight years after class XII. I will graduate in commerce next year,…
