I graduated in 2023. I have been preparing for the SSC-CGL from 2021 but have not cleared it. My English and Maths are weak. I am from a rural area in Rajasthan and my family depends on me. What can I do? Raju

Dear Raju, Struggling with SSC CGL doesn’t mean you lack ability. It may be that the exam format doesn't play to your strengths. First, register for the Mukhyamantri Yuva Sambal Yojana (Rajasthan), which provides an unemployment allowance for up to two years along with a four-hour internship in a government department.

Your graduation and SSC preparation make you suitable for Operations Executive, Data Entry, or Customer Support roles that offer decent pay and can provide immediate financial support. Also consider easier exams with lower Maths requirements. SSC Stenographer has no Maths and tests only Reasoning, General Awareness, and English. Learning shorthand also reduces competition. The RRB NTPC Group D exams require basic Class 10 Maths and English.

If you continue with CGL, focus on Percentage, Ratio, and Average, as nearly 60% of questions can be tackled through these areas. Find teachers who explain the concepts in Hindi and in a way that you can understand. For English, read newspapers or watch English news with subtitles. If your foundation is weak, use Neetu Singh Volume 1, a trusted guide for Hindi-medium students.

If government exams do not work out by the year end, consider a technical course through ITI or RSLDC that offers free or subsidised training in solar panel installation, electrical work, and digital literacy.

I am in the third year of the five-year Law course. I want to be a company secretary but am afraid of failure. I am wondering if I should do an LLM. But I am sure that I want to work in the corporate sector. What should I do next? Bhumi

Dear Bhumi,

Both LLM and CS are valuable for corporate law but serve different roles. A Company Secretary focuses on compliance and governance and ensures that companies follow the Companies Act, SEBI norms, and Board procedures. The demand is high, as every listed company requires a CS.

An LLM focuses on deep legal research, complex litigation, or niche areas like IP and Taxation. It adds prestige and specialisation, especially from a top global university. However, companies often value law firm experience more than a domestic LLM.

The CS pass rate is low but, as a Law student, you can skip CSEET and enter the Executive Level. Around 60–70% of the CS syllabus is law-based, with tax and financial management being the main challenges.

Enrol for CS Executive now. You can make significant progress by graduation, and having CS (Executive) or CS (Finalist) on your CV can strengthen your placement prospects. Focus on Company Law, Securities Law, and Drafting.

Pursue an LLM only from a top global university or a leading NLU for Corporate Law. Focus on internships in in-house legal departments of MNCs or top corporate law firms and highlight your CS journey.

I am in Class 12 and want to prepare for CLAT. I am struggling with time management and am not sure about the right approach. Kanika

Dear Kanika,

CLAT preparation during Class 12 is a balancing act, but your board exams and entrance preparation can complement each other. Follow the 60–40 rule. On weekdays, spend two to three hours on CLAT, reading the newspaper, and practising a specific section. On weekends, spend five to six hours on mock tests and two hours analysing mistakes. Use English and History/ Polity classes to improve reading comprehension and GK.

Take active breaks and switch to CLAT puzzles when tired of Board preparation. Give CLAT your complete focus till December, then shift entirely to Board revisions from January to March.

CLAT tests reading speed and critical thinking. Don’t memorise laws; learn to apply principles to facts. Read editorials, understand events, improve reading speed, and strengthen Class 10 Maths. Start taking a mock every 15 days to understand the exam pattern and your baseline. Since CLAT has a -0.25 penalty, focus on improving accuracy and then speed. Analyse every mistake carefully.

I am preparing for the Civil Services along with a Master’s. The preparation for CSE is overwhelming and I also have arrears. Please help me. Sriya

Dear Sriya,

Feeling overwhelmed is common among UPSC aspirants. Shift your focus to taking small, actionable steps. First print out the UPSC syllabus and mark off completed topics. This can motivate you to be consistent.

Use one standard book per subject, one monthly magazine, and one newspaper. Avoid collecting too much material. Spend 70% of your daily study time on current topics to prevent new backlogs and 30% on old ones. Use the first half of Sunday to clear the most important backlog and keep it a no-new-topic day.

For backlogs, read class handouts first and watch videos only for difficult sections. Maintain consistency, even on difficult days. When your Master’s workload is high, commit to reading the newspaper and solving five MCQs to keep your UPSC preparation active.

Understand that your day has to be divided between sleep, studies, and personal life. If your Master’s takes five hours, you may have three hours for UPSC. Accept this and use it wisely. If your Master’s subject matches your UPSC Optional (such as History, Geography, or Sociology), use university resources to reduce your UPSC workload and improve your writing for the Mains.